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☆ Nigeria kidnapping: Chibok girl rescued after 10 years in captivity
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Stephanie Busari | Michael Rios | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Lagos, Nigeria CNN —The Nigerian army says it has rescued one of the missing Chibok schoolgirls abducted by militant Islamic group Boko Haram a decade ago. But the abduction of the Chibok girls remains the highest-profile example of the group’s targeting of schools. A decade later: Chibok kidnapping survivors tell their storiesSurvivors of the Chibok kidnapping recently shared their harrowing experiences in captivity with CNN on the 10th anniversary of their abduction. One of them Amina Ali, 27, was forced to marry a Boko Haram fighter, spending two years in captivity, before escaping. Ishaya was also reunited with her family in 2017 after spending three years as a “slave,” treating injured Boko Haram fighters.

Persons: Chibok schoolgirls, Lydia Simon, Boko Haram, Haram, “, Amina Ali, Boko, Hannatu Stephen, Ishaya, Stephanie Busari, Michael Rios, Nimi Princewill Organizations: Nigeria CNN —, CNN, Amnesty International, West, Human Rights Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, Borno State, Haram, Islamic State, West African Province, Boko Haram, ”, Nigerian, Kuriga, Sokoto, Atlanta

☆ Ramadan in Malaysia: Raids and fines for those caught breaking fast spotlight growing religious conservatism
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

In many parts of Malaysia, Muslims caught eating or drinking during daytime hours can find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Those caught eating or drinking during daytime hours face fines of up to 1,000 Malaysian Ringgit (about $200) and prison terms of up to a year. CNN reached out to multiple state religious bodies across Malaysia for comment. Complaints were made to the state religious department, media reports said, and the scandal caused a national stir – drawing scorn from conservative politicians and prompting public apologies from the celebrities. “As long as you look Malay, you must fast during Ramadan – those are the rules,” Yusuf told CNN.

Persons: Rahmad Mariman, ” Mariman, TikTok, ” JAIPK, Hadi Awang, ”, MOHD RASFAN, –, Ameena Siddiqi, Siddiqi, ” Siddiqi, Salahuddin Abdul Aziz, Annice Lyn, Anisah Mahmood, Fadhlina Sidek, “, Haji Ahmad Bin Yahaya, Yusuf, ” Yusuf Organizations: CNN, Malaysian, Islamic Religious Department, JAIM, PAS, Malaysia Islamic Party, AFP, Getty, Annice, Education Locations: Malaysia, Malacca, Perak, Gerik, South, Southeast Asia, AFP, Malaysian, Islam, Kuala Lumpur, Shah Alam, Selangor, London, Malay, Johor

☆ Who are ISIS-K, the group that claimed it carried out the Moscow terror attack?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

It is a branch of ISIS, the terror group that emerged in Syria and Iraq and, at its peak, controlled a huge stretch of territory. By 2018, ISIS-K was ranked the world’s fourth-deadliest terror group, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace, which monitors global terrorism. Video Ad Feedback What we know about ISIS group claiming responsibility for Moscow terror attack 04:16 - Source: CNNWhat do they want? Russian state media reported on March 7 that the FSB, Russia’s security service, prevented an ISIS attack on a synagogue in Moscow, according to Reuters. It is the most active terror group in the country, responsible for 73 deaths in 2023, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace.

Persons: Kamala Harris, –, Joe Biden, Putin, ”, Daniel Byman, ” Byman, John Miller, Wakil Kohsar, Washington, Vladimir Putin Organizations: CNN, Islamic, ISIS, Sunday, US, Institute for Economics, The United Nations, Sharia, “, RIA Novosti, RIA, Reuters, Kabul University, CSIS, National Legal Training, US Central Command, National Intelligence, UN, Manchester Arena, State Department, Kyiv Locations: Moscow, Soviet, Tajikistan, Khorasan, Asia, Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Syria, Iraq, Africa, East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Kabul, Afghanistan’s Kunar, Nangarhar, United States, Britain, Europe, “ Russia, Georgetown, Caucasus, Pakistan –, Mastung, AFP, Germany, Paris, Ariana Grande, England, Orlando , Florida, Russian, Ukraine, Crocus

☆ Indian State's Polygamy Ban Divides Some Muslim Women
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +4 min

For others like Jafar, Muslim politicians and Islamic scholars, it is an unwelcome stunt by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party. A 2013 survey found 91.7% of Muslim women nationwide saying a Muslim man should not be allowed to have another wife while married to the first. The Supreme Court in 2017 found the Islamic instant divorce unconstitutional, but the order did not ban polygamy or some other practices that critics say violate equal rights for women. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board called the code impractical and a direct threat to a multi-religious Indian society. "Banning polygamy makes little sense because data shows very few Muslim men have more than one wife in India," said board official S.Q.R.

Persons: Bano, Sadaf Jafar, Jafar, Narendra Modi's, Modi's, Ilyas, Rupam Jain, William Mallard Organizations: DELHI, Reuters, Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, SOCIETY BJP, Islam Locations: Islam, Uttarakhand, India's, India, Uttar Pradesh

☆ Analysis-For Malaysian Filmmakers, Censorship Stifles Optimism After Overseas Glory
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

"This is a very good time ... where people around the world are really looking into Malaysian filmmakers. "Mentega Terbang" follows a teenage Muslim girl exploring different religions while dealing with grief. Online platforms are not covered by film censorship rules in Malaysia. Khairi and others involved in "Mentega Terbang" even received death threats at the time, media reports show. CENSORSHIPUnder Malaysian law, films intended for public viewing must be approved by the Film Censorship Board.

Persons: Oscar, Michelle Yeoh, Khairi Anwar, Malaysia's, Khairi, Badrul Hisham Ismail, Pagi Ke, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Zabidi Mohamed, Amir Muhammad, Brenda Danker, Danial Azhar, Rozanna Latiff, Himani Sarkar Organizations: Azhar KUALA LUMPUR, Reuters, Cannes, Cannes Film, Malay, Academy, Malaysian, Film, YouTube Locations: Azhar KUALA, Malaysia, Malaysian, Viu, Terengganu, Malay

☆ Malaysia's Top Court Declares Several Islamic Laws in Kelantan State Unconstitutional
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Rozanna LatiffKUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's top court on Friday declared more than a dozen Islamic laws enacted by the northeastern state of Kelantan as unconstitutional, in a decision that could affect the legality of sharia in other parts of the Muslim-majority country. Malaysia has a dual-track legal system with Islamic criminal and family laws applicable to Muslims, running alongside civil laws. Islamic laws are enacted by state legislatures while civil laws are passed by Malaysia's parliament. Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat who delivered the majority judgement said the state had no power to enact the laws, as the subject of the legal provisions were covered under parliament's law-making powers. "We therefore allow the petition's application for a declaration that (these laws) are void and invalid," she said.

Persons: Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Muhyiddin Yassin, Rozanna Latiff, Kanupriya Kapoor Organizations: Reuters, Federal, PAS Locations: Latiff KUALA LUMPUR, Kelantan, Malaysia, Malaysia's

☆ Brunei comes to a standstill for royal wedding of Prince Abdul Mateen
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Life in the tiny oil-rich kingdom of Brunei came to a standstill Sunday for a grand royal wedding attended by heads of state and royals from Bhutan and Middle Eastern countries, the highlight of 10 days of celebrations. The lavish ceremony saw Prince Abdul Mateen, the tenth child and fourth son of Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, wed his long-time partner, Yang Mulia Anisha Rosnah, the granddaughter of a royal adviser. Mohd Rasfan/AFP/Getty ImagesThe 32-year-old prince, a British-trained and educated military officer in the Brunei Royal Armed Forces who’s sixth in line to his father’s throne, has become the modern face of Brunei’s royal family. Iqbal Selamat/AFP/Getty ImagesThe royal wedding at Brunei's Istana Nural Palace. To Their Majesties Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Queen Raja Isteri, our warmest congratulations on this happy occasion.”Prince Mateen kneels before his father, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, after the solemnization ceremony.

Persons: Prince Abdul Mateen, Brunei’s, Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Yang Mulia, Rosnah, Nurul Iman, Bandar Seri Begawan, Mateen, Mohd Rasfan, Michael Jackson, Britain’s, Prince Charles, Teh Firdaus, –, Iqbal Selamat, Lee Hsien Loong, Hassanal Bolkiah, Raja Isteri, ” Prince Mateen, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Mateen’s, Hassanal Organizations: CNN, Nurul, Royce, Getty, Brunei Royal Armed Forces who’s, Abaca Press, United Arab, Singapore Prime, AP, of Defense Locations: Brunei, Bhutan, Middle, Brunei’s Sultan, Bandar Seri, Bandar Seri Begawan, AFP, British, Malaysian, Nural, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Borneo, Britain

☆ UN Security Council Due to Vote on Lifting Arms Embargo on Somalia
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Michelle Nichols and Giulia ParaviciniUNITED NATIONS/NAIROBI (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council is due to vote on Friday to remove the final restrictions on weapons deliveries to Somalia's government and its security forces, diplomats said, more than 30 years after an arms embargo was first imposed on the country. The 15-member body is due to adopt two British-drafted resolutions on Friday, diplomats said - one to remove the full arms embargo on Somalia and another to reimpose an arms embargo on Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab militants. One of the draft resolutions spells out that "for the avoidance of doubt, that there is no arms embargo on the Government of the Federal Republic of Somalia." Somalia's government had long asked for the arms embargo to be removed so it could beef up its forces to take on the militants. The Security Council began to partially start lifting measures Somalia's security forces in 2013.

Persons: Michelle Nichols, Giulia Paravicini, Mohamed Siad Barre, Al Shabaab, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, al, Grant McCool Organizations: Giulia Paravicini UNITED, United Nations Security, Government of, Security, Union Locations: Giulia Paravicini UNITED NATIONS, NAIROBI, Somalia, of Africa, Al Qaeda, Al Shabaab, Federal Republic of Somalia, Al, Somali, al Shabaab

☆ ‘There is no school for girls’: Afghans who fled to Pakistan sent back to a homeland that is foreign to many
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Sophia Saifi | Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“I was born in Pakistan, I’ve lived here for 42 years, I went to school in Pakistan,” said Nasim, who had traveled to the Torkham border crossing from the northern city Peshawar. Nasim, who was born and raised in Pakistan, and is now preparing to return to Afghanistan. International bodies and human rights groups have warned of a looming humanitarian disaster as they return. He hoped the Taliban would greet those forced out of Pakistan and help them find new jobs. The steady deterioration of human rights under the Taliban since its return to power have only confirmed the worst fears of many Afghans.

Persons: I’ve, ”, Nasim, “ I’ve, –, “, ” Nasim, Abdul Basit, Sarfraz Bugti, Ravina Shamdasani, Wakil Kohsar, Ghulam Sakhi, we’ve, Raza Muhammad, ” Muhammad, Akhtar Muhammad, Zahid Bahand, can’t, I’m Organizations: Pakistan CNN, CNN, ”, Getty, Security, Authorities, United Nations, Human Rights, Rights Watch, ” CNN, Interior Ministry, “ Police, UN, International Organization for Migration, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taliban Locations: Chaman, Pakistan, Pakistan’s, Peshawar, Afghanistan, ”, Quetta, “, Soviet, States, AFP, Afghan, Karachi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Balochistan’s, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Kabul

This was a secret school, set up to teach girls despite the bans on female education imposed by the Taliban since they retook control of Afghanistan two years ago. Girls, faces partially covered, attend class at a hidden school in Afghanistan. CNN‘I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t’Inspired, in part, by a 1996 Christiane Amanpour documentary titled “Battle for Afghanistan,” Hakim decided to create secret schools for a new generation of Afghan girls. After the militant group imposed the bans on girls’ education, Maryam says she was trapped at home and felt like a “zombie,” with nothing to do and nowhere to go. Hope stronger than fearBack at the secret school, Maryam learns the Taliban are checking neighborhoods for illegal activities and fears they risk being caught.

Persons: CNN — Parasto Hakim, Hakim, “, ” Hakim, –, CNN Hakim, ”, CNN ‘, Christiane Amanpour, Maryam, ” Maryam, Fatima, ” Fatima, Yalda, ” Yalda, Koofi, Hakim –, ” Koofi, ” Fawzia, Justin Tallis Organizations: CNN, Girls, United Nations, UN, ” CNN, ”, Taliban, Getty Locations: Afghanistan, Kabul, States, United, London

Details of how the Taliban intend to expand and manage mass surveillance, including obtaining the U.S. plan, have not been previously reported. "At the present we are working on a Kabul security map, which is (being completed) by security experts and (is taking) lots of time," he said. The Taliban strongly denies that an upgraded surveillance system would breach the rights of Afghans. A July U.N. monitoring report said there were up to 6,000 Islamic State fighters and their family members in Afghanistan. The Afghan "home base" locations of Islamic State fighters are in the eastern mountainous areas, said Schroden.

Persons: Ali Khara, Abdul Mateen Qani, Washington, didn't, Qani, Amrullah Saleh, Saleh, Jonathan Schroden, Matt Mahmoudi, ETIM, ETIM couldn't, Afghanistan Thomas West, Mohammad Yunus Yawar, Charlotte, Jonathan Landay, David Kirton, Liz Lee, Katerina Ang Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Islamic, Huawei, U.S, of Interior, Reuters, U.S.A, U.S State Department, RIC, Bloomberg News, Foreign Ministry, NATO, Center for Naval, Protect Journalists, Taliban, Amnesty International, East Turkestan Islamic, Security, Special, State, Ece Toksabay, Thomson Locations: China, Kabul, Afghanistan, Rights KABUL, Islamic State, —, Turkey, Turkish, Pakistan, United States, East Turkestan, Xinjiang, State, Russian, Charlotte Greenfield, Islamabad, Washington, Shenzhen, Beijing, Ankara

☆ Congo Army Seeks Insight Into Islamist Militants From Women Held Captive
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Since then they have pledged allegiance to Islamic State and maintained their insurgency, attacking civilian and military targets in both Congo and Uganda. Congo army spokesperson Antony Mwalushay told Reuters that after sometimes lengthy spells in the camps, the women can have valuable insight on the group's operations that helps counter-insurgency efforts. So far this year the army has questioned around 425 women, who had been freed or escaped from rebels since January, including Mariam, Mwalushay said. Speaking to Reuters in the yard of the centre, Mariam described how she was coerced into moving to the rebel camp. Another 22-year old woman who ended up in an ADF camp when her husband signed up, said she was surprised by the strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.

Persons: Yassin Kombi, Muiysa, Mariam, Antony Mwalushay, Mwalushay, Sonia Rolley, Alessandra Prentice, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Congolese, Allied Democratic Forces, Islamic, Reuters, ADF Locations: Muiysa BENI, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ugandan, Islamic State, Uganda, Congo, Beni

☆ Morgues overwhelmed in Libya as rescuers search for thousands missing after flood
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Rhea Mogul | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A satellite photo shows flooding in Derna, Libya, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 via Planet Labs PBC. Planet Labs PBC/APA satellite photo shows Derna on Sept. 2, 2023, before flooding, via Planet Labs PBC. A boy pulls a suitcase past debris in a flash-flood damaged area in Derna, eastern Libya, on September 11, 2023. A damaged vehicle is stuck debris after the floods caused by the Storm Daniel in Derna, Libya on September 12, 2023. Toys are seen in a flash flood damaged shop in Derna, eastern Libya, on September 11, 2023.

Persons: “, ”, Adel Juma, Storm Daniel, I’m, Muammar Gaddafi, Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, Khalifa Haftar, Osama Hamad, Daniel, Derna, Osama Aly, Abdullah Mohammed Bonja, Ciaran Donelly, IRC’s, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Richard Norland, Zayed Al Nahyan Organizations: CNN, Planet Labs PBC, AP, Getty, Libya, UN, of National Unity, GNU, Libyan National Army, Ambulance, Storm, Anadolu Agency, Rescue, Emergency Management Authority, Anadoulu Agency, Civil Protection Department, United Arab Emirates Locations: Libya, Derna, Palestinian, AFP, Tripoli, Benghazi, North Africa, Greece, Europe, Italy, United States

[1/2] Lab-grown chicken from GOOD Meat is grilled by Chef Daniel Lugo at Jose Andres's China Chilcano, in Washington, U.S., July 13, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 11 (Reuters) - Lab-grown meat can be labeled kosher and halal as long as its cells are derived in methods compliant with religious standards, according to two panels of experts commissioned by the nascent industry. "It’s another marker around making cultivated meat a real solution," said Josh Tetrick, CEO of GOOD Meat. More than 12 million people in the United States eat kosher products and 8 million eat halal products, according to the OU and Islamic Services of America, a halal certification agency. Regulators cleared cultivated chicken for U.S. consumption earlier this year and it has since been served at some high-end restaurants.

Persons: Chef Daniel Lugo, Leah Millis, Josh Tetrick, Tetrick, SuperMeat, Ido Savir, Leah Douglas, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, GOOD, Companies, Orthodox Union, OU, Islamic Services of America, Thomson Locations: Jose, China, Washington , U.S, United States, Singapore

Malaysia's opposition bloc includes Islamist party PAS, which promotes a strict interpretation of sharia law and opposes LGBTQ rights. Another PAS leader urged the government to cancel a concert by Coldplay because the band supports queer rights. DISCRIMINATION, THREATSAnwar vowed this year that Malaysia would never recognise LGBTQ rights. His government has banned books for "promoting the LGBT lifestyle", detained demonstrators expressing support for queer rights and confiscated Pride-themed watches made by Swiss watchmaker Swatch. Asked about the government's position on LGBTQ rights, government spokesperson and communications minister Fahmi Fadzil told Reuters: "Whatever the prime minister has said is the position."

Persons: Carmen Rose, Hasnoor Hussain, Rose, Anwar Ibrahim's, Anwar, Anwar doesn't, James Chin, Rezki Rohaizad, Malaysia's, Fahmi Fadzil, Thilaga Sulathireh, Sulathireh, I'm, Rozanna Latiff, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, PAS, Coldplay, University of Tasmania, Swatch, Reuters, Sisters, Thomson Locations: Malaysian, Singapore, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR, Australia, Swiss

[1/4] Taliban soldiers stand guard at the second-anniversary ceremony of the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 15, 2023. Taliban parades were expected through the day and several departments, including the education ministry, held gatherings to celebrate. For many women, who enjoyed extensive rights and freedoms during the two decades of rule by Western-backed governments, their plight has become dire since the return of the Taliban. OBSTACLE TO RECOGNITIONGirls over the age of 12 have been mostly excluded from classes since the Taliban returned to power. For many Western governments, the ban is a major obstacle to any hope of formal recognition of the Taliban administration.

Persons: Ali Khara, Ashraf Ghani, Zabihullah Mujahid, Mujahid, It's, Amina Mohammed, Matiullah, Mohammad Yunus Yawar, Charlotte, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Taliban, Islamic, U.S . Federal Reserve Bank of New, Swiss, Thomson Locations: Kabul, Afghanistan, Ali Khara KABUL, U.S, Western, U.S . Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Charlotte Greenfield, Islamabad

☆ Fact Check-Muslims not exempt from stamp duty on UK property purchases
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

False claims are spreading on social media that Muslims in the UK are exempt from paying stamp duty, a tax paid when buying property or land. In fact, stamp duty relief rules for Sharia-compliant alternative mortgages stop the levy being paid twice, but stamp duty is still ultimately financed by the buyer. Social media accounts, including here , claim Muslims are exempt from stamp duty charges. Stamp duty relief was introduced in 2003 to end stamp duty charges on both transactions. The rules ensure the same outcome and amount of stamp duty payable as for conventional mortgages, a spokesperson for HMRC said.

Persons: Read Organizations: HM Revenue, Customs, HMRC, Reuters Locations: England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Britain

☆ UK band The 1975 cancels Indonesia, Taiwan shows after Malaysia LGBT controversy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

July 23 (Reuters) - British band The 1975 said on Sunday they have cancelled shows in Taiwan and Muslim-majority Indonesia, a day after Malaysia banned them from performing there after their frontman kissed a bandmate on stage and criticised the country's anti-LGBT laws. "Unfortunately, due to current circumstances, it is impossible to proceed with the scheduled shows," the pop rock group said in a statement, without elaborating. Malaysia's government halted a music festival in the capital Kuala Lumpur on Saturday and barred The 1975 after what it called "disrespectful actions". Homosexuality is a crime in Muslim-majority Malaysia. It was not immediately clear why the band cancelled their July 25 show in Taiwan, which has a proud reputation as a bastion of LGBT rights and liberalism, including allowing same-sex marriage in 2019.

Persons: Matty Healy's, Martin Petty, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: Malaysia, Rights, Southeast, Southeast Asia LGBT, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Muslim, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jakarta, Aceh province, Southeast Asia

CNN —Six civilians and three security force members were killed in a late-night attack by militant fighters on a beachside hotel in the Somalian capital Mogadishu, state media report. Shattered window panes could be seen at the site of the attack, as well as blood stains and debris. Feisal Omar/ReutersAl-Shabaab is the largest and most active al-Qaeda network in the world, according to the US Africa Command. The group controlled a vast area of Somalia before being pushed back by government counteroffensives since last year, according to Reuters. US forces have conducted numerous strikes in Somalia that have resulted in dozens of Al-Shabaab casualties, including one that killed 30 Al-Shabaab fighters in January, and three others in February that killed a total of 24 soldiers.

Persons: ” SONNA, Omar, counteroffensives, Al Organizations: CNN —, Security, Pearl, Somali National News Agency, African Union, Reuters, US Africa Command Locations: Somalian, Mogadishu, Al, Shabaab, Lido Beach, Somalia

☆ The Taliban promised to provide security to Afghans. New data shows threat from ISIS is growing
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Eliza Mackintosh Ehsan Popalzai Antonio Jarne Lou Robinson | Eliza Mackintosh | Ehsan Popalzai | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

“Currently we don’t have security in Afghanistan at all, whenever we go out we don’t know if we will come home alive or not,” he added. Taliban security forces guard a checkpoint near the foreign ministry in Kabul on March 27, after an ISIS-K suicide bomber struck the site. The data, which is available in a live map, includes 367 pieces of open-source evidence — largely videos and images shared on social media — about 70 ISIS-K attacks since August 2021. As the Taliban try to minimize the threat ISIS-K poses, attacks on civilians continue. Taliban security forces have been waging ongoing operations and night raids against ISIS-K.

☆ Saudi's Morabaha Marina aims to raise up to $83.4 million in IPO -statement
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, May 14 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Morabaha Marina Financing Company said on Sunday it is seeking to raise up to $83.4 million in an initial public offering on the Tadawul (.TASI) exchange to strengthen its capital base and support future growth. The independent non-bank finance institution plans to sell a 30% stake, or 21.4 million shares, in a price range between 13 riyals ($3.47) and 14.6 riyals per share, implying a total offer size of 278.6 million riyals ($74.29 million) to 312.9 million riyals, it said in a statement. The final offer price is expected to be announced on May 21 following an institutional bookbuilding process. Net proceeds from the share sale will be used to strengthen the company's capital base to support future growth. Morabaha Marina Financing Company offers Sharia-compliant financial services to individuals and small and medium sized enterprises in Saudi Arabia.

☆ Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones: Australian surfer faces possible flogging after alleged naked, drunken rampage in Indonesia
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An Australian man arrested in a conservative area of Indonesia over an alleged violent rampage faces the possibility of prison time and a public flogging, authorities have said. Bodhi Mani Risby-Jones, 23, from Noosa in southern Queensland, was arrested after allegedly attacking and injuring a local fisherman while drunk. It is the only Indonesian province officially practicing Sharia law, enforced by religious police officers known as the Wilayatul Hisbah, and outlaws homosexuality, adultery, alcohol and gambling. The police chief said Risby-Jones would have a choice over whether to be prosecuted under Sharia law or provincial law. If found guilty under Sharia law he faces the possibility of 40 lashes and up to 2.5 years jail.

☆ Iran installs cameras in public places to identify, penalise unveiled women
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Iranian women walk through rain in a flower market, ahead of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, in Tehran, Iran March 16, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERSApril 8 (Reuters) - In a further attempt to rein in increasing numbers of women defying the compulsory dress code, Iranian authorities are installing cameras in public places and thoroughfares to identify and penalise unveiled women, the police announced on Saturday. Videos of unveiled women resisting the morality police have flooded social media. It urged citizens to confront unveiled women. Last week a viral video showed a man throwing yoghurt at two unveiled women in a shop.

☆ Uganda’s anti-gay bill is the latest and worst to target LGBTQ Africans
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Aditi Bhandari | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +14 min

Same-sex activity in Africa is punishable by … Map of the 32 African countries where same-sex activity is illegal. Same-sex activity in Africa … Map of the 22 African countries where same-sex activity is legal. In 1993, Guinea-Bissau became the first African country to legalise LGBTQ activity when it adopted a new Penal Code that didn’t include any laws criminalising it. Country Constitutional protection Broad protections Employment Hate crime Incitement Marriage or civil union Adoption Angola No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Botswana No No Yes No No No No Cape Verde No No Yes Yes No No No Gabon No No No No No No No Guinea-Bissau No No No No No No No Lesotho No No No No No No No Mozambique No No Yes No No No No Sao Tome and Principe No No Yes Yes No No No Seychelles No No Yes No No No No South Africa Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes YesNote: Broad protections include laws protecting against discrimination in at least 3 of 4 categories: the provision of goods and services, housing, healthcare and education. Namibia and Mauritius criminalise same-sex activity, but around 35% of respondents said they would dislike having a gay neighbour.

☆ Raisi says hijab is the law in Iran as unveiled women face 'yoghurt attack'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 1 (Reuters) - President Ebrahim Raisi said on Saturday that the hijab was the law in Iran after a viral video showed a man throwing yoghurt at two unveiled women in a shop near a holy Shi'ite Muslim city. They were also the subject of arrest warrants for flouting Iran's strict female dress rules, state media reported. Videos of unveiled women resisting the morality police have flooded social media. Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei earlier threatened to prosecute "without mercy" women who appear in public unveiled, Iranian media reported. It urged citizens to confront unveiled women.

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