India's Muslim-majority islands slam government push to ban meat meals
India's Muslim-majority islands slam government push to ban meat meals/node/1894121
India's Muslim-majority islands slam government push to ban meat meals
Man prepares shawarma at a restaurant in the city of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kerala, India, on February 11, 2020. (Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via AP)
NEW DELHI: Residents in the Muslim-majority archipelago of Lakshadweep off the coast of Kerala have slammed the Indian government's renewed push to ban meat meals from local schools, which follows a slew of controversial regulations introduced by the region's Hindu administrator.
Lakshadweep islands lie in the Arabian Sea, about 200 miles off the south-western coast of Kerala state. While some 96 percent of its 70,000 people are Muslim, since December it has been governed by Praful Khoda Patel, a politician from the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Patel's other regulations, which locals see as targeting their culture, include a proposed cow slaughter ban and changes in land development rules that would allow the government to take over any land for infrastructure projects. A preventive detention law, in the region with one of the lowest crime rates in the country, was introduced by Patel in January.
While the meat meal ban was stayed by the Kerala High Court on June 22, the court gave the government two weeks to file its counter-affidavit. On Monday, Patel's administration justified the move by saying that islanders needed to eat more fruits.
"We will go up to the Supreme Court to defend the identity of the islands. We will fight with all our strength to save it," Dr. P. Koya former provincial commissioner and a leader of the ongoing Save Lakshadweep Campaign against Patel's administrative reforms, told Arab News on Wednesday.
"Children have been given high protein non-vegetarian food for years, which comes under the budget. Then why ban them?" Dr. Koya said. "Why were no local stakeholders taken into confidence? This is a disrespect to democracy."
The local government justified the meat meal ban by saying in the counter-affidavit it was seeking to close the region's remaining dairy farms because they were "suffering losses and catered to only a few people."
While local officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment, former member of the Minicoy Island administration Save Lakshadweep Campaign, activist Hassan Bodumukka, said as the farms were a government enterprise: "they are meant to serve people not to earn a profit."
“Tell me which government enterprise is running on profit, be it railways or airlines or any other ventures," he told Arab News. "Since it’s a Muslim majority area and we all know the anti-minority agenda of the BJP. They just want to consolidate majoritarian politics at the cost of the people of the island."
For experts, forcing Lakshadweep to embrace meat-free diets would amount to an attack on their identity.
“Lakshadweep residents are 100 per cent meat-eaters," K.A. Shaji, a political analyst in Kerala, said. "Their eating habits have evolved over generations. It is a cultural attack."
ISLAMABAD: The foreign office on Friday accused the Indian state of encouraging “disinformation” by its media to create a pretext for further aggression toward Pakistan and “exploit misinformation for political and military ends.”
As hostilities rose this week between India and Pakistan and they engaged in the worst fighting in decades, a wave of online disinformation on both sides is risking further inflaming passions and escalating the conflict in an electronic fog of war.
On May 6, multiple Indian news channels uploaded a widely shared video from Gaza showing a series of massive explosions and people running helter-skelter, with captions claiming it was footage of Indian air strikes against Pakistani targets.
Even India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party shared a collage of nine videos on May 7, claiming they were of India’s strikes on Pakistan. Boom, an Indian fact-checking organization, found that the first clip was from Iran’s October 2024 strikes on Israel and the third was from Israel’s air strikes on Gaza from October 2023.
Indian media outlets have over the past 24 hours claimed that Delhi has damaged or destroyed Pakistan’s main port in Karachi, captured the Pakistani capital of Islamabad and militants had taken over the southwestern city of Quetta. India media has also said Pakistan attacked multiple locations in parts of Indian-administered Kashmir and mainland India, reports Islamabad has rejected as “reckless.”
“The conduct of Indian media last night [Thursday] was extremely irresponsible and jingoistic, and frankly, disinformation is one thing, but the conduct of Indian media yesterday was indeed farcical, encouraged by the Indian state,” the foreign office spokesman said in a weekly press briefing.
“Repeated pattern of leveling accusations against Pakistan without any credible investigation reflects a deliberate strategy to manufacture a pretext for aggression and to further destabilize the region. Such actions not only further endanger regional peace but also reveal a disturbing willingness to exploit misinformation for political and military ends.”
There has been misinformation on the Pakistani side too. After India said it had struck ‘terror camps’ at nine sites inside Pakistan, a years-old video resurfaced on social media that falsely claimed it depicted explosions at an Indian ammunition depot targeted by Pakistani forces. The footage has in fact appeared in news reports about a fire near an army garrison in the Pakistani city of Sialkot in March 2022.
Social media users also shared an old clip falsely claiming it showed wreckage of an Indian warplane shot down by Pakistani troops. The video showed a fighter jet that crashed in western India after its pilots reported a technical snag.
A division of the Pakistani Economy Ministry denied Friday that it had appealed to its international partners “for more loans after heavy losses inflected by enemy” in a now-deleted post on X. Officials said the account had been hacked.
Meanwhile, New Delhi ordered X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company’s local employees.
“The orders include demands to block access in India to accounts belonging to international news organizations and prominent X users,” X’s Global Government Affairs team said on its account, adding it was unable to publish the executive orders at this time due to “legal restrictions.”
“The Indian government has not specified which posts from an account have violated India’s local laws. For a significant number of accounts, we did not receive any evidence or justification to block the accounts.”
The platform said it disagreed with the Indian government’s demands, describing the blockade of accounts as “contrary to the fundamental right of free speech.”
“X is exploring all possible legal avenues available to the company,” it said. “We encourage all users who are impacted by these blocking orders to seek appropriate relief from the courts.”
QUETTA: More than 2,700 Pakistani pilgrims in the southwestern city of Quetta have completed training to undertake the annual pilgrimage that is expected in June, with officials voicing on Thursday their satisfaction over the arrangements made by Saudi authorities.
Nearly 89,000 Pakistani pilgrims are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme and another 23,620 Pakistanis will perform the pilgrimage through private tour operators. The total quota granted to Pakistan was 179,210, which could not be met.
Each pilgrim in Pakistan’s Balochistan province has attended two training sessions at Hajji Camp in Quetta, where they have also been facilitated with passports, visas and tickets for their travel to Saudi Arabia.
“Everything is running smoothly here because our instructors and the staff are fully cooperating with the pilgrims,” said Muhammad Jan, a 62-year-old resident of Balochistan’s Naseerabad district who will be performing Hajj under the government scheme for the first time.
Jan, who completed his two training sessions in February and April, was visiting Hajji Camp in Quetta to collect his travel documents.
“There are hundreds of thousands of people [at Hajj each year], so if there are some minor shortcomings, then I think [it’s not a big deal],” he told Arab News.
“But from what we have heard, their [Saudi government] management is very good, they are facilitating [pilgrims] very well.”
This year, only 2,779 pilgrims from 34 districts across Pakistan’s sparsely populated Balochistan province will travel to Saudi Arabia.
“We have thoroughly guided our Hajj pilgrims about traveling guidelines, Hajj rules set by the Saudi government and the Hajj rituals,” a senior official at the Hajji Camp, who was not authorized to speak to media, told Arab News.
“We are satisfied with the Hajj arrangements by the Saudi government and there is a colossal coordination between the Pakistan and Saudi governments regarding the Hajj pilgrimage.”
Abdul Hadi, who also came to collect his documents from the Pishin district, urged authorities to expedite the process as some pilgrims had to wait “for hours.”
“They should have set up all documents with numbers so the pilgrims could get their documents in sequence by standing in queues. Now we have to wait for our names, that is a time-consuming procedure,” the 65-year-old said.
“When [Pakistani] pilgrims go to Saudi Arabia, they must keep in view our country’s reputation and protect it. They must not do anything there that may disgrace our country.”
Faizullah Abid, a volunteer at Hajji Camp, said they had regularly been handing over passports, visas and tickets to pilgrims.
“If any pilgrim does not wish to go back home [before departure for Hajj], then they are being provided accommodation and food here, then the Ministry of Religious Affairs will transport them to airport in their vehicles,” he added.
Pakistan launched its Hajj flight operation on April 29 which will continue till May 31. Pilgrims will continue to leave for Madinah during the first 15 days of the operation and afterwards, they will land in Jeddah and travel directly to Makkah.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs jury to be seated in hip-hop mogul’s sex trafficking trial
Combs pleads not guilty to racketeering, sex trafficking
Twelve jurors and six alternates to be chosen
Updated 09 May 2025
Reuters
NEW YORK: A jury of 12 New Yorkers is due to be chosen on Friday in the racketeering and sex trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who could face decades or even life in prison if convicted.
The rapper has pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking and two counts of transportation for prostitution — all felonies.
Over three days this week, the judge overseeing the case questioned nearly 100 prospective jurors on subjects including what they had heard about Combs’ case and any experiences they had had with sexual assault.
With input from defense lawyers and prosecutors, US District Judge Arun Subramanian in Manhattan dismissed the jurors he deemed unfit to serve and settled on 45 candidates qualified to serve fairly and impartially.
On Friday, lawyers for each side will take turns striking candidates until a panel of 12 jurors and six alternates is chosen — a chess match with potentially decisive implications in the outcome of the trial.
Combs, a Harlem native who founded the pioneering record label Bad Boy Records and discovered iconic rappers including the Notorious B.I.G., was arrested last September and has been held in a Brooklyn federal lockup since then.
The charges marked the stunning downfall of a titan of the music industry who once held a ceremonial key to the city of New York and was known for throwing lavish parties for A-list celebrities.
Prosecutors with the Manhattan US Attorney’s office say that for two decades Combs used his business empire to lure women into his orbit with promises of romantic relationships or financial support, then violently coerced them to take part in days-long, drug-fueled sexual performances known as “Freak Offs.”
In court papers, prosecutors allege Combs kept his victims obedient by drugging and blackmailing them. He is accused of kidnapping a person at gunpoint, dropping a Molotov cocktail into a car and hitting, choking and dragging victims in acts of violence dating back to the 1990s.
Combs’ lawyers have said prosecutors are improperly seeking to criminalize Combs’ “swinger lifestyle.” They have signaled they plan to attack the credibility of the alleged victims who will testify by seeking to show they had financial incentives to accuse Combs. They have said the women gave inconsistent accounts of the alleged assaults to investigators.
Subramanian has said the trial will last around eight weeks, with the alternate jurors serving as backups in case jurors are unable to finish. Any verdict must be unanimous.
The trial is expected to feature testimony from three, or possibly four, accusers including Combs’ ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, a rhythm and blues singer known professionally as Cassie.
Combs faces more than 50 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault, including one by a plaintiff who says he was 10 years old at the time of the alleged attack.
Combs has denied wrongdoing in those cases and claimed his accusers are seeking a payday.
‘A revolution in the way people travel’ — Saudi aviation industry soaring with sky-high ambition
Updated 09 May 2025
Miguel Hadchity
RIYADH: Increased technology integration and greater connectivity over the next five years will see Saudi Arabia cement its position as a global aviation hub, experts have told Arab News.
In a comprehensive assessment of the Kingdom’s air sector, analysts and industry insiders have set out how investment in infrastructure, the roll out of new airlines, and a focus on sustainability will see Saudi Arabia reach its Vision 2030 goals.
The Kingdom is targeting handling 330 million passengers annually across 250 destinations by the end of the decade, as well as transporting 4.5 million tonnes of cargo.
The industry laid the groundwork for this growth in 2024, achieving record-breaking results with the 94 million passengers transported representing a 15 percent year-on-year increase, alongside a 10 percent rise in flight activity, and a 52 percent boost in air cargo, to reach nearly 1 million tonnes.
The International Air Transport Association’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi told Arab News that the Kingdom is preparing for the aviation sector to play an even bigger role in its future.
“Over the next five years, we expect continued development in digitalization and connectivity, and for Saudi Arabia to be in an even stronger position as a global hub, driving economic and social growth for the Kingdom,” he said.
Al-Awadhi also emphasized that the nation’s regulatory reforms and commitment to sustainability will be key factors in attracting international airline partnerships and investment.
He added: “GACA’s (the General Authority of Civil Aviation) revision of its charging scheme, to make Saudi airports more competitive in the region, is a positive step, now and for the future. As is its establishment of an independent economic regulatory framework.”
The top official noted that Saudi Arabia is the first country in the Middle East and North Africa to do this, and encouraged others to follow.
Riyadh Air — a portal to the Kingdom
A key development in the sector is the highly anticipated debut of Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new full-service airline, set to launch in 2025.
The company has made significant strides in preparation for its release, including major aircraft acquisitions, strategic alliances, and technological investments.
Mark Bothorn, principal of innovation practice at Arthur D. Little Middle East, highlighted that the launch of Riyadh Air is a “watershed moment for Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector — an event of this scale and significance happens perhaps once a decade.”
He added: “As a full-service national flag carrier, Riyadh Air will not only enhance domestic connectivity but also position the Kingdom’s capital as a major global aviation hub.”
Bothorn further anticipated that the new national carrier would serve as an ambassador for Saudi Arabia, embodying the nation’s vision through cutting-edge design, unparalleled guest experience, and world-class connectivity. “The way the world perceives Riyadh will, in many ways, be shaped by the experiences this airline delivers,” he added.
Mark Bothorn, principal of innovation practice at Arthur D. Little Middle East. Supplied
The airline has ordered 60 Airbus A321neo jets, with plans for additional wide-body aircraft this year. It has secured agreements with Singapore Airlines, Air China, and Delta Air Lines to enhance interline connectivity, codeshare operations, and frequent flyer benefits.
Riyadh Air is collaborating with Artefact to develop an advanced data analytics platform that aims to offer hyper-personalized services and seamless digital-first experiences. Its initial routes will connect Saudi Arabia to major cities in Europe, North America, and Asia, enhancing its international connectivity.
Riyadh Air plans to connect with more than 100 cities by 2030. Shutterstock
The Kingdom’s existing airlines are also undergoing significant transformations to cater to the growing demand and enhance international reach.
Saudia has placed a historic $19 billion order for 105 Airbus A320neo aircraft to expand its fleet, set for delivery starting in 2026.
Additionally, the airline is enhancing its maintenance and repair capabilities through a partnership with Air France-KLM. Flyadeal, Saudia’s budget airline, aims to double its fleet to 100 aircraft by 2030, offering affordable travel options across domestic and regional routes.
Flynas, the region’s top low-cost airline, secured a 280-aircraft deal, including Airbus A320neo and A330neo models, to support its aggressive expansion strategy. The airline also introduced new routes connecting Saudi Arabia to Africa and Europe.
Bothorn commented on the impact of heightened market contenders, saying: “Increased competition is always a catalyst for innovation and improvement, and in Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector, it will lead to two transformative outcomes.”
First, enhanced connectivity will strengthen Riyadh’s position as a global business hub by providing seamless access to international markets through more flights and improved routing.
Second, Riyadh Air, unburdened by legacy systems, has the potential to redefine air travel, setting new benchmarks in passenger experience and efficiency, according to Bothorn.
Airport infrastructure soars
To handle the volume that new airlines will be attracting, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in airport infrastructure.
King Salman International Airport in Riyadh is set to become one of the world’s largest airports, with ongoing developments led by global firms including Foster & Partners and Jacobs Engineering. The airport will increase its capacity to accommodate 120 million passengers by 2030.
King Khalid International Airport’s expansion includes upgrades to Terminals 1 and 2, increasing capacity to 14 million passengers annually. Saudia’s deal with German aerospace company Lilium NV will introduce 50 electric vertical takeoff and landing jets, making it the first airline in the region to invest in sustainable air travel.
Bothorn emphasized the impact of airport infrastructure advancements. “For many travelers, the airport experience is often the most stressful part of a journey — navigating terminals, dealing with security bottlenecks, and enduring long waits.”
He added: “A seamless integration between the airport and airlines can dramatically transform this, replacing frustration with efficiency and even moments of delight.”
Bothorn envisioned airports that proactively anticipate passenger needs, with real-time updates enabling travelers to relax in lounges or dine rather than wait at gates.
An impression of how King Salman International Airport will look when construction is completed. File
Investment turbines spin
Saudi Arabia’s business aviation sector is thriving, driven by an influx of high-net-worth individuals and economic expansion. The sector, valued at $1.2 billion in 2023, is expected to grow at an annual rate of 8.88 percent from 2025 to 2029.
GACA is further boosting this sector by removing restrictions on foreign on-demand charter flights, allowing international operators to enter the domestic private aviation market starting in May.
Infrastructure and transportation developments outlined in the 2025 Saudi budget report reinforce these aviation ambitions. The gross domestic product of the transportation and logistics sector grew by 6.4 percent in the first half of 2024.
Total investment contracts signed in this sector amounted to over SR200 billion ($53.3 billion). Saudi Arabia has also strengthened its global presence by securing key positions in international aviation organizations, including hosting the UNCTAD Global Supply Chain Forum in 2026 and chairing the Executive Council of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization.
To enhance aviation services, the Kingdom has looked to implement modern and eco-friendly transportation initiatives during the Hajj season, including self-driving taxis, smart delivery vehicles, and increased aircraft seat capacity for pilgrims. Performance-based operations and maintenance contracts have been executed to enhance asset management efficiency.
Plans for 2025 include SR42 billion allocated for the infrastructure and transportation sector, which will witness the launch of several travel lounges across international airports, licensing new national air carriers, and expanding public bus networks to improve intercity and regional connectivity.
Al-Awadhi of IATA further elaborated on the nation’s role in shaping global aviation policies. “Many countries in the region look to Saudi Arabia for developing their aviation sectors, so the Kingdom plays an important role in shaping regional policies.”
Recent work revamping economic regulation related to consumer protection, safety and security has been followed by other countries in the region, according to the top official.
“We’re stronger as an industry when standards are aligned, not just regionally but globally,” he added.
Private jets and Saudi Arabia’s aviation roadmap
Saudi Arabia has made developing the private aviation market a key part of its roadmap for the sector, with the charter and corporate jet segments being supported by infrastructure upgrades such as six new general aviation airports.
The sector’s growth aligns with Vision 2030’s diversification efforts, particularly in tourism and entertainment, with destinations like AlUla and the Red Sea International Airport, capable of handling 1 million tourists annually, driving demand.
During 2024’s Future Aviation Forum, GACA unveiled a roadmap aimed at increasing the general aviation sector’s contribution to GDP, targeting a tenfold growth to reach $2 billion by 2030. The plan encompassed the business aircraft sector, including private charter flights and corporate aviation.
Sustainability is another focus, with GACA’s plan targeting net-zero emissions by 2060 through initiatives such as sustainable aviation fuel and AI-driven efficiency optimizations. However, challenges, including limited sustainable aviation fuel supply, remain.
The International Air Transport Association’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East Kamil Al-Awadhi. Supplied
The 35 percent SAF blend, supplied by Arabian Petroleum Supply Co., reduces aircraft emissions by up to 35 percent per flight, aligning with RSG’s broader sustainability efforts, including 400 megawatt-peak of solar installations and plans to plant 50 million mangroves by 2030.
The airport, operational from 2023 and with international flights beginning in 2024, serves the growing Red Sea destination, set to feature 50 resorts by 2030.
The next five years will bring transformative benefits for travelers flying to and from Saudi Arabia. Expanded airline networks will improve connectivity, reduce layovers, and increase travel convenience.
The rise of low-cost carriers like flyadeal and flynas means more budget-friendly flights for domestic and international routes. AI-driven services, biometric security checks, and world-class airport infrastructure will streamline travel, making it more efficient and comfortable.
“Expect nothing short of a revolution in the way people travel,” Bothorn said. He explained that long queues at security and immigration, endless gate waits, and the anxiety of either rushing through the airport or arriving far too early “will become relics of the past.” He projected air travel to become more intuitive and enjoyable.
Al-Awadhi added that Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in digital processing of passengers and integrating latest technologies at airports.
“We can certainly expect better passenger experience and customer service,” he said, adding: “Airlines are also updating their fleets so travelers will be flying on the latest aircrafts, enjoying what new technologies have to offer. Improved connectivity will provide travelers with more choices, enhancing the overall customer experience.”
Investments in eVTOL aircraft and eco-friendly practices signal a shift toward greener aviation. Saudi Arabia is undergoing a historic transformation in its aviation sector, with massive investments, strategic expansions, and cutting-edge innovations that will redefine the travel experience.
By 2030, the Kingdom aims to be a premier global aviation hub, offering world-class connectivity, seamless air travel, and state-of-the-art airport facilities.
Ukraine says it uncovered a Hungarian espionage network, two suspects arrested
The activities of the suspected spies were focused on the western Ukraine region of Zakarpattia
The Hungarian government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has also threatened to bloc EU financial assistance to Ukraine
Updated 09 May 2025
AP
KYIV, Ukraine: Ukraine’s main security agency said Friday it had arrested two people on suspicion of spying for Hungary by gathering intelligence on Ukraine’s military in the west of the country.
In a statement, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said that two suspects, both former members of the Ukrainian military, had been detained and face charges of treason, which is punishable by life imprisonment. It was the first time in Ukraine’s history that a Hungarian espionage operation had been discovered, the statement said.
The activities of the suspected spies were focused on the western Ukraine region of Zakarpattia, which borders Hungary and is home to a sizeable Hungarian ethnic minority. Budapest and Kyiv have clashed over the rights of Hungarians in Zakarpattia, most of which was part of Hungary until the end of World War I.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó did not directly deny the allegations of a Hungarian espionage cell operating in Ukraine, but suggested that the SBU’s claims could be classified as “anti-Hungarian propaganda.”
“I urge everyone to exercise caution against any news that appears in Ukrainian propaganda,” Szijjártó told a news conference on Friday. “If we get any details or official information, then we can deal with it.”
Hungary, a member of NATO and the European Union, has taken an adversarial approach to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, refusing to supply Kyiv with weaponry or to allow its transfer across Hungarian territory.
The Hungarian government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has also threatened to bloc EU financial assistance to Ukraine, argued against sanctions on Russia and opposed Ukraine’s eventual membership in the EU.
Orbán is widely seen as having the warmest relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin among EU leaders, though he has acknowledged that the war was a result of Russian aggression.
The SBU said both suspected spies were overseen by a career officer of Hungary’s military intelligence, whose identity had also been established. That officer supplied the network with cash and a special device for covert communication to support the operation, and had attempted to recruit other individuals into the network, the SBU said.
The Hungarian Defense Ministry and Military National Security Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
