International

Scotland first Muslim Minister Humza Yousaf Resigns Amidst Crisis:

Scotland: In a seismic development that has sent shockwaves through Scotland’s political landscape, Humza Yousaf, the First Minister, has announced his resignation, plunging the Scottish National Party (SNP) into a maelstrom of uncertainty and speculation. Yousaf’s decision to step down follows a tumultuous period marked by political turbulence and internal strife, culminating in the collapse of a crucial coalition agreement with the Scottish Greens.

The announcement, made from the historic setting of Bute House, the official residence of the First Minister, came as a bombshell to many within the political establishment and sent ripples of anticipation throughout the nation. Yousaf, in a somber and reflective address, conceded to the weight of recent events and acknowledged his role in the breakdown of political consensus, stressing the need for a fresh start and a new direction for Scotland.

Who is Yousaf?
Yousaf, who is Scotland’s youngest elected leader and the first Muslim to head a major political party, admitted to underestimating the backlash following the termination of the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens.

“I have concluded that repairing the relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm,” Yousaf acknowledged, announcing his resignation as SNP leader.

The abrupt resignation of Yousaf, who assumed office amidst high hopes and expectations, has ignited a fierce debate over the future leadership of the SNP and the broader trajectory of Scottish politics. With the party reeling from the aftershocks of Yousaf’s departure, attention has swiftly turned to potential successors, with all eyes on veteran politician John Swinney as a leading contender for the coveted role of First Minister.

Swinney, a seasoned stalwart of the SNP and a figure of considerable influence within party ranks, has emerged as a unifying force amidst the prevailing chaos, drawing widespread support and acclaim from party faithful and political observers alike. Speculation over Swinney’s candidacy has reached fever pitch, fueled by whispers of endorsements from key party figures and calls for stability in the face of mounting challenges.

Yet, as Swinney contemplates the prospect of assuming the mantle of leadership, questions linger over the road ahead for the SNP and its ability to navigate the treacherous waters of minority governance. With the party grappling with the intricacies of coalition politics and the delicate balance of power within the Scottish Parliament, the specter of looming no-confidence motions and legislative gridlock looms large on the horizon.

Against this backdrop of uncertainty and upheaval, the SNP finds itself at a pivotal juncture in its storied history, poised to redefine its identity and chart a course towards political renewal and rejuvenation. As the party braces for the challenges ahead, calls for unity and solidarity resonate throughout its ranks, underscoring the imperative of forging consensus and collaboration in the pursuit of a brighter future for Scotland.

In the days and weeks to come, all eyes will remain firmly fixed on Holyrood, the hallowed seat of Scottish democracy, as the SNP navigates the choppy waters of leadership transition and sets its sights on the horizon of a new era in Scottish politics. The journey ahead may be fraught with uncertainty and challenges, but one thing remains clear: the spirit of resilience and determination that defines the Scottish people will endure, guiding them through the storm and towards a brighter tomorrow.

As the nation awaits the outcome of this pivotal moment in its political history, the legacy of Humza Yousaf’s tenure as First Minister will be scrutinized and debated, with his departure marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in Scotland’s journey towards self-determination and progress. Amidst the echoes of uncertainty and the clamor of political debate, one thing is certain: the spirit of democracy and the will of the Scottish people will ultimately prevail, shaping the destiny of the nation for generations to come.

Is islamic state-Khorasan going to launch deadly attack on Russia ?

islamic state khorasan
islamic state khorasan

The responsibility for the recent terrorist attack near the city of Krasnodar, close to the Russian capital Moscow, lies with the Islamic State Khorasan, according to confidential evidence, even though the United States claims the attack was carried out by the same group. The attack resulted in the death of at least 137 people.

  • who exactly is the Islamic State Khorasan?

The Islamic State Khorasan is the Central Asian branch of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which declared itself a caliphate in parts of Iraq and Syria in 2014. Despite losing control of most territories by 2018, various branches of ISIS have emerged in Africa and other regions, including the Central Asian branch, Islamic State Khorasan.

According to Reuters, the term “Khorasan” refers to the historical Islamic name for the region covering parts of Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan. The Economist reports that the Islamic State Khorasan primarily operates in northern and eastern Afghanistan, posing a significant threat to the Taliban, who are already enemies of the United States after reaching an agreement with them.This branch of ISIS is believed to have been established around 2014. While ISIS is known for its extreme interpretation of Sunni Islam, the Khorasan branch does not spare Shia Muslims or even less extreme Sunnis.

Between 2019 and 2021, this group was responsible for numerous attacks on mosques and schools in Afghanistan. They also carried out a suicide bombing at Kabul airport during the withdrawal of US forces, resulting in the deaths of over 100 people, including 13 American soldiers.

In January 2024, the group also claimed responsibility for a terrorist attack during a memorial event for Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, killing over 100 people.The group’s focus has shifted from fighting in Syria to returning fighters from Syria to their home countries, including Russia, according to some reports.

  • Why did the Islamic State Khorasan attack Russia?

The group’s confrontation with Russia intensified after they cooperated with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to defeat ISIS. Putin’s severe treatment of Muslims in Chechnya and his antagonism toward Islamic extremists have also fueled tensions.

Many of the individuals labeled as attackers in Russia are Tajik nationals. Tajikistan’s authoritarian ruler, Emomali Rahmon, has faced criticism for attempting to control radical Muslims. He is also a supporter of Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin referred to the recent attack, which claimed the lives of at least 137 people, as carried out by “extremist Muslims.” Despite not directly mentioning the American warning in yesterday’s program, Western media have written that Putin was alerted by American sources that such a terrorist attack could take place in places where there could be large crowds.

However, three days before the attack, during a meeting of intelligence agencies, Western countries were reportedly spreading rumors to divert attention from the war in Ukraine. Putin instructed them to focus on the war against Ukraine. They wrote that this warning was tantamount to “blackmail” and aimed at frightening and destabilizing Russian society.

Putin did not mention any American warnings in yesterday’s program.

“With the assistance of various international news agencies…”

Emirates suspends check-ins until midnight due to ‘bad weather and road conditions’

Emirates Airlines has announced the suspension of check-in services at Dubai International Airport until midnight, citing adverse weather conditions and compromised road accessibility. The decision comes in response to the extensive flooding and hazardous road conditions caused by heavy rainfall in Dubai.

Videos circulating online depict Dubai International Airport’s runways submerged under water, resembling rivers rather than airstrips, as aircraft navigate through the floodwaters. The airport, ranked as the world’s second-busiest, faced significant disruption, with access roads blocked and flights delayed or canceled.In light of these challenges, Emirates Airlines has taken precautionary measures by halting check-ins for departing passengers until midnight. The airline advises travelers to monitor updates closely and refrain from unnecessary travel to the airport, given the ongoing delays and diversions.

Passengers currently in transit will continue to be processed, albeit with anticipated delays in departures and arrivals. Stranded travelers, such as Bilal, 25, who spent the night at the airport after arriving from Hong Kong, described the situation as chaotic, with limited transport options available.

The heavy rainfall, totaling nearly 4 inches (100 mm) in just 12 hours, exceeds Dubai’s typical annual precipitation, according to United Nations data. The sudden downpour overwhelmed drainage systems, transforming roads into waterways and prompting motorists to abandon their vehicles.Footage from social media shows water surging through malls and flooding homes’ ground floors, underscoring the city’s vulnerability to extreme weather events. Dubai, known for its hot and arid climate, has limited infrastructure to handle such intense rainfall, exacerbating the challenges posed by the recent weather conditions.

Emirates’ decision to suspend check-ins reflects the severity of the situation and emphasizes the need for heightened preparedness and infrastructure development to mitigate the impacts of future extreme weather events in Dubai.

America told Israelis Iran’s enemies should not participate in retaliatory attacks

The United States has announced that it will not participate in any retaliatory attack by Israel against Iran.After Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel, US President Joe Biden had a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In the said conversation, Biden and Netanyahu said that America is committed to protecting Israel and that it will not get involved in any retaliatory attack.Biden also called on Israel to adopt its strategy against Iran with restraint. ‘We cannot even imagine taking part in any such activity,’ a White House official told BBC.

Officials said that information about this was passed through the Iranian diplomatic channel.

America should be Israel’s biggest ally. After attacking Israel, Iran warned America not to participate in the conflict between the two countries.America’s air strikes against Israel had left everyone speechless. More than 300 drones and missiles launched by Iran on Saturday were neutralized in the sky.Iran attacked Israel along with its lands including Iraq, Syria and Yemen. He called it a revenge attack on his embassy in Syria on 1 April.

Syria and Israel attacked the Iranian embassy in Damascus, where seven Iranian military personnel, including three generals, were killed. Although he warned Israel in other countries about attacking its embassies, he directly attacked Israel on Saturday night.

99 percent of the drones and missiles attacked by Iran were destroyed before reaching their target by Israel and countries including America, Britain, France and Jordan.More than 80 US drones and ballistic missiles were disabled.Israeli officials are adding that Iran will respond soon.

Whereas America, after thinking and making a strategy, Israel did not immediately retaliate, and even warned of retaliation.

Five people were killed in a random stabbing at a Sydney shopping mall

Five people have been killed by indiscriminate stabbing in a shopping mall in Sydney, Australia.

Reuters reported that five people were killed in a random stabbing at Sydney’s Westfold shopping mall after 3 pm local time on Saturday.Similarly, 8 people including a 9-month-old child were injured and they were sent to various hospitals in Sydney for treatment, said New South Wales Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cook at a press briefing held after the incident.

The international media also quoted Assistant Commissioner Cook as saying that their condition is critical.

The identities of those who died in the incident have not been revealed.After the stabbing incident, the police shot and killed the accused.According to the BBC, the stabbing man entered the shopping mall at 3:10 p.m. Within 10 minutes of entering the shopping mall, i.e. at 3:20 pm, they left the mall.Hundreds of people rushed out of the mall after the suspect left.

Hundreds of people were evacuated by the police who were present after the stabbing.Dozens of ambulances have been deployed in the shopping mall complex.New South Wales Police are investigating the incident.