Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
[Regnum] The Taliban movement (under UN sanctions for terrorist activity) expressed approval of legal procedures to suspend the ban on activities in Russia. This was stated on April 1 by the official representative of the Taliban government Zabihullah Mujahid.
“We believe that all actions in this area aimed at strengthening relations between Afghanistan and Russia are a good step,” he said in an interview with TASS.
It is noted that such measures will be able to strengthen bilateral ties between Russia and Afghanistan, as well as the peoples of these states.
The day before, the Russian Prosecutor General's Office asked the Supreme Court to suspend the ban on the Taliban. The hearing of this application was scheduled for April 17. In Russia, this movement has been considered a terrorist organization since 2003.
[KhaamaPress] As the new academic year begins in Afghanistan, it also marks the third consecutive year that girls above the age of 12 have been denied access to formal education. In response to these ongoing restrictions, Begum Academy, a digital education initiative founded by Afghan entrepreneur Hamida Aman in November 2023, continues to expand its services to support learning opportunities for girls.
Begum Academy was launched to provide free educational content aligned with Afghanistan’s official curriculum for grades 7 through 12. The platform currently hosts more than 8,000 instructional videos in both Dari and Pashto. Thousands of users have joined the platform since its launch, accessing lessons in subjects ranging from mathematics to literature.
To address connectivity issues that limit access to online learning in many parts of the country, the Academy has developed a mobile application that allows students to access content without the need for an internet connection. Supported by the Malala Fund, the app is now available on the App Store and Google Play.
The application also includes interactive features such as student discussion forums, direct messaging with instructors, customizable avatars, and a weekly activity leaderboard. According to project staff, these elements are designed to encourage engagement and create a more connected learning environment.
Elissa Rocheteau, Educational Project Manager for Begum Academy, stated that incorporating interactive elements into the app was intended to improve user experience and help students feel part of a broader learning community.
To enhance support, Begum Academy has also increased its academic team. As of this school year, 20 subject teachers—10 in Dari and 10 in Pashto—are available to assist students with questions and guidance.
In addition to academic courses, the Academy is preparing to introduce vocational training programs within the app. These programs aim to provide learners with practical skills that may contribute to employment opportunities and personal development.
Aman noted that the Academy is also exploring offline technology solutions through a partnership with a French startup. The collaboration is focused on developing portable devices that will allow students in remote or underserved areas to access the Academy’s educational content without requiring an internet connection.
While access to education for girls in Afghanistan remains limited due to current policies, initiatives like Begum Academy are working to provide alternative pathways to learning for those affected.
The Begum Academy app can be downloaded here:
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/fr/app/begum-academy/id6741149474
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.corvit_mobile_bow
[IsraelTimes] Ivy League school vows to ‘cooperate with the government in combating’ Jew hatred while ‘vigorously defending academic freedom and the due process rights of this university’
Princeton University said on Tuesday the US government froze several dozen research grants to the school, which became the latest academic institution targeted by the Trump administration in a crackdown on antisemitism at campuses amid pro-Palestinian protests against Israel.
Princeton President Chris Eisgruber said government agencies including NASA and the defense and energy departments notified the university of the move. The university, among dozens facing federal investigations into antisemitism, said in a statement it was given no reason for the action and did not provide a dollar value for the grants.
The Trump administration has threatened to slash federal funding for universities over their alleged tolerance of antisemitism and over accusations of failure to protect Jewish students during the pro-Palestinians protests against Israel over the war with Hamas in Gaza, which started by
Both true and a good excuse to review all funding to cull the nonsensical, the counterproductive, and the just plain evil before restarting that which looks worth doing.
“We are committed to fighting antisemitism and all forms of discrimination, and we will cooperate with the government in combating antisemitism. Princeton will also vigorously defend academic freedom and the due process rights of this university,” Eisgruber said in the statement.
A Department of Energy spokesperson said the agency “paused grant funding to Princeton University pending the completion of the Department of Education’s investigation into Princeton regarding antisemitic harassment.” The Education Department, last month, sent a letter to 60 universities, including Princeton, warning it could bring enforcement actions against them.
The other federal agencies had no immediate comment.
Princeton was among 60 universities that received a warning letter from the Education Department in March over accusations of antisemitism. It said the schools could face enforcement action if they didn’t address anti-Jewish bias on campus. All but two Ivy League schools, Penn and Dartmouth, were on the list.
The Education Department launched an investigation at Princeton in April 2024 under the Biden administration. It was in response to a complaint filed by the editor-in-chief of Campus Reform, a conservative news organization, the outlet reported. The complaint cited a pro-Palestinian protest that reportedly included chants of “Intifada” and others described as antisemitic.
The outlet’s editor has filed dozens of other antisemitism complaints with the Education Department.
Princeton’s Eisgruber had came forward as a voice of opposition as the Trump administration ratcheted up pressure on Columbia, calling it the greatest threat to American universities in decades.
And so got the president’s attention. Enjoy!
“The attack on Columbia is a radical threat to scholarly excellence and to America’s leadership in research,” Eisgruber wrote in a March 19 essay in The Atlantic magazine. “Universities and their leaders should speak up and litigate forcefully to protect their rights.”
Oh well, the Atlantic. Nobody of discernment pays any mind to what’s between those covers.
The Trump administration has also targeted schools over other culture war issues like diversity, equity and inclusion programs and suspended $175 million in funding to the University of Pennsylvania over transgender sports policies.
[FoxNews] Amid a wave of violence against Tesla vehicles, showrooms and charging stations, Department of Government Efficiency chief Elon Musk labeled the attacks as "wide-scale domestic terrorism" and demanded authorities "go after the generals" behind the violence.
Reports of Tesla-related incidents have been increasing nationwide, ranging from minor vandalism, such as keying or graffiti, to more extreme cases like arson and drive-by shootings allegedly targeting Tesla vehicles.
Over the weekend, anti-Musk protesters saw one of their biggest shows of force as the decentralized movement known as Tesla Takedown planned a "Global Day of Action" targeting more than 500 Tesla locations worldwide.
"This is fundamentally a case of terrorism. It's wide-scale domestic terrorism with the purpose of intimidation, and it's harming innocent people. It's really terrible," Musk said Tuesday on "The Five."
"What we actually have to get to are the people who are organizing and paying for these attacks and protests. That's who we really need to go after, because the people that were actually throwing the Molotov cocktails — they're the foot soldiers, but we need to go after the generals."
Amid a wave of violence against Tesla vehicles, showrooms and charging stations, Department of Government Efficiency chief Elon Musk labeled the attacks as "wide-scale domestic terrorism" and demanded authorities "go after the generals" behind the violence.
Reports of Tesla-related incidents have been increasing nationwide, ranging from minor vandalism, such as keying or graffiti, to more extreme cases like arson and drive-by shootings allegedly targeting Tesla vehicles.
Over the weekend, anti-Musk protesters saw one of their biggest shows of force as the decentralized movement known as Tesla Takedown planned a "Global Day of Action" targeting more than 500 Tesla locations worldwide.
"This is fundamentally a case of terrorism. It's wide-scale domestic terrorism with the purpose of intimidation, and it's harming innocent people. It's really terrible," Musk said Tuesday on "The Five."
"What we actually have to get to are the people who are organizing and paying for these attacks and protests. That's who we really need to go after, because the people that were actually throwing the Molotov cocktails — they're the foot soldiers, but we need to go after the generals."
In response to the nationwide violence, the FBI launched a task force to investigate attacks on Tesla owners. FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the incidents are being treated as "domestic terrorism."
The Tesla chief executive rebuked the "incredible hypocrites" within the legacy media and Democratic Party, arguing that the rhetoric of DOGE critics has fueled anger against Tesla and its supporters.
"I find it ironic and incredibly hypocritical that the same Democrat politicians who would want to throw someone in prison for 20 years simply for watching things at January 6, but not actually doing any violence, you don't hear a single word from them about the actual violence happening against Tesla," he said.
A group of US lawmakers, led by Democrats Pramila Jayapal and Rashida Tlaib, introduce legislation to block the Trump administration from proceeding with several major arms sales to Israel https://t.co/f47jAi6gqVpic.twitter.com/f9pikrf35L
[IsraelTimes] Majority of justices appear inclined to uphold law that would subject the Palestinian bodies to US jurisdiction if they paid relatives of terrorists who killed or hurt Americans
The US Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday on whether American victims of attacks in Israel and the West Bank can sue the Paleostinian authorities for damages in US courts.
The long-running case involves the jurisdiction of US federal courts to hear lawsuits involving the Paleostinian Authority (PA) and the Paleostine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Americans killed or injured in attacks in Israel or the West Bank or their relatives have filed a number of suits seeking damages.
In one 2015 case, a jury awarded $654 million to the US victims of attacks which took place in the early 2000s.
Appeals courts dismissed the suits on jurisdiction grounds.
Congress passed a law in 2019 — the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act — that would make the PLO and PA subject to US jurisdiction if they were found to have made payments to the relatives of persons who killed or injured Americans.
Two lower courts ruled that the 2019 law was a violation of the due process rights of the Paleostinian authorities but a majority of the justices on the conservative-majority Supreme Court appeared inclined on Tuesday to uphold it.
"Congress and the president are the ones who make fairness judgments when we’re talking about the national security and foreign policy of the United States," said Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
Deputy Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler, representing the Trump administration, agreed, saying the courts should not substitute themselves for Congress or the president.
"Congress and the president made a judgment that is entitled to virtually absolute deference — that it is appropriate to subject the PA and the PLO to jurisdiction," Kneedler said.
"In this case, respondents had a chance to avoid that by just stopping those activities, but they didn’t," he said.
Mitchell Berger, representing the PA and PLO, said assigning jurisdiction is "over and above what Congress can prescribe."
The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling before the end of its term in June.
Here’s one of the 23% — video clip at the link — hattip Snowy Thing:
Jews Fight Back 🇺🇸🇮🇱
@JewsFightBack
Lesley Stahl looked a Jewish hostage in the face—after being starved, tortured, beaten, and dragged through hell—and asked if maybe Hamas didn’t mean to starve him.
Maybe they just didn’t have food.
Are you fucking kidding me?
Shame on 60 Minutes. Shame on CBS. And shame on every apologist who still can’t admit that Hamas is pure evil.
#6
More ACA JOE stupidity and hate under a fake nym
Posted by: Frank G ||
04/02/2025 11:35 Comments ||
Top||
#7
The city of Berlin has started procedures to expel 3 EU citizens (Ireland and Poland) from Germany because they participated in violent pro Hamas "protests" (genocide, you know).
That's not easy because EU citizens are very difficult to remove, but if it works once it will work again (and make idiots think twice).
Posted by: European Conservative ||
04/02/2025 11:49 Comments ||
Top||
#8
That is just slightly higher than the positive approval rating of the demoncrat party.
[IsraelTimes] Four-day conference this week sees scholars, artists and activists from India to Finland come together to share findings about widespread shunning amid Gaza war
[IsraelTimes] Terrorists expected to ramp up attacks amid ‘deteriorating situation in Gaza,’ National Security Council says, as lone wolf terrorism inspired by global jihad said on the rise
#1
Ramadan terror attacks in Judea and Samaria drop by 80% in a year During the Muslim month of Ramadan, the IDF, ISA, and Border Police operated throughout the Central Command area of operation to fight terror and protect the area. During the operations, a total of 401 wanted fugitives were arrested, 13 terrorists were eliminated, and 105 weapons were seized.
Last Ramadan, 27 significant terror attacks originated in Judea and Samaria, 22 of them in the Samaria region and five in the Judea region.
[IsraelTimes] Smotrich signs directive to immediately scrap remaining tariffs on US goods, mainly in agriculture, with US president about to hit trade partners with tit-for-tat duties.
#1
It only took three decades (four if literal) of "Free Trade" before one country out of 195 to lower their tariffs to match ours. And it was the miser jews to boot. Ha!
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. by Leonid Tsukanov
[REGNUM] Benjamin Netanyahu's government has made a breakthrough in the implementation of judicial reform. One of the central laws was adopted in the third reading, placing judges under the control of the Israeli government and curtailing the independence of the Supreme Court (BAGATS).
The bill was pushed through literally "on the shoulders" of the coalition and sympathetic deputies: it was supported by 67 out of 120 Knesset members. The opposition boycotted the vote almost entirely, while not missing the opportunity to accuse the prime minister's supporters of "deepening the national rift."
They doth protest entirely too much — in both senses
However, from Netanyahu's point of view, his actions are, on the contrary, aimed at gradually overcoming the split in the country. True, not entirely by pleasant methods.
"REPRESSIVE INSTRUMENT"
Netanyahu's war with the High Court goes back to April 2023, when the prime minister sought to weaken the Supreme Court's influence on Israeli politics by taking away from the parliamentary opposition a powerful lever of pressure on the government - even if that meant undermining the court's authority.
It was then that the judicial reform was launched in the country, around which many lances were broken. In particular, the Law on the Status of Judges, which turned the previous mechanism for their selection upside down, caused heated debates.
Under the new model, the judicial commission will consist of nine members: four people will represent the ruling coalition, two will represent the opposition. Previously, an equal number of delegates were introduced to the commission from both camps.
The remaining three members of the commission are the chairman and two judges of the Supreme Court. The majority required to elect judges will be five people, but on the condition that at least one of them is a representative of the coalition and one of the opposition.
The reform will thus make Israel's judicial institutions more dependent on the central government's course and avoid "unnecessary legal fuss," encouraging the High Court and the government to work together. At least, that's what the Netanyahu camp thinks.
The opposition has a different opinion on this matter. It is convinced that with the adoption of the law, the ruling coalition will be able to push its candidates into the Supreme Court and other courts, turning them over time from an independent branch of power into a "repressive instrument."
THE PRIME MINISTER'S MULTI-MOVE
Why did the Israeli Prime Minister need to so rudely violate the balance between the branches of power? Especially at a time when the country is involved in an armed confrontation with Hamas, and any abrupt maneuver could split the Knesset.
There are several reasons for this. The most obvious one is the desire to strengthen the position of the cabinet of ministers as much as possible.
During the current government's tenure, the Supreme Court has at least several times put Netanyahu's ministers in an awkward position by torpedoing decisions already agreed upon at all levels, which did not add to the harmony of the motley coalition. Bringing the judges under control means avoiding losing control over the cabinet.
In addition, the High Court continues to pressure the coalition to conduct an investigation into the causes of the failure on October 7, 2023. The term of his “legal ultimatum” expires in mid-May, and by that time Netanyahu hopes to ease the pressure on the authorities from the families of the hostages through the courts with the help of reforms. And then to conduct a campaign against Hamas within the limits he deems necessary.
Finally, the prime minister himself needs control over the judges in order to extricate himself from a series of high-profile scandals that have followed him throughout his term, be it corruption connections or leaks from the government office.
Considering that it is through the High Court that the opposition is trying to overthrow Netanyahu, the prime minister’s desire to deprive his opponents of their main trump card is entirely natural.
Overall, he positions the shake-up of the Supreme Court as shock therapy that will deprive the opposition of the temptation to disrupt the work of the government using legal loopholes, and discourage the judicial community from playing big politics.
LEGAL RING
It should be noted that Netanyahu also has personal scores to settle with the judicial system.
In the winter of 2023, the prime minister was forced, under pressure from the Supreme Court, to dismiss Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, who had an outstanding conviction for corruption.
Given that Deri's post was the result of "inter-party bargaining," the break with him dealt a major blow to the stability of the governing coalition, forcing Netanyahu to move closer to the "hawks" led by Itamar Ben-Gvir, which brought the alliance to the brink of a split at least several times.
For this reason, Netanyahu has recently not been too concerned about maintaining the balance of power between the branches of government and has sometimes taken openly confrontational steps.
Among these, for example, is the dismissal of the government's legal adviser, Gali Baharav-Miara, who was considered a "balancer" between the government and the High Court of Justice.
Of course, in legal sparring the initiative is not entirely with the prime minister's camp. Sometimes his subordinates also take hits, losing their seats.
For example, the Supreme Court managed to torpedo the extension of the term of the director of the Civil Service Administration, Roi Kahlon, Netanyahu's "political valet."
The resignation process of the head of counterintelligence Ronen Bar was also extended as much as possible. And the prime minister's office was inundated with amendments in the hope that the apologists for judicial reform would get lost in the legal nooks and crannies.
However, this tactic apparently did not work - Netanyahu managed to push the law through to the third reading.
COUNTER MOVE
However, even with the controversial law close to being enacted, supporters of Supreme Court independence continue to resist.
The opposition is trying to use its last legal levers to, if not sink, then at least delay the reform as much as possible.
Thus, the Yesh Atid party, the largest opposition force in Israel in terms of the number of mandates, filed a petition with the High Court of Justice criticizing the bill within the first hour after the end of the vote. Later, other opposition and public forces joined it.
At the same time, the opposition is mobilizing protest potential. Doctors' and teachers' unions are threatening mass strikes, and industrialists are preparing an open letter to the Israeli authorities.
The army is wavering. On the one hand, Netanyahu has prudently placed loyal "hawks" in key positions in the army, thereby weakening the influence of the "generals' opposition" sitting in the Knesset. The military is not showing much interest in what will happen to the Supreme Court.
On the other hand, the army still has an unpaid debt. In the summer of 2024, the High Court of Justice, ignoring the position of the Israeli cabinet, lifted the previous ban on the conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews into the armed forces, thereby ensuring an influx of recruits at a time when the army needed fresh blood.
The "shoulder straps" will most likely have to make a choice in the near future.
Be that as it may, the opposition's activities have not had a noticeable impact on the government's course, although they have made quite a lot of noise. Netanyahu and his supporters intend to see the judicial reform through to the end, regardless of image or political losses.
Or, at least, to distract the public from the hackneyed topic of the “October 7 catastrophe.”
Until this date, Netanyahu had been under severe pressure from the streets, but in the conditions of continuous military actions in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Gaza again, the prime minister does not have to worry about this factor. After all, war is not the time for civil protests.
Make them obey federal and state laws: no discrimination against non-Moslem buyers, and Sharia law cannot supercede American laws — especially with regard to illegal aliens and residents/mosques/town council supporting jihadi organizations.
[Daily Mail, where America get its news] Opponents of a proposed Muslim city in Texas flooded a public meeting Monday in hopes of stopping a controversial Islamic compound from getting necessary permits to begin construction.
For hours, the Collin County Commissioners Court heard dozens of speakers pleading with them to deny the East Plano Islamic Center or EPIC, permits needed to build a city for Muslims that's meant to be 'the epicenter of Islam in America' by organizers.
EPIC, a sprawling house of worship located in Plano, Texas- just north of Dallas- has recently become a target for Gov. Greg Abbott who has accused the mosque of breaking the law, despite no arrests or charges being made public.
Gov. Abbott has expressed his fears the city will introduce extremist sharia law practices to Texas, which would govern religion, marriage and punishment for crime.
In early 2024, EPIC announced what it called a 'historic project,' EPIC City, a community centered in Islam after buying 402 acres of land just outside of Josephine, Texas.
EPIC City, with a brand new mosque serving as the town center, will feature 1,000 new homes, a schools and even a shopping center.
Many residents of the 2,000-person town of Josephine voiced their concerns, although the Islamic development is outside the city limits.
'They want to install a loud system, a speaker system, that would blast their music to call them to prayer, and they could do it as long as they wanted to because they specifically choose a site just outside the city so they can do that,' Susan Martinez told the commission.
She also shared that her small, rural community is already dealing with water restrictions, even without any new construction.
However, others had concerns there are more sinister intentions behind the construction.
'These are self-segregated communities, and they require...when you buy a lot or build a home, you have to pay into the mosque and you have to build into the Islamic schools,' another local said.
In two hours of public comment, with each speaker getting two minutes, only two men spoke in favor of the EPIC City being granted permits.
Additional speakers waited in an overflow room, as public comment was expected to last late into the evening.
Although the Collin County Commission didn't make a decision Monday, the public comment they heard will be taken into consideration when they make a permitting decision next month.
Additionally, the project may already be dead in the water, as Gov. Abbott issued his own order halting construction Tuesday.
'Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) found that the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) and affiliated entities have not obtained the required authorizations or permits needed for construction and development of the proposed project,' Abbott's office announced via press release.
'TCEQ sent a letter to EPIC and affiliated entities to notify them that any construction would be in violation of state law and ordered them to confirm that they have not engaged in any construction activities.'
The Republican governor has accused the Islamic center of practicing sharia law, an extreme form of the religion, and of violating state law, ordering a criminal investigating into the mosque Monday.
Even if Abbott is successful in stopping the new development, EPIC already has a big footprint in Plano.
The huge mosque is surrounded by schools and a gym.
Across the street, there is also an business called 'EPIC Market' and halal shops catering to the Muslims that live in the streets around the mosque. Needs a liquor store
The large, two story luxury homes with expensive cars in the drive ways were all decorated for Ramadan, with Christmas lights used to celebrate the holy month of fasting.
In what could be a key vote for EPIC City's future, Collin County Commissioners will decide whether to approve a permit on April 14.
According to Middle East Eye, Turkey is moving to take control of Syria’s strategic Tiyas (T4) airbase near Palmyra, planning to turn it into a forward air defense hub.
A Hisar-type system—likely Hisar-O or Hisar-U—is expected to be deployed to protect the site.
Israeli Security Source: Turkish Base in Syria a “Potential Threat”
An Israeli security official warns that Turkey establishing a military base in Syria would be a “potential threat” to Israel’s freedom of action in the region. The concern follows growing ties between Syrian leader Jolani and Turkish President Erdoğan.
Israel fears Jolani will try to limit its operations in Syria. A recent strike on Syria’s T4 airbase was meant to signal that Israel won’t allow such interference.
The official added: “Julani is a classic Islamist with unchanged long-term goals — he remains our enemy.”
Posted by: trailing wife ||
04/02/2025 2025-04-02 01:52 ||
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#1
Erdogan looks intent on starting something with the jews before he dies.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
