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South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Torfaen: ‘Hypocrisy' allegation of Suffragette sashes
Members of Labour controlled Torfaen Borough Council remembered the campaigners who battled the establishment to win votes for women at their July meeting. But the Newport Palestine Solidarity Campaign group contrasted the council's celebration of campaigners, who felt compelled to act outside of the law to achieve equal representation, with the UK Labour's government's tough stance on the Palestine Action campaign group. Palestine Action has been proscribed as a terrorist group by the government, which it is challenging through the courts. Proscription makes membership or expressing support for the direct action group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Since the group was banned, protests have been held and during one weekend in July the BBC reported more than 100 people were arrested at demonstrations across the UK, with 55 arrested in London for displaying placards in support of the group. Zahid Noor, of the Newport Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said it had opposed the proscription of Palestine Action and accused councillors supporting historic protests of failing to see the connection with those engaged in direct action today. 'It's very easy for politicians to really celebrate the Chartists and things like that and not necessarily look at the issues in a wider perspective,' said Mr Noor: 'I think it is hypocritical.' Mr Noor said the Newport campaign group was criticised for holding a protest during the city's commemoration of the Chartist rebellion last year: 'We were criticised for holding a peaceful protest, opposing genocide and calling out MPs, by people celebrating an armed rebellion. 'It does seem there needs to be more engagement in some of these issues from civic society and groups like Newport Rising and our councillors.' Newport Palestine Solidarity Campaign Group is currently petitioning Newport City Council to divest its pension fund from firms linked to 'Human rights abuses and violations of international law, including genocide and apartheid in Palestine.' It has previously picketed meetings of the Greater Gwent Pension Fund that is hosted by Torfaen Borough Council. The fund has previously said it is in an investor's 'best interests to undertake Human Rights due diligence and compliance' and it is part of the Welsh Pension Partnership which has a 'preference to engage with companies as opposed to divestment.' Torfaen council's Labour leader Anthony Hunt said he couldn't see a link between his council commemorating the Suffragettes, whose campaign of civil disobedience and disruption included vandalism, arson and mail bombs, and the government's proscription of a direct action group. Cllr Hunt said: 'I'm not really sure what the two issues have to do with each other. I don't see the link between the two positions. We were standing up for a group who helped bring about equal representation for women.' The Panteg councillor, who wore a rosette in Suffragette colours at the meeting, said he is 'horrified at what is going on in Israel and Palestine' and would support in any way he could efforts to bring about a 'peaceful solution'. When MPs voted to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation they faced criticism as earlier that day all 264 female MPs were presented with sashes, made in Newport, to mark 97 years since women were given the right to vote. Green Party MP Carla Denyer said on social media: 'Today women MPs wore Suffragette sashes to celebrate Votes for Women–won by civil disobedience & celebrated in Parliament's gift shop. 'And yet now the government is asking us to vote to proscribe Palestine Action–a modern civil disobedience group–as terrorists.' Human rights group Amnesty International has called the proscription of Palestine Action 'draconian' and an 'unprecedented legal overreach'. At Torfaen council's July meeting, at the Civic Centre in Pontypool, councillors marked the passing of the Equal Franchise Act that extended the vote to those aged 21 and over. Presiding member Cllr Rose Seabourne said: 'I would like to take this opportunity thank members for wearing sashes and rosettes today in memory of the anniversary of votes for women. 'This symbolic gesture honours the courageous individuals who fought tirelessly for women's suffrage and reminds us of the importance of equal representation in our democracy. 'It's fitting we mark this milestone together as a council and continuing their legacy through our commitment to inclusion and equality for all.' Newport Palestine Solidarity Campaign was due to hold a protest outside the office of Jessica Morden MP on Friday, July 25.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is Vaibhav Raj Gupta? Gullak's ‘Annu' steps into darker territory in Mandala Murders
Vaibhav Raj Gupta is showing audiences that he's far more than Gullak's affable Annu. In Netflix's gripping crime thriller Mandala Murders, he takes on a starkly contrasting role as a suspended cop caught in a maze of serial murders and haunting pasts. His powerful performance is being lauded for breaking type and revealing a darker, more intense facet of his talent. If you don't know who he is, we have got you covered. Who is Vaibhav Raj Gupta? Gullak actor now in Mandala Murders Vaibhav Raj Gupta, born on January 19, 1991, in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, began his career in theatre before moving into film and television. He gained widespread acclaim for his role as Anand 'Annu' Mishra in the popular web series Gullak (2019–2024), where his relatable performance resonated with audiences throughout its run. Before his breakout role, he featured in projects like Noor (2017) and Good Bad Girl (2022), steadily establishing himself as a performer committed to strong storytelling and nuanced characters. Vaibhav Raj Gupta in Mandala Murders In Netflix's thriller Mandala Murders, Vaibhav steps into a much darker role as Vikram Singh, a suspended police officer haunted by his past. He joins forces with CBI officer Rea Thomas (played by Vaani Kapoor) to investigate a string of ritualistic killings in the fictional town of Charandaspur, Uttar Pradesh. His powerful performance in the series has drawn praise from critics, who have commended his ability to shed the affable image of 'Annu' and embrace a more intense, emotionally layered character, highlighting his remarkable versatility as an actor. Vaibhav Raj Gupta talks about the success of Gullak As per The New Indian Express, reflecting on the moment he knew the show was a success, Vaibhav Raj Gupta recounted how deeply moved he was by the reactions of his family especially his parents, grandmother, and aunt after watching the first season. Seeing the happiness in their eyes made him feel confident that the show had truly connected with its audience. He credited the show's success to its thoughtful writing and well-developed characters, noting that even the best actors can't salvage a poorly written script. Vaibhav also praised the dedication of the entire team, from directors and writers to actors and crew and admitted that Gullak holds a special place in his heart as his favourite project to date.
Al Jazeera
6 days ago
- General
- Al Jazeera
‘Did you eat today?': Voices of Gaza speak of starvation and survival
This is not a warning. Famine has already arrived in Gaza. It is not a metaphor, nor is it a prediction. It is daily. It is the child who wakes up asking for biscuits that no longer exist. The student who studies for exams while faint from hunger. It is the mother who cannot explain to her son why there is no bread. And it is the silence of the world that makes this horror possible. Children of the famine Noor, my eldest sister Tasneem's daughter, is three; she was born on May 11, 2021. My sister's son, Ezz Aldin, was born on December 25, 2023 – in the early months of the war. One morning, Tasneem walked into our space carrying them in her arms. I looked at her and asked the question that wouldn't leave my mind: 'Tasneem, do Noor and Ezz Aldin understand hunger? Do they know we're in a famine?' 'Yes,' she said immediately. 'Even Ezz, who's only known war and ruins, understands. He's never seen real food in his life. He doesn't know what 'options' are. The only thing he ever asks for is bread.' She imitated his baby voice: 'Obz! Obza! Obza!' – his way of saying 'khobza' (a piece of bread). She had to tell him, 'There's no flour, darling. Your dad went out to look for some.' Ezz Aldin doesn't know about ceasefires, borders, or politics. He doesn't care about military operations or diplomatic statements. He just wants one small piece of bread. And the world gives him nothing. Noor has learned to count and recite the alphabet from her mother. Before the war, she loved chocolate, biscuits. She was the first grandchild in our family, showered with toys, snacks, and little dresses. Now, every morning, she wakes up and turns to her mother with wide, excited eyes. 'Go buy me 15 chocolates and biscuits,' she says. She says 15 because it's the biggest number she knows. It sounds like enough; enough to fill her stomach, enough to bring back the world she knew. But there's nothing to buy. There's nothing left. Where is your humanity? Look at her. Then tell me what justice looks like. Killed after five days of hunger I watched a video that broke my heart. A man mourned over the shrouded bodies of seven of his family. In despair, he cried, 'We're hungry.' They had been starving for days, then an Israeli surveillance drone struck their tent near al-Tabin School in Daraj, northern Gaza. 'This is the young man I was raising,' the man in the video wept. 'Look what became of them,' as he touched their heads one last time. Some people still don't understand. This isn't about whether we have money. It's about the total absence of food. Even if you're a millionaire in Gaza right now, you won't find bread. You won't find a bag of rice or a can of milk. Markets are empty. Shops are destroyed. Malls have been flattened. The shelves are not bare – they are gone. We used to grow our own food. Gaza once exported fruits and vegetables; we sent strawberries to Europe. Our prices were the cheapest in the region. A kilo (2.2 pounds) of grapes or apples? Three shekels ($0.90). A kilo of chicken from Gaza's farms? Nine shekels ($2.70). Now, we can't find a single egg. Before: A massive watermelon from Khan Younis weighed 21 kilos (46 pounds) and cost 18 shekels ($5). Today: The same watermelon would cost $250 – if you can find it. Avocados, once considered a luxury fruit, were grown by the tonne in al-Mawasi, Khan Younis and Rafah. They used to cost a dollar a kilo. We had self-sufficiency in dairy, too – cheeses and yoghurts made in Shujayea by local hands. Our children were not spoiled – they just had basic rights. Breakfast meant milk. A sandwich with cheese. A boiled egg. Now, everything is cut off. And no matter how I explain it to the children, they cannot grasp the words 'famine' or 'price hike'. They just know their bellies are empty. Even seafood – once a staple of Gaza's diet – has disappeared. Despite strict fishing restrictions, we used to send fish to the West Bank. Now, even our sea is silent. And with all due respect to Turkish coffee, you haven't tasted coffee until you've tried Mazaj Coffee from Gaza. It had a strength you could feel in your bones. This is not a forecast. Famine is now. Most of us are displaced. Unemployed. Mourning. If we manage one meal a day, we eat it at night. It's not a feast. It's rice. Pasta. Maybe soup. Canned beans. Things you keep as backup in your pantries. Here, they are luxury. Most days, we drink water and nothing more. When hunger becomes too much, we scroll through old photos, pictures of meals from the past, just to remember what life once tasted like. Starving while taking exams As always, our university exams are online, because the campus is rubble. We are living a genocide. And yet, we are trying to study. I'm a second-year student. We just finished our final exams for the first semester. We studied surrounded by hunger, by drones, by constant fear. This isn't what people think university is. We took exams on empty stomachs, under the scream of warplanes. We tried to remember dates while forgetting the last time we tasted bread. Every day, I talk with my friends – Huda, Mariam, and Esraa – on WhatsApp. We check on each other, asking the same questions over and over: 'What did you eat today?' 'Can you even concentrate?' These are our conversations – not about lectures or assignments, but about hunger, headaches, dizziness, and how we're still standing. One says, 'My stomach hurts too much to think.' Another says, 'I nearly collapsed when I stood up.' And still, we keep going. Our last exam was on July 15. We held on, not because we were strong, but because we had no choice. We didn't want to lose a semester. But even saying that feels so small compared to the truth. Studying while starving chips away at your soul. One day, during exams, an air strike hit our neighbours. The explosion shook the walls. A moment before, I was thinking about how hungry I felt. A moment after, I felt nothing. I didn't run. I stayed at my desk and kept studying. Not because I was OK, but because there is no other choice. They starve us, then blame us Let me be clear: The people of Gaza are being starved on purpose. We are not unlucky – we are victims of war crimes. Open the crossings. Let aid enter. Let food enter. Let medicine enter. Gaza doesn't need sympathy. We can rebuild. We can recover. But first, stop starving us. Killing, starving, and besieging are not just conditions – they are actions forced upon us. Language reveals those who try to hide who is responsible. So we will keep saying: We were killed by the Israeli occupation. We were starved by the Israeli occupation. We were besieged by the Israeli occupation.
Asia News Network
6 days ago
- Asia News Network
In Pakistan, board sought as Zahir Jaffer on death row for Noor Mukadam's murder preparing mercy plea
July 21, 2025 ISLAMABAD – Zahir Zakir Jaffer, who was convicted of the gruesome murder of Noor Mukadam and sentenced to death, is preparing for a presidential mercy petition, according to a series of letters seen by as jail authorities have requested the formation of a medical board to evaluate his condition. Noor, aged 27 years, was found murdered at Zahir's Islamabad residence in July 2021, with the probe revealing she was tortured before being beheaded. Zahir's death sentence by the trial court had been upheld by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in 2023. In May, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence handed by two courts previously over the murder charges under Section 302B (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). After the ruling by the apex court, a presidential pardon under Article 45 of the Constitution could possibly provide Zahir pardon, or reprieve, or remit, suspend or commute his sentence. According to the letters, which are addressed to the hospital director at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) from the superintendent at Adiala Jail, Zahir requires an opinion from a medical or psychiatric board before submitting a presidential mercy petition. 'The appeal of above mentioned Confirmed Condemned Prisoner (Zahir) was pending at [the] Supreme Court of Pakistan and the same has been dismissed,' the letter, dated July 8, read. 'Now the mercy petition of [the] subject cited Confirmed Condemned Prisoner has to be submitted before the Honourable President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. For that, the medical board and psychiatric board opinion is mandatory.' The letter requested that a time and date be chosen for the medical and psychiatric boards to come to Adiala and examine Zahir. The superintendent made the same request in another letter dated July 14. In response to the first letter, Pims stated in a document seen by that Dr Shafqat Nawaz from the psychiatry department and Dr Amir Naveed from the neurology department will comprise the medical board. Zahir was not only convicted of the murder, but was also sentenced to 25 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs200,000 under Section 376 (punishment for rape) of the PPC. In October last year, Noor's father had urged the apex court to take up the murder case pending for more than one and a half years.
India.com
16-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- India.com
7 Baby Names That Mean Light- For Your Little Sunshine
Muskan Kalra Jul 15, 2025 Aarush means the first ray of the sun, and is used for boys as it is perfect for a bright beginning. Prakash means light, radiance, and it is a classic yet timeless name used for boys. Deepa means lamp, source of light, and it is used for girls; it is a symbol of warmth and purity. Noor means divine light and is used for unisex, Elegant, and a soft name. Jyoti means flame, brightness, and is also used for girls. This is a spiritually powerful name. Divyansh means part of the divine light and is used for boys—a sacred and modern-sounding name. Tara means star, light, and is used for a girl. It is a Short, sweet, and celestial name Read Next Story
