Latest news with #Karim
News18
18 hours ago
- General
- News18
Jet crash tragedy sends shockwaves beyond school compound in Bangladesh
Dhaka, Jul 23 (PTI) Soon after the bell rang indicating the end of class hours for the day at Milestone School and College in Bangladesh capital's Uttara area on Monday, a smiling 11-year-old Samiul Karim started walking towards his father. 'Suddenly the warplane crashed with a big boom and simultaneously a small burning chunk of the plane hit Samiul on his back," said his father Rezaul Karim, a garment exporter, on Wednesday. The father rushed towards him screaming 'help, help" when a military soldier nearby opened his shirt to wrap the boy and douse the fire. 'My boy was trembling as I grabbed him by my chest," Karim, tears still flowing, said. Karim is not alone in describing the grief caused due to the loss of a child. Monday's crash continues to send shock waves as unrelenting stories of agonies of the children and their parents and siblings flooded news outlets and social media platforms. A F-7 BGI aircraft, a training fighter jet manufactured in China, experienced a 'mechanical fault" moments after takeoff and crashed into a two-storey building of the Milestone school on Monday killing 32 people, including 26 children. As scores of people passed agonising hours with pains due to burn wounds at different hospitals, many of them in critical condition, parents of young children broke down narrating memories after burying their dear ones. A video clip on social media showed a boy running helter-skelter in bare feet with his burnt-out school dress. He could be clearly seen screaming but the video did not grab his voice. In another video, a boy accompanied by two fellow students, was seen hastily crossing a road to enter a hospital in Uttara signaling the moving vehicles to halt with one of his burnt hands. A Bangla daily described how a surviving student said that after coming out of the building amid smoke and dust, he went back to the crash site to one of the classrooms to see the condition of his friends, defying advice of volunteers. He found his best friend with fatal wounds. 'My friend told me, 'I knew you will come' – just before he breathed his last," the student told the daily. The daily Star newspaper said, fourth-grader Raisa's body was found at Dhaka's Combined Military Hospital (CMH), a day after the incident. Her parents, who were running from pillar to post till then, had recovered only her charred school bag and books from the crash site rubble. Another underage boy Ayan from Uttara area, lying in the ICU at another hospital, repeatedly cried urging his parents to take him away. 'I don't want to stay here anymore," his father told PTI on phone quoting his son. 'Ma (mother), I'm going to school. Ta-ta!" said nine-year-old Sayma to her mother before leaving her Gazipur home on Monday morning. After a massive search from hospital to hospital, the mother found her daughter at the CMH morgue in the evening. Yet another child who died in the crash was a class III student Nusrat Jahan Anika, youngest of three siblings. A video on social media showed her father Abul Hossain saying: 'My daughter was fun loving, always laughing and smiling. She liked to wear new dresses, liked to visit eateries to taste good food and travel to newer places. We recently toured Cox's Bazar sea beach at her insistence." Meanwhile, an air force helicopter brought Samiul Karim to Dhaka's CMH. But he did not survive the injuries. Back home, neighbours and relatives said his mother Reshma Karim continued to faint after regaining consciousness for a brief period after her younger son's death. 'My son for whatever reason did not want to go to school that day, but I convinced him not to miss his classes… how can I forgive myself?" she said. Milestone School and College's vice principal Salma Rouf said, the bell that rang at the school to announce the end of class hours for the day virtually turned out to be a signal for the students' eternal leave. PTI AR NPK NPK view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 20:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
A Syrian American man is among members of the Druze community killed in sectarian clashes in Syria
BEIRUT (AP) — A Syrian-American man of the Druze religious minority was killed in southern Syria when he got caught up in sectarian clashes there last week while visiting family members, relatives and officials said Tuesday. The U.S. State Department confirmed the death of U.S citizen Hossam Soraya in the city of Sweida and extended its condolences to his family. His relatives and friends told The Associated Press that Saraya, in his mid-30s from Oklahoma, was killed in an attack last Wednesday. The violence in Sweida provice, where the city of Sweida is the provincial capital, erupted earlier this month between the Druze community, an offshoot of Shiite Islam, and the local Sunni Bedouin tribes, drawing in Syrian government forces, which effectively sided with the Bedouins. This undated handout photo provided by the Saraya family shows Syrian-American Hossam Saraya, second right, his brother Karim, right, and his father Ghassan, third left, posing for a photo with family members at a house in Sweida, Syria. (Courtesy of the Saraya family via AP) Hundreds of people were killed — both civilians and combatants — before a ceasefire calmed the fighting, only for clashes to restart days later. The U.N. International Organization for Migration said more than 130,000 people were displaced during the fighting. The fighting threatened Syria's fragile transition and underscored the difficulties the new government faces as it tries to consolidate control over the country, months after Islamist-led insurgents ousted longtime autocrat Bashar Assad last December. Neighboring Israel also intervened, striking Syrian forces — actions Israel said was in defense of the Druze, who are also a significant minority in Israel. A raid by gunmen in military uniform The clashes started as a series of tit-for-tat kidnappings between armed Bedouin clans and Druze militias. Government forces intervened to stop the hostilities but effectively sided with the Bedouins. On Wednesday, Soraya was abducted with his brother Karim, their father Ghassan and three other relatives from the family home by gunmen who later shot and killed them in a square in Sweida, his friends and relatives said, speaking on condition of anonymity fearing reprisals. The gunmen told them they were government forces and assured the women nothing would happen to their men as they took them away, one of Soraya's friends said. The gunmen returned later and threatened the women and children, before leaving without harming them but taking off with gold and other valuables from the house, the friend said. They said they believe government forces were behind the killings but did not elaborate. The Syrian Defense Ministry says Tuesday it was investigating 'shocking and serious violations committed by an unknown group wearing military uniforms' in Sweida, without giving further details. The ministry did not specifically mention Saraya's killing. Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford said on Monday he was heartbroken over Saraya's killing. 'We are praying for his family, friends, and the entire community as they grieve this senseless loss.' Lankford said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Fellow Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin meanwhile said that he is working with 'partners in the region to learn more.' Trying to reach the family After new of the violence broke out, Saraya's relatives in America could not get a hold of him and other male family members in the Druze-majority city. They were told by remaining relatives in Sweida of the raid and that Saraya and the others were taken away by gunmen. Then, to their horror, they recognized Hossam and the other men from the family in a video posted on social media showing gunmen in military uniform sprayed their relatives with automatic fire as tehy were kneeling on the asphalt in a Sweida roundabout. Another video that surfaced later, shows their relatives being marched off by at least 10 armed men in military uniform, chatting among themselves, smiling and posing for the camera. A life in America Although Hossam had been living in the United States since 2014, he remained engaged in the community back home in Syria. He and his brother co-founded an online school named after their family for Syrians abroad interested in completing their education with their native country's curriculum, with millions scattered around the world after the almost 14-year civil war that erupted in 2011 and ended with Assad's ouster. On the school's social media page, Syrians and Oklahomans paid tribute to Hossam and his family after their deaths were announced. More than half of the roughly 1 million Druze worldwide live in Syria. The others live in Lebanon and Israel, including in the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Mideast War and annexed in 1981. Most Druze in Syria have supported a more diplomatic approach with the new government in Damascus but the clashes in Sweida have left many doubtful of a peaceful coexistence the new leaders in the post-Assad era. ___ Associated Press writer Farnoush Amiri in New York contributed to this report.
Al-Ahram Weekly
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Not to be missed: New Alamein Festival, National Theatre Festival, Ruby, Fouad & Mounib - Music - Arts & Culture
Ahram Online highlights a selection of do-not-miss events this week 16-22 July in Cairo New films across cinemas starting 16 July - Smurfs, starring Nick Offerman, James Corden, Rihanna, JP Karliak, Daniel Levy - 40 Acres, starring Michael Greyeyes, Danielle Deadwyler, Kataem O'Connor - El-Shater, starring Amir Karara, Hana Al Zahid, Moustafa Gharieb, Khalid Al Sawi - I Know What You Did Last Summer, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr., Madelyn Cline (starting 17 July) Get Salima - theatre play Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 July, 8pm Rawabet Art Space, 5 Hussein Basha Al Meamari, Downtown Cairo Directed by Ahmed El-Sherbiny, the play follows Kawthar and Karim as they struggle to stay afloat amid soaring prices—but life has other plans. From meddling neighbours to a long-overdue promotion, and even a break-in that turns their world upside down, the pressure builds. Will it push Karim to take a leap and change his life? 3rd New Alamein Festival 18 July - 29 August The festival will showcase a stellar lineup of top artists from Egypt and the Arab world, including Amr Diab, Angham, Assala Nasri, Tamer Hosny, Tamer Ashour, Marwan Pablo, Lege-Cy, Wegz, Cairokee, and more. Some are returning from the festival's second edition in 2024, while others will take the Alamein stage for the first time. In addition to concerts, the festival features a wide range of artistic, sports, entertainment, and culinary events. Read more about the festival here. Andromida - music Friday 18 July, 8pm El-Sawy Culturewheel, River hall, 26th of July street, Zamalek, Cairo One of the oldest active rock bands in Egypt, Andromida was formed by Amr Hassan & Ihab Al Qalie (keyboard and vocals). The band also includes Sherif El-Sharqawi (drums and vocals) and Ahmed Anwar (bass and vocals). Founded in Alexandria in 1987, the band is widely known for performing some of Pink Floyd's most well-known songs. Fathy Salama and Sheikh Mahmoud El-Tohamy - music Friday 18 July, 9pm Cairo Opera House, Open-Air Theatre, Zamalek, Cairo Titled Sufism vs Modernism, the concert brings together Grammy-winning musician Fathy Salama and renowned Islamic Sufi chanter Mahmoud El-Tohamy, joined by a diverse lineup of musicians. The project blends Egypt's rich Sufi and folkloric heritage with modern genres—including electronic, pop, hip hop, rock, and jazz—to create a contemporary musical dialogue. The son of legendary chanter Sheikh Yassin El-Tohamy, Mahmoud El-Tohamy is considered a master of traditional Islamic musical art. The concert is part of the Cairo Opera House's Summer Festival. The Mummification Lesson - theatre play Saturday 19 July, 7pm El-Jeeb Studio, Zamalek 'The Mummification Lesson,' a scientific and performative lecture presented by Omar El-Moutaz Bellah and moderated by Hoda Abdel Aziz, explores the ancient ritual of mummification through a dramatic and philosophical lens. The lecture delves into the convergence of religion, biology, magic, and cosmology—where the embalmed body is not merely preserved, but transformed into a vessel of promise that death is not annihilation, but metamorphosis. Combining theory and practice live on stage, the event traces the stages of mummification—material and metaphysical—unpacking its tools, substances, and ritual spells drawn from the Egyptian Books of the Afterlife. Far from a purely funerary act, the lecture repositions mummification as a sacred ritual uniting theology, science, and myth in a performance that is both intellectual and immersive. Hanan Mady - music Saturday 19 July, 9pm Cairo Opera House, Open-Air Theatre, Zamalek, Cairo Hanan Mady began singing at a young age and studied violin at the Cairo Conservatory, graduating in 1989. She made her singing debut with the theme song—composed by Omar Khairat—for the 1988 television series El-Leqaa El-Thany (The Second Meeting). Mady went on to perform in several popular TV series, including Yasser Abdel-Rahman's theme for El-Mal Wal-Banon (The Fortune and the Progeny, 1992–1995), and collaborated with renowned composers and lyricists such as Abdel-Azim Abdel-Haq, Helmi Bakr, Ahmad Fouad Negm, Ibrahim Abdel-Fattah, and Reda Amin. Over the course of her career, she released four albums, featuring fan favorites like Leilet Eshq, El-Bahr, Sheddy El-Dafayer, Asfour, and Kan W-Kan. The concert is part of the Cairo Opera House's Summer Festival. Ruby & Ahmed Saad - music Saturday 19 July Beach Resort, Marassi Ruby, the Egyptian singer and actress who rose to fame in the early 2000s, is known for her bold music videos and distinctive performance style. Beyond music, she has appeared in a range of film and television roles, demonstrating her versatility across romantic and dramatic genres. Ahmed Saad is a prominent Egyptian singer best known for his emotional ballads. Launching his career in the early 2000s, he quickly became a fixture in Egyptian film and television soundtracks, blending traditional Arabic vocals with modern pop and electronic elements. He often collaborates with major stars, including his brother, actor Amr Saad. The concert featuring both stars is part of Layali Marassi, a summer series showcasing leading singers at the Marassi Beach Resort. The concerts are held every Saturday through the end of August. 18th Egyptian National Theatre Festival 20 July - 6 August Launched in 2006, the Egyptian National Theatre Festival has grown into the country's largest annual event dedicated to the theatre movement. This year's lineup features a wide range of performances from troupes affiliated with various sectors of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Cultural Palaces, the Art House for Theatre, the Academy of Arts, private theatres, and university and student groups from the Higher Institute of Theatrical Arts. Many of the plays have already premiered to critical and audience acclaim, while others are being introduced to wider audiences for the first time. Read more about the festival here Fouad & Mounib - music Sunday 20 July, 8pm Cairo Opera House, Open-Air Theatre, Zamalek, Cairo The story of Fouad and Mounib began in 2015, when the two musicians met on Facebook and started exchanging music. A few months later, they gave their first concert at Alexandria's Creativity Centre. Their popularity quickly grew, leading to performances at major venues such as the Cairo Opera House and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina's Arts Centre, as well as tours in Morocco and Austria. Over time, the duo pursued more ambitious projects, with Mounib arranging music for various ensembles and orchestras. The concert is part of the Cairo Opera House's Summer Festival. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Indian Express
Man lynched in Arunachal as mob outnumbers police, cops say ‘sensitive matter' to justify no arrests
Three days after a 19-year-old migrant worker was lynched by locals in Arunachal Pradesh's Roing town over allegations of sexually assaulting multiple children in the school where he worked, police are yet to make any arrests. The deceased Rizaul Karim, originally from Assam's Bongaigaon district, had succumbed to his injuries after being assaulted by a mob in police presence in different locations on July 11. Two cases had been registered in Roing police station over this incident: one pertaining to criminal conspiracy, rioting, causing grievous harm and the Prevention of Damage to Property Act; another under multiple sections, including murder and mob lynching. Arunachal IGP (Law & Order) Chukhu Apa said that the police were moving with caution on the case, saying that 'it is a sensitive matter'. 'As of now, there are no arrests. We are examining video footage and collecting evidence. After we are done, we will definitely take action and make arrests. We need some time since this is a sensitive matter in which so many minor children are affected,' he said. IGP Apa said that the deceased worked as a labourer in the premises of a residential school. 'Over a period of time, he had systematically been sexually assaulting minor girls in the school. Based on information they had received, a group of parents arrived at the school on July 10 and began questioning who were there. There was a big commotion but the police intervened and the situation was brought under control. However, the main accused had run away,' said Apa. That night, an FIR had been registered in Roing police station against the deceased under the POCSO Act and sections of the BNS pertaining to rape and sexual harassment. Apa said that while police launched a manhunt for Karim, a group of locals, including parents, also began looking for him. A 'significant number' of girls aged between ages 6 and 9 had allegedly been sexually assaulted in the school hostel and had undergone medical examinations, he said. 'They found him in the suburbs of Roing town the next morning, and began assaulting him. When police received information, they rushed there, rescued him and took him for emergency care to a district hospital. But the mob followed them there, so he was then taken to Roing police station, but they followed there too. As word spread, more and more people joined in, and it was a crowd of over 200-300 people who overpowered the police and dragged him out of the police station to assault him. Police were outnumbered and did not have enough time to act because everything happened very quickly,' Apa said. He said Karim succumbed to his injuries in the district hospital, where he was taken again for medical treatment in the afternoon after this incident. The same day, the Lower Dibang Valley district administration also issued an order to close down the school indefinitely, citing 'untoward incident of molestation of minor girls in girls' hostel'. The district authorities have advised parents to withdraw their children from the school and send them to the nearby ones.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Aamsu to protest in Delhi against evictions
Guwahati: All Assam Minorities Students' Union (Aamsu) will demonstrate in Delhi on Wednesday to protest against the eviction drives being carried out by the state govt, allegedly targeting people of a particular community. Rezaul Karim, president of Aamsu, said the union has always opposed the "inhuman eviction being carried out by the govt targeting people of a particular community." "Encroachment can be seen in many parts of the state by people of other communities as well. An eviction drive was conducted at Paikan Reserve Forest and 140 hectares of land was freed by evicting 1,080 families. At the same time, many families belonging to the Rabha community are also occupying the forest. Why no action on them?," he asked. Karim said no provisions for rehabilitation were made before they were evicted. "They (the evicted families) are landless people. They lost their land in erosion at some point in time. They were sitting on this govt land. The govt wants to clear the forest area, which is fine, but they should have been rehabilitated," he added. The eviction at Paikan Reserve Forest in Goalpara was carried out on Saturday. An eviction drive at Chapar in Dhubri district was carried out last week to evict over 800 families, allegedly occupying 3,500 bighas of land.
