US woman released by Taliban in Afghanistan: Former US envoy
American citizen Faye Hall has been released by the Taliban after she was detained earlier this year. An American woman has been freed by the Taliban in Afghanistan after she, two Britons and their Afghan translator were detained earlier this year, Washington’s former envoy to Kabul, Zalmay Khalilzad, has said. She is the fourth US citizen released by the Taliban since January, as part of agreements brokered by Qatar. “American citizen Faye Hall, just released by the Taliban, is now in the care of our friends, the Qataris in Kabul, and will soon be on her way home,” Khalilzad, who has been part of a US delegation working on Taliban captive releases, wrote on X on Saturday. American citizen Faye Hall, just released by the Taliban, is now in the care of our friends, the Qataris in Kabul, and will soon be on her way home. Thank you, #Qatar, for your ongoing and steadfast partnership. #USA #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/cMSBuaq7qR — Zalmay Khalilzad (@realZalmayMK) March 29, 2025 Hall’s release comes just days after George Glezmann, an American detained in Afghanistan for more than two years, was released by the Taliban earlier this month, and arrived in the United States, where he reunited with his wife and was greeted by a welcoming party that included his former cellmate. Advertisement The Taliban called Glezmann’s release a “goodwill gesture” reflecting its willingness to engage with the United States “on the basis of mutual respect and interests”. The Taliban has previously described the release of US detainees as part of its global “normalisation” effort. The group remains an international pariah since its lightning takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021: No country has officially recognised the Taliban government, although several countries continue to operate diplomatic facilities in the country. Afghanistan’s takeover came as the Joe Biden administration oversaw a withdrawal outlined by the first administration of US President Donald Trump. The Republican leader negotiated with the Taliban in 2020 to end the war in Afghanistan, and he agreed to a 14-month deadline to withdraw US troops and allied forces. The agreement was controversial for leaving out the Western-backed Afghan government, which was toppled amid the US’s chaotic exit from the country in 2021. The Trump administration is yet to articulate a clear policy for how it will approach dealings with the Taliban government during the president’s second term. Trump has been a regular critic of how the Biden administration oversaw the withdrawal from Afghanistan. A bomb attack at Kabul’s airport in the final days of the chaotic withdrawal killed at least 170 Afghan civilians seeking to flee the country, as well as 13 US soldiers. Adblock test (Why?)
Month of giving: Syrians in Ethiopia keep Ramadan iftar tradition alive
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Images of old Damascus and Aleppo adorn the walls of a modest restaurant tucked into Bole Michael, a working-class neighbourhood near Addis Ababa’s international airport. Chatter in Arabic and Amharic fills the air, mingling with the sizzling of a grill roasting a giant shawarma skewer and oil crackling around crunchy kebeiba (bulgur and ground meat balls). In the kitchen, Syrian chef Ahmed Ibrahim and his two assistants prepare for the evening rush. As the sun begins its descent, they carefully fill small bowls with hummus and dates for guests in the restaurant and pack takeaway meals for those who stop by seeking a free meal. In the spirit of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Ibrahim says he is happy to give back. “When I first came to Ethiopia in 2020, I didn’t have a penny to my name. I worked in restaurants until I could open my own. I married an Ethiopian woman, and now, I’m a father of two daughters,” Ibrahim tells Al Jazeera. “This country has become a home to me.” Advertisement More than 5.5 million Syrians have fled their homeland since 2011, when war broke out after the government cracked down on a popular uprising. Most Syrians who left sought refuge in neighbouring countries like Lebanon, Turkiye, and Egypt. Bole Michael has become a hub for Syrians in Addis Ababa [Samuel Getachew/Al Jazeera] But some ventured further, to countries like Ethiopia, where fewer than 1,500 Syrians reportedly live. Al Jazeera approached Ethiopia’s Immigration and Citizenship Services for an official estimate, but the agency declined to respond. According to local media, many Syrians remain unregistered and live in limbo. Despite these challenges, Bole Michael has become known as a Syrian neighbourhood. More Syrian refugees have found their way there, carving out a familiar rhythm. Its streets, largely unpaved and strewn with pebbles and dust, have long been home to Somali, Sudanese and Yemeni refugees – some of the more than one million refugees living in Ethiopia. In recent years, Syrian businesses have started adding their accents and flavours to the bustling area. Ibrahim’s restaurant, named Syria, is one such business. The 34-year-old arrived in Ethiopia five years ago after a three-year stay in Sudan was cut short by political unrest there. Opening the restaurant, he says, was a way to recreate a slice of home in exile, a place where he could serve the dishes of his homeland to those who would appreciate them. During Ramadan, that mission takes on even greater meaning: giving. Salem Berhanu, a regular at Syrian restaurants in Bole Michael, enjoys dinner with Syrian friends [Samuel Getachew/Al Jazeera] “It would’ve been great if I could host a free iftar for everyone in need, like the ones I grew up seeing in Syria,” says Ibrahim, referring to a centuries-old tradition across the Middle East, where banquets are set up on the streets to offer free food to passersby breaking their Ramadan fast at sunset. Advertisement “But that would be difficult here, since poverty is widespread and we’re just a small business,” he adds. “Instead, during Ramadan, we try not to turn anyone away,” he says, explaining that the restaurant serves free meals to those in need during the holy month. “It’s about community and helping however you can,” he says. Nearly a quarter of Ethiopia’s 124 million people live below the poverty line. A taste of generosity from home As the adhan echoes from a nearby mosque, signalling the end of the fast, Ibrahim begins welcoming diners. Among them is Zeynab Mohammed, a Syrian mother of four who arrived in Ethiopia last year after fleeing Khartoum amid Sudan’s continuing civil war. Since settling in Addis Ababa, she has tried to make a living selling homemade perfume on the streets. Closing her eyes briefly in prayer, she digs into a fragrant chicken shawarma wrap with fries. About 30 percent of Ethiopians are Muslim. Here, thousands gather for the end of Ramadan last year in Addis Ababa’s Meskel Square [Tiksa Negeri/Al Jazeera] “Life here isn’t easy,” Zeynab says quietly. “But moments like this remind me of home. The generosity, the shared meals – it’s something we carried with us from Syria, and it’s still alive here.” Sitting next to her is Salem Berhanu, an Ethiopian friend and familiar face in the neighbourhood. Berhanu often joins newcomers at local eateries, occasionally paying for their food when he can. He is well-known among local children who gather around him, chatting in Amharic. Advertisement Berhanu says he enjoys seeing Syrians in Ethiopia. “It’s beautiful, especially during Ramadan, because it gives us a chance to meet new people and have meaningful conversations,” he says. While many Syrians say they’ve felt welcome in Ethiopia, the challenges remain immense. At a nearby table, another Syrian refugee, Aisha Abdul, recalls her early years in the country. She arrived in Addis Ababa after a perilous bus journey from Sudan, during which she hid from fighters who sometimes attacked convoys. Three years ago, she and other worshippers at a local mosque in Bole Michael were invited to an iftar hosted by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed – a moment that, for her, felt like a lifeline after years of displacement. Now, she sells scented charcoal alongside other Syrian refugees, often at traffic stops and crowded gathering spots. The mustachioed air dancer tells passers-by that Syrian delicacies can be found in this small, unassuming spot [Sawra Tafari/Al Jazeera] On an average day, she says, she makes about $5, though on good days, she earns more with the help of her children. “Ethiopia is a very welcoming country, and the people are wonderful. But it can also feel like a dead end,” she says. “There’s no assistance, and finding a job is difficult, so many of us end up doing humiliating work just to survive.” Gratitude in a new land In Bethel, a calmer, more affluent neighbourhood on Addis Ababa’s western outskirts, an inflated air dancer bearing a trademark thick mustache and red
Huge Istanbul protests over Imamoglu’s arrest and imprisonment in Turkiye
CHP leader calls for former mayor’s release, denounces arrests of protesters in growing clashes over Turkish democracy. Hundreds of thousands of protesters in Turkiye’s Istanbul have taken to the streets again, rallying against the government’s decision to imprison the city’s popular mayor. The mass demonstration on Saturday was the latest in a wave of nationwide protests that have gripped parts of the country since the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu on March 19. The now ex-mayor, considered a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was detained on corruption and terrorism charges. The terrorism charge was initially dismissed by the court. A letter from Imamoglu was read out at the rally to loud cheers from the crowd. “I have no fear, you are behind me and by my side. I have no fear because the nation is united. The nation is united against the oppressor,” the letter said. “They can put me in jail and try me as much as they want, the nation has shown that it will crush all traps and plots”, it added. The government rejects accusations from critics that the move against Imamoglu was politically motivated, insisting that the judiciary is independent and free of political interference. Advertisement This week, Erdogan denounced the rallies. “Those who spread terror in the streets and want to set fire to this country have nowhere to go. The path they have taken is a dead end,” he said. Those demonstrating in Istanbul’s streets on Saturday had an opposing view: “We must speak out against injustice and unlawfulness. I am 25 and have only known one government – I want to see change,” a protester told Al Jazeera. “A state is strong only when it’s fair, but I am not hopeful. The judiciary is not independent,” said another one. Police stand guard during a rally to protest against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as part of a corruption investigation, in Istanbul, Turkiye [Dylan Martinez/Reuters] Imamoglu’s detention, and later formal arrest over the corruption charges on March 23, prompted nationwide protests despite assembly bans, police crackdowns, and legal prosecution by authorities. “They’ve detained hundreds of our children, thousands of our youths … arrested hundreds of them,” said Ozgur Ozel, the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) that organised the protest. “They only had one goal in mind: to intimidate them, terrify them, make sure they never go out again.” Nearly 1,900 people have been detained since March 19, and pro-government media reported Friday that public prosecutors had requested up to three years imprisonment for 74 of them. “For many people here, this is not just about but about democracy, especially for students. Attending the rallies is a way for them to show resilience and protect their freedoms for their future,” said Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from the protest. Ozgur Ozel, leader of Turkiye’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) attends a rally to protest against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as part of a corruption investigation, in Istanbul, Turkiye [Umit Bektas/Reuters] Police kept their distance at Saturday’s rally with no new arrests reported. Ozel called for the immediate release of Imamoglu, as well as for other political prisoners, including Selahattin Demirtas, a former presidential candidate and founder of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party, or DEM. Advertisement “In Turkiye, we envision presidential candidates will not be imprisoned,” added Ozel. Last Sunday, hours after he had been formally arrested, Imamoglu won a symbolic primary to be the CHP‘s candidate in a presidential election currently scheduled for 2028, but which is likely to take place earlier. Ozel noted they would begin collecting signatures for Imamoglu’s release and also to demand an early election. Other speakers at Saturday’s rally included Dilek Imamoglu, the imprisoned mayor’s wife, as well as Ankara Mayor Masur Yavas, another high-profile CHP figure. Adblock test (Why?)
Tufts University student can’t be deported to Turkiye without court order
Pro-Palestine student Rumeysa Ozturk was arrested on Tuesday by US immigration authorities in Massachusetts. A federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily barred the deportation of a Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, who voiced support for Palestinians in Israel’s war in Gaza and was detained by US immigration officials. Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, was forcibly taken into custody by masked federal agents in broad daylight near her Massachusetts home on Tuesday. Immigration officials also revoked her visa. On Friday, US District Court Judge Denise Casper gave the government until Tuesday evening to respond to an updated complaint filed by Ozturk’s lawyers. “To allow the Court’s resolution of its jurisdiction to decide the petition, Ozturk shall not be removed from the United States until further order of this court,” the judge wrote. Ozturk’s arrest came a year after she co-authored an opinion piece in Tufts’ student newspaper criticising the university’s response to calls by students to divest from companies with ties to Israel and to “acknowledge the Palestinian genocide”. Friends have said Ozturk was not otherwise closely involved in pro-Palestine protests against Israel. Advertisement A lawyer soon after sued to secure her release, and on Friday, the American Civil Liberties Union joined her legal defence team, filing a revised lawsuit saying her detention violates her rights to free speech and due process. On Saturday, Oncu Keceli, a spokesperson for Turkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that efforts to secure Ozturk’s release continued, adding consular and legal support was being provided by Turkish diplomatic missions in the US. “Our Houston Consul General visited our citizen in the center where she is being held in Louisiana on March 28. Our citizen’s requests and demands have been forwarded to local authorities and her lawyer,” Keceli said in a post on X. US President Donald Trump has pledged to deport foreign pro-Palestinian protesters and has accused them, without providing evidence, of supporting Hamas, being anti-Semitic and posing foreign policy hurdles. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the Trump administration conflates their criticism of Israel’s assault on Gaza and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with anti-Semitism and support for Hamas. Several students and protesters have had their visas revoked by the Trump administration, which says it may have revoked more than 300 visas. Adblock test (Why?)
How stable is Lebanon’s peace – after Israel attack on Beirut?
Country on edge after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warns of more possible attacks. Israel bombs the southern suburbs of Beirut – the first air strike on the Lebanese capital since November’s ceasefire. Hours earlier, rockets were fired at Israel from southern Lebanon. After numerous ceasefire breaches by Israel in four months, how serious is this one? Presenter: Cyril Vanier Guests: Ali Rizk – Security affairs analyst. Lorenzo Kamel – Associate professor of international history at the University of Turin. Sami Nader – Director at the Levant Institute for Strategic Affairs. Adblock test (Why?)
A Reel War: Israeli filmmaker’s search for stolen Palestinian films
An Israeli filmmaker uncovers seized PLO archives, raising questions about Palestinian heritage and identity. Was Palestinian history carefully recorded by the earliest 20th-century filmmakers as a way of preserving their heritage? Or were they, as some Israelis claim, simply disorganised amateurs operating on basic equipment in a primitive society? In this documentary, Israeli researcher and filmmaker Karnit Mandel uncovers previously unseen footage of Palestinian life and history in a box of old VHS tapes. The cassettes are a small sample from a huge archive seized from the PLO during Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon. Mandel tries to retrieve it from the Israeli army but comes up against overwhelming obstacles and bureaucracy. She hears a range of contrasting views, from Palestinians who describe a well-developed film industry in the 1930s to dismissive Israeli historians who say Palestinian cinema never existed at all. In the end, Mandel is forced to abandon her search – but it highlights the continuing struggle for narrative control over Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory. Adblock test (Why?)
Hundreds of Muslims feared dead in Myanmar earthquake, mosques destroyed
Hundreds of Muslim worshippers are feared to be among the more than 1,600 people who died in a powerful earthquake which struck central Myanmar when they had gathered at mosques for prayers during Ramadan. According to the shadow National Unity Government, more than 50 mosques across the country also sustained damage when the magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck on Friday. Htet Min Oo was performing ritual ablutions before Ramadan prayers at a mosque next to his house in Mandalay. His home collapsed along with part of the mosque, trapping half his body with the rubble of a wall that buried two of his aunts. Residents raced to pull them out, he said, but only one survived. The 25-year-old told the Reuters news agency, that his two uncles and his grandmother were also trapped under piles of concrete. With no heavy equipment available, he tried desperately to clear the rubble with his hands but could not shift it. “I don’t know if they are still alive under the debris. After so long, I don’t think there’s any hope,” he said on Friday. Advertisement “There’s too much rubble and no rescue teams have come for us,” he added, his voice shaking as he broke into tears. A 39-year-old resident of the Mandalay region described harrowing scenes as he tried to save a man trapped under the debris of a collapsed mosque in Sule Kone village but had to flee because of strong aftershocks. “I had to leave him behind … I went in a second time to try to save him,” he told Reuters, declining to be identified. “I retrieved four people with my own hands. But unfortunately, three were already dead, and one died in my arms.” The resident said 10 people had been killed there, and they were among 23 who died at three mosques that were destroyed in the village. Government restrictions had prevented them from being upgraded, he said. Damaged pagodas are seen after an earthquake in Naypyitaw, Myanmar [File: Aung Shine Oo/AP] Muslims are a minority in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar and have been repressed and marginalised by successive governments, while ultranationalist groups have in recent years incited violence. The Rohingya, a large Muslim minority, have been among the most persecuted groups by the Myanmar authorities, suffering mass deaths and expulsion. Myanmar authorities have for decades also made it difficult for Muslims to obtain permission to repair or build mosques, according to a 2017 report by the US Department of State, which said historic mosques have deteriorated because routine maintenance was denied. One man, Julian Kyle, appealed on social media for heavy equipment to lift concrete pillars after the quake destroyed another Mandalay mosque. Advertisement “Underneath the rubble, my family members and others were crushed and lost their lives,” he posted. “We desperately want to recover their bodies.” A resident from the town of Taungnoo, about 370km (230 miles) away, said he was praying when one side of the Kandaw mosque caved in on two rows of men seated before him. “I saw so many people carried out from the mosque, some of them died right before my eyes,” he said. “It was truly heartbreaking.” Citing a local newspaper, Al Jazeera’s Sanad agency said that the collapse of mosques on Friday also increased fears of more buildings falling, especially older ones that are more than 150 years old and have not received the necessary permits for renewal, according to government regulations. Buddhist buildings were also badly hit by the earthquake, with 670 monasteries and 290 pagodas damaged, according to the military government. It did not mention any mosques in its damage report. So far, the quake has also destroyed other buildings, bridges and roads across swaths of Myanmar. But many believe the true scale of the disaster has yet to emerge due to patchy communications in remote areas. Harry Roberts, a Bangkok-based volunteer, said the situation in Myanmar was likely to be “very complex” and “really serious” considering the government’s rare appeal for international help. “That request must trickle down to immigration and customs, so nongovernmental organisations like ourselves can get the immediate aid in there,” Roberts said. Advertisement “At this stage, it’s largely about gathering information and assessing the accessibility into the country.” Adblock test (Why?)
Skygazers marvel at Saturday’s partial solar eclipse
Partial eclipse dazzled Europe, Africa, and Newfoundland, offering a glimpse of the celestial alignment. Skygazers in some parts of the world have been enthralled catching the Moon passing between the Sun and the Earth, making a partial solar eclipse. Saturday’s eclipse was visible throughout Europe, including Greenland, the far northwest of Africa and Newfoundland, weather permitting. Clouds meant some were unable to see up to one-fifth of the Sun obscured by the Moon. During a solar eclipse, the Moon stands between the Earth and the Sun. And since the three are not completely aligned, when the Moon passes through the other two, it obscures only part of the Sun. The next partial solar eclipse in Europe is due to fall on August 12, 2026, with more than 80 percent of the Sun set to be covered. A seagull passes a partial solar eclipse above Greenland’s capital Nuuk, Greenland [Leonhard Foeger/Reuters] A composite image of 7 separate photographs taken with a single fixed camera shows the partial solar eclipse seen from Castillo del Romeral, on the island of Gran Canaria, Spain [Borja Suarez/Reuters] However, the next total eclipse – which occurs when the Moon completely blocks out the sun – in the region will not occur until 2081. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon passes directly between the sun and the Earth, completely blocking the sun’s light on one side, and casting a shadow on a small area of Earth on its other side. Authorities warned residents Saturday to avoid looking directly at the sun without protection, especially through binoculars or a telescope. Those seeking a glimpse of the eclipse were advised to wear special protective glasses. Adblock test (Why?)
Sudan’s army claims latest major victory, taking Omdurman’s key market
Army claims control of Souq Libya, a pivotal commercial hub in Omdurman, solidifying gains in Khartoum’s twin city. The Sudanese army has said it seized control of a key market in Omdurman, Khartoum’s twin city, building on a series of recent successes in its offensive against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The announcement on Saturday comes days after it also took control of most parts of the capital in a potentially pivotal victory in the devastating two-year war that has caused the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The army said in a statement that its forces were now in control of the market in western Omdurman, Souq Libya, having seized weapons and equipment left behind by the RSF when they fled. Souq Libya is one of the largest and most important commercial hubs in Sudan. The army already controlled most of Omdurman, home to two big military bases. It appears intent on securing control over the entire capital area, which is made up of the three cities of Khartoum, Omdurman and Bahri, divided by branches of the River Nile. The RSF has not commented on the army’s advance in Omdurman, where the paramilitary forces still hold some territory. Advertisement The army senses that the recapture of Khartoum, which had been under RSF control for most of the war, will mark a shift in battlefield momentum that could spread to other areas. Still, the conflict seems far from over as the warring sides remain in control of large swaths of land each while remaining engaged in fierce clashes. Fighting is continuing in the huge Darfur region to the west of Sudan, the Kordofan region in central and southern parts of the country, and Gezira state, a strategic agricultural hub located south of the capital. Neither side has managed to strike a knockout blow to the other, and there is no sign of a political settlement or peace process in the near future, while each side continues to enjoy the support of its regional backers. In the meantime, the Sudanese army has accused the United Arab Emirates of backing the RSF, a charge found credible by UN experts and US lawmakers. On Friday, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said it would hear a case filed by Sudan demanding emergency measures against the UAE for violating obligations under the Genocide Convention by giving direct support to the RSF and implicating it in genocidal acts allegedly perpetrated by the paramilitary group against the Masalit people of Darfur. The Gulf state has repeatedly denied the accusations, calling the ICJ case “nothing more than a cynical publicity stunt“. In January, the United States accused the RSF of committing genocide in Darfur. The war in Sudan erupted amid a power struggle between the army and RSF before a planned transition to civilian rule. It uprooted more than 12 million Sudanese from their homes, and left about half of the 50 million population suffering acute hunger. Advertisement Overall deaths are hard to estimate, but a study published last year said the toll may have reached 61,000 in Khartoum state alone in the first 14 months of the conflict. In another development, Al Jazeera Arabic reports that the army evacuated hundreds of freed civilian and military prisoners held by the RSF in several detention centres in Jebel Awliya, south of Khartoum, to the city of Al-Qatana in White Nile State. Sudanese army commander Major General Mohamed Saleh Abu Halima said that the RSF detained approximately 4,700 prisoners under appalling conditions, where they suffered from malnutrition and a lack of healthcare, leading to the deaths of several of them in detention. Adblock test (Why?)
Eid Mubarak 2025: Hear greetings in different languages
Eid begins on Sunday, March 30 in Saudi Arabia. Here’s how to wish a blessed Eid in different languages. With the sighting of the new moon in Saudi Arabia and neighbouring countries, the first day of Eid will be celebrated on Sunday, March 30. Other countries follow their own moon sightings, and those that began fasting on March 2 will announce tomorrow night whether Eid will fall on Monday, March 31. BREAKING NEWS: Eid Al Fitr 1446/2025 is tomorrow: Sunday, 30 March 2025 The Crescent for the month of Shawwal 1446 was SEEN in Saudi Arabia today subsequently tomorrow is the beginning of the month of Shawwal 1446 pic.twitter.com/6om5sAl38D — Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) March 29, 2025 Eid al-Fitr, the “festival of breaking the fast”, is celebrated at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan by Muslims worldwide. There are about 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, approximately 25 percent of the world’s population. Indonesia has the world’s highest Muslim population, with some 240 million Muslims living in the country. Pakistan is second with about 225 million Muslims, followed by India (211 million), Bangladesh (155 million), and Nigeria (111 million). Advertisement Traditionally, Eid is celebrated for three days as an official holiday in Muslim-majority countries. However, the number of holiday days varies by country. Muslims begin Eid celebrations by attending a prayer service shortly after dawn, followed by a short sermon. The day is spent visiting relatives and neighbours, accepting sweets and extending Eid greetings as they move around from house to house. The most popular greeting is “Eid mubarak” (Blessed Eid) or “Eid sa’id” (Happy Eid). Eid greetings also vary depending on the country and language. The video and graphics below show Eid greetings in 13 different languages. (Al Jazeera) (Al Jazeera) (Al Jazeera) (Al Jazeera) (Al Jazeera) (Al Jazeera) (Al Jazeera) (Al Jazeera) (Al Jazeera) (Al Jazeera) (Al Jazeera) (Al Jazeera) (Al Jazeera) Adblock test (Why?)