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Saudi national detained in Paris released: French public prosecutor

A Saudi Arabian national arrested in Paris in connection with the Jamal Khashoggi murder has been released, France’s public prosecutor confirmed following reports that it was a case of mistaken identity.

Paris prosecutors said in a statement checks had shown that a warrant issued by Turkey, which had triggered the arrest when the man's passport was scanned during border checks, did not apply to the man arrested at the airport.

Saudi Arabia’s embassy in France demanded French authorities immediately release a Saudi citizen who was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Khashoggi.

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“In reference to what was circulated in the media about the arrest of a Saudi citizen suspected in the case of Jamal Khashoggi, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in France would like to clarify that what was circulated is incorrect, and that the person arrested has nothing to do with the case in question,” the embassy said in a statement.

The embassy also called for the detained Saudi’s immediate release.

Read more: Saudi Arabia: Citizen arrested in France not tied to Khashoggi case, should be freed

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Russia’s Black Sea Fleet thwarts drone attack on Crimea’s Sevastopol


The Russian navy “repelled” a drone attack on the port of Sevastopol in Moscow-annexed Crimea early on Wednesday, the Kremlin-backed governor of the city said.
The peninsula, seized by Russia from Ukraine in 2014, is home to Moscow’s Black Sea Fleet and has been hit by a series of drone attacks since the Kremlin’s offensive in Ukraine.
The attack came just four days after President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to Sevastopol.
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“In total, three objects have been destroyed,” the Russian-installed governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Telegram.
He said military personnel had shot at the drones with “small arms” and that “air defense was also working.”
Razvozhayev added there were no casualties and claimed no ships had been damaged, but said that the explosions blew out windows in nearby buildings.
These included the Moscow House cultural center, a well-known building that is beyond the port.
But Razvozhayev downplayed the attack, saying the navy “confidently and calmly” repelled it. He urged calm saying the “situation was under control.”
In a later post, he dismissed reports that people were leaving Crimea, saying it was a “lie” spread by Kyiv.
“Information is spreading about evacuations from the peninsula by ferry crossings and other such nonsense,” he said.
A day earlier Kyiv said Russian missiles were destroyed in a blast in Crimea, but denied responsibility for the incident.
In October, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet was hit by a major drone attack that the Kremlin blamed on Ukraine.
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Taliban acting finance minister becomes central bank governor


The Taliban administration’s former acting finance minister, Mullah Hidayatullah Badri, has been appointed as governor of Afghanistan’s central bank, a finance ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

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Badri, who acted as the Taliban’s finance minister and oversaw budgets after they regained power in 2021, had already taken up his new role, finance ministry spokesman Ahmad Wali Haqmal told Reuters.

The reason for the appointment and who would replace Badri at the finance ministry were not immediately clear. His predecessor as central bank governor was Haji Mohammad Idris.

Badri was head of the economic commission of the Taliban government, as they conducted a 20-year insurgency against the former Western-backed government of Afghanistan, according to Taliban officials. In that time, he ran most of the Taliban’s fundraising, they say.

Afghanistan’s central bank appointments have been closely watched by Washington, which froze billions of the bank’s reserves held in the US and later transferred half of the money to a trust fund in Switzerland overseen by US, Swiss and Afghan trustees.

One of several proposed US conditions on considering letting the central bank access to the funds has been replacement of senior Taliban members at the institution with experienced professionals. The aim would be to build confidence in the central bank being insulated from political interference.

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Female entrepreneurs from across Afghanistan seek out foreign markets

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London’s Piccadilly lights up with Ramadan decorations for first time ever


London’s famous Piccadilly Circus lit up with Ramadan decorations for the first time ever ahead of the Islamic holy month.

The city’s West End sparkled with 30,000 new lights as Muslims around the world prepared to fast for an entire month starting from March 23.

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan switched on the lights on Tuesday evening in honor of the 1.28 million Muslims who live in the city.

For the first time ever the West End is being lit up by a beautiful display of lights to mark the holy month of Ramadan ☪️✨
It was an honour to switch them on officially this evening ahead of the start of Ramadan. pic.twitter.com/t6gXpwAxiE

— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) March 21, 2023

A “Happy Ramadan” LED sign was hung on Coventry Street, which links Leicester Square – the heart of West End London – with Piccadilly.

First ever Ramadan lights installation at Piccadilly Circus is pictured on the eve of the first day of Ramadan, in London, Britain, March 21 2023. (Reuters)

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  • First ever Ramadan lights installation at Piccadilly Circus is pictured on the eve of the first day of Ramadan, in London, Britain, March 21 2023. (Reuters)
  • Women take pictures of the first ever Ramadan lights installation at Piccadilly Circus on the eve of the first day of Ramadan, in London, Britain, March 21 2023. (Reuters)
  • First ever Ramadan lights installation at Piccadilly Circus is pictured on the eve of the first day of Ramadan, in London, Britain, March 21 2023. (Reuters)

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First ever Ramadan lights installation at Piccadilly Circus is pictured on the eve of the first day of Ramadan, in London, Britain, March 21 2023. (Reuters)

Women take pictures of the first ever Ramadan lights installation at Piccadilly Circus on the eve of the first day of Ramadan, in London, Britain, March 21 2023. (Reuters)

First ever Ramadan lights installation at Piccadilly Circus is pictured on the eve of the first day of Ramadan, in London, Britain, March 21 2023. (Reuters)

Ramadan is an essential pillar of Islam and is the month-long period when Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. The ritual is meant to encourage everyone to focus on their spirituality, patience, and charity.

Across London, an open Iftar – the meal with which Muslims break their fast at sunset – will be organized at the Victoria and Albert Museum in south Kensington, according to local media reports.

A temporary mosque and Ramadan pavilion have also been set up for Muslims and non-Muslims to enjoy.

Football giant Chelsea is also set to host an Iftar at their stadium in Stamford Bridge on March 26 – the first time a Premier Club has done so.

We can’t wait to make history! @ChelseaFC @CFCFoundation #RamadanFestival https://t.co/h5MVQGnhg9

— Open Iftar (@OpenIftar) March 16, 2023

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Ramadan around the world: 2023’s longest and shortest fasting hours

Ramadan: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman wishes Muslims around the world a blessed month

Saudi Arabia, UAE announce Ramadan to begin on Thursday

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