WASHINGTON: Meta has banned a prominent Muslim news page on Instagram in India at the government’s request, the account’s founder said Wednesday, denouncing the move as “censorship” as hostilities escalate between India and Pakistan.
Instagram users in India trying to access posts from the handle @Muslim — a page with 6.7 million followers — were met with a message stating: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
There was no immediate reaction from the Indian government on the ban, which comes after access was blocked to the social media accounts of Pakistani actors and cricketers.
“I received hundreds of messages, emails and comments from our followers in India, that they cannot access our account,” Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, the news account’s founder and editor-in-chief, said in a statement.
“Meta has blocked the @Muslim account by legal request of the Indian government. This is censorship.”
Meta declined to comment. A spokesman for the tech giant directed AFP to a company webpage outlining its policy for restricting content when governments believe material on its platforms goes “against local law.”
The development, first reported by the US tech journalist Taylor Lorenz’ outlet User Magazine, comes in the wake of the worst violence between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan in two decades.
Both countries have exchanged heavy artillery fire along their contested frontier, after New Delhi launched deadly missile strikes on its arch-rival.
At least 43 deaths were reported in the fighting, which came two weeks after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for backing a deadly attack on tourists in the Indian-run side of the disputed Muslim-majority region of Kashmir.
Pakistan rejects the charge and has warned it will “avenge” those killed by Indian air strikes.
The @Muslim account is among the most followed Muslim news sources on Instagram. Khatahtbeh apologized to followers in India, adding: “When platforms and countries try to silence media, it tells us that we are doing our job in holding those in power accountable.”
“We will continue to document the truth and stand out firmly for justice,” he added, while calling on Meta to reinstate the account in India.
India has also banned more than a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading “provocative” content, including Pakistani news outlets.
In recent days, access to the Instagram account of Pakistan’s former prime minister and cricket captain Imran Khan has also been blocked in India.
Pakistani Bollywood movie regulars Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam were also off limits in India, as well as a wide range of cricketers — including star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan and retired players Shahid Afridi and Wasim Akram.
Rising hostilities between the South Asian neighbors have also unleashed an avalanche of online misinformation, with social media users circulating everything from deepfake videos to outdated images from unrelated conflicts, falsely linking them to the Indian strikes.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump called for India and Pakistan to immediately halt their fighting, and offered to help end the violence.
Meta blocks access to Muslim news page in India
https://arab.news/msvzg
Meta blocks access to Muslim news page in India
- The affected Instagram account, @Muslim, has a page with 6.7 million followers
- Meta blocked the account by legal request of the Indian government, says founder
Syrian TV presenter runs for cover on air as Israeli strikes hit Damascus
- In a major escalation, the Israeli army bombed the Syrian military headquarters in Damascus
DUBAI: A widely circulated video showed a Syrian news presenter visibly startled and leaving her live segment to take cover as Israeli strikes hit Damascus on Wednesday.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, shared the video on X with the caption: “The heavy blows have started.”
In the video, the presenter jolted on air at the sound of the explosion, as a missile struck the building behind her.
החלו המכות הכואבות pic.twitter.com/1kJFFXoiua
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) July 16, 2025
In a major escalation, the Israeli army bombed the Syrian military headquarters in Damascus and carried out additional strikes on Syrian forces in the southern city of Sweida amid intensified clashes between government troops and Druze armed groups.
Israel has attacked Damascus following on threats to ramp up attacks if the Syrian government forces did not withdraw from Sweida, vowing to protect the Druze religious minority.
Before the live segment was interrupted, the presenter was reporting on Katz’s statement that the Israeli army would continue “to operate vigorously in Sweida to destroy the forces that attacked the Druze until they withdraw completely.”
Clashes raged in Sweida on Wednesday after a ceasefire between government forces and Druze armed groups collapsed. Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on convoys of government forces in southern Syria since the clashes erupted and has beefed up forces on the border.
The army said it struck near the entrance to the Syrian Ministry of Defense in Damascus.
Houthi-linked arms traders using X, WhatsApp to sell weapons: Report
- Arms dealers linked to Houthi militants in Yemen use social media platforms as storefront for weapons trade, including US and Russian-made rifles and grenades
- Tech Transparency Project said open trade appears to breach X, WhatsApp policies on firearms dealing, accuse platforms of failing to stop it
LONDON: Arms dealers linked to Yemen’s Houthi militia have been using social media platforms such as X and WhatsApp to sell weapons, according to a new report.
The Tech Transparency Project, or TTP, identified hundreds of accounts openly dealing in rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and other military-grade equipment, in apparent violation of the platforms’ policies.
“X and WhatsApp are providing an essential platform to Houthi-linked arms dealers selling weapons of war,” the report read. “The companies have policies in place that prohibit that kind of illicit trade but are allowing it to take place in the open.”
TTP called the activity “a threat to US national security interests,” noting the Iran-backed group is designated as a terrorist organization.
The months-long investigation by the Washington-based watchdog, which monitors accountability in Big Tech, found that Houthi-affiliated arms dealers had been running commercial weapons stores on both platforms for months, and in some cases, years.
Researchers identified at least 130 Yemen-based X accounts and 67 WhatsApp business accounts advertising military-grade equipment or promoting catalogues of guns for sale. These included US-manufactured weapons — some marked “Property of US Govt” — and other Western arms labeled with “NATO.”
In one instance, a seller listed four M4 carbines — an assault rifle used by the US military and manufactured by FN Herstal and Colt — and directed buyers to WhatsApp. Another account offered a package deal that included a ballistic helmet, night-vision goggles and grenades.
Russian weapons, including RPG-7 launchers and AK-47s, also featured prominently. A Soviet RPG-7 was offered for about $1,800, while another account advertised a “zero mileage” Russian AK-47.
Prices for some weapons reportedly reached $10,000, suggesting sales may be intended for other armed groups or insurgents.
Many of the accounts displayed allegiance to the Houthi, including photos of weapons in crates marked with Houthi slogans such as “Death to America, death to Israel.”
More than half of the X accounts listed Sanaa — under Houthi control for more than a decade — as their location. Many accounts funneled buyers to WhatsApp business profiles, some of which openly displayed catalogs of rifles and ammunition. A number of these were also linked to Facebook and Instagram accounts, raising further concerns over Meta’s enforcement of its firearms policies.
Meta, which owns WhatsApp, says it reviews all images submitted to product catalogs, yet researchers found little evidence of enforcement. The company said it had since removed several accounts and claimed it does not profit from this type of activity but declined to answer how the content had bypassed existing filters.
“X and WhatsApp both have policies against weapons sales but they are allowing arms traders linked to a US-designated terrorist group to traffic weapons on their platforms,” said Katie Paul, the director of TTP.
“In some cases these companies may be profiting off violations of their own policies that create risks for US national security.”
TTP’s findings, which build on a similar August 2024 investigation by The Times, suggest most of the Houthi-linked arms dealer accounts were created or became active following mass layoffs at X and Meta that weakened enforcement capabilities. Many handles had blue ticks and were subscribed to premium services that are supposed to be moderated.
Roughly two-thirds of the accounts appear to have posted weapons content in the past six months.
“Both Meta and X have the capital, the tools and the human resources to address this problem, but they’re not doing so,” Paul said.
Asharq News revamps ‘Da’erat Asharq’ with a sharper political focus
- Daily programme featurs one-on-one conversations with top editors and analysts from across SRMG platforms, unpacking regional and global developments
RIYADH: Asharq News has launched a refreshed edition of its daily political programme “Da’erat Asharq”, returning with a renewed format and deeper analysis of political developments shaping the regional and international landscape.
The show features in-depth, one-on-one conversations with leading journalists, analysts, and experts from across the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG), bringing to life a shared editorial ecosystem that enriches Asharq News’ analytical programming.
Presented by journalist Mirasha Ghazi, each episode delves into the layered contexts behind unfolding events, guided by balanced dialogue and rigorous inquiry. The programme draws on the editorial strengths of SRMG’s flagship outlets, including “Asharq Al-Awsat”, “Independent Arabia”, “Al Majalla”, and “Arab News”, offering trusted perspectives rooted in real-world expertise.
“Da’erat Asharq reflects our editorial mission to deliver credible content and deep analysis,” said Dr. Nabeel Al Khatib, General Manager of Asharq News.
“In an era of political noise, audiences need level-headed perspectives and meaningful conversation, and that’s exactly what this programme offers.”
Ghassan Charbel, Editor-in-Chief of Asharq Al-Awsat, added: “Our ambition is to offer high-quality analysis that helps audiences gain a deeper understanding of the region and the world, powered by the depth and talent of our journalists and analysts.”
Odwan Al Ahmari, Editor-in-Chief of Independent Arabia, said: “This initiative is rooted in the group’s vision for editorial integration. We’re proud to contribute to this promising project that promotes collaboration and shared content creation.”
Ibrahim Hamidi, Editor-in-Chief of Al Majalla, remarked: “This partnership enhances editorial alignment across SRMG’s platforms. Our contribution includes in-depth commentary from some of the most respected voices across the Arab world and beyond.”
Faisal Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News, said: “We’re pleased to participate in this programme by bringing an international perspective that spans from Tokyo to Toronto, reinforcing our close, ongoing editorial collaboration with Asharq.”
Two Palestinian journalists killed in less than 24 hours as Israeli strikes intensify in Gaza
- Fadi Khalifa was killed while inspecting the remnants of his house
- In a separate strike on their tent, Hussam Saleh Al-Adlouni was murdered alongside his wife Suad and their three children
LONDON: Two Palestinian journalists were killed in separate Israeli airstrikes on Sunday, in the latest deadly escalation targeting media workers in the Gaza Strip, according to local sources.
Fadi Khalifa was killed along with at least one other person while inspecting the remains of his home in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood of southeastern Gaza City, multiple sources reported.
In a separate strike, photojournalist Hussam Saleh Al-Adlouni was killed alongside his wife Suad and their three children when an Israeli airstrike hit their tent in the Al-Qarara area, north of Khan Yunis in southern Gaza.
According to WAFA news agency, the family had been sheltering there after being displaced.
The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate condemned the killings, saying they added to Israel’s “abysmal record” of violence against members of the press.
Their deaths bring the number of Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, to 231, according to official figures.
The Committee to Protect Journalists puts the toll at 178: 176 Palestinians and two Israelis.
Medical sources reported that at least 92 civilians were killed across Gaza on Sunday alone, including 52 in central and southern areas of the Strip.
BBC’s Gaza documentary breached accuracy guideline, review finds
- “Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone” was pulled after it was discovered that the 13-year-old son of a Hamas official was the narrator of the documentary
- Review found the program breached a guideline on accuracy that deals with misleading audiences but no other breaches of the BBC’s editorial guidelines, including on impartiality
LONDON: A BBC documentary about children’s lives in Gaza narrated by the 13-year-old son of a Hamas official breached its editorial guidelines on accuracy, an internal review by the British public broadcaster said on Monday.
The investigation, however, found there were no other breaches of the BBC’s editorial guidelines, including on impartiality, and no evidence that outside interests “inappropriately impacted on the program.”
The BBC removed “Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone” from its online platform in February, five days after it was broadcast, saying it had “serious flaws.” The documentary was made by independent production company HOYO Films.
A review found the program breached a guideline on accuracy that deals with misleading audiences.
The background on the narrator’s father — a minister in the Hamas-run government in Gaza — was “critical information,” which was not shared with the BBC before broadcast, the review found.
Gaza’s health ministry says more than 58,000 people have been killed since the start of the war on Oct. 7 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages into Gaza.
The BBC’s coverage of the war has been heavily scrutinized throughout the conflict, with both supporters of Israel and its critics saying the broadcaster had failed to strike the right balance.
“Regardless of how the significance or otherwise of the Narrator’s father’s position was judged, the audience should have been informed about this,” said the report by Peter Johnston, BBC Director of Editorial Complaints and Reviews.
BBC Director-General Tim Davie said the report identified a significant failing in relation to accuracy.
“We will now take action on two fronts – fair, clear and appropriate actions to ensure proper accountability and the immediate implementation of steps to prevent such errors being repeated,” Davie said in a statement.
