Politics
Britain sets new definition of anti-Muslim hostility
Britain has set out a new advisory definition of what it calls anti-Muslim hostility, a long-anticipated step in its plan to clarify how authorities should identify and address abuse targeting Muslims, which is at record levels.
The move follows years of political deadlock over how to define anti-Muslim hatred in a way that helps consistent application of the law, but does not shut down or criminalise open debate about religious extremism.
There were almost 4,500 hate crimes targeting Muslims in the year ending March 2025, accounting for nearly half of all religiously motivated offences in England and Wales. This data also includes people wrongly assumed to be Muslim.
The new definition, which is not legally binding, includes criminal acts such as violence, vandalism, harassment, intimidation and prejudicial stereotyping that is directed at Muslims or people perceived to be Muslim.
The government said the definition was needed to protect people from “unacceptable hostile behaviour that seeks to intimidate and divide,” and that rights to free expression were unchanged.
Lawful criticism of religious beliefs, including Islam, remained protected, it added.
Opposition lawmakers said the definition risked creating a “blasphemy law” and blurred the line between legitimate criticism of religious beliefs and unlawful hate speech.
Muslim, Jewish and humanist groups said the definition was a constructive step that would help institutions respond more consistently to abuse, provided it was implemented carefully and without curbing free expression.
TEHRAN: Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is “safe and sound” despite reports of an injury during the war with Israel and the US, said the son of the Iranian president on Wednesday.
“I heard news that Mr Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. I have asked some friends who had connections.
They told me that, thank God, he is safe and sound,” said Yousef Pezeshkian, who is also a government adviser, in a post on his Telegram channel.
State television had called Khamenei a “wounded veteran of the Ramadan war” but never specified his injury.
The new supreme leader is the son and successor of the country’s longtime ruler Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was martyred in US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 which triggered a war across the Middle East.
The 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, a discreet figure who has rarely appeared in public or spoken at official events, has yet to address the nation or issue a written statement since he was declared supreme leader on Sunday.
In a Wednesday report, The New York Times quoting three unnamed Iranian officials said that Khamenei “had suffered injuries, including to his legs, but that he was alert and sheltering at a highly secure location with limited communication”.
The ongoing Middle East conflict has created major operational challenges for Indian airlines, which are already struggling with a Pakistan airspace ban imposed last year.
The war has forced airlines to reschedule and reroute international flights, increasing travel times and fuel costs for carriers operating between India, Europe and North America.
Pakistan Airspace Ban Compounds Crisis
Since April last year, Pakistan has barred Indian airlines from flying over its territory following bilateral tensions between the two countries.
As a result, major carriers such as Air India and IndiGo already face limited route options for international flights.
With several Middle Eastern airspaces now restricted due to the Iran war, Indian airlines are left with even fewer alternative corridors.
According to aviation data provider Cirium, about 64% of scheduled flights by Air India and IndiGo to the Middle East, Europe and North America were disrupted over the past ten days.
Experts say the situation has become a “double whammy” for the aviation sector.
Because of airspace restrictions involving Iran and neighboring countries, many flights are now forced to take longer routes via Africa, increasing journey times by up to two hours.
This significantly raises fuel consumption and operational expenses, particularly at a time when oil prices have surged due to the war.
Additional Complications for IndiGo
IndiGo faces extra hurdles because several of its long-range aircraft are leased from Norse Atlantic Airways.
Since those aircraft remain Norwegian-registered, they must follow safety advisories issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, which has warned airlines to avoid airspace over countries including Iran, Iraq, Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
In one incident, an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Manchester had to return to Delhi after 13 hours in the air due to airspace clearance issues over Eritrea.
Air India Forced to Add Stopovers
Flights operated by Air India have also become significantly longer.
For example, a recent Delhi–New York flight had to stop in Rome, extending travel time to around 22 hours, compared to about 17 hours previously when flights could pass through Middle Eastern airspace.
Financial Impact on Airlines
Analysts at HSBC warn that the geopolitical crisis will place a “significant burden” on Indian airline profitability.
Air India, owned by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, has already estimated that Pakistan’s airspace ban alone could cost the airline around $600 million annually.
With oil prices rising sharply due to the Middle East war, longer routes and higher fuel consumption are expected to further increase airline operating costs.
TEHRAN: Iran has reportedly begun laying naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in the region as the conflict between Iran and the United States and Israel intensifies.
The move came shortly after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that it would not allow “a litre of oil” to pass through the vital waterway if attacks against Iran continued.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, handling nearly 20% of global oil shipments.
US Claims Destruction of Iranian Mine-Laying Boats
US President Donald Trump said American forces had launched strikes on Iranian vessels involved in mine-laying operations.
According to the United States Central Command, at least 16 Iranian minelaying boats and ships were destroyed near the Strait of Hormuz.
Video footage released by the command reportedly shows vessels being struck and exploding after missile attacks.
Trump warned that if mines were deployed in the waterway and not removed immediately, Iran would face unprecedented military consequences.
Iran Launches New Regional Attacks
Iran also launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks across the region.
Iranian officials claimed they carried out the “most intense and heaviest” missile barrage against Israel for three hours, with explosions and air raid sirens reported in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
The Saudi Ministry of Defence said it intercepted seven drones heading toward the Shaybah oil field, one of the kingdom’s major energy facilities operated by Saudi Aramco.
War Spreading Across the Region
The conflict has expanded beyond Iran and Israel, affecting several countries in the Middle East:
Israeli strikes reported in Beirut and Tehran
Attacks targeting US-linked facilities in Iraq
Drone and missile interceptions across Gulf states
According to the Pentagon, seven US service members have been killed and about 140 injured since the start of the war.
Global Economic Impact
The conflict has already triggered sharp oil price fluctuations and fears of global supply disruptions.
World leaders are expected to discuss the crisis, with Group of Seven leaders scheduled to hold an emergency meeting on the war’s economic impact.
The International Energy Agency is also considering releasing emergency oil reserves to stabilise markets.
Experts warn that prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could significantly affect global energy supplies, shipping routes and fuel prices worldwide.
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