'Truth Of India': Mehbooba Mufti Responds To AR Rahman's 'Communal' Remark; Shares 'Realities Of Indian Muslims'
New Age Islam News Bureau
19 January2025
Combination photo of former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti (L), music composer AR Rahman (M) and lyricist Javed AKhtar (R).
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· 'Truth of India': Mehbooba Mufti responds to AR Rahman's 'communal' remark; shares 'realities of Indian Muslims'
· Iraq announces complete withdrawal of US-led coalition from federal territory
· Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire agreement between Syrian Democratic Forces and Syria state
· More than 60 Labour MPs urge PM to ban social media for under-16s
· India, Pakistan, Canada & more: $1 billion buys a seat on Trump’s ‘United Nations’, 'Board of Peace' — who’s invited?
· Shielding Terror Sponsors Is Foolish Loyalty – Northern CAN Chair, Hayab Warns Tinubu Govt
· Najib drops defamation suit after ex-AG Tommy Thomas says no known evidence links him to Altantuya murder
· Scientific Conference in Germany Explores Future of Afghanistan’s Political System and Social Justice
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India
· 'Human bomber is essential': How Delhi blast mastermind Umar plotted attack; why his second recruit quit
· What is ISLAM party in Maharashtra? New outfit built on old networks rises to the top in Malegaon
· UP: 12 Muslims detained for offering namaz in empty home ‘without permission’
· Security forces resume hunt for terrorists in Kishtwar after grenade attack injures eight soldiers
· ‘I can write Ram aartis’: Why Javed Akhtar is clashing with AR Rahman over Bollywood’s ‘communal’ shift
· The return of division talk in J&K and why it’s dangerous
· From Hyd to Nagpur for final farewell: Telangana’s burial crisis deepens across faiths
· Pragmatic picks: 2 of Sena-UBT’s winners Muslim, one of MIM dalit
· Muslim MBBS student alleges brutal ragging at Dehradun medical college; seniors suspended pending probe
· Three soldiers injured in gunfight with terrorists holed up in J&K’s Kishtwar
· Asaduddin Owaisi interview: ‘Wrong to see AIMIM’s Maharashtra wins via prism of religion… what do secular parties have left?’
· ‘Congress-led UDF win in Kerala will mean Muslim League rule’: Ezhava community leader Vellappally Natesan
· Odisha launches statewide crackdown on illegal cattle smuggling after trader killing
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Mideast
· Israeli settlers target wells, disrupt water supply to 19 Palestinian areas near Ramallah
· Justice with compassion: Reimagining insolvency through an Islamic lens
· Islamic Jihad: We are ready to cooperate with Gaza administration committee, but we have reservations about "Peace Council"
· Syrian president announces deal with Kurds including ceasefire
· Syrian government regains control of Euphrates Dam
· Trump’s Gaza peace board charter seeks $1bn for extended membership, document shows
· Jordan–Qatar committee meeting yields several cooperation agreements
· Israeli enemy bar the director and head custodian of Ibrahimi Mosque from entering it
· Hodeida University holds event marking anniversary of Martyr of Qur’an
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Arab World
· KSrelief aid reaches thousands in crisis zones
· Saudi conservation efforts bring Asian houbara back to the wild
· Saudi Arabia ranks second globally in humanitarian aid
· Al-Ahsa governor receives Indian ambassador
· Saudi crown prince discusses regional developments with Syrian president
· King Salman Arabic academy launches ‘Ahlan Wa Sahlan’ digital learning platform
· AlUla Manara team to host live astronomy experiment
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Europe
· Edinburgh Central Mosque defaced with 'hate graffiti'
· NATO nations warn of ‘dangerous spiral’ after Trump’s Greenland threat
· Uproar as racists urge boycott of school mosque visit
· Glasgow mosque Al-Farooq Education and Community Centre plans approved
· Government pulls Hillsborough Law debate after backlash
· Merz slams German workers for getting sick too often
· Russian hockey legend Ovechkin refuses to wear LGBTQ ribbon
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North America
· ‘Trying to protect my people’: Man in Minneapolis seen with guns against ICE agents; viral video sparks concern
· 'Prize cannot be passed on, even symbolically': Nobel Foundation reiterates; snubs Trump again
· Trump ‘worried’ about Canadian Arctic – NBC
· Getting Greenland would be ‘huge historical achievement’ for Trump – political consultant
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Africa
· Northern Govs, CAN Mourn Plateau Islamic Cleric Who Saved over 200 Christians
· Museveni Brands Opposition ‘Terrorists’ After Seventh-Term Victory
· After Joining APC, Mutfwang Courts Muslims for Broader Political Harmony
· IGP Breaks Silence On Ekpoma Protest, Arrest Of 52 Suspects
· Fubara: I Believe Tinubu Will Call Wike To Stop Impeachment Move – Otitoju
· Makinde’s Aide Backs Oriyomi As He Declares For Oyo Governorship
· Ex Chief Of Army Staff, Faruk Yahaya Sues Ali-Keffi For ₦1.5 Billion Over Defamation
· Gunmen Abduct Prominent APC Chieftain
· We Have Travelled This Road Under Abacha – Olawepo-Hashim Blasts APC Over Alleged Legal Tricks
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Southeast Asia
· King: Military corruption just ‘tip of the iceberg’, vows to keep ‘hunting down’ culprits in all agencies
· Statistics Indonesia Reports Food Inflation Trends Ahead of Ramadan
· Strictly for Thaipusam only: Ipoh’s Tun Abdul Razak Bridge to open under tight rules, public barred
· Hadi rules out Unity Government, sets conditions for Zahid’s ‘grand collaboration’
· DPM Zahid: King’s address concise, sets key issues for MPs to debate
· JAIS investigates viral aerobics session over indecency claims
· Anwar reminds MPs to focus on duties ahead of parliament sitting
· Immigration officer caught in ‘flying passport’ scam at KLIA
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South Asia
· Islamic Emirate Ensures Fair Service Delivery by Eliminating Tribal, Regional Divisions, Minister
· Qatar Advocates Balanced Approach for Afghanistan at OIC Contact Group Meeting
· Economic Commission Discusses Reactivation of Shorab Airport in Helmand province
· Interior Ministry Begins Work on 32 Development Projects in Badghis
· Kabul, Oslo Discuss Strengthening Political Relations
· JnU teachers form human chain demanding separate pay scale
· Jamaat alleges bias by DCs and SPs, seeks chief adviser’s intervention
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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'Truth of India': Mehbooba Mufti responds to AR Rahman's 'communal' remark; shares 'realities of Indian Muslims'
Jan 18, 2026
Combination photo of former J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti (L), music composer AR Rahman (M) and lyricist Javed AKhtar (R).
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NEW DELHI: The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, responded to AR Rahman's "communal" remark, stating that it is the "truth of India." Music composer AR Rahman, in a BBC Asian Network interview, had stated that he has been getting less work in the industry, and he feels it is a "communal thing."
In a post on X, Mehbooba Mufti wrote, "Bollywood has always been a living mini India, mirroring the country’s social realities. Brushing aside such experiences does not change the truth about today’s India."
When Javed Akhtar dismisses A.R. Rahman’s concerns about the growing communalisation of Bollywood he contradicts lived & shared realities of Indian Muslims including those of his own wife Shabana Azmi, who has openly spoken about being denied housing for being Muslim in a…
Lyricist and writer Javed Akhtar had also earlier responded to AR Rahman's words, ruling out his words stating, "I have never felt this way. I meet people here in Mumbai. They have great respect for him."
Mufti also responded to his remarks, saying he is contradicting the lived realities of Indian Muslims. In her post, she wrote, "When Javed Akhtar dismisses AR Rahman’s concerns about the growing communalisation of Bollywood, he contradicts the lived & shared realities of Indian Muslims..."
She further added that Akhtar is also discounting the experiences of his wife, Shabana Azmi. She said, "...including those of his own wife, Shabana Azmi, who has openly spoken about being denied housing for being Muslim in a cosmopolitan city like Bombay."
AR Rahman, in his interview, has said, "I'm not in search of work. I want work to come to me; the sincerity of my work to earn things. I feel it's a jinx when I go on in search of things... People who are not creative have the power now to decide things, and this might have been a communal thing also, but not in my face. It comes to me as Chinese whispers that they booked you, but the music company went ahead and hired their five composers. I said, 'Oh, that's great, rest for me, I can chill out with my family."
Javed Akhtar had contradicted AR Rahman's remarks, as he said that people might believe Rahman would be busy since he is such a big personality. He said, "People may think that he has become very busy in the West. They may think that his shows are very big. He spends a lot of time in those shows. So, he may not be available for us.”
Source: indiatimes.com
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Iraq announces complete withdrawal of US-led coalition from federal territory
January 18, 2026
Armoured vehicles of the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Forces are deployed outside the US embassy in Baghdad’s Green Zone, June 12, 2025. (AFP)
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BAGHDAD: Iraq said on Sunday US-led coalition forces had finished withdrawing from bases within the country’s federal territory, which excludes the autonomous northern Kurdistan region.
“We announce today... the completion of the evacuation of all military bases and leadership headquarters in the official federal areas of Iraq of advisers” of the US-led coalition, the military committee tasked with overseeing the end of the coalition’s mission said.
With the withdrawal, “these sites come under the full control of Iraqi security forces,” it said in the statement, adding that they would transition to “the stage of bilateral security relations with the United States.”
The vast majority of coalition forces had withdrawn from Iraqi bases under a 2024 deal between Baghdad and Washington outlining the end of the mission in Iraq by the end of 2025 and by September 2026 in the Kurdistan region.
US and allied troops had been deployed to Iraq and Syria since 2014 to fight the Daesh group, which had seized large swathes of both countries to declare their so-called “caliphate.”
The militant group, also known as “Islamic State,” was territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019, but continues to operate sleeper cells.
The vast majority of coalition troops withdrew from Iraq over previous stages, with only advisers remaining in the country.
The military committee on Sunday said Iraqi forces were now “fully capable of preventing the reappearance of IS in Iraq and its infiltration across borders.”
“Coordination with the international coalition will continue with regards to completely eliminating IS’s presence in Syria,” it added.
It pointed to “the coalition’s role in Iraq offering cross-border logistical support for operations in Syria, through their presence at an air base in Irbil,” the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
In December, two US soldiers and a civilian interpreter were killed in Syria in an attack blamed on IS, sparking fears of a resurgence in the country.
The statement added that anti-IS operations would be coordinated with the coalition through the Ain Assad base in Anbar province in western Iraq.
IS attacks in Iraq have massively declined in recent years, but the group maintains a presence in the country’s mountainous areas.
A UN Security Council report in August said: “In Iraq, the group has focused on rebuilding networks along the Syrian border and restoring capacity in the Badia region.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2629786/middle-east
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Saudi Arabia welcomes ceasefire agreement between Syrian Democratic Forces and Syria state
January 19, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has welcomed an agreement between the Syrian state and Syrian Democratic Forces.
In a foreign ministry statement early on Monday, the Kingdom said it had welcomed an deal between Damascus and Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces that was announced by the Syrian government on Sunday.
The agreement entails merging all SDF forces into the defense and interior ministries and means that Kurdish forces will redeploy to east of the Euphrates river.
The 14-point deal would also see the immediate administrative and military handover of Deir Ezzor and Raqqa governorates.
The Syrian state would regain control of all border crossings, oil fields, and gas fields in the region, with protection secured by regular forces to ensure the return of resources to the Syrian government, while considering the special case of Kurdish areas, the state news agency SANA reported.
The ceasefire comes after intense fighting between the SDF and government troops in Aleppo. But SDF troops have now pulled back from there and the Syrian army now controls most areas east of Aleppo.
The Saudi foreign ministry statement also thanked the US for the agreement. Washington is believed to have supported brokering the ceasefire between allies SDF and the Syrian government, who they have also backed diplomatically since the fall of long-time dictator Bashar Assad.
The Syrian state announced on Friday a raft of new directives to recognize Syrian Kurds, including making their language official and bolstering other rights for the minority group.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2629819/saudi-arabia
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More than 60 Labour MPs urge PM to ban social media for under-16s
19 Jan 2026
Hafsa Khalil
The call comes after both the Tories and the Lib Dems said they would introduce some form of ban if in power
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More than 60 Labour MPs have called on the prime minister to impose a ban on under-16s access to social media platforms.
In a open letter to Sir Keir Starmer on Sunday, the 61 MPs said "successive governments" had done "too little to protect young people from... unregulated, addictive social media platforms".
They urged him to follow the example of Australia, which brought in a ban in December. Several other countries are said to be considering similar laws.
Sir Keir has not ruled out introducing a ban, saying "all options are on the table". The House of Lords is due to vote next week on a Lib Dem proposal that would see social media platforms restricted based on film-style age ratings.
The letter, which includes the signatures of a number of committee chairs and former frontbenchers, said many constituents had contacted the MPs to express concerns about the effects of social media on young people.
It read: "Across our constituencies, we hear the same message: children are anxious, unhappy and unable to focus on learning. They are not building the social skills needed to thrive, nor having the experience that will prepare them for adulthood."
The MPs said that "around the world, government are recognising the severity of the crisis and taking action", noting Australia's ban and that "Denmark, France, Norway, New Zealand and Greece are expected to follow suit.
The UK "risks being left behind" on the issue, they wrote.
The letter, thought to be organised by Plymouth Moor View MP Fred Thomas, was signed by education select committee chair Helen Hayes, former whip Vicky Foxcroft, former education minister Catherine McKinnell, and former shadow cabinet minister Richard Burgon, among others.
It is the latest example of political pressure on the government to propose a social media ban.
Last week, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she would introduce an under-16s ban if her party won the next election.
Meanwhile, the Lib Dems' proposal soon to be considered in the Lords would see social media platforms graded with age ratings in the same way films are.
Under the plan, platforms using addictive algorithmic feeds or hosting "inappropriate content" would be restricted to users aged over 16, while sites with "graphic violence or pornography" would become adult-only.
Several children's charities and online safety organisations have voiced opposition to a blanket social media ban for under-16s.
The NSPCC, Childnet, and suicide prevention charity the Molly Rose Foundation were among 42 individuals and bodies to argue a ban would be the "wrong solution" on Saturday.
"It would create a false sense of safety that would see children - but also the threats to them - migrate to other areas online," they wrote in a joint statement.
"Though well-intentioned, blanket bans on social media would fail to deliver the improvement in children's safety and wellbeing that they so urgently need."
Existing law should be "robustly enforced" to ensure social media sites, personalised games and AI chatbots were not accessible to under-13s, they urged, while all social media platforms should have evidence-based blocks for features that are considered risky for children of different ages.
Ian Russell, the father of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who took her own life in 2017 after viewing suicide and self-harm content online, said the government should enforce existing laws rather than "implementing sledgehammer techniques".
The online safety campaigner - who established the Molly Rose Foundation in his daughter's honour - told the BBC's Newscast that a ban could have "unintended consequences" and "cause more problems".
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1dk0g5yk06o
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India, Pakistan, Canada & more: $1 billion buys a seat on Trump’s ‘United Nations’, 'Board of Peace' — who’s invited?
Jan 19, 2026
India, Pakistan, Canada & more: $1 billion buys a seat on Trump’s ‘United Nations’, 'Board of Peace' — who’s invited?
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President Donald Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” is being positioned as a new international peacekeeping body, with member countries invited to extend their participation beyond an initial three-year term by contributing more than $1 billion within the board’s first year.
According to a draft charter reviewed by The New York Times, the board was originally conceived as part of Trump’s plan to oversee post-war administration in the Gaza Strip, the draft charter makes no mention of Gaza.
The omission has fueled speculation that the body could be given a far broader mandate, potentially covering multiple global conflicts and even serving as a US-led alternative to the United Nations Security Council.
A UN Security Council resolution adopted in November 2025 had endorsed Trump’s proposal to end the war in Gaza and welcomed the creation of the board as a transitional authority to set the framework and coordinate funding for Gaza’s redevelopment. However, the charter appears to outline a significantly more expansive role than that described in Trump’s Gaza plan published in October 2025 or in the subsequent Security Council resolution.
The draft charter was circulated with invitations to prospective members over the weekend. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the diplomacy involved, confirmed the document’s authenticity. Bloomberg had earlier reported the $1 billion buy-in requirement.
On Friday, the White House announced that the board’s initial members would include secretary of state Marco Rubio, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and World Bank President Ajay Banga. Other people included in the executive board are US special envoy Steve Witkoff, former UK PM Tony Blair, billionnare Marc Rowan and US national security advisor Robert Gabriel.
Countries that have confirmed getting the invite to 'Board of Peace':
- Canada
- Turkey
- Egypt
- Paraguay
- Argentina
- Albania
Other countries invited are:
- India
- Jordan
- Greece
- Cyprus
- Pakistan
- Hungary
Leaders who said they were invited to join (according to AFP):
- Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama
- Argentine President Javier Milei
- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
- Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides
- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
- Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
- Jordanian King Abdullah II
- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
- Paraguayan President Santiago Pena
- Romanian President Nicusor Dan
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Trump, who is set to chair the board, described it on Truth Social last week as “the Greatest and Most Prestigious Board ever assembled at any time, any place,” though many details about its structure and operations remain unclear.
According to the charter, the board’s mission is to “promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict,” and to carry out peace-building functions in line with international law.
The document states that the board is expected to meet for votes at least once a year, with its expenses funded through voluntary contributions from member states and other sources.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/india-pakistan-canada-more-1-billion-buys-a-seat-on-trumps-united-nations-board-of-peace-whos-invited/articleshowprint/126666907.cms
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Shielding Terror Sponsors Is Foolish Loyalty – Northern CAN Chair, Hayab Warns Tinubu Govt
January 18, 2026
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, Rev John Joseph Hayab, has stated that Nigeria’s failure to defeat terrorism is not due to lack of soldiers, funds or intelligence, but the deliberate protection of powerful sponsors hiding behind politics, religion and loyalty.
He calls on President Bola Tinubu to stop merely chasing gunmen and instead arrest, prosecute and expose those funding and shielding terrorists, warning that supporting any leader at the expense of the country is “foolishness, not loyalty.”
By the time terrorists finish their work, Hayab says, they do not ask for religious identity cards.
“They kill Christians, Muslims, children, clerics and farmers alike,” the CAN chairman said in an interview with The Sun.
That reality, according to Hayab, should have put an end to the endless religious debate over insecurity long ago.
Reacting to the recent statements by United States President Donald Trump acknowledging that Muslims, like Christians, are victims of terrorism in Nigeria, Hayab said the position only confirms what has always been obvious.
“That has been my position all along: both Christians and Muslims are being killed,” he said.
According to him, the killing of Christians was never in doubt, but denial from some quarters initially slowed honest conversations.
“It was reported, it reached President Trump, and he reacted. That part is not contestable. What changed was the broader recognition that the violence has expanded. The killers are now killing Muslims too,” he noted.
Hayab described Trump’s evolving position as evidence of political sensitivity rather than bias.
“Trump first said Christians are being killed. Now, after more reports, he is acknowledging that Muslims are also being killed. That shows he is a sensitive and reasonable leader. His focus is not religion; his focus is to get rid of terrorists,” Hayab noted.
He stressed that terrorist groups in Nigeria started by targeting Christians before turning on Muslims who rejected extremist ideology.
“These terrorists began by going after Christians. But they also go after Muslims, especially those who fear God and reject their twisted beliefs. What matters is not who is being killed; what matters is that the killings must stop,” the CAN chairman reiterated.
‘Religion Argument Is A Dangerous Distraction’
Hayab warned that the politicisation of religion has distracted Nigeria from confronting terrorism decisively.
He said: “The Christian-Muslim argument is a diversion,” he said. “Are there terrorists in Nigeria? Yes. What do we do with terrorists? We go after them.”
He criticised the government’s approach, saying terrorists have been treated too gently. The CAN leader said, “Unfortunately, our government has been treating them with kid gloves. Trump’s actions have shown that terrorists should not be pampered. They must know someone is ready to confront them.”
‘Why Terrorism Persists Despite Huge Security Votes’
Asked why insecurity continues despite years of massive security spending, the cleric blamed silence and soft responses from some religious leaders.
“Some unpatriotic religious leaders failed to speak firmly against extremists in the past. Some treated terrorists as if they were their children. But terrorists are nobody’s children. They do not belong to any religion,” he said.
Hayab warned against confusing religious identity with genuine faith.
“Just because someone is named John or Mohammed does not make him a true Christian or Muslim. If someone kills in the name of a religion, that religion must publicly condemn him,” Hayab said, adding that failure to renounce extremists allowed Boko Haram to grow.
“When Boko Haram started, some people defended them. That attitude allowed them to become the menace we see today. Silence only emboldens extremists,” he said.
Recalling a time when Nigerians travelled freely across the North, Hayab lamented the scale of deterioration.
He added, “There was a time you could travel at night from Kaduna to Kano, Kano to Maiduguri, Maiduguri to Adamawa without fear. Can we say that today? No.”
He said the loss of that freedom is the real tragedy of insecurity.
‘Terror Attacks Are Being Politically Exploited’
Hayab disclosed that intelligence reports suggest planned attacks on Christian communities to manipulate political narratives ahead of elections.
“These criminals know that attacks on Christian gatherings provoke loud reactions. They exploit that to heat up the polity,” he said.
He warned churches to be vigilant. “They want to infiltrate our programmes to provoke reactions. Their aim is political, not religious. We must not fall into their trap,” the CAN chairman noted.
On claims by former security chiefs that some insecurity was orchestrated by political actors, Hayab said leadership must rise above loyalty.
“If someone helped you politically and later turns around to recruit terrorists to destabilise your government, you must go after him,” he said.
He added, “Even if you rule for one day, it is better to rule well than preside over a country where people are being killed.”
According to him, the real solution lies in exposing financiers of violence. Hayab added, “Bandits and terrorists are not doing this for free. They have sponsors. Arrest them. Prosecute them. Expose them. Once sponsors are exposed, the game is over.”
Dismissing concerns about Nigeria’s cooperation with the US, Hayab said intelligence sharing is essential.
“If our military can be trained in America or England, we can work with them to defeat terrorism. That is not losing sovereignty,” the cleric said.
He criticised reactive governance, saying, “Why wait for terrorists to strike before responding? If you have intelligence, dislodge them first.”
Hayab acknowledged widespread distrust between citizens and government, warning that it fuels desperation.
“People don’t trust leaders, and you can’t blame them. When citizens fear that reporting crimes will expose them, they keep quiet,” he said.
Hayab urged the government to rebuild trust, but also reminded Nigerians of their responsibility.
“Nigeria does not belong to the president or governors. Nigeria belongs to us. We placed them in office on trust,” he said.
Hayab was particularly blunt about political loyalty, stressing, “I respect my president and my governor. But I will never support any leader at the expense of the country. Supporting a leader while the nation suffers is not loyalty; it is foolishness.”
He warned against the culture of worshipping leaders.
“Nobody tells leaders the truth anymore. That is why they keep repeating mistakes,” the CAN leader said.
Recalling his experience during the Nasir El-Rufai administration, he said, “I confronted him with facts when he was wrong. He accepted them. That is what leadership accountability looks like.”
‘Silence Is Betrayal of the Country’
Hayab said CAN’s role is to awaken citizens’ consciousness. “We are telling Nigerians: you are not spectators; you are partners in progress,” he said.
He concluded with a warning: “You only protect what you own. If governance is truly yours, you will not allow it to fail. Silence is not loyalty. Silence is betrayal of the country.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/18/shielding-terror-sponsors-is-foolish-loyalty-northern-can-chair-hayab-warns-tinubu-govt/
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Najib drops defamation suit after ex-AG Tommy Thomas says no known evidence links him to Altantuya murder
By Ida Lim
19 Jan 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 — Former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today withdrew his defamation lawsuit against former attorney general Tan Sri Tommy Thomas, after the latter acknowledged that he has not known of any evidence linking Najib to the 2006 murder of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu.
In a press conference today, Najib’s lawyer Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah announced that his client had agreed to settle the defamation lawsuit against Thomas and publisher GB Gerakbudaya Sdn Bhd without any order for legal costs.
Najib had on October 27, 2021 sued Thomas and the publisher over the former AG’s book My Story: Justice in the Wilderness, claiming that the memoir had defamed him by allegedly linking him to a purported conspiracy to murder Altantuya.
Shafee read out what Thomas had stated in a signed statement to the High Court in Shah Alam today:
“I stand by my statements and opinion expressed in Chapter 42 of my book, My Story: Justice in the Wilderness, that Sirul and Azilah’s statutory declarations corroborated one another.
“I accept, however, that since the publication of my book in 2021, I am not aware of any evidence linking Najib to the murder of Altantuya, although I understand there has been investigations since the publication of the book,” Shafee said when reading out Thomas’s statement in the press conference that was streamed live on Najib’s Facebook page.
In 2015, the Federal Court had upheld the conviction of former chief inspector Azilah Hadri and former corporal Sirul Azhar Umar over Altantuya’s murder.
Shafee also read out the rest of Thomas’s statement, where the former AG said he would include his statement above on the same pages of the book where the allegedly defamatory statements are carried, if the book is reprinted or republished in the future.
Shafee explained what this meant: “So when people read the reprinted or republished book, it will be stated that there is no evidence since 2021 that links Datuk Seri Najib with Altantuya’s murder.”
The book’s publisher, GB Gerakbudaya, had also signed the statement to adopt what Thomas had said to the court.
Shafee said Thomas’s statement is important, as Najib had managed to uphold his reputation today.
“Because Datuk Seri Najib, from the start, he did not place importance on any financial compensation. He only placed importance on his reputation as a former PM and one of the famous personalities from Pahang, that he is not involved at all with Altantuya’s murder where two persons have already been found guilty,” he said.
“My client is very happy. For many years he has been upset, because there’s no evidence at all, and yet there are a lot of rumours that has been whipped up very falsely, that he was apparently involved in the murder.
“So he’s very happy today that at last there is settlement, and that Tan Sri Tommy Thomas has admitted as far as since 2021, there has never been any further evidence or any evidence, even though there have been further investigations by the police at the request of many people, including the father of Altantuya,” he said.
Shafee said the admission by Thomas in court today “should put to rest all the rumours” about Najib in relation to the Altantuya case.
The defamation suit came up today before High Court judge Datuk Khadijah Idris.
When Najib filed the defamation lawsuit in 2021, he had sought for various court orders, including for compensation, an apology as well as the removal of the allegedly defamatory statements from the book.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/19/najib-drops-defamation-suit-after-ex-ag-tommy-thomas-says-no-known-evidence-links-him-to-altantuya-murder/205985
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Scientific Conference in Germany Explores Future of Afghanistan’s Political System and Social Justice
By Fidel Rahmati
January 19, 2026
A two-day scientific conference in Germany gathered Afghan scholars and political activists to discuss the future of Afghanistan’s political system, democracy, and social justice.
A conference titled “Future Outlook of Afghanistan” held in Frankfurt called for establishing a political system grounded in human, Islamic, democratic values and social justice, participants said in a resolution.
The statement stressed that Afghanistan needs citizen-centred and nation-focused institutions capable of ensuring balanced, inclusive and sustainable development after decades of conflict and instability.
The two-day meeting brought together academics, political activists and civil society figures to discuss Afghanistan’s political system, social justice, sustainable development and its regional and global position.
Afghanistan has faced repeated cycles of state collapse, war and foreign intervention, leaving governance structures weak and public trust deeply eroded, analysts say.
Since the Taliban’s return to power, international engagement has remained limited, while restrictions on women’s rights and political participation have drawn widespread criticism.
The resolution warned that instability in Afghanistan has historically affected regional and global security, urging future foreign policy to be based on “active and positive neutrality.”
Participants also emphasised the need for meaningful dialogue to preserve political stability and national unity, describing inclusive governance as essential for long-term peace.
They called on the Taliban to take concrete steps to respond to the legitimate demands of the Afghanistan people, including accountability, rule of law and civic freedoms.
The conference concluded that without genuine reforms, respect for women’s rights and inclusive political participation, Afghanistan risks prolonged isolation and continued instability at home and beyond.
Source: khaama.com
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India
'Human bomber is essential': How Delhi blast mastermind Umar plotted attack; why his second recruit quit
Jan 18, 2026
NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR: Investigators probing “white collar” terror module busted after the car bombing near the Red Fort have found that the mastermind, Dr Umar-un Nabi, had tried to line up a second suicide bomber but failed after the recruit withdrew at the last moment, citing family responsibilities during the apple harvest, officials said to news agency PTI on Sunday.
Joint investigations by the Srinagar Police and the National Investigation Agency have revealed that Nabi, who was driving the explosive-laden vehicle that detonated outside the Red Fort on November 10, killing over 12 people, was simultaneously running a parallel terror module.
Interrogations of arrested suspects exposed the recruitment methods used by the doctor-turned-terrorist, leading to the NIA arresting Shopian resident Yasir Ahmed Dar. Officials said Nabi had successfully radicalised Dar as a potential suicide bomber, but during a meeting in August last year, Dar backed out, citing the “apple harvest season” and repair work at home.
According to officials, Dar had been in contact with Nabi since 2023 and told investigators that Nabi’s professional standing as a medical doctor made his extremist messaging appear more persuasive and “trustworthy” to potential recruits.
The probe suggested that Nabi was not just an operative but a calculated recruiter who was actively setting up secondary, independent cells to ensure operations could continue even if primary modules were compromised.
During the investigation, police also recovered a voice note from the phone of one accused in which he is heard pronouncing ‘Bayat’ (oath of allegiance) for Jihad.
Dar, a school dropout, had earlier surfaced in investigations after one of his friends joined terror ranks. During questioning, it emerged that he had been in touch with Nabi via Telegram and was repeatedly instructed to maintain peak physical fitness, officials said.
Dar was the second prospective suicide bomber Nabi was attempting to induct, as he was described as a “hardcore radical” and Nabi believed a human bomber was essential for their operations.
As the module began to unravel last year, Srinagar Police arrested another accused, Jasier alias Danish, from Qazigund in south Kashmir. A bachelor in political science, he told interrogators he met members of the ‘Doctor module’ in October 2024 at a mosque in Kulgam, from where he was taken to rented accommodation at Al-Falah University in Faridabad.
Jasir said that while other members wanted him to work as an over-ground worker (OGW) for the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed, Nabi subjected him to intense brainwashing over several months to turn him into a suicide bomber. That plan collapsed in April last year when Jasir pulled out, citing his poor economic condition and his belief that suicide is forbidden in Islam.
Officials said the suicide-bomber scouting angle, cracked by the Srinagar Police team led by Senior Superintendent of Police G V Sundeep Chakravarthy, has added a dangerous new layer to the investigation into the interstate JeM-linked network.
Nabi, a 28-year-old doctor from Pulwama, had emerged as the most radicalised and key operative in a network spanning Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Investigators believe he was planning a powerful vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) blast around the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary on December 6, targeting either a crowded area in the national capital or a site of religious significance before disappearing.
According to interrogations, Nabi’s radicalisation accelerated after a 2021 trip to Turkiye with co-accused Muzammil Ahmad Ganaie, during which they allegedly met JeM over-ground workers. After returning, Nabi and Ganaie, who taught at Al-Falah University in Faridabad, began sourcing large quantities of chemicals from the open market, including 360 kg of ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and sulphur, much of it stored near the university campus.
The December plot collapsed when Srinagar Police arrested Ganaie and seized the explosives, triggering panic within the module and ultimately leading to the premature blast outside the Red Fort.
The wider inter-state network came to light after JeM posters appeared on walls in Bunpora, Nowgam, on the outskirts of Srinagar on October 19, 2025. CCTV footage led to the arrest of three locals — Arif Nisar Dar alias Sahil, Yasir-ul-Ashraf and Maqsood Ahmad Dar alias Shahid — all with prior stone-pelting cases.
Their questioning led to the arrest of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad, a former paramedic-turned-imam from Shopian, who allegedly supplied the posters and used his access to radicalise the doctors.
Source: indiatimes.com
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What is ISLAM party in Maharashtra? New outfit built on old networks rises to the top in Malegaon
ZEESHAN SHAIKH
January 18, 2026
Malegaon, one of Maharashtra’s most politically distinct cities, has once again charted its own course. In the recently concluded municipal Corporation elections, the city delivered a clear verdict in favour of a new political formation, ISLAM, floated by former Congress MLA Shaikh Asif, which emerged as the single-largest party in the 84-member civic body.
ISLAM, short for Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra, won 35 seats and, along with its ally Samajwadi Party, which secured five, crossed the halfway mark. The alliance is now set to install its mayor, making Malegaon one of the few cities in the state where power rests outside both the ruling Mahayuti and the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.
A city shaped by minority politics
Muslims make up 11.56% of Maharashtra’s population, but in Malegaon, the figure rises to nearly 78%, giving the community a decisive role in the city’s politics. Malegaon Central is among the rare Assembly constituencies in the state to have consistently elected a Muslim MLA since Independence.
For decades, politics here revolved around two influential families, that of socialist leader Nihal Ahmed, who represented Malegaon five times as a Janata Dal MLA, and Shaikh Rasheed, the late Congress leader who won the seat twice. Control of civic and Assembly politics alternated between these families, even as party loyalties shifted.
That balance began to change after the 2006 Malegaon blasts, when a cleric, Mufti Ismail, entered electoral politics. Winning first without the backing of an established party in 2009, Mufti Ismail gradually built a base through his people’s platform, Kaumi Mahaz, and went on to win the Malegaon Central seat for the All India Majlis e Ittehadul Muslimeen in 2019.
Why Shaikh Asif floated ISLAM
Shaikh Asif, son of the late Shaikh Rasheed, entered the Assembly in 2014 on a Congress ticket after serving as Malegaon’s mayor. In 2022, he quit the Congress, citing differences with the state leadership, and briefly aligned with the undivided Nationalist Congress Party before moving away following the split.
Ahead of the Assembly elections in 2024, Asif launched ISLAM, positioning it as a response to what he described as repeated remarks targeting Islam in public discourse. “Since the BJP came to power, there has been a constant attack on Islam through statements. This party has been formed to respond to that,” he said while announcing the outfit.
Despite the attention the new party drew, Asif failed to unseat Mufti Ismail in the Assembly elections. Another contender, Shan e Hind, daughter of Nihal Ahmed and now with the Samajwadi Party (SP), polled around 9,000 votes.
Civic polls and a pragmatic alliance
Malegaon’s politics has long been marked by pragmatic alliances, often cutting across ideological lines. In 2017, the local Congress unit aligned with the Shiv Sena for the mayoral elections.
Drawing on this tradition, Asif allied with the SP, once a rival linked to the Nihal Ahmed family, for the civic polls. The strategy paid off handsomely. ISLAM’s 35 seats and the SP’s five gave the alliance 40 seats, short of an absolute majority but enough to lead the corporation with outside support.
The AIMIM finished with 21 seats, the Shiv Sena 18, and the BJP just two. With indications that the Congress’s three corporators may back Asif, ISLAM is poised to control the mayoralty.
“We are a secular front which has won 40 seats. We are a secular party and three of our corporators are Hindus. We are committed to working for all communities and all sections of society,” Asif said.
New party, familiar faces
While ISLAM’s rise has drawn attention across the state, local observers say it represents continuity as much as change. Even the previous Malegaon Municipal Corporation was dominated by Asif’s family, with his father and mother serving as the last two mayors in the outgoing body.
“This is not really a new political force. These are established political families who know the city well. It is more a case of old players in a new political outfit,” said social activist Aleem Faizee.
Source: indianexpress.com
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UP: 12 Muslims detained for offering namaz in empty home ‘without permission’
Jan 19, 2026
The police in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district detained 12 Muslim men for allegedly offering namaz in an empty home “without permission”, PTI reported.
The 12 persons were challaned under legal provisions pertaining to breach of peace and subsequently produced before a magistrate, who granted them bail.
Superintendent of Police (South) Anshika Verma said that the authorities took precautionary action after getting information that a vacant home in the Mohammedganj village was being used as a temporary madrasa, PTI reported.
“Conducting any new religious activity or gathering without permission is a violation of the law,” Verma said. “Strict action will be taken if such activities are repeated.”
The matter came to light after a video purportedly showing a group of people offering namaz in a home was shared on social media.
A preliminary inquiry revealed that the house belongs to a man named Hanif, and that it was being used temporarily for Friday namaz, PTI quoted the police as saying.
Some villagers had objected to prayers being held regularly at the man’s home and informed the authorities, after which the police stopped the gathering.
Source: scroll.in
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Security forces resume hunt for terrorists in Kishtwar after grenade attack injures eight soldiers
19 Jan 2026
JAMMU: After a night-long halt, security forces resumed their search operation on Monday to track down terrorists believed to be hiding in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, officials said.
The operation was launched in Sonnar village near Mandral-Singhpora in the Chatroo belt on Sunday, leading to a gunfight that left eight soldiers injured, primarily due to splinter injuries caused by a sudden grenade attack from the hiding terrorists.
The operation was suspended late Sunday night in the challenging terrain marked by thick vegetation and steep slopes, limiting visibility and movement, officials said.
Multiple teams of the army, police, and paramilitary forces, supported by drones and sniffer dogs, are combing the area while maintaining a tight security cordon to ensure that the terrorists are not able to escape, the officials said.
A group of two to three terrorists allegedly affiliated with the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) are believed to be trapped in the area, officials said, adding the operation resumed with the first light of the day and was ongoing when the last reports were received.
Officials informed that there was no fresh contact with the terrorists.
Named 'Operation Trashi-I', the army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps, in a post on X on Sunday, said the security forces came in contact with the terrorists in the general area Sonnar, northeast of Chatroo, during the search operation conducted as part of ongoing joint counter-terror exercises along with Jammu and Kashmir Police.
"Operations remain underway with additional forces inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies," the army said, commending the troops for their exceptional professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire under challenging terrain and conditions.
This encounter marks the third conflict between security forces and terrorists in the Jammu region this year. Previous encounters occurred in the Kahog and Najote forests in the Billawar area of Kathua district on January 7 and 13, respectively.
On December 15 last year, a police officer was killed in an encounter with terrorists at Soan village in the Majalta area of Udhampur district. The terrorists managed to escape, taking advantage of thick foliage and darkness.
The encounters followed a major counter-terrorist operation launched in the forest belts of the Jammu region in December last year to flush out nearly three dozen holed-up terrorists.
Operations have been further intensified in the run-up to Republic Day to ensure peaceful celebrations, amid intelligence inputs about desperate attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to push more terrorists into the region, officials mentioned.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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‘I can write Ram aartis’: Why Javed Akhtar is clashing with AR Rahman over Bollywood’s ‘communal’ shift
January 19, 2026
Veteran poet, screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar recently expressed his disagreement with longtime collaborator and music composer AR Rahman over the latter’s claims that the Hindi film industry has become more communal in the past eight years. Akhtar claimed that the film industry has always been religion-agnostic and has picked the best person for the job.
When Javed Akhtar was told he’s a liar
In the past, he’s recounted how he was called a liar for claiming to be an atheist. Akhtar has written the lyrics of devotional songs like “O Paalanhaare” from Lagaan (2001) and “Pal Pal Hai Bhaari” from Swades (2004), both films helmed by Ashutosh Gowariker. The latter was a song set in a Ramleela sequence in the film, from the point of view of Sita.
“When I grew up, it was a very different world. If I tell you about it, you’d think I’m saying filmy things. But that’s how it was,” Akhtar told O2India last year. “I must have witnessed the tail end of what we call the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb in Awadh, where I grew up. That’s something rare. I don’t know if you’ll be able to capture that world or that value system again,” he added.
Akhtar argued that though it was not a religious household, since his father and most of the family were Communists, they were perceived to be Muslims, at least traditionally. “How did we know all of this? Ramleela, Krishna Leela? I can write Rama and Krishna aartis. How am I able to? Where did I get this from? They were a part of my growth. It wasn’t a big deal either. That’s how people were. I don’t know where that’s disappeared now.”
Akhtar narrated how his late aunt would make a jhanki for the kids in their home’s courtyard on Janmasthami every year. “We were dressed in yellow on Basant Panchmi. The culture of celebration existed back then. I don’t see it anymore. That’s how people were in Lucknow. It’s a unique place. It still is,” added Akhtar.
Rahman’s controversy
Rahman shared a video post on his social media on Sunday, addressing the backlash from a recent BBC Asian Network interview. He said the intentions can “sometimes be misunderstood,” but he didn’t wish to cause any pain with his words. “India is my inspiration, my teacher and my home. I understand that intentions can sometimes be misunderstood. But my purpose has always been to uplift, honour and serve through music. I have never wished to cause pain, and I hope my sincerity is felt,” he said in the video.
His comments come days after his interview, during which he noted how less work has been coming to him due to a power shift within the Hindi film industry in recent years and said it could also be due to the “communal thing”. “People who are not creative have the power now to decide things and this might have been a communal thing also but not in my face. It comes to me as Chinese whispers that they booked you but the music company went ahead and hired their five composers,” he said.
Rahman’s remarks invited a lot of reactions, even from members of the film industry. “The greatest living composer of the last 3 decades got attacked and abused (even by people within the industry) for stating an opinion in the politest, mildest manner, that too based on his lived-experience. And the very next day forced to issue an apology/clarification to calm the toxic mob down,” wrote National Award-winning lyricist, stand-up comedian, and filmmaker Varun Grover on X.
Actor and former BJP MP Paresh Rawal reposted Rahman’s clarification on X with the caption, “We love you sir . You are our pride. (folded hands and red heart emojis).” “I like @arrahman‘s music. I think he has changed the way music is produced in India. He has also made us all proud – many times. You may not like what he says- but you must respect the man and try to understand why he said what he said. Jai Ho,” posted filmmaker Rahul Dholakia on X.
Source: indianexpress.com
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The return of division talk in J&K and why it’s dangerous
January 19, 2026
LUV PURI
On September 15, 1950, at Lake Success, the temporary home of the United Nations between 1946 and 1951, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) received a report on Jammu and Kashmir from Owen Dixon, former Chief Justice of Australia. Appointed by the UNSC to mediate between India and Pakistan, the 64-year-old jurist offered a set of categorical recommendations that, in effect, revived the logic of territorial partition.
Dixon had travelled extensively across Jammu and Kashmir on both sides of what later became the Line of Control, shuttled between New Delhi and Karachi, and even brokered a meeting between the Indian and Pakistani prime ministers on July 20, 1950. His proposal suggested that the Hindu-majority plains of Jammu should go to India, while the culturally and linguistically contiguous Muslim areas of Rajouri–Poonch, located close to the Line of Control, should go to Pakistan. Ladakh was to remain with India, while Gilgit-Baltistan and what came to be known as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) were allotted to Pakistan. Dixon suggested that only the Kashmir Valley (predominantly Muslim, but with strong Kashmiri identity) should hold a plebiscite supervised by the United Nations.
Dixon report proved to be non-starter
The Dixon Report proved to be a non-starter. It was widely seen as a de facto invitation to Partition-type violence, mass displacement, and demographic upheaval within Jammu and Kashmir itself. In hindsight, the report lacked the analytical rigour required to capture the former princely state’s intricate religious, linguistic, and ethnic geography — one that resisted neat binary classifications of majority and minority. Moreover, it defeated the idea of inclusive India.
Yet, despite its failure, the idea of dividing Jammu and Kashmir did not disappear in a different context. It resurfaced periodically, though always framed within the context of Indian national sovereignty, and was presented not as secession but as administrative reorganisation. At different moments, this idea paradoxically brought together actors across regions and ideological lines who believed that territorial reconfiguration could offer relief from deep-seated political and structural grievances. Decades later, Inderjit Gupta, who served as India’s Union Home Minister from June 29, 1996 to March 19, 1998 in the United Front governments of H. D. Deve Gowda and I. K. Gujral, and was a senior leader of the Communist Party of India, also once proposed trifurcating Jammu and Kashmir into three distinct units namely Jammu, the Kashmir Valley, and Ladakh in the Parliament. After creating confusion, he had to retract his statement. The notion of division or trifurcation was also explicitly endorsed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which advocated the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in its Kurukshetra resolution of 2002. Ladakh, which was historically part of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir, was separated in 2019 under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, leaving behind two remaining administrative units within the reconstituted Union Territory: Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.
Strong chorus calling for separation of J&K returned
In the current context, a strong chorus calling for the separation of Jammu and Kashmir has returned. Recent statements across the political spectrum have been revealing. Much of this discourse, however, has the feel of a broken record spanning nearly eight-decades. Leaders in Jammu continue to articulate a narrative of discrimination and political neglect. The Kashmir Valley, in turn, contests the very framing of Jammu’s grievance. Valley-based leaders argue that Jammu is not the monolithic Hindu region it is often projected to be, pointing out that nearly 35% of Jammu’s population is Muslim. This is a reality they contend is routinely ignored in political mobilisation. Predictably, familiar patterns re-emerge. Muslim political leadership in Jammu opposes division, arguing that it would marginalise Muslim-majority hilly districts within the Hindu majority region. The debate circles back to hardened positions shaped by decades of mistrust. What is insufficiently recognised, however, is that 2026 is not the 1990s or early 2000s. The nature of India’s political landscape has changed profoundly.
Taken together, these developments underscore a central flaw in the assumption that the restoration of statehood alone will resolve Jammu and Kashmir’s problems grossly oversimplifies the former State’s political and social complexity. In fact, the current arrangement of divided political authority allows both the elected leadership, the National Conference (NC), and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to exercise plausible deniability, each attributing policy failures to the other. This institutional ambiguity dampens accountability but also contains political fallout. However, once statehood is restored, that buffer disappears. Decisions perceived as discriminatory by either region would carry far greater political consequences and could quickly become explosive. This does not imply that the present arrangement is sustainable or desirable; rather, it highlights that statehood without structural reform may intensify, rather than resolve, existing fault lines.
At the same time, recent trend lines demand far greater attention to ground realities than is currently evident. Demands for the division of Jammu and Kashmir are now emerging from across the political spectrum and from both regions, and even from members of civil society. Notably, even Sham Lal Sharma, a sitting BJP legislator and a former minister, has publicly articulated this demand. He has been joined by former Congress MP and minister Lal Singh, who has been a strong votary of statehood and reorganisation. In the Kashmir Valley, Sajjad Lone, a former minister and legislator, has suggested that it may be time for an “amicable divorce,” effectively reviving the argument for dividing the former state. Often, the immediate triggers for such exchanges are symbolic rather than substantive. This time, the flashpoint has been the proposed establishment of a National Law School over whether it should be located in Kashmir valley or Jammu. Yet behind these symbols lie deeper political anxieties. Voices from the Valley, including Lone, increasingly argue that continued association with Jammu has become a constraint on Kashmir’s political and economic development. Thus, each region is now framing the other as an obstacle: Jammu views Kashmir as dominant and exclusionary, while Kashmir portrays Jammu as a drag on its aspirations. What emerges is not a new debate, but a deepening mutual exhaustion as one in which competing narratives cancel each other out, while the larger structural failures of governance, decentralisation, and internal federalism remain unaddressed.
Renewed narrative of division
The renewed narrative of division has, unsurprisingly, generated deep anxiety among Jammu’s Muslim population. Javed Ahmed Rana, a National Conference minister from Jammu’s Poonch district, was quick to oppose the demand. He argued that a minority cannot determine the fate of a majority. This implicitly invoked the fact that Jammu and Kashmir as a whole remains a Muslim-majority entity, and cautioning that political decisions driven by Jammu’s Hindu leadership could not be imposed unilaterally.
Jammu and Kashmir functions in ways characteristic of deeply diverse societies, particularly in the global south context. Those clamouring for the division of the former state and the creation of separate entities often insist that their demand is not religious in nature and that it includes Muslim constituencies as well. On paper, this claim carries some weight: many Muslims in Jammu are culturally and linguistically distinct from the Kashmiri-speaking population of the Valley.
Yet this distinction does not translate into support for division. Muslim communities such as the Gujjars and Paharis, despite their cultural and linguistic differences from Valley Muslims, largely oppose the breakup of Jammu and Kashmir. Their resistance is shaped not by cultural affinity but by political arithmetic. In a divided arrangement, these groups fear being reduced to religious and political minorities, with diminished voice, institutional protection, and access to power.
At face value, this inter-regional rivalry between the two regions started immediately after accession of J&K to the Indian union. Like the rest of the country, there was a transition from monarchy to democratic system in the princely states. But in the process what happened was that seat of power for all practical reason moved from monarch, who had Jammu origins, to Kashmir valley, political elite. With immense ethnic, religious, geographical and linguistic diversity within J&K and other uncertainties that clouded the post-independent history of J&K’s association with the Indian union, this marriage between the two region was far from harmonious in the absence of internal institutional federal structures.
Rebuttal to idea of division from Balraj Puri
In the post-Independent India, the most sustained and forceful intellectual rebuttal to the idea of division came from public intellectual and Padma Bhushan awardee late Balraj Puri, who for nearly six decades sensitised India and the world to the plural, layered mosaic of Jammu and Kashmir. Puri argued consistently that division would be a remedy worse than the disease that it would institutionalise political fissures rather than resolve them. His credibility across regions and political divides in and outside J&K, combined with deep empirical knowledge of the state, played a crucial role in persuading national leaders of all shades to resist simplistic solutions.
Both Jammu and the Kashmir Valley required tailored decentralisation within an overarching framework of asymmetrical federalism. And this was spelled out by Balraj Puri’s Jammu and Kashmir Regional Autonomy Report (1999) which remains the only serious and comprehensive proposal to address the J&K’s structural contradictions. Its central insight was straightforward: while political elites in Jammu and Kashmir demanded federalism within the Indian Union, they failed to apply the same principle internally. The failure to engage seriously with this report represents a lost opportunity whose consequences are now becoming visible today.
In the post-2019 scenario, the National Conference (NC), in particular, yet again had a historic opportunity to position itself as a genuinely pan–Jammu and Kashmir party. Instead, it has remained anchored to its core electoral base of 2024 assembly elections, which is Kashmir valley and Muslim areas of Jammu, and appears to have concluded, implicitly, if not explicitly, that Hindu-majority areas of Jammu will never be politically receptive to it. What this approach fails to recognise is how dangerous such a conclusion is in the broader national context.
A symbolic but telling illustration lies in the party’s recent Rajya Sabha nominations. It would have been politically prudent for the NC to nominate at least one Hindu representative from Jammu, reinforcing its claim of representing the entire J&K. This was particularly important keeping in the mind the national context.
Instead, all four candidates it fielded were drawn from the Kashmir Valley and Kishtwar, a Kashmiri-speaking hilly pocket of Jammu. The message, intended or otherwise, was unmistakable. An articulate voice from Jammu, with a nuanced understanding of both regional and national dynamics, could have contributed meaningfully to policy debates. That opportunity was missed.
Fundamentally different context now
A fundamentally different context has now emerged, both within Jammu and Kashmir and nationally. The generation that once acted as social and political glue between Jammu and the Valley is gone. Figures such as Sheikh Abdullah, despite their many contradictions, maintained relationships across regional and religious lines that are largely absent today. The problem, however, runs deeper than personalities. Political leaderships across parties tend to rediscover the virtues of internal federalism only when they are out of power. Once in office, the same ideas are treated as irritants. The same is true now. The prevailing belief is that governance and development alone can resolve political grievances. Governance may manage symptoms, but the underlying disease of over centralization of polity continues to deepen as current trends show.
The context of 2026 carries an additional warning. There was a time when the abrogation of Article 370 was widely considered politically and constitutionally impossible. Once policymakers in the national capital convinced themselves otherwise, it happened. The same logic applies here: if territorial reorganisation comes to be viewed as administratively and politically expedient by the national governance elite, there may be little to prevent it. This must be understood within the broader national context, where the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir occupies a central place in political imagination and party’s ideology.
That is why both supporters and opponents of division must therefore confront a harder question: do they have a credible answer to the present instability in Jammu and Kashmir? The current arrangement leaves everyone dissatisfied. In both Jammu and the Kashmir Valley, an entire generation is growing up with little understanding of each other’s histories, anxieties, or political journeys. That unfamiliarity, combined with centralised control and the absence of internal federalism, is steadily hollowing out the idea of a shared political future.
What also cannot be ignored is that a peripheral former state, now a Union Territory, punches far above its weight in India’s national security calculus, despite its relatively modest population, with half of Delhi’s population, and negligible economic contribution to the country. Over the past four-decades, a significant proportion of major terrorist incidents in India and have had direct or indirect linkages to Jammu and Kashmir. Beyond major attacks within Jammu and Kashmir itself, several of India’s most consequential terrorist incidents, including the 2001 Parliament attack in New Delhi, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and even the 2024 Red Fort attack, have had direct or indirect operational linkages to networks rooted in or connected with Jammu and Kashmir. Precisely for this reason, the region demands an understanding that is rooted, grounded, and empirically informed, rather than filtered through recycled binaries and inherited analytical frameworks. These outdated lenses have not only failed to capture the region’s complexities but have actively amplified internal instability, further eroding an already fragile social cohesion. Treating one of India’s most consequential regions as a mere managerial or administrative challenge is a profound misreading of the problem. What is required instead is a clinical and honest examination of the root causes of instability and anxiety in Jammu and Kashmir whose causes have a direct bearing on social cohesion, both within the region and across India as a whole.
Debate over J&K comes a full circle
Seventy-five years after Owen Dixon carried the logic of partition into the United Nations chamber at Lake Success, the debate over Jammu and Kashmir has come full circle. What was rejected in 1950 as analytically crude and morally dangerous is now resurfacing in a different context, not because it has acquired new wisdom, but because political imagination has withered and structural reform has been repeatedly postponed. The persistence of division talk is not evidence of its validity; it is a symptom of accumulated failure, particularly failure to decentralise power, to respect regional dignity, and to invest in genuine internal federalism. As in Dixon’s time, the temptation to redraw lines is being mistaken for a solution to political anxiety. But history offers a clear warning: when complexity is reduced to cartography, instability follows. Unless the Indian state and regional political elites move beyond managerial fixes and confront the deeper causes of alienation and mistrust, the idea of division will continue to return each time in a more dangerous form, with consequences that extend far beyond Jammu and Kashmir to the very political and security foundations of the Indian Union.
Luv Puri is the author of two books on Jammu and Kashmir, including Uncovered Face of Militancy and Across the Line of Control. He has worked on conflict and security issues for over two decades.
Source: thehindu.com
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From Hyd to Nagpur for final farewell: Telangana’s burial crisis deepens across faiths
Jan 19, 2026
Hyderabad: In death, Telangana's communities are finding little peace. As cities expand and land values soar, burial grounds are vanishing—silently but steadily—leaving grieving families to travel hundreds of kilometres or pay exorbitant sums for a final resting place. Hyderabad, the state's largest urban centre, sits at the heart of this crisis.
With most graveyards and cemeteries either full or encroached upon, what should be a solemn rite has turned into a logistical and emotional ordeal. Across faiths, the problem is the same—space is running out, and dignity in death is becoming increasingly elusive.
In Sept last year, a family from Kompally was forced to transport the body of their 92-year-old relative over 500 km to Nagpur for burial after they were allegedly denied space at a church near Hyderabad. The family said burial space was initially allotted in a village on the outskirts of the city. However, local residents objected and created hurdles, preventing the burial from taking place.
"After that, we had decided to go to Nagpur since that was my father's native place and he had many memories and friends there. The church authorities were also not aware at that time about following the due procedure for converting the land into a burial ground," a family member told TOI.
Dying for space
Hyderabad is estimated to have nearly 1,000 burial grounds across religions, but for Muslims, the pressure on graveyards has reached a breaking point. Many of the city's major kabrastans, including Old Eidgah and the historic Dargah Hazrat Yusufain, are several centuries old and now almost entirely full.
"Graveyards attached to dargahs were once large and spacious. Over the decades, with urban growth, they filled up. Around 90% to 95% of them are now full, including the historic Dargah Hazrat Yusufain graveyard," said Syed Akbar Nizamuddin Hussaini, mutawalli of dargahs.
Custodians say the crisis is compounded by the absence of new burial land within accessible limits. One custodian, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the govt must urgently allot new land parcels to ease the pressure on existing graveyards.
Blame it on encroachments
Waqf lands protection activist Mohammed Hassan argued that the core issue goes beyond scarcity. "In several places, residential colonies have come up and encroachments have even entered tomb areas. The Telangana Waqf Board does not have the power to remove encroachments on its own. If the authorities delay action, the land is permanently lost. The board should be given direct powers to remove encroachments," he said, citing graveyards at Dargah Shah Khamosh, Ziaguda kabrastan, Puranapul, Old Eidgah, Barhana Shah Sahab Dargah and Sultan Daira near Chanchalguda jail.
In 2023, then BRS govt allotted 125 acres for new graveyards on Hyderabad's outskirts—72.22 acres in Rangareddy and 52.18 acres in Medchal Malkajgiri. However, these sites remain largely unused. "The land is too far from the city, and people prefer burial grounds close to their neighbourhoods. Encroachments are continuing with the govt's knowledge. Many graveyards are govt land, not waqf land," said Syed Hussaini, who is a senior member of the waqf board.
A recent allotment of just one acre in Jubilee Hills for a Muslim burial ground was widely seen as inadequate and sparked protests over land value and allegations of appeasement. The high court has since stayed the allotment.
In early Jan, residents of Erragadda, including families from Brigade Citadel, Vasavi Brundavanam, Kalpataru and adjacent colonies, took to the streets in a strong show of opposition to the govt's plan to allocate land for a graveyard beside their homes. They argued that the site, nestled amid densely populated apartment complexes, was unsuitable for a burial ground and raised concerns about public health, safety and civic process.
Will ensure dignity: Azhar
Minority welfare minister Mohammed Azharuddin told TOI that the state govt would fulfil all announcements and assurances made to the Muslim and Christian communities regarding burial spaces. "We will provide burial spaces as per the requirements of both communities. I am yet to go through the high court order in the Erragadda graveyard matter. After examining it, we will discuss the issue with the waqf board before taking further steps," he said.
Adding to the distress is the illegal monetisation of burial spaces. Families say costs range from ₹5,000 to several lakhs. "The closer the grave is to a Sufi shrine at a dargah, the higher the price. I paid ₹50,000 to bury my father at a popular dargah," said Mohammed Asif, a businessman from Sheikhpet. Hussaini warned that while charity is acceptable, turning burials into profit-driven transactions—and reusing old graves—has deepened the crisis.
As burial spaces continue to disappear, families across communities are left waiting—caught between faith, grief and unkept assurances—hoping that dignity in death will no longer depend on distance or affordability.
Second story
Hyderabad: The Christian community is facing an equally severe shortage of burial land. In Hyderabad and Secunderabad, existing cemeteries are almost full, forcing families to conduct burials in far-flung locations such as Ghatkesar, Keesara and Balapur.
"Finding a burial place in the city is next to impossible. Even in the outskirts, there is resistance from local burial ground associations. But when someone dies, what option do we have? The body cannot be kept at home indefinitely," said the in-charge of a Protestant cemetery in Hyderabad.
Broken promises
Community leaders recall that after the formation of Telangana, former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had promised to allot 43.5 acres for Christian burial grounds in Hyderabad. Except for two acres in Shadnagar, the promise remained unfulfilled.
Goneh Solomon Raj, general secretary of the Telangana United Christians and Pastors Association (TUCPA), said the situation is even more dire in districts. "In some places, families are forced to bury the dead near railway tracks or between small hillocks. Palvancha town in Bhadradri Kothagudem district does not have a single cemetery even today. There are many such mandals," he said.
Reuse of graves
Like Muslim graveyards, Christian cemeteries have also begun reusing graves due to lack of space. The hardship has led to extreme situations.
Chief minister A Revanth Reddy promised to allocate land for Christian burial grounds during meetings with delegations and at state-sponsored Christmas events. TUCPA has submitted repeated representations. "At least one acre of land should be allotted in every mandal so people can bury their loved ones nearby," Solomon Raj demanded.
Source: indiatimes.com
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Pragmatic picks: 2 of Sena-UBT’s winners Muslim, one of MIM dalit
Jan 18, 2026
Mumbai: The BMC elections were marked by overt religious rhetoric, but political parties adopted a pragmatic approach to raise their tallies by fielding candidates across religious lines. While one of AIMIM's eight newly corporators is a dalit, Vijay Ubale (33) from Govandi, both Shiv Sena factions propped up several Muslim candidates. Two of Sena (UBT)'s Muslim candidates won.
Many winners said they focused on the work on the ground rather than leaning into religious or linguistic identity politics. "We placed the Constitution ahead and talked about social justice. So, we didn't feel there was any issue during the campaign. Now, ST and SC communities are finding a connect with AIMIM," said Ubale.
Ubale is among the poorest BMC corporators, with total assets of Rs 1.5 lakh and no house in his name. He had worked as a local AIMIM office bearer since 2022 and expressed his desire to contest this election. The party, he said, responded positively. He won by 1,523 votes, beating Sena's Sonali Jadhav and Sena (UBT)'s Siddharth Usture. The seat was won by undivided NCP in 2017.
In Vikhroli's ward 124, Sena (UBT)'s Sakina Ayub Shaikh defeated by a big margin Sena's Jyoti Khan, who had secured the seat in 2017 on an NCP ticket. Shaikh was at Shiv Sena Bhavan in Dadar on Sunday for a meeting with senior party leaders.
Another minority community corporator of Sena (UBT) is Zeeshan Changez Multani from ward 62, which was won in 2017 by his family member, Multani Changej Jamal, who contested as an independent. Sena (UBT) roped in Jamal this time to ensure the defeat of party rebel Raju Pednekar, a former Thackeray loyalist who contested and lost the 2024 assembly polls as an independent after his request for a ticket was denied. Pednekar is now with Sena.
Although Sena's Muslim candidates did not hand it any win, they gave a good fight in some places. In ward 92 (Bharat Nagar near BKC), candidate Salim Qureshi lost to Congress despite deputy CM Eknath Shinde himself campaigning for him. "The work done on the ground matters. Shinde saheb came for my campaign and promised to resolve one of the issues and it was addressed immediately," said Qureshi, whose wife won the seat for AIMIM in 2017.
Source: indiatimes.com
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Muslim MBBS student alleges brutal ragging at Dehradun medical college; seniors suspended pending probe
Narendra Sethi
18 Jan 2026
DEHRADUN: A first-year MBBS student at the Government Doon Medical College has alleged that he was brutally ragged by two senior students, claiming he was beaten with belts and slippers and forced to shave his head.
The serious allegations came to light after the student submitted a written complaint to the hostel warden on January 13, detailing the ordeal he allegedly faced the previous day, January 12.
In his letter, he stated that he was tortured outside the campus and forced to spend the night near the ‘Swastik’ area outside the college premises.
"I want to inform you about a serious incident. On January 12, I was beaten with a belt and slippers by two seniors. They tortured me outside the campus and forced me to trim my hair," the complainant wrote in his letter, adding, "Due to this incident, I am in great pain and very scared. I humbly request you to please investigate this matter and take necessary action."
Following the complaint, which was swiftly escalated to the Principal’s office, the college administration responded promptly. Principal Dr Geeta Jain confirmed on Sunday that the matter has been handed over to the Anti Ragging Committee for a thorough investigation.
"The complaint has been taken seriously, and the Anti Ragging Committee is investigating all points, including assault and ragging," Dr Jain stated.
In a significant development, the two accused senior students have been provisionally suspended from the hostel pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The college management confirmed that orders have been issued, stating that stricter disciplinary action, potentially including expulsion, will follow if the allegations are substantiated in the final report.
The incident has drawn the attention of the state government. Health Minister Dr Dhan Singh Rawat has taken cognisance of the matter, instructing the Principal to ensure a detailed inquiry and necessary action.
"This incident is deeply regrettable. Upon receiving information, immediate investigation orders were issued to the college administration," Dr Rawat commented, emphasising that such acts question institutional discipline. He further directed the college management to implement all necessary and effective steps in line with Supreme Court directives to prevent ragging.
According to sources, the Anti Ragging Committee, led by Professor Dr Ghazala Rizvi, conducted lengthy questioning sessions on Saturday, recording statements from the victim and the accused seniors.
"The victim appeared scared and shaken before the committee but reiterated his claims of being beaten with belts and slippers and pressured to cut his hair," a source familiar with the proceedings said.
The college management has assured that the investigation is underway in line with the minister’s directives, and that the final report will be submitted to the administration very soon.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Jan/18/muslim-mbbs-student-alleges-brutal-ragging-at-dehradun-medical-college-seniors-suspended-pending-probe
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Three soldiers injured in gunfight with terrorists holed up in J&K’s Kishtwar
18 Jan 2026
At least three soldiers were injured on Sunday during a gunfight with suspected militants holed up in a remote forested area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, officials said, as security forces launched a cordon and search operation and rushed in reinforcements.
The operation, which the Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps has named 'Operation Trashi-I', began around noon, they said.
In a post on X, the White Knight Corps said security forces came in contact with terrorists in the general area Sonnar, northeast of Chatroo, during a deliberate search operation conducted as part of ongoing joint counter-terror exercises along with Jammu and Kashmir Police.
"Operations remain underway with additional forces inducted to reinforce the cordon, supported by close coordination with civil administration and security agencies," the Army said, commending the troops for their exceptional professionalism and resolve while responding to hostile fire under challenging terrain and conditions.
According to the officials, one of the search teams came across a group of two to three foreign terrorists allegedly belonging to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), who fired indiscriminately and also lobbed a few grenades in an attempt to break the cordon.
The troops retaliated and reinforcements from Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and police were rushed to further tighten the cordon. There was intermittent firing between the two sides for some time, the officials said.
Three soldiers suffered splinter injuries and were subsequently evacuated to the hospital. A massive search operation is on to track and neutralise the terrorists, they added.
Advanced surveillance equipment, including drones, and sniffer dogs have been deployed to speed up the operation.
This is the third encounter between the security forces and terrorists in the Jammu region this year.
Encounters broke out in Kahog and Najote forests in the Billawar area of Kathua district on January 7 and 13, respectively.
On December 15 last year, a police officer was killed in an encounter with terrorists at Soan village in the Majalta area of Udhampur district. The terrorists managed to escape, taking advantage of thick foliage and darkness.
The encounters followed a major counter-terrorist operation launched in the forest belts of the Jammu region in December last year to flush out nearly three dozen holed-up terrorists.
Operations have been further intensified in the run-up to the Republic Day to ensure peaceful celebrations, amid intelligence inputs about desperate attempts by Pakistan-based handlers to push more terrorists, the officials said.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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Asaduddin Owaisi interview: ‘Wrong to see AIMIM’s Maharashtra wins via prism of religion… what do secular parties have left?’
DEEPTIMAN TIWARY
January 19, 2026
The AIMIM has emerged as one of the surprise performers in the Maharashtra civic polls, winning 126 corporator seats across 13 corporations in the state and registering strong gains in cities such as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad) and Malegaon.
The results mark a significant recovery for the party after its relatively weak showing in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, underscoring its growing presence in urban Maharashtra, particularly in Muslim-dominated areas. In an interview with The Indian Express, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, the Hyderabad MP, discusses the party’s performance, the shifting political choices of minority voters, and the road ahead.
We have been active everywhere, even in places where we did not win in the parliamentary and Assembly polls. We kept meeting people, worked on their issues, and organised multiple public meetings. Our leaders travelled extensively.
In the parliamentary elections, both the BJP and the so-called secular parties came together to defeat Imtiyaz Jaleel. Yet, he secured more than 3 lakh votes. About a month-and-a-half ago, in the municipal elections, we won 85 seats. This is God’s grace and the trust of the people. Everybody worked very hard.
We ran an intense election campaign. Our MLAs from Hyderabad travelled to Maharashtra and held public meetings. All our leaders fanned out across Solapur, Latur, Nanded, Parbhani, Dhule, and other key regions.
What kind of secular parties are you talking about? In Malegaon, Mufti sahab (Mohammaed Ismail Abdul Khalique) is our MLA. In Govandi, we have won a majority of the eight seats. In Aurangabad, our Hindu candidate has won. You cannot look at everything only through the prism of one religion. It is wrong to see AIMIM’s victory through the prism of religion. What will you then call BJP victories?
Only they can answer why this is happening. We are doing our work and people are free to choose. Elections are the best form of expressing like or dislike.
They have lost thrice and Narendra Modi continues to be the Prime Minister. They have lost thrice in Maharashtra as well. Do they have an answer? What is left with you?
The electorate, especially the youth, has realised that they require a party that can put forward their views and help new leadership emerge. Muslim and Dalit areas are not well developed. In many areas, water comes once every five days and people have to buy drinking water, while the BJP claims it has a triple-engine government. These are issues that perturb people.
The silence of secular parties on atrocities against Muslims has also not gone unnoticed. In Akola, my convoy was stopped by some youth who told me they would vote for us. They said that when Akola witnessed communal riots, only the AIMIM came and helped them.
No one talks about the incarceration of Muslim youth under the draconian UAPA. There is a complete list of factors that have led to this shift.
This is a question that only Mufti Ismail can answer. I am not in a position to respond to this. He is handling the party there and it will be his decision. Whatever decision he takes will be acceptable to me.
Jaleel sahab lost the Assembly election by only 1,100 votes. Nasir Siddiqui also lost by a narrow margin. In Shivaji Nagar–Makhurd, we lost by 11,000 votes in the Assembly. But if you project the civic poll votes this time, we are winning the constituency by 20,000 votes.
In Dhule, our candidate had earlier gone away to Ajit Pawar. Now we have 12 corporators there. This shows we have a strong ground presence and that the civic polls have given us much-needed momentum.
Now we are preparing for the Zilla Parishad polls. We cannot sit on today’s laurels. As Sunil Gavaskar once said, after you make a century, the next day you have to start from scratch. We have to start from scratch, work on the ground and use this momentum to build the party further in the state.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/asaduddin-owaisi-interview-aimim-maharashtra-wins-prism-religion-secular-parties-10480860/
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‘Congress-led UDF win in Kerala will mean Muslim League rule’: Ezhava community leader Vellappally Natesan
by Shaju Philip
January 19, 2026
Stepping up his attack on the Congress-led UDF in Kerala, prominent Ezhava community leader Vellappally Natesan on Saturday claimed that the Indian Union Muslim League, a UDF constituent, would rule the state if the alliance wins the upcoming Assembly election.
The general secretary of the backward Hindu Ezhava community organisation, Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, also called for a broader alliance of Hindu and Christian communities in Kerala. Significantly, the upper caste Hindu Nair community group Nair Service Society general secretary G Sukumaran Nair has said his organisation is ready for a discussion with Natesan on unity among Hindus.
Natesan has recently faced flak for his alleged anti-Muslim remarks. He has upped the ante against the UDF a day after senior Congress legislator and Opposition Leader V D Satheesan took a swipe at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for giving Natesan a ride in his official car during the Global Ayyappa Devotee Sangamam last September. At the valedictory function of the Kerala Yatra, led by prominent Muslim cleric Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar, Satheesan spoke of the need to keep “hate mongers” away.
“Those who make hate speeches should not be encouraged. Caution should be exercised when we give lift to others in our cars,” he said.
Hitting back against Satheesan and Congress, Natesan, who is known for his pro-CPI(M) stand, told the media, “Satheesan is anti-Ezhava. His problem is that I, a person from the backward community, had got into the car of the Chief Minister who also belongs to the backward community. Satheesan is a person who supports communalism. His tactical line is aimed at the chair of the Chief Minister,” he said.
Natesan said if the UDF comes to power, the IUML would rule the state. “During the last 10 years of the LDF regime, Kerala did not witness any communal riot. The slogan of Hindu unity is gone now. It is time that Hindus, irrespective of their caste, and Christians stand together,” Natesan said.
He also said his organisation would go in harmony with the NSS. “There was a difference of opinion with NSS over the issue of reservation quota. In future, we don’t want to lock horns with NSS. It is the UDF that spoiled the unity between NSS and SNDP Yogam,” he said.
NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair welcomed Natesan’s gesture, but did not make any commitment. “We are ready for a discussion with Natesan,” said Nair, who also denounced Satheesan’s continued attack on the Ezhava leader over his car ride with the Chief Minister.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-led-udf-win-kerala-will-mean-muslim-league-rule-ezhava-community-leader-vellappally-natesan-10480614/
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Odisha launches statewide crackdown on illegal cattle smuggling after trader killing
Subhashish Mohanty
19.01.26
The Odisha government has launched a statewide crackdown on illegal cattle smuggling, intensifying police raids and warning that properties of those involved will be confiscated.
The raids come in the wake of attacks on cattle traders reported from different parts of the state. In the most recent incident, a 28-year-old Muslim youth was beaten to death in Balasore district last week. The government believes that cracking down on illegal cattle trade will also help contain such violence.
Issuing a stern warning, fisheries and animal resources development minister Gokulananda Mallik said: “No leniency will be shown to people involved in illegal cattle smuggling. We have adopted a policy of zero tolerance for the cow mafia.”
“I urge the mafia to mend its ways. There is still time. Under the BJP government, such illegal activities will not be tolerated. We have instructed the police to act sternly. Raids will be intensified with high security at smuggling points. We will ensure the harshest punishment for those involved in the illegal trade,” the minister said.
In a veiled attack on the previous BJD government, Mallik said the perpetrators were operating freely earlier.
“The present government will not allow it. The Cow Slaughter Act, 1960, is already in place, and we are focusing on implementing it more strongly to ensure strict action against offenders,” he added.
The Cow Slaughter Act, 1960, refers to the Orissa Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1960, which bans cow slaughter in Odisha, allowing exceptions only with verification of a veterinary certificate.
The Odisha police since Saturday have been conducting raids on houses and properties of organised cattle traders at around 46 locations across five districts — Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Khurda.
“We decided to destroy the illegal racket involved in cow smuggling after a police team was attacked by traders a year back. Since then, we have been working on it and collecting information about their network. Based on intelligence inputs, the raids were conducted. We had also received legal sanction with court approval,” said Keonjhar SP Kusalkar Nitin Dagudu.
During the raids, police seized cash worth ₹1.52 crore, gold weighing 1.131kg and silver weighing 3.80kg. A total of 46 vehicles, including 23 two-wheelers, were also seized, along with several mobile phones and wristwatches.
“The objective behind the action is to dismantle the network of cow traders,” police said.
The state government has decided to confiscate properties under provisions of Section 107 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Sources said the highest single cash seizure — ₹60 lakh — was made from Sheikh Rajan alias Tazuddin in Bhadrak district.
As per the state government’s report, more than 220 incidents related to cow transportation and slaughter have come to the government’s notice over the last
four years.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Mideast
Israeli settlers target wells, disrupt water supply to 19 Palestinian areas near Ramallah
January 18, 2026
LONDON: Israeli settlers attacked water wells in the Ein Samia area, northeast of Ramallah, overnight, causing a disruption in the water supply for several hours, according to the Jerusalem District Water Department's report on Sunday.
The Palestinian Authority’s water authority reported that settlers targeted wells number two, four, and six in Ein Samia, disrupting their operation from Saturday at 10 p.m. until Sunday at 9 a.m. The attackers broke windows, doors, control panels and cut the cables, rendering the wells completely inoperable.
It warned that attacks on the primary water source jeopardized access to water for over 19 areas in the occupied West Bank, worsening the difficulties faced by residents near Ramallah.
Attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian homes and businesses have increased since October 2023.
These incidents include vandalism, arson, shootings, and the destruction of agricultural lands and water sources, often intended to pressure residents into leaving their land. Israeli authorities often provide protection for settlers during attacks, including military deployment to accompany them and suppress local resistance, the Wafa news agency reported.
Excluding East Jerusalem, which was occupied and annexed by Israel in 1967, some 500,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank, along with about 3 million Palestinian residents.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2629792/middle-east
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Justice with compassion: Reimagining insolvency through an Islamic lens
JANUARY 18, 2026
As Qatar debates a proposed bankruptcy law, a familiar dilemma returns to centre stage: can an insolvency regime be both economically efficient and morally compassionate? The easy answer is to choose one over the other. The harder, and more interesting, answer is rooted in Islamic legal tradition; neither are mutually exclusive.
For more than fourteen centuries, Islamic jurisprudence has sought to hold justice (‘adl) and mercy (rahmah) together within one coherent framework. Islam treats debt as a serious, almost sacred undertaking.
The Qur’anic command in Surah Al-Maidah requires the believers to be faithful, “O you who belief, fulfil your contracts” and grounds commercial life in trustworthiness (amánah). Yet this obligation is immediately tempered by a call to mercy in Surah Al-Baqarah; those in hardship are to be granted time until ease, and forgiveness, when possible, is better. This dual emphasis is not a rhetorical flourish, but it is a practical architecture for handling financial distress in ways that neither abandon creditors nor crush debtors.
Classical jurists translated these values into legal mechanisms that look strikingly modern. The doctrines of iflás (bankruptcy or insolvency) and hajr (court-ordered restraints on a distressed debtor’s disposal of assets) performed functions we now associate with automatic stays, supervised liquidation, and debtor protections. They aimed to prevent value-destroying races to seize assets, ensure proportionate distribution among claimants, and preserve the debtor’s basic subsistence and dignity. In short, Islamic law never required a choice between order and compassion, rather it insisted on both.
Three Pillars for a Modern
Shariah-Aligned Framework
Predictability without rigidity: Credit markets rely on clarity. Creditors, conventional or Islamic, must know how claims are verified, prioritised, and satisfied, and over what timeline. Digital filing, standardised procedures, and professional insolvency administration are not alien to Islamic ethics; they are contemporary expressions of amánah and procedural fairness. A predictable system lowers the cost of capital, channels funds to productive uses, and ultimately benefits households and firms alike.
Relief without moral hazard: The Qur’anic call to grant respite in Surah Al-Baqarah does not erase debt, but humanises its enforcement. It is a temporary moratoria where hardship is genuine, restructuring plans preserve viable businesses and, after transparent co-operation, access to discharge for honest failure becomes an option. Islamic social finance adds a distinctive tool as the category of gharimín (overburdened debtors) as one of the rightful recipients of zakat. Linking well-governed zakat and waqf institutions to the formal process can retire residual, good-faith debts when doing so demonstrably prevents long-term exclusion and restores economic participation.
Second chances with accountability: Islamic sources distinguish sharply between ethical default and commercial risk. The prophetic warnings about the “bankrupt” person target those who wrong others intentionally and purposefully, not entrepreneurs whose ventures fail despite diligence. Modern law should reflect that nuance, deterring fraud and negligence vigorously but not stigmatising honest failure. Safe harbours for directors acting in good faith, streamlined small- to medium-enterprise restructurings, and post-discharge rehabilitation, including financial education and access to microfinance, help convert temporary setbacks into future productivity.
Three Phases for Effective Insolvency Reform
Pre-bankruptcy (early intervention and preparedness): Encourage out-of-court workouts and pre-pack plans, supported by mediation centres fluent in murábahah, istisná, ijárah, and mushárakah. Early dialogue preserves going-concern value, reduces litigation, and respects Sharia-compliant structures. Add timely disclosures and data sharing to flag stress early, so parties can negotiate credible standstills and stabilise operations before formal filing.
Bankruptcy occurs (orderly protection and fair priorities): When proceedings begin, apply a calibrated, time-limited stay, echoing hajr, to pause unilateral enforcement while viability is assessed and a plan is crafted. Include narrow carve-outs for perishables, critical supplier payments, and clear public-interest needs. Clarify priority rules that honour trust relationships: protect amánah-like assets (client monies, segregated accounts), define treatment of profit-sharing investment accounts, and empower courts to avoid preferential or sham transfers.
Post-bankruptcy (reintegration and institutional learning): Create referral pathways from courts to zakat and waqf bodies under transparent governance. Use targeted public–private funds to retire residual obligations where this verifiably improves reintegration and lowers future welfare costs. Publish anonymised outcomes, durations, and recovery rates to build jurisprudence and guide pricing; use the evidence to streamline micro-cases, seat specialised benches for complex cross-border matters, and calibrate timelines for cost and fairness.
For Qatar and Beyond
A Shariah-attuned insolvency law should infuse competitiveness. Entrepreneurs need a path back after honest failure, households require assurance that distress will be managed with dignity, and investors need the expected and promised returns with fairness. Bringing these aims together within a normative Islamic frame can produce a system that is recognisably ours; principled, compassionate, and modern. Crucially, the synthesis is not a compromise between “Western efficiency” and “Islamic values”. Mercy without structure breeds moral hazard, while structure without mercy erodes the social trust on which commerce depends. The classical pairing of iflás and hajr, animated by the Qur’anic ethic of contract fidelity and hardship relief, offers a third way, an insolvency regime where enforceability and empathy reinforce one another.
As Qatar refines its draft, the opportunity is larger than compliance or procedural tidiness. It is to model a framework in which creditor remedies are credible, debtor dignity is preserved, and second chances are real, though never costless. Such a law would speak fluently to international markets while remaining rooted in Islamic jurisprudence. It would also send a cultural signal that failure, handled honestly and transparently, is not a life sentence but a chapter in a longer story of responsibility and renewal. Insolvency law, at its core, is a social covenant. We promise creditors that their rights mean something. We promise debtors that temporary hardship need not define a lifetime. And we promise our community that commerce will be conducted within an ethic that is both timeless and timely, where justice and compassion meet, and where markets serve people without allowing anyone to escape accountability.
? Mohammed Muslehuddin Musab is a Researcher at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s Center for Islamic Economics and Finance.
Source: gulf-times.com
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Islamic Jihad: We are ready to cooperate with Gaza administration committee, but we have reservations about "Peace Council"
18 Jan 2026
The official spokesperson for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, Muhammad al-Hajj Musa, confirmed on Sunday that the movement is ready to cooperate with the Gaza administration committee headed by Ali Shaath and facilitate its mission to alleviate the suffering of the Gaza Strip's residents, despite some reservations about one of the committee members.
In a statement to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Musa explained that the Islamic Jihad movement has reservations about the so-called "Global Peace Council" for Gaza, which the White House recently announced it had formed, emphasizing the movement's complete rejection of any guardianship over the Palestinian people.
He stated that the names included in the council were chosen through "Israeli" agreements that serve Tel Aviv's interests, not the interests of the Palestinians.
Regarding the prisoners' file, Musa reiterated that the Zionist enemy is responsible for obstructing the closure of the file on "Israeli" prisoners in Gaza, denying "Israeli" accusations that the Islamic Jihad movement refused to hand over the last remaining bodies in the Strip despite knowing their location.
He said: "From the first day of the agreement, The movement exerted every effort to retrieve the bodies and fulfilled all its obligations, as did the other factions. We handed over the living prisoners and the bodies, despite the obstruction by the Israeli enemy, which refused to allow the entry of necessary equipment and aid teams.
He added that the file of prisoners and bodies is now closed for Islamic Jihad, after the movement handed over all the living prisoners and bodies in its possession. He pointed out that retrieving the remaining bodies requires specialized equipment, given the presence of 61 million tons of rubble in the Gaza Strip.
He concluded: "The Israeli enemy is creating obstacles and making excuses, which is illogical."
Source: saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3630031.htm
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Syrian president announces deal with Kurds including ceasefire
January 18, 2026
TABQA: The Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed on an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire on ?all fronts on ?Sunday after days of fighting ?as ?the ?army ?advanced into Kurdish-held territories in the northeast.
The ceasefire will be in parallel with the withdrawal of all SDF affiliated forces to the east of the Euphrates River, according to a document published by the Syrian Presidency on Sunday.
The deal entails ?merging all SDF forces into the defense and interior ministries ?after conducting required security ?checks, the statement said.
After meeting US envoy Tom Barrack, Sharaa told reporters at Damascus’s presidential palace that “I recommend a complete ceasefire,” adding that a meeting with Abdi was postponed until Monday due to poor weather but that “in order to calm the situation, we decided to sign the agreement.”
The government ?will also immediately and completely take over ?the Kurdish-held provinces of Deir Ezzor and Raqqa militarily and administratively.
All border crossings, and gas and oil fields in the area, will also be handed ?over to the Syrian government.
The SDF will be committed to evacuating all non-Syrian leaders ?and forces affiliated to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) outside of the country.
The document, shared by the Syrian presidency, showed the signatures of both Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and SDF head Mazloum Abdi.
“All lingering files with the SDF will be resolved,” state media quoted Sharaa as saying.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2629791/middle-east
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Syrian government regains control of Euphrates Dam
January 18, 2026
DAMASCUS: Syrian government forces on Sunday took back control of the Euphrates Dam, one of the country’s most critical pieces of infrastructure, ending years of administration by the Syrian Democratic Forces, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.
Management of the dam’s water and hydroelectric facilities has now been handed over to government technicians and specialist staff, officials said, marking a significant shift in control of a strategic site in the northeastern Syrian Arab Republic.
The Euphrates Dam plays a central role in Syria’s water and energy supply.
Its hydroelectric power station, located on the dam’s right bank, contains eight generating units, each with a capacity of 110 megawatts, supplying electricity to large parts of the region.
The dam also holds Lake Al-Tabqa, also known as Euphrates Lake, which stretches around 80 km in length and up to 8 km in width, covering an area of approximately 640 sq. km.
At full capacity, the reservoir can store up to 14.1 billion cubic meters of water, making it a key source of drinking water, irrigation and power generation.
Officials at Syria’s Ministry of Energy said the return of the dam to government control secures a strategic location and restores essential services to millions of people, underlining its importance to water resource management and the country’s electricity network.
Source: arabnews.com
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Trump’s Gaza peace board charter seeks $1bn for extended membership, document shows
January 18, 2026
WASHINGTON: A draft charter sent to about 60 ?countries by the US administration calls for members to contribute $1 billion in cash if they want ?membership ?on his new Board of Peace to last more ?than ?three ?years, ?according to the document seen by Reuters.
“Each Member State shall serve a term of no ?more than three years from ?this Charter’s ?entry ?into force, subject ?to renewal by the Chairman,” the document, first reported by Bloomberg News, ?shows.
“The three-year membership term shall not apply ?to Member States that contribute more than $1,000,000,000 in cash funds to the Board of Peace within the first year of the Charter’s entry into ?force.”
The board is described in the charter as “an international organization that seeks to promote stability, restore dependable and lawful governance, and secure enduring peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict.”
It would become official once three member states agree to the charter.
The US president would also be responsible for approving the group’s official seal, the document said.
Trump has invited a number of world leaders, including Argentina’s Javier Milei and Canada’s Mark Carney, to be part of a Board of Peace for Gaza, which would be formed under the broader umbrella of his new peace board.
The plan attracted sharp criticism from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said the details hadn’t been coordinated with his country.
Source: arabnews.com
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Jordan–Qatar committee meeting yields several cooperation agreements
January 18, 2026
LONDON: Jordan and Qatar signed several agreements and memoranda of understanding during the fifth session of the Joint Higher Committee on Sunday.
The MoUs enhance bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including politics, economics, tourism, religion, and youth initiatives, between Doha and Amman.
The signature ceremony took place after a meeting between Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriates Affairs Ayman Safadi, and Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani.
Safadi and Al-Thani held a separate meeting attended by several officials, including Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply Yarub Qudah; Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Emad Hijazeen; Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Al-Thani; and the chair of Qatar Tourism, Saad bin Ali Al-Kharji.
The meeting focused on strengthening strategic relations and discussed regional developments, emphasizing the need to end the Gaza crisis and establish a Palestinian state.
Safadi and Al-Thani welcomed the establishment of the Palestinian National Committee for the administration of Gaza, as well as US efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
The ministers emphasized supporting Syria’s government in rebuilding to ensure unity, sovereignty, and the well-being of its people.
The Qatari foreign minister had a separate meeting with King Abdullah II on Sunday at Al-Husseiniya Palace in Amman, according to Petra, the state news agency.
Source: arabnews.com
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Israeli enemy bar the director and head custodian of Ibrahimi Mosque from entering it
18 Jan 2026
On Sunday, Israeli enemy delivered a decision barring the director of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank, Mu'taz Abu Sneineh, and the head custodian, Hammam Abu Murkhiya, from entering the mosque for fifteen days.
Abu Sneineh said that Israeli forces summoned him to the Telem police station and handed him a notice ordering his expulsion from the mosque, as well as the expulsion of the head custodian, Abu Murkhiya.
Source: saba.ye
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https://www.saba.ye/en/news3630245.htm
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Hodeida University holds event marking anniversary of Martyr of Qur’an
18 Jan 2026
The Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences, Computer Science and Engineering, Arts, and Physical Education and Sports, along with the Centers for Continuing Education and Information Technology at Hodeidah University, in cooperation with the University Student Forum, held a cultural and speech event on Sunday to mark the anniversary of the Martyr of the Qur’an for the year 1447 AH, under the slogan: “Sayyed Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi – Martyr of the Just Cause and the Qur’anic Project.”
Speakers at the event stressed the importance of sincerely returning to the Holy Qur’an and applying its teachings across all aspects of life, highlighting the Qur’anic project of the martyr leader in promoting awareness, confronting global arrogance, and supporting the causes of the Muslim nation, foremost among them the Palestinian cause.
They noted that his martyrdom marked a turning point that helped revive awareness and insight within the nation.
Source: saba.ye
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Arab World
KSrelief aid reaches thousands in crisis zones
January 18, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief continues to provide vital assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
In Yemen, the organization distributed 1,850 shopping vouchers in Marib governorate, enabling beneficiaries to purchase winter clothing. The aid reached hundreds of displaced individuals living in camps.
In Lebanon, the KSrelief-funded ambulance service of the Subul Al-Salam Social Association in Miniyeh district, northern Lebanon, carried out 34 emergency missions last week.
In Chad, the Saudi aid agency distributed 1,600 cartons of dates and women’s hygiene kits in Chari-Baguirmi province, benefiting 800 families from the most vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, refugees, and widows.
KSrelief also distributed 803 food baskets in Dandadji village, Maradi, Niger, benefiting 5,621 individuals from 803 families.
In Sudan, the agency distributed 2,513 food baskets to vulnerable and displaced families in Kosti locality, White Nile state, reaching 18,678 individuals.
Since 2015, KSrelief has implemented 4,066 projects in 109 countries, spending over $8.28 billion on food security, health, education, water and sanitation, shelter and early recovery.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2629800/saudi-arabia
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Saudi conservation efforts bring Asian houbara back to the wild
January 18, 2026
TABUK: In line with its ReWild Arabia mission, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve in Tabuk has reintroduced the Asian houbara bustard after an absence of more than 35 years, marking a renewed, science-based effort to conserve the species.
A total of 20 Asian houbara have been released within the reserve as part of a collaboration between the royal reserve, the National Center for Wildlife and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Houbara Conservation Foundation. The initiative will establish viable wild populations across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency said in a new report.
Historically, both migratory and resident Asian houbara ranged from Egypt to China. In Saudi Arabia, the species once bred widely, with migratory populations wintering across much of the Arabian Peninsula.
Today, the Asian houbara is classified by the IUCN as Critically Endangered. Resident wild populations no longer exist in the Kingdom, and migratory birds are now only occasionally observed along the Kingdom’s northern and eastern borders.
In an interview with the Saudi Press Agency, Olivier Combreau, CEO of the foundation, said the release represents an important opportunity to advance rewilding science in the Kingdom. “Working with our partners, this initiative allows us to test rewilding techniques and generate critical data to inform future release strategies.”
He added that 10 birds have been fitted with satellite tracking devices, providing essential insights into survival rates, movement patterns, habitat use and threats. “These findings will guide future releases and support long-term population recovery in Saudi Arabia and the wider region,” he said.
The reserve’s long-term marine and terrestrial management framework supports large-scale habitat restoration across 24,500 sq. km, alongside ranger programs and community engagement designed to support rewinding initiatives.
The Asian houbara holds cultural significance as a traditional quarry in Arabian falconry, which was recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. Habitat loss, unsustainable hunting and poaching from the mid-20th century onward led to sharp population declines, the SPA noted.
In response, the late Prince Saud bin Faisal established the Kingdom’s first houbara breeding and research center in Taif in 1985, pioneering captive propagation efforts.
Despite decades of breeding programs, reestablishing self-sustaining wild populations has remained a key challenge.
Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, told the SPA that the next phase of conservation must focus on survival in the wild.
“The cultural and historical significance of Arabian falconry and the Asian houbara has driven more than four decades of rigorous scientific research into breeding. While houbara are now bred in significant numbers, the key conservation frontier is achieving the survival rates needed to establish self-sustaining wild populations.
“Through our collaboration with the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Houbara Conservation Foundation, we are committed to restoring viable wild populations within the reserve and across the Kingdom,” he said.
The Asian houbara is the 13th species reintroduced to the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve as part of its rewilding program, which will return 23 native species to their historical ranges.
One of eight royal reserves, the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve stretches from the Harrat lava fields to the Red Sea coast.
It connects NEOM, Red Sea Global and AlUla, and is home to PIF’s Wadi Al-Disah project and Red Sea Global’s Destination AMAALA.
The reserve encompasses 15 distinct ecosystems. Despite covering just 1 percent of the Kingdom’s terrestrial area and 1.8 percent of its marine area, it hosts more than 50 percent of Saudi Arabia’s recorded species, making it among the most biodiverse protected areas in the Middle East.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2629799/saudi-arabia
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Saudi Arabia ranks second globally in humanitarian aid
January 18, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia ranked second globally and first in the Arab world among donor countries for humanitarian aid in 2025, leading contributions to Yemen, with 49.3 percent of total aid, and ranking second for aid to the Syrian Arab Republic, according to the UN Financial Tracking Service.
A recently released 2024 report on developmental assistance showed the Kingdom ranked second among 16 non-member donor countries and 10th globally in aid volume among all 48 donor countries, including both members and non-members.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, supervisor-general of the Saudi aid agency KSrelief, emphasized that the Kingdom’s leadership in humanitarian efforts reflected its commitment to generosity and prioritizing human dignity.
These figures are documented in real time on the Saudi aid platform, the region’s largest. This approach, supported by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has been key in achieving these international rankings and making a tangible global impact.
Al-Rabeeah added that Saudi Arabia remained a constant source of generosity and a beacon of goodwill, committed to providing assistance to those in need worldwide.
Source: arabnews.com
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Al-Ahsa governor receives Indian ambassador
January 18, 2026
AL-AHSA: Prince Saud bin Talal bin Badr, the governor of Al-Ahsa, received on Sunday in Al-Ahsa Indian Ambassador to the Kingdom Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan.
The parties discussed bilateral relations and various topics of mutual interest.
Khan “expressed appreciation for the governor’s warm hospitality and lauded the significant development and progress across the region,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi crown prince discusses regional developments with Syrian president
January 18, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call on Sunday from Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
During the call, the two leaders reviewed Saudi-Syrian relations and discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation across a range of fields, SPA added.
They also exchanged views on the latest regional developments, as well as a number of issues of mutual interest.
Source: arabnews.com
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King Salman Arabic academy launches ‘Ahlan Wa Sahlan’ digital learning platform
January 18, 2026
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has launched the “Ahlan Wa Sahlan” educational platform, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The digital initiative aims to teach Arabic to both native and non-native speakers through a flexible, interactive learning experience, combining accredited academic content with modern technologies and supporting learners of different levels and goals.
Abdullah Al-Washmi, the academy’s secretary-general, said the platform marks a qualitative step in the digital development of Arabic language education and aligns with the academy’s mission to strengthen Arabic’s presence in modern learning environments.
He added that the project is part of a series of initiatives supported by Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan and reflects the leadership’s commitment to empowering Arabic locally and globally through trusted digital tools.
Al-Washmi said the platform offers advanced digital solutions for individuals and institutions, with programs designed to meet diverse learning needs and objectives.
It provides integrated language programs across five levels, from beginner to advanced, as well as specialized courses in professional fields such as administration, healthcare and sports.
Learners benefit from flexible self-learning options supported by standardized assessment tools and comprehensive tests, the SPA reported.
“Ahlan Wa Sahlan” features an interactive design with customized content for different learner groups, a multilingual interface supporting five languages and continuous technical support.
Educational institutions are also provided with advanced tools to manage content, organize learners and monitor performance through analytical reports, the SPA added.
The launch is part of the academy’s broader efforts to expand Arabic language education globally through innovative digital solutions, enhancing learning efficiency and strengthening Arabic’s presence in education, culture and digital communication.
The initiative also aligns with the Human Capability Development Program’s goals to build an advanced Arabic digital education ecosystem that combines academic quality with technological innovation.
Source: arabnews.com
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AlUla Manara team to host live astronomy experiment
January 18, 2026
JEDDAH: The AlUla Manara team, in collaboration with specialists from the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, will conduct an interactive astronomical experiment on Monday.
The event is part of AlUla Manara’s educational programs aimed at promoting astronomical awareness and disseminating scientific knowledge through live observation sessions.
Supervised by specialists, the experiment will be carried out using advanced astronomical tools and techniques, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
It will take place in AlUla governorate at 5:15 p.m., offering visitors an educational and engaging experience that enriches the area’s cultural and scientific landscape.
In December last year, the Royal Commission for AlUla announced that the Sharaan and Wadi Nakhlah reserves received official accreditation from DarkSky International, recognizing them as internationally designated Dark Sky Places and joining more than 250 protected sites worldwide.
The accreditation builds on AlUla’s 2024 achievement, when AlUla Manara and Al-Gharameel Nature Reserve became the first sites in the Kingdom and the Gulf region to receive Dark Sky Park status.
This latest recognition further strengthens AlUla’s position as a leading global destination for night-sky protection and astronomical tourism, the SPA reported.
Preserving dark skies aligns with the commission’s goals to protect and celebrate the region’s cultural and natural heritage, support wildlife conservation through a sustainable environment, and enhance stargazing experiences.
Source: arabnews.com
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Europe
Edinburgh Central Mosque defaced with 'hate graffiti'
18 JANUARY 2026
Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
A mosque in Edinburgh has been daubed with ‘hate graffiti’, the latest in a series of incidents at Muslim religious centres across Scotland.
Police are investigating after congregants at Edinburgh Central Mosque reported the incident, which is believed to have occurred around 9.30 pm on Friday evening.
The mosque, which can hold as many as 1,250 worshippers, is located near Edinburgh University in the Potterrow area of Scotland’s capital.
A post from the mosque on Facebook read: “We are deeply saddened and concerned by this act. Incidents of this nature cause distress not only to the Muslim community, but to all who value peace, dignity, and mutual respect.
“We pray for the safety and wellbeing of our community, and for all those affected by acts of hatred and intimidation.
“This act does not reflect the Edinburgh we know and love,” the statement added. “Our city is defined by diversity, compassion, and strong community bonds, and we remain confident that these shared values will prevail over division and hostility.”
A series of incidents have been reported at Scottish mosques in recent months.
Two men were charged with a range of offences after allegedly threatening worshippers at Kirkcaldy Islamic Centre on Boxing Day.
In September, an assailant threw a metal pole through a window at Masjid Yusuf in Clarkston.
Two weeks later, the Bait ul Mahmood mosque in Dundee was defaced with urine and faeces.
And a Scottish teenager inspired by Adolf Hitler was jailed for ten years in August after plotting to set Inverclyde Muslim Centre on fire.
The mosque's statement concluded: "We will continue to be a place of worship, welcome, and service to the wider community, grounded in dignity, compassion, and kindness."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 12.25pm on Saturday, 17 January, 2026, we received a report of vandalism to a building in the Potterrow area of Edinburgh. It’s believed the incident happened around 9.30pm on Friday, 16 January.
“Officers are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances."
Source: heraldscotland.com
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https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25775068.edinburgh-central-mosque-defaced-hate-graffiti/
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NATO nations warn of ‘dangerous spiral’ after Trump’s Greenland threat
18 Jan, 2026
Several key European NATO members pushed back against US President Donald Trump in a joint statement on Sunday, accusing Washington of putting “transatlantic relations” at risk with his threat of tariffs over their position on Greenland.
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland have said that their stance remains unchanged and vowed a “united and coordinated” response after Trump announced that he will impose a 10% levy on imports from the eight countries over their opposition to his plans to acquire the Danish autonomous territory.
“Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty,” the joint declaration read, echoing a nearly identical statement voiced by top officials in Brussels the day before.
The affected European NATO nations said they were ready for a dialogue with Washington, as long as it is based on “the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
On Saturday, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson denounced Trump’s move as “blackmail,” while French President Emmanuel Macron called the tariff threats “unacceptable.”
Trump has sought to bring Greenland under US control since his first term and has recently stepped up the effort, citing an alleged security threat posed by Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic. Both Moscow and Beijing have rejected the allegations.
The US president has repeatedly mocked the Danish military presence on Greenland, claiming that it is inadequate for the world’s largest island and quipping that it is only defended by “two dog sleds.”
Addressing his concerns, the eight nations sent between one and 15 military personnel in a symbolic act demonstrating their support for the island’s sovereignty. They insisted that the Danish-led exercise was “pre-coordinated” and “poses no threat to anyone.” Following the tariff threat, Germany announced the withdrawal of its troops.
The US president, however, has declared the tariffs would arrive as soon as February 1 and remain in place until a “complete and total purchase” of the Arctic island is achieved, and would further rise to 25% in June.
Both Danish and Greenlandic authorities have consistently and firmly asserted sovereignty, insisting that the island is not for sale.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/631121-trump-greenland-tariffs-threats-nato/
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Uproar as racists urge boycott of school mosque visit
18 Jan 2026
Martin Shipton
A notorious far-right racist group has caused outrage after urging parents to stop their children from taking part in an educational visit to a mosque.
Voice of Wales is run from Swansea and Llanelli by convicted fraudster Dan Morgan and his fellow far-right activist Stan Robinson, who once stated that political journalist Adam Boulton should be castrated with a rusty blade.
In a Facebook post, Voice of Wales has written: “Furnace Welsh Primary School in Llanelli has recently announced a school trip to Swansea, but out of the many attractions Swansea has to offer, what will the children be doing?
“Will they go to Swansea Museum? The oldest museum in Wales? Will they go to the Waterfront Museum? Maybe the new arena or the Grand Theatre? Maybe one of the castles that’s available?
“Don’t be daft, they’re obviously going to Sketty Mosque who seem to have a conveyor belt of children attending!”
After a number of comments that seek to portray Muslims as terrorists and supporters of paedophilia, Voice of Wales states: “Islam is EVIL! DO NOT LET YOUR CHILD ATTEND!!!”
Llanelli Labour town councillor Shaun Greaney told Nation.Cymru: “We’re entering a very dark place in Welsh politics when scoundrels like the so-called Voice of Wales make such bitter and twisted racist remarks designed to incite hatred against the Muslim community attending the mosque in Sketty.
“My other concern is that it puts Furnace School at the centre of a storm of far-right extremism. Such appalling remarks should be investigated by the police. It is high time the Voice of Wales site was taken down on the basis that such comments potentially incite violence. My biggest fear surrounds young people at the school, parents and teachers who have been thrust into the front line through no fault of their own. Visiting a mosque is part of a programme aimed at teaching school students about different religions and cultures so that they can become well-informed and rounded citizens of the future.
“The bile and bigotry of Voice of Wales is aimed at creating division in our communities and I urge Dyfed-Powys Police and South Wales Police to intervene before we have a repeat of the type of scenes we saw when far-right extremists infiltrated the campaign against housing asylum seekers in the Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli.
“I also urge Reform UK to denounce Voice of Wales, one of whose principals openly supports the party.”
Scam
In 2023 Dan Morgan of Voice of Wales was given a six months jail sentence suspended for 12 months for his part in a call-centre scam that involved tricking people into believing they were due substantial PPI refunds. Many of the victims, who were duped into paying £550, were elderly and vulnerable.
Far Right Watch Wales, an anti–fascist group that monitors the activities of the far right in Wales, revealed that Morgan had been using the pseudonym Dewi Draig to run a “Reform Swansea supporters” Facebook group. Later Morgan confirmed during a filmed interview that he would be supporting Reform at the next election.
While some comments beneath Voice of Wales’ Facebook post are supportive of its racist position, others are highly critical.
One stated: “This post isn’t ‘concerned about children’. It’s fear-mongering, misinformation, collective blame and emotional manipulation. If someone wrote the same post replacing Islam with Christianity, most people would instantly recognise it as bigotry.”
‘Nonsense’
Another said: “This is complete nonsense. Fundamentally all religions are peaceful. It’s the minority of people who corrupt their religions and become extremists that cause the problems. And that’s true of all religions. Christian right extremists are just as dangerous as Islamic extremists. Both have a lot of the same views and goals, both twist their religions to justify their own agendas. What’s ironic is that their extremist views and actions actually go against the true tenets of their religions.”
Someone else posted a message saying: “I went to a mosque on a school trip as a child. Look at me now. Completely non-religious. You’re giving Cymru a bad name.”
A further post stated: “Have a bit more respect for our children to have the presence of mind to make up their own minds. Hopefully they will grow into better educated, more rounded and tolerant individuals than some of the previous generations.”
Source: nation.cymru
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https://nation.cymru/news/uproar-as-racists-urge-boycott-of-school-mosque-visit/
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Glasgow mosque Al-Farooq Education and Community Centre plans approved
18TH JANUARY
By Drew Sandelands
A Southside mosque’s plan to build an extension has been given the go ahead despite complaints over parking.
Glasgow’s planning committee has approved an application from the Al-Farooq Education and Community Centre on Dixon Avenue in Crosshill.
Plans claimed the building doesn’t always suit the needs of its users and a single-storey extension will provide space for ablution — a cleansing ritual which is “a key part of entry into the prayer hall”.
However, there were 20 objections as people living nearby said the area is “already under pressure” and “additional demand” would worsen congestion. Around 350 people from the mosque signed a petition supporting the project.
The applicants said the extension isn’t expected to increase footfall and is “vital” to the mosque’s long-term sustainability. Planners at the council said the “respectful addition” could be approved, and councillors backed their recommendation.
At Tuesday’s meeting, one planner said: “Because we are just looking at an extension in this case, the use and the impact of that use is outwith our control.
“One of the changes they did make is that they introduced some potential cycle parking to try and encourage the worshippers to come by bike or to walk.”
Cllr Mhairi Hunter, SNP, whose Southside Central ward includes the mosque, said: “Parking is a very significant issue. In the papers, it highlights that this application doesn’t change the status quo.
“The problems related to obstructive parking relate primarily to events at the mosque itself, so Friday prayers and so on. It is not directly connected to this. Whatever decision we make today won’t make any difference.”
She added Crosshill is “in scope for parking controls”, and the council will be consulting on these.
Cllr Imran Alam, Labour, added: “I think the reason for the extension is to bring the ablution area and the toilets outwith the mosque space itself. According to Islamic law, these facilities, where you wash before you go for prayers, should always be not connected as such.”
He added the number of worshippers “will probably be the same” and parking controls would “hopefully discourage people from parking illegally and inappropriately”.
The mosque, on the corner of Dixon Avenue and Langside Road, was previously a church and an art gallery. Plans stated the extension would “create a more accessible and visible point of entry and would position ablution at the beginning of any journey through the building”.
Bailie Elaine Gallagher, Greens, who also represents Southside Central, was among the objectors, as she believes the “proposed work is incompatible with the architectural heritage” of the building and the Crosshill conservation area.
She added: “While it is laudable that the building’s current use is so successful… usage of the building has led to regular problems of double parking and blockage of traffic, as well as noise and anti-social behaviour.”
The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland said a modern extension “of such scale and style” across the principal façade would be “insensitive”.
But the petition in favour of the plan stated: “We the community residing in the area and those that attend here at Al-Farooq education and community centre support the new extension to the front of the building, which would facilitate a new accessible entrance and provide additional facilities necessary for the use of the building.
“The new development will be of the highest design and material quality which also respects and integrates with the existing historic environment.”
In a council report, planners stated the proposed extension is “of high quality and respects the historic character of the church by retaining visibility of key architectural features and with limited attachment to the main building, ensuring reversibility”.
Cllr Ken Andrew, SNP, who chairs the planning committee, said: “It is an interesting design in what is a very fine building.
“We have to accept that in some of these Victorian or Edwardian buildings, we do occasionally need to do some work to them to bring them up to standard for the purposes they are being used for.”
Originally established as Hutchesontown Free Church, the building became Crosshill Victoria Free Church before it was converted to an art gallery and exhibition centre, known as Maxwell Studios, in 1971. It was purchased for its current use in 1998.
Source: glasgowtimes.co.uk
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Government pulls Hillsborough Law debate after backlash
19 Jan 2026
Becky Morton
The government has abandoned a final debate on its Hillsborough Law following a backlash from campaigners and some Labour MPs over the extent to which it would apply to intelligence officers.
The draft legislation creates a legal obligation for public authorities to co-operate with and tell the truth to inquiries.
But a government amendment would have made co-operation by intelligence officers with inquiries subject to the approval of the head of their service.
Bereaved families say MI5 and MI6 officers should be fully subject to the proposed law and point to a series of cases where MI5 has provided false information.
The government had originally pulled just the amendment from a vote, due to be held on Monday, before it scrapped the entire third reading of the bill - when a draft law is tidied up before going to the Lords.
A government spokesperson said it would continue to work with all parties to strengthen the bill "without compromising national security".
Removing the amendment was earlier welcomed by the Hillsborough Law Now campaign group, which said it would "engage further with government to ensure the bill fully applies to the security services whilst not jeopardising national security".
The proposed law - named after the football stadium in Sheffield where a deadly crush occurred in 1989 - aims to make public authorities and officials more accountable for failings.
The government argued that its amendments on the intelligence services sought to balance the law's new duties with protecting national security.
Ministers were facing a potential rebellion from Labour MPs, with around 30 backing a proposal by Liverpool Labour MP Ian Byrne that would ensure the legislation applied in a fuller way to intelligence officers.
The government could still bring forward revised amendments when it reaches the House of Lords.
Byrne - a long-standing campaigner for the law - told the BBC after the amendment was shelved: "I think there's been an acknowledgement that their amendment was heading for defeat, and thank God they've withdrawn it."
However, he added: "I won't vote for any law to leave the Commons until myself and the families are happy with what it contains...
"I have spoken to some families, and they are absolutely firm that it has to be the full Hillsborough Law before it leaves the Commons."
It is understood that Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee did not support the government's proposed amendment, posing an additional problem for ministers, because their amendment had proposed an oversight role for the ISC.
It is also understood that, amid increasing government concern about a rebellion, the head of MI5 Sir Ken McCallum was personally involved in speaking to some MPs.
The draft law, formally known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, is designed to stop cover-ups and would place the same "duty of candour" on public officials.
However, campaigners had argued that giving those leading the intelligence services approval over disclosures would allow them to choose what could be made public, and said they could not support the bill in its current form.
Families bereaved by the 2017 Manchester Arena attack had also called for the law to apply fully to the intelligence services.
A public inquiry found MI5 had not given an "accurate picture" of the key intelligence it held on the suicide bomber who carried out the attack, which killed 22 people and injured hundreds more.
The Labour mayors of Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region, Andy Burnham and Steve Rotherham, had also criticised the government's amendment, saying it created "too broad an opt-out and risks undermining the spirit of the legislation".
A government spokesperson said: "This legislation will right the wrongs of the past, changing the balance of power to ensure the state can never hide from the people it should serve, and putting a legal duty on officials to respond openly and honestly when things go wrong.
"The bill will make the police, intelligence agencies and the whole of government more scrutinised than they have ever been, but we can never compromise on national security."
Earlier, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme she was confident the government would be able to resolve disagreements over the bill before Monday's vote.
She insisted security services would not be exempt from the legislation but said ministers faced the challenge of ensuring officers, who often held confidential information, could continue to do their jobs.
Nandy added the government wanted to make sure "we never ever end up in a situation like we did with the Manchester Arena inquiry... where the security services are able to withhold information and present an inaccurate picture to families and to a public inquiry for a very long time".
The Hillsborough Law is the result of campaigning by families affected by the stadium crush, which led to the death of 97 football fans.
Police leaders were found to have spread false narratives about the disaster, blaming Liverpool fans, and withheld evidence of their own failings.
Source: bbc.com
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Merz slams German workers for getting sick too often
19 Jan, 2026
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has launched a fresh critique of his country’s work ethic, questioning why employees take an average of “almost three weeks” of sick leave annually instead of working harder to boost the dwindling national economy.
Campaigning in Baden-Wurttemberg last week, Merz took aim at the system of telephone sick notes, introduced during the coronavirus pandemic, wondering “does it still make sense today?”
“Is that really right? Is that really necessary?” he asked, according to Der Spiegel. He cited 2024 data showing 14.5 sick days per employee, a figure representing “almost three weeks during which people in Germany are not working due to illness.”
“At the end of the day, we must all work together… to achieve a higher level of economic performance than we are currently achieving,” he stated.
This criticism aligns with Merz’s sustained push for Germans to work longer and harder. Earlier in the week, he told an industry chamber that “with work-life balance and a four-day week, the prosperity our country enjoys today cannot be maintained in the future – and that’s why we have to work more.”
The German economy was dealt a major blow when the country took part in Western sanctions on Russia in 2022. Before the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, Germany relied on Russia for 55% of its natural gas. Russian oil giant Rosneft’s operations also accounted for around 12% of the nation’s total oil-processing capacity, according to Bloomberg.
The decision to abandon cheap Russian energy imports played a major role in slowing down the economy, which contracted in 2023 and 2024 – the first back-to-back annual drop since the early 2000s. Bild reported in October that electricity and gas prices had risen by 14% and 74%, respectively, from 2022 to 2025.
Last August, the chancellor stated that the “welfare state as we have it today can no longer be financed with what we can economically afford.”
Despite these adverse economic trends, Merz has prioritized the militarization of the country, citing a perceived Russian threat. In May, the chancellor pledged to transform the German military into the “strongest conventional army in Europe.”
Source: rt.com
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Russian hockey legend Ovechkin refuses to wear LGBTQ ribbon
19 Jan, 2026
Russian hockey legend Alexander Ovechkin has refused to participate in an NHL event in support of the LGBTQ community.
Ovechkin’s team the Washington Capitals hosted their annual Pride Night during a game against the Florida Panthers on Saturday. Several players wrapped their hockey sticks with rainbow-colored tape ahead of the matchup.
Ovechkin took to the ice using traditional white tape on his stick, staying true to his previous rejection of virtue-signaling.
The Capitals lost to the Panthers with a score of 2–5. Coach Spencer Carbery said after the game it was a “great night to celebrate Pride... Wish we could’ve gotten the win for tonight.”
The NHL introduced Pride Night events more than two decades ago. The use of LGBTQ specialty gear was briefly banned in 2023 after several Russian players refused to wear rainbow-themed sweaters, citing religious beliefs. The league later overturned restrictions on the use of rainbow-colored tape, allowing players to decide individually whether to use it during games.
At the time, Capitals captain Ovechkin praised the league’s leadership for not imposing sanctions on players who refused to participate in Pride Night symbolism. “Well, what can I say here?” he said. “Well done. It should be like this everywhere.”
Ovechkin made history last year when he scored his 895th regular-season goal in the NHL, surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing record. He has since added more goals, bringing his career total to 917.
Shortly after breaking the NHL’s all-time scoring record, Ovechkin was added to Ukraine’s Mirotvorets database, a controversial, state-linked website that lists individuals described as enemies of the country for allegedly working “to whitewash Russia’s reputation” by participating in international sporting events.
The database contains personal information of individuals accused of posing a threat to Ukraine’s national security and has been described by critics as a “kill list” due to multiple cases in which people listed on it were later killed or died under suspicious circumstances.
Source: rt.com
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North America
‘Trying to protect my people’: Man in Minneapolis seen with guns against ICE agents; viral video sparks concern
Jan 19, 2026
A rifle-armed man was seen standing outside a home in Minnesota’s St. Paul, reportedly guarding the property after multiple raids by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in the area, according to a video circulating on social media.
In the clip, the armed resident can be heard saying, “This is my block, this is my area. I don’t go around other people’s neighbourhoods trying to intimidate them. I’m trying to protect my people,” adding that “at least 30, or 40 or 50” people had gathered nearby.
The video has surfaced amid heightened tensions across the Minneapolis–St Paul region following a large federal immigration enforcement operation and a recent court order restricting how agents interact with protesters.
It follows a series of recent violent encounters linked to federal immigration activity this month. On January 14, a federal officer shot a Venezuelan man in the leg during a targeted traffic stop in North Minneapolis. DHS said the man fled and struggled with officers before the shooting. Earlier on January 7, an ICE officer fatally shot 37-year-old American woman Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis during an enforcement action .
On Friday, US District Judge Katherine Menendez issued an 83-page preliminary injunction barring federal immigration officers in Minnesota from arresting or detaining individuals engaged in “peaceful and unobstructive protest activity” and from retaliating against protected speech using tear gas, pepper spray or other crowd-control measures.
The judge ruled that officers may not arrest individuals without probable cause or reasonable suspicion that a crime has been committed or that officers are being obstructed. She further directed that vehicles cannot be stopped without reasonable suspicion, noting that “safely following agents at an appropriate distance does not, by itself, create reasonable suspicion,” according to the Associated Press.
According to the White House, the US Second Amendment has preserved the American people's right to protect themselves, their families, and freedoms since the nation's founding stating "Because it is foundational to maintaining all other rights held by Americans, the right to keep and bear arms must not be infringed."
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/trying-to-protect-my-people-man-in-minneapolis-seen-with-guns-against-ice-agents-viral-video-sparks-concern/articleshowprint/126667468.cms
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'Prize cannot be passed on, even symbolically': Nobel Foundation reiterates; snubs Trump again
Jan 18, 2026
The Nobel Foundation on Sunday reiterated that Nobel Prizes cannot be passed on—even symbolically—days after clarifying that a laureate cannot share the prize with others or transfer it once it has been announced.
Also Read | 'Laureates can give away medal but...': Nobel Committee reacts to Machado handing peace prize to Trump
In a post on X, the Foundation said it upholds founder Alfred Nobel’s will and its stipulations, which state that the prizes are to be awarded to those who “have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind,” and clearly define who has the authority to award each prize. “A prize can therefore not, even symbolically, be passed on or further distributed,” the post noted.
The clarification follows remarks by self-exiled Venezuelan opposition leader and last year’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, who met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday and “presented” her Nobel medal to him. Machado described the gesture as a form of recognition for Trump’s support for Venezuelan freedom and democratic efforts.
“I presented the President of the United States the medal—the Nobel Peace Prize—and I told him this: 200 years ago, General Lafayette gave Simón Bolívar a medal with George Washington’s face on it. Bolívar kept that medal for the rest of his life. It was given as a symbol of brotherhood to showcase the relationship between the people of the US and Venezuela,” she told reporters.
“Two hundred years on, the people of Bolívar are giving back to the heir of Washington a medal, in this case the Nobel Peace Prize medal, as recognition for his unique commitment to our freedom,” she added.
Trump acknowledged the gesture in a post on Truth Social, calling it “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.” “It was my great honor to meet Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela today. She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you, Maria!” the post read.
Earlier, on January 16, the official Nobel Prize website clarified that “a laureate cannot share the prize with others, nor transfer it once it has been announced.” It added that a Nobel Peace Prize can never be revoked, that the decision is final for all time, and that the Norwegian Nobel Committee does not comment on the day-to-day political activities of laureates.
Trump had made an unsuccessful bid for the Nobel Peace Prize last year, claiming to have helped resolve "eight wars" since beginning his second and final term as president in January 2025. Several countries had nominated him for the award.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/prize-cannot-be-passed-on-even-symbolically-nobel-foundation-reiterates-snubs-trump-again/articleshowprint/126646678.cms
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Trump ‘worried’ about Canadian Arctic – NBC
18 Jan, 2026
US President Donald Trump has increasingly expressed concerns about Canada’s inability to protect its northern territories from potential adversaries and is using the same national security pretext he cited to justify his push to bring Greenland under American control, according to several officials cited by NBC News.
In private discussions with aides, the president has grown more vocal in recent weeks about what he sees as Canada’s vulnerability to alleged encroachment from Russia or China, arguing that Ottawa needs to spend more on defense, the unnamed officials claimed.
Both Beijing and Moscow have rejected this narrative. China previously slammed the US president for using it as a “pretext” for his Arctic ambitions, while Russia has consistently opposed the region’s militarization, framing it as a zone for peaceful cooperation.
“Trump is really worried about the US continuing to drift in the Western Hemisphere and is focused on this,” one official told NBC.
Another senior administration official stated the goal is “solidifying” the hemisphere under US leadership, with securing Canada’s northern border being a key part of that vision.
However, officials were clear that unlike the explicit pursuit of Greenland, there is no discussion of purchasing Canada or stationing US troops along its northern border. The focus is instead on pressuring Ottawa to bolster its own capabilities and deepen bilateral military cooperation, including enhanced joint training, increased patrols, and updated early-warning systems.
“They certainly need to up their game when it comes to Arctic capabilities,” one official said. “The status quo is not enough.”
The warnings from US officials have fueled existing fears in Canada that the country could become Washington’s next target following the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Trump’s talk of seizing Greenland, Bloomberg reported last week.
On a recent visit to Beijing, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that dealing with China had become “more predictable” than the complex relationship with Washington. Carney has also publicly echoed European allies, stating Greenland’s future is a matter for Greenland and Denmark alone and expressing “concern” over Trump’s tariff threats related to the island.
Source: rt.com
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Getting Greenland would be ‘huge historical achievement’ for Trump – political consultant
18 Jan, 2026
The annexation of Greenland by US President Donald Trump would go down in US history as a “huge” achievement, political risk consultant and lawyer Adriel Kasonta has told RT.
Trump has escalated his push to take the Danish overseas territory in recent weeks. He has argued that European NATO states cannot hold it against an alleged Russian and Chinese threat, warning that Washington would have it one way or another.
“It will be a huge win for Donald Trump, because… many presidents before saw the strategic importance of Greenland… and they wanted to acquire Greenland, but without any successful result,” Kasonta said in an interview on Sunday.
If Trump were to acquire the Arctic island for the US, “he would succeed in securing the security of Northern America where other presidents in the past failed.”
The island is the only key territory the US needs for securing “the Western Hemisphere” in its sphere of influence, he said. Trump has repeatedly claimed that Washington needs Greenland for national security.
According to Kasonta, control over Greenland would also give the US access to critical minerals.
“It gives the primacy also in securing the supply chains of rare earth minerals that are currently being dominated by China,” he said, adding that the island also has a wealth of lithium and cobalt.
Controlling these deposits would turn the US from being “minerals dependent” into the “key exporter” of materials important in high-tech manufacturing and take away Beijing’s “leverage” on Washington, he argued.
Danish geological surveys estimate that Greenland holds more than 36 million tonnes of rare earth deposits, although only 1.5 million tonnes are considered proven.
Currently, China overwhelmingly leads the world in rare earth production and refining. Beijing leveraged export controls on the key minerals in its on-and-off trade war with Washington last year.
Source: rt.com
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Africa
Northern Govs, CAN Mourn Plateau Islamic Cleric Who Saved over 200 Christians
19 Jan, 2026
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The Northern States’ Governors Forum (NSGF) has mourned the demise of Chief Imam of Nghar Village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, Sheikh Abdullahi Abubakar, who died on Friday at the age of 92 after a brief illness.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has also paid glowing tribute to the late Imam Abdullahi Abubakar, describing him as a symbol of courage and shared humanity for saving 262 Christians during a violent attack in 2018.
In a condolence message issued on behalf of the forum, NSGF Chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, described the late cleric as an embodiment of peace, courage, and selfless leadership whose life and actions earned him global respect and admiration.
Governor Yahaya recalled that Abubakar rose to international prominence during the 2018 Barkin Ladi sectarian crisis, when he courageously sheltered more than 200 Christians in his mosque and personal residence, shielding them from attacks at significant personal risk.
In a statement by his Director-General on Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Isma’ila Uba Misilli, the governor noted the Imam’s insistence on the protection of all human lives.
According to the NSGF chairman, the late Imam’s actions at a time of grave national distress transcended religious boundaries. They projected Northern Nigeria as a land of compassion, coexistence, and shared humanity.
Governor Yahaya urged Nigerians, particularly religious and community leaders, to draw inspiration from the life and legacy of the late Imam by promoting tolerance, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence across faiths and ethnic divides.
On behalf of the Northern Governors Forum, the Gombe State governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of Sheikh Abubakar, the people and government of Plateau State, and the entire Muslim and Christian communities who benefited from his exemplary leadership.
The late Abubakar’s commitment to peace earned him both national and international recognition, including the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) award and the United States International Religious Freedom Award, among others.
Meanwhile, in a similar statement issued yesterday, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said that by protecting innocent lives at significant personal risk, the Imam stood firmly on the side of humanity.
“The Christian Association of Nigeria pays glowing tribute to an extraordinary religious leader whose life and actions remain a profound testimony to courage, compassion, and our shared humanity.
“The late Imam Abubakar Abdullahi will forever be remembered for his rare moral bravery and selflessness at a time of grave danger. By choosing to protect innocent lives at great personal risk, he saved 262 Christians during a violent massacre in 2018, standing firmly on the side of humanity when it mattered most. His actions transcended religious boundaries and powerfully affirmed that the sanctity of human life is sacred above all else.”
CAN extolled the late religious leader’s conduct, stating that his intervention not only saved lives but also strengthened interfaith harmony and reinforced hope in a nation often divided by suspicion and hatred.
“This singular act of heroism did more than save lives. It reinforced hope, strengthened interfaith harmony, and reminded our nation that peace is possible when conscience, love, and faith guide our actions. In a world often divided by suspicion and hatred, the Imam stood as a bridge-builder and a living symbol of what true religion represents,” CAN said.
The statement recalled that in recognition of his exceptional service to humanity, Imam Abdullahi was honoured with an award during the association’s Sapphire Anniversary celebrations in 2021.
“While plaques may fade with time, his legacy will endure as a shining example for religious leaders, communities, and generations to come,” Okoh said.
CAN added that they believe the courage demonstrated by the late Imam deserves not only remembrance but amplification.
The association called for continued public recognition of the late Imam’s sacrifice to honour his memory, including engagement with his family, so that his story would continue to inspire unity, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence across the country.
“As we mourn his passing, we celebrate a life well lived in service to God and humanity,” the statement said.
The association extended heartfelt condolences to his family, his community, and all who were touched by his remarkable example.
Source: thisdaylive.com
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https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/01/18/northern-govs-can-mourn-plateau-islamic-cleric-who-saved-over-200-christians/
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Museveni Brands Opposition ‘Terrorists’ After Seventh-Term Victory
January 18, 2026
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, fresh from securing a seventh term in office at the age of 81, on Sunday accused opposition politicians of being “terrorists” who allegedly attempted to use violence to overturn the outcome of last week’s presidential election.
Official results released by the electoral authorities showed Museveni winning Thursday’s poll with 72 per cent of the vote.
However, the election has been widely criticised by African election observers and rights groups, who cited heavy repression of the opposition and a nationwide internet blackout.
In his victory speech on Sunday, Museveni claimed that the opposition, particularly the National Unity Platform led by Bobi Wine, had planned attacks on polling units in areas where they were losing.
“Some of the opposition are wrong and also terrorists,” Museveni said, insisting that they were working with “foreigners and some homosexual groups.”
“All the traitors, this is free advice from me, stop everything, because we know what you are doing and you will not do it,” he added.
Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986 after seizing power at the head of a rebel army, maintained that the security forces only acted to prevent violence.
Bobi Wine In Hiding, Police Deny Raid
Meanwhile, the whereabouts of Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi and who officially polled 25 per cent, remained uncertain as of Sunday.
Wine said on Saturday that he escaped a police raid on his home and was in hiding. Police, however, denied carrying out any raid and claimed that the opposition leader was still at his residence, even as journalists were prevented from approaching the area.
Wine has not posted on 𝕏 since Saturday, when he described the election as a “blatant theft of the presidential election.”
Although limited internet access was restored late Saturday, the Ugandan government said the ban on social media platforms would remain until further notice. Authorities had shut down the internet two days before the election, arguing that it was necessary to curb “misinformation” and “incitement to violence.”
Uganda has remained largely calm since the results were announced, despite small-scale protests reported late Saturday in parts of the capital, Kampala, where AFP journalists said tear gas was fired.
By Sunday, security presence had eased, with shops reopening and residents returning to the streets.
According to AFP, analysts noted that the election was widely seen as a formality, given Museveni’s firm grip on the state and security apparatus, though many Ugandans continue to credit him with relative peace and economic stability.
However, Human Rights Watch accused the government of “brutal repression” of the opposition ahead of the vote.
African election observers, including a mission from the African Union, said reports of intimidation, arrests and abductions had instilled fear and eroded public trust in the electoral process.
The most serious violence on election day was reported in Butambala, central Uganda, where an opposition lawmaker told AFP that security forces killed at least 10 people at his home.
Museveni backed the police account that the deaths occurred during an attempted attack on a ballot-tallying centre and police station, claiming similar plots were planned “everywhere.”
Another opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, who contested the presidency four times against Museveni, remains on trial for treason after being abducted in Kenya in 2024 and returned to Uganda.
Source: naijanews.com
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After Joining APC, Mutfwang Courts Muslims for Broader Political Harmony
19 Jan, 2026
Yemi Kosoko in Jos
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, Saturday, held a strategic engagement with Muslim leaders in the state, calling for deeper cooperation to strengthen peaceful coexistence, enhance development, and consolidate political stability.
The meeting, held at Crispan Suites and Event Centre in Jos, brought together prominent Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, and political figures.
It served as a platform for candid discussions on unity, mutual respect, and the collective responsibility of all communities in sustaining peace across the state.
Mutfwang reiterated his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, noting that religious and traditional institutions remained central to efforts aimed at rebuilding trust and fostering long‑term stability.
He emphasised that collaboration with all stakeholders was essential to achieving sustainable development.
The governor also briefed the leaders on his recent decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), explaining that the move followed extensive consultations and was intended to promote political harmony ahead of the 2027 elections.
He described the development as the beginning of a new political alignment driven by the aspirations of Plateau citizens within the APC, and appealed for broad support to enable the state benefit more from the federal government.
Chairman of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Plateau State and Emir of Wase, Alhaji Muhammad Sambo Haruna, commended the governor for initiating the dialogue.
He described it as a significant step toward strengthening unity and religious harmony. He praised also the administration’s efforts in promoting peace and executing developmental projects across the state.
The Emir called for justice, fairness, and mutual respect among all residents, and reaffirmed the readiness of Muslim leaders to support initiatives that advance peaceful coexistence and political stability.
Source: thisdaylive.com
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IGP Breaks Silence On Ekpoma Protest, Arrest Of 52 Suspects
January 19, 2026
By Richard Ogunsile
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed claims that police officers arrested peaceful protesters during a recent demonstration in Ekpoma, Edo State, insisting that those taken into custody were involved in criminal activities.
According to the police chief, the 52 suspects arrested during the protest were not peaceful demonstrators but individuals who allegedly engaged in looting, vandalism and other acts of violence.
Naija News reports that the arrests had sparked public outrage, particularly among parents of the suspects, many of whom are students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.
The situation generated further controversy after the suspects were remanded at the Ubiaja Prisons by an Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City, prompting accusations that the police were clamping down on peaceful protesters.
Speaking on Crime Buster with Desmond, episode six, over the weekend, Egbetokun said the police had become accustomed to what he described as false narratives whenever violence occurred under the cover of protests.
“That’s the usual false narrative against the police. When people have committed criminal offences during protests, we are used to narratives that the police arrested peaceful protesters,” he said.
The IGP lamented that even in cases where police stations were attacked and officers killed, the police were still blamed.
“Even those who burnt down police stations, murdered policemen, stole our arms during protests, Nigerians will accuse us that we are arresting people who are on peaceful protest,” Egbetokun stated.
‘Police Are Not Against Peaceful Protests’
The police boss emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force had no issue with peaceful demonstrations and would continue to protect citizens who chose to express themselves lawfully.
“In the case of Ekpoma, of course, the police will not go after anybody who participated in a peaceful protest. We are not against peaceful protest,” he said.
Egbetokun reiterated the police position, stressing that demonstrators had nothing to fear as long as their actions remained lawful.
“We have made this clear many times and we continue to say it, that the police will not stop anybody who comes out for peaceful protest. If you want to come out for peaceful protest, what’s our business? We will protect you,” he added.
While restating support for peaceful protests, the IGP warned that the police would not tolerate criminal behaviour disguised as civic action.
“Peaceful protest is not a challenge to the police; it is those people who want to perpetrate crime, carry out violence, destroy property and loot shops during protest. Those are the ones we have problems with,” he said.
Egbetokun insisted that the arrests in Ekpoma were based on reports of criminal conduct during the protest.
“In Ekpoma, yes, 52 of them were arrested during the protest, and those 52, from the report coming to me, are those people who were involved in the looting of shops and the vandalising of the palace of the Enogie of Ekpoma.
“That was the report I have, not arrest and detention of peaceful protesters. No. That’s the usual wrong narrative that we are used to in Nigeria. So I debunk that,” the IGP added.
Naija News recalls that a Federal High Court in Edo State had remanded 52 protesters over alleged malicious damage and armed robbery following the protest against kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.
The protesters, including students of Ambrose Alli University, were arrested after a demonstration held on January 10 reportedly turned violent, leading to the vandalism and looting of shops and other properties.
The presiding judge adjourned the matter to February 26 for hearing and ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Ubiaja Prisons.
Residents of Ekpoma and neighbouring communities had taken to the streets to protest the rising cases of kidnapping in the area, marching through major roads with placards and demanding urgent government intervention to address insecurity.
However, following public outcry and intervention by the Edo State Government, the Ambrose Alli University students arrested in connection with the protest have since been released.
Their release followed an order by Governor Monday Okpebholo, bringing temporary relief to their families and the university community, even as debates continue over the handling of protests and public demonstrations in the country.
Source: naijanews.com
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Fubara: I Believe Tinubu Will Call Wike To Stop Impeachment Move – Otitoju
January 18, 2026
The Director of News at Television Continental (TVC), Babajide Otitoju, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not allow the political tension in Rivers State to persist, following his return to the country.
Otitoju made this known during an interview on TVC on Sunday morning.
According to the senior journalist, the President now has the opportunity to directly address the escalating political crisis in Rivers State, especially as Governor Siminalayi Fubara has joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“President Tinubu is now back from his trip. Fubara has joined his political party and cannot watch what is going on in Rivers continue,” Otitoju said.
Otitoju expressed confidence that the President would intervene by engaging key actors in the crisis, particularly the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
“I trust him to be able to call Wike and appeal to him that, in the interest of peace, this impeachment notice should be withdrawn,” he stated.
While acknowledging arguments that the President should allow the Rivers State governor to handle the situation independently, Otitoju insisted that Tinubu has a broader responsibility as the nation’s leader.
“People will argue that the president should not call them but leave Fubara to deal with the matter after all he had intervened in the past and Fubara didn’t do anything.
“But Tinubu is the president of everyone. He has to play the fatherly role to resolve this dispute. Just as he has done in the past. I trust him,” Otitoju added.
The Rivers State House of Assembly recently initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, a move that has further heightened political tension in the state.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/18/fubara-i-believe-tinubu-will-call-wike-to-stop-impeachment-move-otitoju/
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Makinde’s Aide Backs Oriyomi As He Declares For Oyo Governorship
January 18, 2026
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
Drama unfolded in Oyo State’s political space at the weekend as Adebukola Ajaja, a member of Governor Seyi Makinde’s Advisory Council, openly endorsed Ibadan-based media entrepreneur and philanthropist, Oriyomi Hamzat, for the 2027 governorship election.
Naija News reports that Ajaja made the endorsement during Hamzat’s formal declaration and induction into the Accord Party at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, where she described the aspirant as “popular, activist and Omoluabi to the core.”
Speaking at the event, Ajaja said Hamzat’s entry into politics was divinely inspired.
“People who know me know I give thanks to God before making remarks at any gathering. I have prayed several times, and my children told me to pray for Hamzat to join Accord,” she said.
Expressing confidence in the bid, she added, “I pray by 2027, we’ll swear in Hamzat Oriyomi as Oyo Governor.”
Ajaja also revealed that several former Accord members who had defected to other parties had returned alongside Hamzat, signalling renewed consolidation within the party.
Addressing supporters, Hamzat, who is the Executive Chairman of Agidigbo FM, formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 Oyo State governorship election, saying he was responding to the people’s call.
“I have accepted the call of the people to serve Oyo State. This is not a step I have taken lightly.
“My vision is to implement programmes that will improve the lives of ordinary citizens, provide opportunities for youth and women, and ensure that governance in Oyo State goes beyond rhetoric to real, measurable impact,” he said.
He added, “The people deserve leaders who listen, act, and deliver, and that is the promise I am making today.”
Dispelling rumours that he might hand over his political structure to another aspirant, Hamzat clarified his position.
He said, “Let me be clear: the ‘Oyo Npe Oo’ movement has officially merged with Accord, and I am committed to pursuing this governorship dream myself.
“This is about giving a voice to the voiceless, standing up for the ordinary people, and working tirelessly to build a governance system that is accountable, transparent, and responsive.”
The National Chairman of Accord, Maxwell Mgbudem, who presented Hamzat with his party membership card, described his defection as a major boost.
“Dr Oriyomi Hamzat’s decision to join Accord is a tremendous boost for the party. His dedication to public service and record of philanthropy make him an ideal candidate,” Mgbudem said.
Support also came from Osun State, as Governor Ademola Adeleke was represented by his Commissioner for Political Affairs, Biyi Odunlade.
“We recognise Dr Hamzat as a leader who embodies integrity, vision and commitment to the people,” Odunlade said, pledging collaboration between Oyo and Osun Accord chapters.
Earlier, the Secretary of the Oyo Npe Oo movement, Olanrewaju Oladejo, described Hamzat’s entry into the race as a statement of principle.
“Dr Hamzat’s decision is more than politics. It is a moral declaration that governance can still be decent, humane and people-centred,” he said.
The declaration event also witnessed the defection of political leaders from all 33 local government areas and 351 wards in Oyo State to the Accord Party, signalling growing momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Source: naijanews.com
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Ex Chief Of Army Staff, Faruk Yahaya Sues Ali-Keffi For ₦1.5 Billion Over Defamation
January 18, 2026
Former Chief of Army Staff, Retired Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has taken legal action against Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi (rtd) and several media outlets, seeking ₦1.5 billion in damages for defamation.
Naija News reports that the suit was filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
The legal case comes after formal demand notices sent to the defendants expired without compliance.
Gen Yahaya had requested retractions, public apologies, and a stop to the spread of statements he claimed harmed his reputation.
The lawsuit, according to Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), former Director of Army Public Relations, also seeks ₦600 million in additional damages over reports linking Gen Yahaya to terrorism financing, illegal mining, and banditry.
Court documents show that the defendants have been served and are expected to respond according to the court’s rules.
The case follows claims made by Ali-Keffi suggesting Gen Yahaya had ties to terrorism financiers.
Gen Yahaya has repeatedly denied the allegations, describing them as false and harmful.
Acting through his lawyer, Mohammed Ndayako SAN, he had given the defendants 72 hours from December 17, 2025, to retract the statements and apologise publicly. Their refusal led to the lawsuit.
Gen Yahaya accused Ali-Keffi of acting on personal grievances connected to previous disciplinary matters in the military.
He insisted the claims were entirely unfounded and intended to damage his reputation.
He affirmed that throughout his career, including his time as Army Chief, he had no involvement with terrorism financing or any actions against national security.
Gen Yahaya also stressed that false accusations driven by personal motives would be legally challenged, reaffirming his commitment to law, accountability, and professional service.
Source: naijanews.com
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Gunmen Abduct Prominent APC Chieftain
January 19, 2026
By Rachel Okporu Fadoju
A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Prince Emorioloye Owoloemi, has been kidnapped by gunmen at the Okonga/Olodo Junction in Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State.
Naija News learnt that Owoloemi, a Director-General of the Asiwaju Media Team, the political support group for President Bola Tinubu, was abducted at about 9 a.m. on Friday.
The gunmen were said to have arrived in two Hilux vehicles, stormed Owoloemi’s office and forcibly whisked him away to an undisclosed location, and his whereabouts have remained unknown.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area, Hon. Maurice Oripenaye, condemned the attack, describing it as a serious breach of public safety and a threat to communal peace.
Oripenaye said the local council had activated security channels to ensure a prompt response and appealed to residents to remain calm, cautioning against circulating unverified information that could obstruct ongoing investigations.
The council chairman also stressed that Ilaje Local Government would not tolerate acts of violence, intimidation or lawlessness.
He said, “We have immediately contacted all relevant security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, Nigerian Army, and local security networks, to ensure a swift, coordinated response. We call on all stakeholders to provide useful information that could aid this operation.”
Confirming the development to Daily Post, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, said the command had commenced investigations, although details were still emerging.
Abayomi also assured the public that “full-scale measures have been put in place to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/19/gunmen-abduct-prominent-apc-chieftain/
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We Have Travelled This Road Under Abacha – Olawepo-Hashim Blasts APC Over Alleged Legal Tricks
January 19, 2026
Former presidential aspirant Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has vowed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be removed from power in 2027.
Speaking via a statement, he alleged that the ruling party was engaging in illegal and institutional actions to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 election.
However, Olawepo-Hashim boasted that even the late military dictator, Sani Abacha could not stop democracy from prevailing.
He insisted that no legal or administrative manoeuvres could derail Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart described these developments as part of a broader pattern that raised concerns about the future of democratic competition in the country.
“We have travelled this road before under Abacha’s dictatorship, and it ended in victory for the forces of genuine democracy, while the plotters of one-man rule were disgraced,” Hashim stated.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multiparty democracy, noting that the nation’s founding fathers deliberately chose political pluralism at independence and embedded it in the country’s constitutional framework.
He said: “Our founding fathers opted for multiparty democracy, and by the grace of God, that legacy will be preserved. No group, no matter how clever or determined, will succeed in destroying Nigeria’s democratic system.”
Olawepo-Hashim warned against any drift toward authoritarianism, drawing parallels with Zaire under the late Mobutu Sese Seko, where prolonged one-man rule eroded democratic institutions.
“One-man rule or one-party rule will not happen here. This is Nigeria. We will not allow anyone to reduce our democracy to a tragic parody, as was the case with Zaire under Mobutu,” he added.
He also expressed concern over what he described as selective administrative decisions in the political party registration process.
Olawepo-Hashim alleged that while some qualified political associations had stalled in the process, others perceived to be aligned with the ruling party had received interim recognition.
Describing these trends as warning signs of democratic backsliding, he called on Nigerians and the international community to remain vigilant in defending democratic norms.
He urged “lovers of democracy across the world” to consider lawful and targeted accountability measures, supported by credible evidence and due process, including travel restrictions and asset freezes against individuals allegedly undermining Nigeria’s multiparty system.
Source: naijanews.com
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Southeast Asia
King: Military corruption just ‘tip of the iceberg’, vows to keep ‘hunting down’ culprits in all agencies
By Syed Jaymal Zahiid
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, opened this year’s Parliament proceedings, expressing dismay at the corruption plaguing the Malaysian Armed Forces, as he vowed to continue “hunting down” corrupt officials.
“I am very disappointed to learn of the corruption in the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) to the highest level,” he said in a royal address delivered to the House of Representatives.
“I think maybe next time it’s better for me to appoint a sergeant as PAT (Chief of Defence Forces),” he added.
The King said that the cases uncovered so far were only “the tip of the iceberg”, and that he believes there are many more corrupt officials in agencies like Customs, Immigration and the police.
The King also took aim at Members of Parliament.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. I am convinced that there are many out there, either in the Customs Department, Immigration, police or others, as well as those who sit in this Hall, I will continue to hunt you down,” Sultan Ibrahim said.
The stern warning came amid mounting public scrutiny on the MAF, following the arrest of former Malaysian Army Chief, General Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan.
Muhammad was detained by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on January 7 along with his two wives to facilitate investigations into alleged irregularities in military procurement tenders.
The MACC said the raid led to the seizure of over RM52 million in assets — including cash, gold, and luxury goods — from residences and bank accounts linked to the former army chief and other senior officials.
The King today called corrupt civil servants traitors and urged severe punishment for those convicted of graft.
“Corruption must be combated all-out. The people must act as eyes and report any form of corruption; not only the receiver must be investigated and punished, but the giver and their agents must also be acted on,” he said.
“The MACC must conduct investigations swiftly, firmly and holistically regardless of position and power. The government must also provide judges with experience and an expedited passage so corruption trials can be concluded quickly,” the King added.
Source: malaymail.com
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Statistics Indonesia Reports Food Inflation Trends Ahead of Ramadan
January 19, 2026
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Statistics Indonesia (BPS) noted that the inflation trend, or the increase in prices of goods and services, has always occurred at the beginning of Ramadan and is higher compared to the previous month. Deputy for Distribution and Services Statistics of BPS, Pudji Ismartini, stated that the food, beverage, and tobacco group always contributes to inflation during the period leading up to Eid al-Fitr.
This year, the beginning of Ramadan is estimated to fall on February 18, 2026. Pudji mentioned, "In general, the commodities that contribute to inflation at the beginning of Ramadan are broiler chicken, chicken eggs, rice, cooking oil, and bird's eye chili. These commodities may be anticipated as we are entering Ramadan next month."
According to Pudji, historically, from 2021 to 2025, the food, beverage, and tobacco group has been the largest contributing factor to inflation at the beginning of Ramadan. For example, last year, the food, beverage, and tobacco group, as well as the housing, water, electricity, fuel, and household group, contributed approximately 1.55 percent to the 1.65 percent inflation in March 2025. Meanwhile, the transportation group had a significant contribution to inflation at the beginning of Ramadan in 2022 and 2023.
Within the food, beverage, and tobacco group, a range of food commodities contributed to varied inflation. In April 2021, the commodities that experienced price increases were broiler chicken and cooking oil. In 2022, cooking oil and chicken eggs saw the largest price increases. In 2023, rice, bird's eye chili, garlic, broiler chicken, and eggs saw the most price increases.
In 2024, chicken eggs reappeared as the first commodity that contributed the most to inflation at the beginning of Ramadan, followed by broiler chicken, rice, bird's eye chili, and garlic. Meanwhile, in 2025, the highest price increases were for shallots, followed by fresh fish, bird's eye chili, broiler chicken, and rice.
According to BPS records, inflation was highest at the beginning of Ramadan in 2025, increasing by 1.65 percent compared to the previous month. Because Ramadan begins at different times each year—sometimes at the beginning, sometimes in the middle, and sometimes at the end of the month—inflation rates vary.
There was 0.13 percent inflation at the beginning of Ramadan in 2021, 0.95 percent in 2022, 0.18 percent in 2023, and 0.52 percent in 2024.
Source: tempo.co
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https://en.tempo.co/read/2081377/statistics-indonesia-reports-food-inflation-trends-ahead-of-ramadan
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Strictly for Thaipusam only: Ipoh’s Tun Abdul Razak Bridge to open under tight rules, public barred
By John Bunyan
19 Jan 2026
IPOH, January 19 — The Tun Abdul Razak Road Bridge, which is currently undergoing replacement works, will be temporarily opened exclusively for Thaipusam procession vehicles following special conditional approval by the Ipoh City Council (MBI).
Buntong assemblyman Thulsi Manogaran said the approval was granted after discussions with the state government and MBI to ensure the upcoming Thaipusam celebration can proceed smoothly without compromising public safety.
“MBI has agreed to provide conditional approval for the use of the bridge solely for Thaipusam procession vehicles, based on strict safety requirements,” she said in a statement today.
Thulsi said the bridge will be accessible from January 28 at 5pm until February 2 at midnight, subject to tight traffic control measures.
She stressed that the bridge will not be open to the general public and usage is limited strictly to vehicles directly involved in the Thaipusam procession.
Among the conditions imposed are one-way traffic only, a vehicle load limit of three tonnes or below, and a total ban on public vehicles unrelated to the procession.
In addition, no tents may be erected and no trading or stall activities are allowed on the bridge or within the project area. Procession participants are also reminded to maintain cleanliness throughout the period.
Thulsi said the special approval was granted on humanitarian and religious grounds, but safety remains the top priority.
“This approval is given based on trust and consideration for religious observance, but the safety of lives and the structural integrity of the bridge cannot be compromised,” she added.
Thulsi also addressed public concerns over the delay in the bridge replacement project, which was initially scheduled for completion on January 6 but has now been extended to February 6.
She explained that the delay was unavoidable due to several factors, including the postponement of construction works during the Deepavali festive period, adverse weather conditions caused by frequent heavy rain, and logistical challenges following the enforcement of new speed and load limits (SLD) since October.
The bridge replacement project, initiated following prolonged appeals from Thulsi’s office over the past two years due to the deteriorated and unsafe condition of the old structure, is funded by the Perak state government through a RM1.75 million Malaysian Road Records Information System (Marris) allocation, with MBI serving as the implementing agency.
The bridge is among the main routes for the annual Thaipusam procession in Ipoh.
Source: malaymail.com
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Hadi rules out Unity Government, sets conditions for Zahid’s ‘grand collaboration’
By Malay Mail
19 Jan 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 — PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang today said the party rejects unity models that he described as “man-made” and silent in the face of injustice, stressing that PAS will only support unity based on Islamic principles.
In a Facebook post today, Abdul Hadi argued that PAS cannot join the current Unity Government, which he claimed embraces pluralism, liberalism and extremism.
He likened such cooperation to “a ship already leaking badly, branded as ‘grand unity’ but sinking under its own contradictions.”
He added that true unity must be principled, accepting truth and rejecting falsehood, and led by God-fearing leadership.
“PAS seeks unity under a government that fulfils its duty of leadership as a trust from God, respected for its justice, and not one that wields power for wealth or throne,” he said.
Abdul Hadi also said unity must be anchored in Malay-Muslim leadership and extended to Malaysia’s plural society, stressing that leadership should be respected for its justice rather than feared for tyranny.
He added that discussions on unity should be guided by scholars well-versed in Islamic affairs, not by those he described as ignorant or misusing intellect.
His remarks came in response to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s proposal for a “grand collaboration” announced at the close of the 2025 Umno General Assembly.
Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said the initiative aims to consolidate Malay-Muslim struggles without jeopardising the stability of the Unity Government.
Source: malaymail.com
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DPM Zahid: King’s address concise, sets key issues for MPs to debate
19 Jan 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi described the Royal Address of His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia in conjunction with the Opening Ceremony of the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 15th Parliament as concise and comprehensive, encompassing important matters that need attention.
Ahmad Zahid who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said that although the address was brief, its content was loaded with messages that can be the focus of Members of Parliament in the debate session on the Motion of Thanks for the Royal Address scheduled to begin tomorrow.
“The most important things are included and there should not be disruptions, “ he told reporters after attending the ceremony here today.
At the same time, Ahmad Zahid said that each ministry has specific policies and action plans that will be presented and debated by members of Parliament, including the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW).
He said KKDW has planned 42 game-changing initiatives to be implemented this year and all of these initiatives will be scrutinised by members of Parliament through their respective research to be debated in this Parliament session.
“All the main programmes that have been set will be implemented according to the ministry’s strategic planning and of course these matters will be the focus of debate in Parliament,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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JAIS investigates viral aerobics session over indecency claims
19 Jan 2026
Selangor’s JAIS and police probe a viral ‘back to school’ aerobics session in Bukit Badong for alleged indecent behaviour
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) is investigating an aerobics session in Bukit Badong over allegations it included indecent elements.
Director Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad said the probe was launched after a video of the activity went viral on TikTok.
JAIS views the matter seriously and will act according to the law, he stated in a press release.
“This is because, apart from being clearly inappropriate, it includes elements that could be seen as indecent behaviour in a public setting or actions that may bring Islam into disrepute,” he said.
The department is investigating the location, organiser, and participants involved.
Mohd Shahzihan urged the public to assist by contacting the JAIS hotline at 1800-88-2424.
Kuala Selangor police have also opened an investigation paper on the incident.
District Police Chief Superintendent Azaharudin Tajudin said they found related images and videos on Facebook.
“In the images, it was found that during the programme, there was an individual wearing a headscarf and a school uniform who was not wearing a skirt, while another individual was only wearing leggings,” he explained.
Initial investigations found the aerobics programme carried a ‘back to school’ theme.
Police are investigating under Section 504 of the Penal Code, the Minor Offences Act 1955, and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Azaharudin urged anyone with information to contact the Kuala Selangor police operations room.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/crime/jais-investigates-viral-aerobics-session-over-indecency-claims/
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Anwar reminds MPs to focus on duties ahead of parliament sitting
18 Jan 2026
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim calls on Unity Government MPs to engage in constructive debate as parliament resumes, with four key bills on the agenda.
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded members of parliament from the Unity Government to focus on their duties ahead of the new parliamentary session.
The reminder was delivered during a pre-sitting briefing with MPs at the Seri Perdana Complex.
MADANI Government spokesperson Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the Prime Minister stressed that their responsibility extends beyond mere attendance.
“In general, he stressed that as members of parliament, our responsibility is not just to attend sittings, but to debate properly in the House,” Fahmi said.
The briefing also served as a platform for MPs and senators to strengthen ties ahead of the sitting.
Fahmi confirmed four bills have been identified as government priorities for this session.
These include a bill to limit the Prime Minister’s term to no more than ten years.
Other priority bills concern the separation of powers for the Public Prosecutor and Attorney General, the Ombudsman Bill 2025, and a bill related to the Freedom of Information Act.
The First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 15th Parliament begins with the Royal Address.
According to the parliamentary calendar, the 20-day Dewan Rakyat sitting includes seven days of debate on the Royal Address starting January 20.
The session will then proceed with ministers’ question time and the tabling of bills through early March.
Source: thesun.my
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Immigration officer caught in ‘flying passport’ scam at KLIA
19 Jan 2026
An immigration officer at KLIA Terminal 1 was found guilty of entering a passenger’s details without their presence, a serious breach of protocol.
PUTRAJAYA: An immigration officer has been confirmed as involved in a ‘flying passport’ activity at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.
The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) stated the incident occurred on June 2 last year.
The officer was found to have keyed a passenger’s entry details and passport information into the immigration system without the passenger being present at the counter.
This action violated the Malaysian Immigration Department’s Quality Management System guidelines.
It also contravened a specific directive issued by the Director-General of Immigration.
The EAIC classified the officer’s actions as misconduct under the relevant enforcement act.
The commission has referred the officer to the Immigration Department’s Disciplinary Authority.
It recommended disciplinary action for dishonest and untrustworthy conduct.
A further recommendation was made for action due to irresponsible behaviour under public officer regulations.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/crime/immigration-officer-caught-in-flying-passport-scam-at-klia/
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South Asia
Islamic Emirate Ensures Fair Service Delivery by Eliminating Tribal, Regional Divisions, Minister
January 19, 2026
KABUL: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan continues to emphasize equitable governance, highlighting that the absence of tribal and regional discrimination provides an effective framework for serving all citizens across the country.
Speaking at a meeting with Mullah Wali Jan Hamza, Police Chief of Kabul, Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, the Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, said that the Islamic system’s impartial approach ensures that government services reach every region and community without bias, according to a statement from the ministry on Sunday.
“Under this system, administrative and security institutions operate with fairness, providing citizens with essential services while encouraging local cooperation and participation. The approach, free from tribal or regional favoritism, is seen as a key factor in delivering improved healthcare, education, infrastructure, and other public services,” the statement quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, Mullah Hamza emphasised that the leadership of the Islamic Emirate and the sacrifices of the mujahideen have significantly contributed to Afghanistan’s stability and security.
He noted that criminal incidents in Kabul have decreased compared to previous years, thanks to the efforts of security forces working in tandem with local communities.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/islamic-emirate-ensures-fair-service-delivery-by-eliminating-tribal-regional-divisions-minister/
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Qatar Advocates Balanced Approach for Afghanistan at OIC Contact Group Meeting
January 19, 2026
DOHA: The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement the other day that its representative attended the first technical meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group in Jeddah, emphasizing the need for a balanced and joint approach toward Afghanistan.
Speaking at the meeting, Khalid Abdulaziz Al-Khalifi, Qatar’s representative, stressed that any approach toward Afghanistan must address humanitarian needs while creating conditions for constructive political engagement.
He further noted that policies should respect Afghanistan’s unique circumstances and comply with OIC principles to support the aspirations of the Afghan people.
The representative described the meeting as a key platform for exchanging technical evaluations, coordinating efforts, and providing practical recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the OIC Contact Group’s initiatives.
He also pointed to significant outcomes from the third round of the Doha Process, including the establishment of two specialized working groups focused on counter-narcotics and private sector development, designed to foster practical collaboration between the Islamic Emirate and the international community.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/qatar-advocates-balanced-approach-for-afghanistan-at-oic-contact-group-meeting/
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Economic Commission Discusses Reactivation of Shorab Airport in Helmand province
January 19, 2026
KABUL: The meeting of the Economic Commission was held on Sunday at the Marmarin Palace, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar, discussing the reactivation of the Shorab Airport in Helmand province, his office said in a statement.
The discussed key economic and development issues, including the Shorab airport’s associated cold storage facilities, enforcement of truck rotation laws, scheduling land payment instalments in industrial parks, categorizing industrial park lands by province, and granting tax exemptions to investors who create new job opportunities through investments in Afghanistan.
Following detailed discussions, committees were formed to conduct comprehensive reviews of the highlighted topics and report back to the Economic Commission at specified intervals.
Additionally, several follow-up reports were presented and approved during the session, with directives issued to relevant agencies to ensure their implementation.
The decisions taken in the session will be submitted to the Office of the Supreme Leader for final approval.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/economic-commission-discusses-reactivation-of-shorab-airport-in-helmand-province/
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Interior Ministry Begins Work on 32 Development Projects in Badghis
January 19, 2026
KABUL: The country’s Ministry of Interior Affairs has started work on 32 development and infrastructure projects worth 315 million Afghanis in Qala-e-Naw, the provincial capital of Badghis, and across its nine districts.
The projects include administrative and operational buildings for police departments, district administrative complexes, security towers, perimeter walls, anti-narcotics facilities, rehabilitation centers, health clinics, fuel and equipment storage, and mosques in police compounds, the statement said.
The ministry emphasized that these initiatives will strengthen security and administrative organization, enhance public services, and create employment opportunities for local communities.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/interior-ministry-begins-work-on-32-development-projects-in-badghis/
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Kabul, Oslo Discuss Strengthening Political Relations
January 19, 2026
OSLO: Najibullah Shaheen, Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate to Norway, met with Sigbjørn Tenfjord, head of Norway’s South Asia and Afghanistan Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to discuss strengthening political relations between Kabul and Oslo.
The two sides also explored matters related to humanitarian assistance and other topics of mutual interest, the country’s Embassy in Oslo said in a statement the other day.
The embassy emphasized that such high-level meetings play a vital role in reinforcing diplomatic ties and facilitating cooperation between Afghanistan and Norway.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/kabul-oslo-discuss-strengthening-political-relations/
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JnU teachers form human chain demanding separate pay scale
January 19, 2026
Members of the Jagannath University Teachers’ Association today formed a human chain to press for a separate pay scale for university teachers, officers and staff, alleging "discrimination" and "disregard" by the National Pay Commission.
The programme was held in front of the university’s Shaheed Minar at 11:00am.
Speaking at the human chain, Dr Mostafa Hasan, a professor of social work, said teachers in neighbouring countries with lower per capita income enjoy better pay and status than university teachers in Bangladesh.
“Why should our teachers lag behind those countries? Following their example, our teachers should be placed in a dignified and respectable position. We hope the government will bring reforms in this regard,” he said.
General Secretary of the association Prof Dr Imranul Haque said there are three teachers among the government advisers.
“We want to know how such a decision could be taken while you are in those positions. We will submit our demands to the government in writing,” he added.
Association President Prof Dr Rais Uddin said a sub-committee on university teachers’ pay had proposed three terms of reference: ensuring meritorious individuals enter the teaching profession, retaining talent within the country, and encouraging research and innovation.
“None of these have been accepted,” he said.
Addressing the interim government, he questioned whether it truly wants talented individuals to join university teaching and strengthen research and innovation.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/jnu-teachers-form-human-chain-demanding-separate-pay-scale-4084816
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Jamaat alleges bias by DCs and SPs, seeks chief adviser’s intervention
18 JANUARY 2026
Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher today said they have informed the chief adviser that the conduct of some superintendents of police (SPs) and deputy commissioners (DCs) at the field level appears “biased”.
A Jamaat delegation, led by the party's Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna this evening.
Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar and Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan were also present at the meeting.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Taher said, “We have prepared a list of those (DCs and SPs). We will continue to observe. We have verbally informed the Election Commission by identifying such individuals. We have not submitted anything in writing. We conveyed the matter to the chief adviser today.”
“If the Election Commission does not take appropriate steps, the chief adviser should intervene. Because we firmly believe the chief adviser personally wants a free and fair election,” he said.
Taher also said some advisers around the chief adviser are trying to mislead him. “We have drawn his attention to that,” he added.
He further said the party raised another issue with the chief adviser. Over the last two or three weeks, the government has gone overboard regarding the chief of a particular party by providing excessive security and extra protocol. These clearly violate the principle of equality on the electoral field.
“We have said we have no objection if anyone is given enhanced security or protocol. But as one of the major parties, the ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami must also be treated equally. If this does not happen, the nation will hold the Election Commission responsible for biased conduct, and the level playing field will be destroyed,” he said.
Taher also questioned the role of the Election Commission in scrutinising nomination papers. “We are already seeing some discrepancies. That is why we drew the chief adviser’s attention today so that this can be remedied,” he said.
“We are hearing that attempts are being made by a particular party to exert pressure on the Election Commission so that nominations which should be cancelled due to these faults are not cancelled,” said Taher.
If such conduct continues, he warned, “doubts and despair” may grow among the people regarding the prospect of a fair election.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/jamaat-alleges-bias-dcs-and-sps-seeks-chief-advisers-intervention-4084266
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