Tear Gas, 32 Jcbs, RAF Deployed As MCD Demolishes Disputed Encroachments in the premises of Delhi's Faiz-E-Elahi Mosque near Turkaman Gate
New Age Islam News Bureau
07 January 2026
Stone-Pelting Injures 5 Police During MCD Demolition at Turkman Gate
--------
· Tear gas, 32 JCBs, RAF deployed as MCD demolishes disputedp encroachments in the premises of Delhi’s Faiz-e-Elahi mosque near Turkaman Gate
· 35 have been killed and 1,200 held in Iran’s economic protests
· Cabinet discusses Saudi efforts to enhance security and stability of Yemen
· Muslim Brotherhood targets Gen Z through social media campaigns
· Mayor Mamdani and the Roots of Islamic Democratic Socialism
· Troops Arrest 8 Terrorists Linked to Gamboru Market Mosque Suicide Bombing
· Johor Immigration rescues three Indonesian women from alleged human trafficking, three locals arrested
· ‘Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi killed out of political vengeance’
-----
India
· UP govt bulldozes mosque and houses in Sambhal over alleged land encroachment
· Congress leader Hidayat Patel stabbed outside mosque in Maharashtra; critical
· JNU seeks FIR over students’ slogans on Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam bail verdict
· BJP leader Giriraj Singh accuses AIMIM’s Owaisi of ‘promoting jihadi mindset’
· 'You will rise...': Mahua Moitra pens poem for Umar Khalid
· Multiple complaints, surprise inspection: National Medical Commission withdraws MBBS nod to Vaishno Devi medical college amid row over admission to Muslims
· Odisha’s struggle with language and religion
· Make Muslims partners in 2047 vision, says Akbaruddin Owaisi
--------
Mideast
· Israeli forces raid Palestinian university in Birzeit, injure students
· EU urges Israel to halt NGO registration law, warns it puts aid for Gaza at risk
· Syria military accuses SDF of killing 4 in Aleppo attacks
· Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Aidrous Al-Zubaidi Flees to Unknown Location
· Great expectations: Yemenis look forward to outcomes of Riyadh dialogue
· Israel’s main airport receives passenger boost from Gaza ceasefire
· Jordanian and Libyan army commanders discuss expanding military cooperation
-------
Arab World
· Saudi watchdog warns of possible health risk from Nestle baby formula
· Capturing the Kingdom a frame at a time
· AlUla’s ancient rock engravings provide enduring cultural legacy
· Saudi deputy minister receives newly appointed ambassador of Azerbaijan
· Saudi surgeons train Indonesian doctors in maxillofacial, thyroid surgery
· Islamic coalition launches rehab program in Kenya
· King Faisal Prize to announce 2026 laureates in Riyadh
------
Europe
· Teacher banned for calling Islam 'demonic' and saying Covid was fake
· Islamic scholar banned from entering UK after pro-Gaza support
· Your Party’s future lies with Muslim voters
· Founders of Wirral mosque say thanks for 'love and support' after move
· Nurse struck off over anti-Muslim and immigrant online posts
· Head of the Islamic Community in BiH congratulates Christmas
· Heydar Aliyev Foundation VP Leyla Aliyeva visits Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat
------
North America
· 'Can't handle the heat': Vivek Ramaswamy mocked by rival for deleting social media apps to avoid 'racist hate'
· CAIR-NY Welcomes Sentencing for Anti-Muslim Subway Attack
· US threats over Greenland make NATO pointless – member-state PM
· Controversial Plano Mosque Moves Ahead with Abbott-Opposed Development
· Community Advisory: CAIR, CAIR Action Release 2026 Toolkit to Empower Muslim Civic Engagement in Local and State Governments
· ‘Zohran the Ziophobe’: Actor Michael Rapaport slams Zohran Mamdani, announces 2029 NYC mayor run
· Carney says Canada's 'low risk' oil can compete if Venezuela ramps up production
· Abortion stays legal in Wyoming after state's top court strikes down bans
-------
Africa
· Terrorists Attacks Hit Kwara, Katsina, Kaduna As IEDs Found In Niger Village
· Family Raises Alarm Over ‘Disappearance’ Of Islamic Scholar Days After Visiting Abuja
· After Nearly One Year In Detention, Niger Republic Frees Former Petroleum Minister
· Bomb Experts Deployed After Explosive Found In Niger
· ‘They Misled The Young Man’ – Wike Lists Top Political Figures That Witnessed Peace Deal With Fubara
· NANS Cancels Nationwide Protest Over Tax Law
· ‘Absolute, Unwavering’ – Tinubu’s Ex-Minister Badaru Opens Up On Plan To Dump APC For ADC
· Ramaphosa urges UN action after US capture of Venezuela’s President Maduro
-------
Southeast Asia
· Indonesia to build Hajj Village in Mecca to cut pilgrimage costs
· Pope Leo XIV hosts cardinals for governance talks
· Federal Court dismisses Halim Saad’s final appeal in government suit
· King grants audience to new Minister of Plantation and Commodities
· Mukhriz: Surgery not recommended for Dr Mahathir’s fractured hip due to age
· Finas moves to strengthen Malaysia’s position as Asean’s animation hub
· Anwar to meet Erdogan, chair Malaysia–Turkiye strategic council on second day of visit
-------
South Asia
· MoIC Commits to Safeguarding Country’s Historical, Cultural Heritage, Mawlawi Jamal
· Expanding Power Generation Key to Economic Growth, Hanafi Says
· Public Awareness Gathering Held in Nangarhar to Promote Implementation of Amir’s Decrees
· Country’s Trade Volume Reaches Nearly $14 Billion in 2025
· Turkish Investors Seeking Investment in Herat Industrial Park
· European Union Deputy Head Visits National Archives
· Need joint research to explore marine resources
· Legal loopholes allow defaulters to stay in race
· Bank Alfalah Advances Exit From Afghanistan
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
----
Tear gas, 32 JCBs, RAF deployed as MCD demolishes disputed encroachments in the premises of Delhi’s Faiz-e-Elahi mosque near Turkaman Gate
Jan 7, 2026
Stone-Pelting Injures 5 Police During MCD Demolition at Turkman Gate
---------
NEW DELHI: At around 1 am on Wednesday, a demolition drive by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) near Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in Turkman Gate, close to Ramlila Maidan, turned tense as some individuals resorted to stone-pelting, injuring multiple police personnel.
Delhi Police have registered an FIR against unknown persons in connection with the incident, and approximately 10 people have been detained for questioning. Officials said four to five suspects have already been identified, with CCTV and body-camera footage being analysed to initiate further legal action.
A small group of individuals attempted to disrupt the drive, prompting officers to respond with measured and minimal force, including controlled use of teargas to disperse the crowd.
The confrontation resulted in minor injuries to five police officials, who were promptly treated.
The demolition targeted illegal constructions, including a dispensary and a community hall adjoining the mosque, which the Delhi High Court had declared unauthorised.
Deputy commissioner of police (central) Nidhin Valsan added, “The action is still ongoing. We deployed our staff for security. Four to five officers suffered minor injuries. As soon as we get the CCTV camera footage, ground footage, and body camera footage, we will identify the miscreants and take legal action.”
Deputy commissioner Vivek Agarwal of the city SP Zone said the operation covered approximately 36,400 square feet. “Senior police officers were present throughout the night, and an adequate police force was provided. The land belonging to the mosque remained unaffected. There was an incident of stone-pelting at night, but our teams were fully prepared. No member of the demolition staff was harmed. We used 32 JCBs, four excavators, pneumatic hammers, and several trucks to carry out the operation,” he added.
The drive commenced shortly after midnight, with around 17 bulldozers, along with excavators and other heavy machinery, pressed into service. Authorities had undertaken extensive planning in advance, dividing the locality into multiple zones under the supervision of senior officers. Rapid Action Force personnel were stationed at key points, while additional police teams were deployed to ensure law and order.
Traffic authorities issued advisories ahead of the operation, warning commuters of potential congestion around Ramlila Maidan and adjoining roads, while traffic diversions were implemented to ensure smooth movement.
Delhi Police emphasised that the situation in Turkman Gate remains under control and reiterated their commitment to implementing judicial directives professionally and sensitively while ensuring the safety of personnel and residents.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/the-1am-operation-tear-gas-32-jcbs-raf-deployed-as-mcd-demolishes-illegal-encroachments-near-delhis-faiz-e-elahi-mosque/articleshow/126386345.cms
-----
35 have been killed and 1,200 held in Iran’s economic protests
January 06, 2026
People walk as shops are closed during protests in Tehran's centuries-old main bazaar, Iran, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP)
------------
DUBAI: The death toll in violence surrounding protests in Iran has risen to at least 35 people, activists said on Tuesday, as the demonstrations showed no signs of stopping.
The figure came from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which said more than 1,200 people have been detained in the protests, which have been ongoing for more than a week.
It said 29 protesters, four children and two members of Iran’s security forces have been killed. Demonstrations have reached over 250 locations in 27 of Iran’s 31 provinces.
The group, which relies on an activist network inside of Iran for its reporting, has been accurate in past unrest.
The semiofficial Fars news agency reported late on Monday that some 250 police officers and 45 members of the Guard’s all-volunteer Basij force have been hurt in the demonstrations.
The authorities have acknowledged the economic hardships but accused networks linked to foreign powers of stoking the protests.
On Tuesday, Iran’s police chief vowed to “deal with the last of these rioters.”
The shopkeepers’ protest continued on Tuesday in the bazaar, with about 150 people focusing on economic demands, Fars reported.
The protests have spread to some cities in western and southern Iran but do not match the scale of unrest that swept the nation in 2022-23 over the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody for violating Iran’s dress code.
However, even though smaller, these protests have quickly expanded from an economic focus to broader frustrations, with some protesters chanting against the country’s clerical rulers.
The police chief, Ahmadreza Radan, was quoted on Tuesday by state media as saying they had drawn a distinction between protesters and rioters, the latter facing arrests on site or following identification by intelligence units.
“I pledge that we will deal with the last of these rioters. It is still time for those who were deceived by foreign services to identify themselves and draw on the Islamic Republic’s greatness,” Radan said.
Fars said Tuesday’s gathering of shopkeepers on Saadi street in Tehran ended without “expanding the police’s presence.”
Mohammad, 63, a jewelry shop owner in the bazaar, said there was a heavy presence of riot police and plainclothes security forces inside and around the area.
“They were forcing shopkeepers who were on strike to open their shops. I did not see it myself, but I heard there were clashes outside the bazaar and police fired tear gas,” he said by phone.
Footage shared on Telegram on Tuesday appeared to show dozens of security forces on motorbikes patrolling the street and the unidentified person who took the clip can be heard saying the security forces had fired tear gas.
President Masoud Pezeshkian has promised reforms to help stabilize the monetary and banking systems and protect purchasing power.
The government has announced a subsidy reform, removing preferential currency exchange rates for importers in favor of direct transfers to Iranians to boost their purchasing power for essential goods. The measure will come into force on Jan. 10.
The central bank chief was also replaced on Dec. 29.
The rial fell further to 1,489,500 on Tuesday, representing a 4 percent fall since the protests started.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628471/middle-east
-------
Cabinet discusses Saudi efforts to enhance security and stability of Yemen
January 06, 2026
RIYADH: The Cabinet on Tuesday discussed efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia to enhance the security and stability of Yemen and to create a supportive environment for dialogue among all parties.
The Cabinet reiterated its welcoming of the request of the president of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi to hold a dialogue conference in Riyadh for all southern factions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The conference aims to develop a vision for just solutions to the southern issue that meet the legitimate aspirations of the southern people, SPA added.
The Cabinet discussed Saudi contributions to addressing the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip by intensifying its air, sea and land bridges to provide relief to the Palestinian people, under the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Cabinet was also briefed on the contents of telephone calls received by Prince Mohammed from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
The discussions covered relations between Saudi Arabia and their respective countries, as well as regional and international developments, SPA said.
On the domestic front, the Cabinet affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to further enhancing its position in advanced technologies and building an integrated digital ecosystem that contributes to supporting the competitiveness of the national economy and attracting investments.
The Cabinet also highlighted the launch of the world’s largest government data center project, Hexagon, in Riyadh which represents a significant strategic leap toward the Kingdom becoming a global hub in this field.The project will ensure data sovereignty and security and enable innovation, SPA said.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628467/saudi-arabia
-------
Muslim Brotherhood targets Gen Z through social media campaigns
06/01/2026
Two women wearing full-face veils walk in Regent’s Park in London.
-----------
The Muslim Brotherhood is adapting its outreach and media strategy to target Generation Z, the digital-native cohort born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, particularly via platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
Facing a decline in traditional support bases, the organisation has shifted focus to young people raised in a digital environment dominated by short, emotionally-charged content. This generation has become increasingly influential in shaping opinions and trends, both online and offline.
Research indicates that Generation Z’s rapid consumption of content makes them a direct target for misinformation campaigns orchestrated by Brotherhood-linked networks. These campaigns aim to sow doubt, disrupt trust in national institutions and influence perceptions of their governments.
The Brotherhood’s digital strategy, often referred to as “Digital Daawa 2.0,” builds on a foundation laid as early as 1998 through platforms like Ikhwan Online and Ikhwan Tube.
Following 2013, the group intensified operations from bases in Turkey and Europe. Researchers note that the organisation relies on coordinated “electronic brigades” to disseminate content inspired by founders Hassan al-Banna and Sayyid Qutb, re-packaged in motivational, modern formats without direct references to the Brotherhood.
Content focuses on themes such as identity, social justice and the Palestinian cause, exploiting feelings of marginalisation among Gen Z youth in both Arab countries and Europe. Activists have observed that videos often begin with humorous or satirical content before introducing political messages aimed at undermining state authority, using young, relatable actors to appear authentic.
Reports indicate that these digital brigades are partially directed by figures such as Khairat al-Shater, who developed methods for spreading organised campaigns and rumours to influence public opinion.
The brigades employ fake or anonymous accounts to amplify motivational messages, reinterpreting concepts like Qutb’s Hakimiyyah or Banna’s comprehensive Daawa into short, appealing clips.
European intelligence agencies, including those in France and Germany, have warned of “silent radicalisation” via platforms like TikTok, where politically-charged Islamic content reaches youth audiences.
In 2025, Germany banned Muslim Interactive, an organisation accused of advocating a caliphate and rejecting democratic norms, seizing its assets and closing its accounts across TikTok and YouTube. Other groups such as Generation Islam and Reality Islam, allegedly linked to the banned Hizb ut-Tahrir, have faced police action.
Analysts note a shift in Islamist narratives, moving away from rigid religious language to themes highlighting Western oppression, anti-imperialism and Muslim victimhood. Messages emphasising discrimination against Muslims have resonated emotionally with young people, particularly in Europe. Reports from French intelligence warned in May 2025 of the Brotherhood’s growing digital influence targeting French-speaking young people.
Despite the efforts, observers argue that the strategy’s success is limited, as many Gen Z youth reject traditional ideological frameworks, favouring independent content and prioritising individual freedom, digital economy and social and environmental issues.
In Egypt, for example, many young people resist the binary of state versus Brotherhood, instead focusing on practical concerns and personal development rather than political ideology.
Source: thearabweekly.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thearabweekly.com/muslim-brotherhood-targets-gen-z-through-social-media-campaigns
-------
Mayor Mamdani and the Roots of Islamic Democratic Socialism
BEHROOZ GHAMARI TABRIZI
JANUARY 7, 2026
Photograph Source: NYC Mayor’s Office – CC BY 4.0
-----------
On a hot September day in 1976, Mohammad Nakhshab, an Iranian political figure, died of a heart attack on a New York subway car. He was 53. His death happened not far from the abandoned subway station under the City Hall in which Mayor Mamdani took the oath of office in the early hours of January 1, 2026. Nakhshab worked at the United Nations but was not just an ordinary employee. He was one of the founders of an influential movement in Iran in the 1940s known as the Movement of God-Worshiping Socialists. I write this to propose that one need not to view Mayor Mamdani’s Muslimhood incidental to his democratic socialist politics. Nakhshab and his companions belonged to a generation of Iranian intellectuals who believed that democratic socialism defines the social, political, and economic language of Shi‘ism in the contemporary world.
Iran was occupied by Allied forces in 1941. They ousted Reza Shah, who had Nazi inclinations, and installed his young son, Mohammad Reza, to the throne. By the end of the war, a period of civil liberties emerged. Members of the Iranian Communist Party, the first communist party in Asia, reemerged after more than a decade of persecution under Reza Shah and formed a new anti-Fascist coalition called the Tudeh Party (party of the people). Socialist ideas and movements had a presence in Iran since the 1890s. But with the triumph of the 1917 revolution in Russia, socialism became intrinsically associated with Bolshevism and communism. The Tudeh party was no exception. It became a communist party in-line with positions and demands of the Soviet Union.
Concerned about the growing identification of socialism with Soviet communism, a group of young students in the holy city of Mashad with anti-colonial aspirations who remained committed to socialist ideas laid the foundation of a movement called God-Worshipping Socialists. In choosing the name of their movement they emphasized that despite their Shi‘i convictions, they did not regard the undertaking an exclusively Muslim affair. Rather, they thought that belief in God needs to be translated in general terms into a spiritual force that propels modernity toward socialist ideals of justice and dignity.
Nakhshab and his movement understood the notion of Towhid (oneness of God, monotheism) as a spiritual directive for the promotion of oneness of all beings as the extension of God, against exploitation of all kinds of lifeforms. They stayed clear of the Sharia and the juridical debates on Islamic law. They saw their movement as an outlook, a weltanschauung, a worldview that finds its realization through collective decision-making in particular situations.
Those ideas became an engine that shaped the ideology of the 1979 revolution in Iran. Similar movements in Catholicism gave rise to the idea of Liberation Theology with lasting influences in Peru, Nicaragua, El Salvador and other Central and South American countries. Thinkers such as the Sorbonne educated theologian and social critic Ali Shariati rearticulated the basic principles of the Movement of God-Worshipping Socialists into a full-scale emancipatory ideology. Shariati warned that movements are always at risk of becoming bureaucratized and losing their spirit of creativity and novelty. He believed that once a movement realizes itself with access to the institutions of power, saving the institutions of power takes precedence over perpetuating the spirit of the movement.
We have seen this repeatedly in so many different places. I wonder how much Mayor Mamdani knows about Mohammad Nakhshab and his movement, or whether he has heard of Ali Shariati. But there is a lesson here to cherish and principles to live by. God-Worshipping Socialists believed in social justice not only in material terms but justice as a principle of full human dignity and spiritual fulfillment. Mamdani faces a herculean task, to sustain a movement while governing the city. Here, I believe, lies the core of the kind of socialism that Mamdani needs to remain committed to. A form of socialism that refuses to worship the instruments of power and sustains the spirit of a movement that has given rise to it.
Neither Nakhshab, nor Shariati lived to see the result of the revolution they helped to inspire. There are fundamental differences between what happened in Iran after the revolution and assuming the mayor’s office in New York City! But the temptation to worship the institutions of power is not something that creeps up overnight. Bureaucracy dictates its own logic, the logic of self-preservation, upon its office holders. To remain in the office cannot be the objective. Nakhshab and the socialists of his generation found the solution in a kind of spiritual commitment that was informed by their Towhidi worldview, inspired by teachings of Islam but all-embracing of all creeds that negate exploitative relations between all forms of beings. Let’s hope that our new mayor will uphold those principles of hope. Nakhshap died almost half-a-century ago not far from the office of our new mayor. Let us hope that Mamdani continues to practice the kind of Shi‘ism that Nakhshab dreamed of, a religion that promotes human dignity through socialist ideals.
Source: counterpunch.org
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.counterpunch.org/2026/01/07/mayor-mamdani-and-the-roots-of-islamic-democratic-socialism/
------
Troops Arrest 8 Terrorists Linked to Gamboru Market Mosque Suicide Bombing
January 7, 2026
The military has said that troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested eight suspected terrorists in connection with the suicide bombing at the Gamboru market mosque in Adamawa State.
Among those apprehended, the military said are two key suspects believed to be major facilitators within the network that planned and executed the attack.
The arrests, the Defence Headquarters said followed weeks of sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance on identified locations linked to the terror cell.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed that the suspects were captured during a coordinated cordon-and-search operation carried out in the Yan Lemo area of Mubi South Local Government Area in the early hours of January 5, 2026.
According to him, a thorough search of the suspects’ residence led to the recovery of several items, including cash, mobile phones, identification documents, ATM cards, jewellery, and other personal belongings.
He noted that the recovered items are currently undergoing forensic examination to aid ongoing investigations.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba further revealed that during identification procedures, a suspect already in custody positively identified the two principal suspects as the individuals who supplied materials used in the construction of the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) deployed in the mosque attack.
Other occupants of the residence were also found to have direct links to the terrorist network.
“All the suspects are presently in military custody, where they are undergoing detailed interrogation to enable further intelligence extraction before being handed over for continued investigation,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, in a related operation, OPHK troops intercepted a large cache of suspected terrorist logistics in Mayo Nguli, Maiha Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
During the operation, troops seized 45 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), amounting to about 1,125 litres, believed to have been illegally transported for terrorist activities.
The statement added that the suspected suppliers fled the scene on sighting the troops, abandoning the petroleum products, which have since been secured and taken into military custody.
No casualties were recorded during the operation.
The military said the successful operations underscore OPHK’s continued determination to dismantle terrorist networks, disrupt their logistics and supply chains, and prevent future attacks in the North East.
It also called on members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to cooperate with security agencies, stressing that public support remains vital to sustaining peace and security across the region.
Source: thisdaylive.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/01/06/troops-arrest-8-terrorists-linked-to-gamboru-market-mosque-suicide-bombing/
-------
Johor Immigration rescues three Indonesian women from alleged human trafficking, three locals arrested
By Ben Tan
07 Jan 2026
JOHOR BAHRU, Jan 7 — The Johor Immigration Department has rescued three Indonesian women, believed to be victims of human trafficking, during a special operation at a business premise in Mount Austin here yesterday.
The victims, aged between 24 and 33, were reportedly subjected to unfair treatment and forced to work both in a factory and as domestic workers in their employer’s home.
Johor Immigration director Datuk Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said the operation involved 24 officers from the department’s enforcement division and was conducted between 3.30pm and 6.30pm yesterday.
“The three victims were found working at the business premise when officers conducted the special operation.
“Initial investigations revealed that the victims were forced to work at a factory owned by their employer in the morning, before being required to continue working at a residential premise after factory hours,” he said in a statement today.
Mohd Rusdi added that checks revealed the victims’ passports were illegally withheld by their employer.
He said their movements were restricted and they were prohibited from communicating with their families.
“The victims were reported to have worked as domestic helpers for between one and two years.
“Based on their initial statements, they were promised a monthly salary of RM1,800 but did not receive full payment throughout their entire employment period,” he said.
Following the operation, Mohd Rusdi said three local suspects were arrested to assist in investigations.
He said the suspects consist of a man and two women, aged between 31 and 62, who will be investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007 (Act 670).
“The rescue operation focused on identifying trafficking victims among vulnerable groups and was guided by the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators (NGHTI) 2.0,” he added.
NGHTI 2.0 is the country’s updated framework for identifying human trafficking victims, developed by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council (MAPO) as part of the amended Atipsom Act.
The framework, introduced in 2023, provides standard indicators for enforcement agencies, protection bodies, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), focusing on acts, means (fraud, force, threats), and purposes (forced labour, sexual exploitation) to improve victim identification and referral in a trauma-informed manner.
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/07/johor-immigration-rescues-three-indonesian-women-from-alleged-human-trafficking-three-locals-arrested/204602
-------
‘Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi killed out of political vengeance’
Jan 7, 2026
The Detective Branch of police yesterday submitted a charge sheet against 17 people, including prime accused Faisal Karim Masud (currently absconding), in the murder of Inqilab Moncho spokesperson Sharif Osman Bin Hadi.
The charge sheet, filed with the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's Court, says that the killing was masterminded by Taijul Islam Chowdhury Bappi, 43, a former councillor of Ward-6 under Dhaka North City Corporation and organising secretary of the Jubo League's Dhaka (north) city unit.
The murder of Hadi, an MP aspirant from a Dhaka constituency, sparked widespread protests and political outrage. A frontliner of the July uprising, the 32-year-old was shot on December 12, just a day after the election schedule was announced. On December 18, he died in a Singapore hospital, where he was receiving advanced treatment. The killing raised serious concerns about the safety of candidates and the electoral environment.
Charges have been brought under Sections 120B, 302, 201, 109, and 34 of the Penal Code, carrying punishments ranging from the death penalty and life imprisonment to lesser jail terms and fines.
Additional Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and DB chief Md Shafiqul Islam confirmed the submission of the charge sheet at a press conference at the DMP Media Centre yesterday.
Shafiqul said Hadi had launched a non-traditional political platform and delivered fierce speeches criticising the Awami League and its student wing, which angered leaders and activists of the now banned Chhatra League.
The murder, according to him, was carried out as political retaliation.
He claimed Bappi instructed Faisal, allegedly linked to Chhatra League politics, to execute the murder and arranged his escape.
"Based on the victim's political statements and the political identities of the accused, the investigation clearly establishes that Sharif Osman Hadi was shot dead out of political vengeance," he said, adding that confessional statements, CCTV footage, forensic tests, and digital evidence corroborated the findings.
Meanwhile, Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber dismissed the charge sheet, alleging that the killing was not the act of a single individual but part of a larger conspiracy.
"The government claims a ward councillor instructed Faisal Karim Masud to shoot Hadi. Even a madman would not believe this. The murder was carried out by a wider network, with direct involvement of the state machinery. Until those forces are brought to justice, our struggle will not stop. Any charge sheet that excludes them is unacceptable to us."
Jaber made the remarks while speaking after the "March for Justice" programme in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh last night.
Earlier at the presser, the DB chief said supplementary charge sheets would be submitted if further evidence or involvement of additional individuals emerges.
Of the accused, 11 are currently in police custody. They include prime suspect Faisal's father Humayun Kabir, 70; mother Hasi Begum, 60; wife Saheda Parveen Samia, 24; brother-in-law Wahid Ahmed Shipu, 27; and friend Maria Akter Lima, 21. The others are Md Kabir, 33; Nuruzzaman Nomani, alias Ujjal, 34; Sibion Dio, 32; Sanjay Chisim, 23; Aminul Islam, alias Raju, 37; and Md Faisal, 25.
The six absconding accused are prime suspect Faisal Karim Masud, 37; Alamgir Hossain, 26; Taijul Islam Chowdhury Bappi, 43; Philip Snal, 32; Mukti Mahmud, 51; and Jesmin Akter, 42.
According to the charge sheet, Faisal directly carried out the shooting, while Alamgir drove the motorcycle used in the attack. Bappi planned the killing and coordinated Faisal's escape across the border, with direct assistance from Philip.
Faisal's brother-in-law Mukti Mahmud and sister Jesmin Akter sheltered him and stored weapons. His father Humayun Kabir changed the number plate of the motorcycle used in the murder, maintained the weapon, and arranged its transfer to Narsingdi, while his mother Hasi Begum provided shelter and assisted in weapon maintenance, the charge sheet added.
Faisal's wife Saheda Parveen Samia, according to the charges, sent Tk 30,000 via bKash to facilitate his escape and hid the weapon in Narsingdi with help from her brother Wahid Ahmed Shipu, who transported the murder weapon from Dhaka.
Faisal's friend Maria Akter Lima had prior knowledge of the murder plan, while Md Kabir supplied the motorcycle used in the crime, the charge sheet said, adding that Md Nuruzzaman Nomani, along with Sibion Dio and Sanjay Chisim, helped the accused flee through the Haluaghat border.
Another accused, Md Aminul Islam, alias Raju, was allegedly involved in the planning and assisted in the killing, while Md Faisal allegedly kept the firearm and ammunition used in the murder.
Asked about Faisal Karim Masud's whereabouts and his video messages, Shafiqul Islam said the videos were reviewed, and preliminary findings suggest they are authentic, though the forensic report is pending.
He dismissed Faisal's claim of being in Dubai, saying evidence suggests he is holed up in India.
When asked about the DB's earlier claim that two people were arrested in India, which was later denied by Indian police, the DB chief said the statement was based on their investigation.
"What we said is true, but we do not want to comment on another country's position; we stated what our investigation revealed," he said.
On December 14, Inqilab Moncho Member Secretary Abdullah Al Jaber filed an attempted murder case with Paltan Model Police Station against Faisal and several unnamed individuals, which was later upgraded to a murder case after Hadi's death.
The case was subsequently transferred to the DB.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/hadi-killed-out-political-vengeance-4075076
------
India
UP govt bulldozes mosque and houses in Sambhal over alleged land encroachment
Piyush Srivastava
07.01.26
The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday bulldozed a mosque and three adjacent houses at Raibuzurg village in Sambhal that were allegedly built on government land.
Tehsildar Dhirendra Kumar said the owners of the buildings were given time to prove their ownership of the properties, but they failed to do so.
“The encroachers had built a mosque, two houses and a marriage hall there. We had submitted a report with the district magistrate (Rajendra Pensiya) and initiated action on his direction,” he said.
Circle officer Kuldeep Kumar said the structures were constructed illegally on government land.
“The administration had served notices to the owners and they had sought three more days last week. They had said they would themselves raze these structures, but didn’t do so. We finally demolished them on Tuesday,” Kumar said.
A team of district officials, including electricity department personnel, had raided 52 places in Raisati and Nakhasa on Monday. Pensiya claimed that they found 101 properties with illegal power connections in these areas, including at Mustafa Masjid in Hayatnagar.
On January 4, the Sambhal administration had bulldozed Madina Masjid at Salempur Salar village after serving a notice to its management committee two weeks ago.
The graveyard of Mallak Shah Baba near Shankar Chowk in Sambhal town was flattened a day later.
The administration had started the demolition drive in the wake of the violence that killed four people in Sambhal during a court-appointed survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid on November 24, 2024. Some Hindutva groups claimed that the mosque was built on the ruins of a Shiva temple demolished by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
As many as 20 structures, mostly belonging to the Muslim community, have been razed in Sambhal since then. Pensiya has said the district authorities have identified dozens of illegal buildings in the district for demolition.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/up-govt-demolishes-mosque-and-houses-in-sambhal-amid-illegal-land-encroachment-row-prnt/cid/2141410
--------
Congress leader Hidayat Patel stabbed outside mosque in Maharashtra; critical
Jan 7, 2026
AKOLA: Maharashtra state Congress vice-president Hidayat Patel was brutally stabbed in Akot taluka moments after he stepped out of Markaz Masjid in Mohala village after offering namaz on Tuesday. Later in the day, the cops arrested the accused.
Police said the assailant stabbed Patel repeatedly in the neck and abdomen with a sharp weapon before fleeing. Bleeding profusely, Patel collapsed outside the mosque, triggering panic in the locality. People present at the spot rushed him to a private hospital in Akot. As his condition worsened, Patel was shifted to a private hospital in Akola. Doctors said his condition remains critical.
The accused has been identified as Ubed Patel and was arrested from Panj village. A case of attempt to murder has been registered against him at Akot Rural Police Station. Following the incident, Akot rural police, senior officers and a forensic team rushed to the spot. Blood samples and other evidence were collected as part of the investigation. Police deployment was intensified in the area.
Akola superintendent of police Archit Chandak said preliminary investigations indicate that the attack stemmed from an old dispute and political rivalry.
The accused reportedly told police that he suspected the involvement of Patel's group in the 2019 death of one of his family members. He also claimed that despite familial ties, Patel stalled his rise as a politician. SP Chandak said the accused is being questioned in detail to ascertain whether he acted alone or if there were accomplices or instigators. All possible angles are being probed.
Hidayat Patel is a well-known Congress leader in the Akola district. He had contested the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and 2019 and currently serves as the party's state vice-president. The attack comes amid heightened political tension in Akot following recent municipal elections, during which internal rifts within the Congress had surfaced.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/congress-leader-hidayat-patel-stabbed-outside-mosque-in-maharashtra-critical/articleshow/126385546.cms
-------
JNU seeks FIR over students’ slogans on Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam bail verdict
Basant Kumar Mohanty
07.01.26
Jawaharlal Nehru University has asked Delhi police to file an FIR against some students associated with the JNU Students Union for raising "provocative and inflammatory" slogans over the denial of bail to human rights activists Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the 2020 Delhi riot conspiracy case.
The students had gathered outside Sabarmati Hostel to observe the sixth anniversary of the violent attack on students and faculty members by outsiders on the campus on January 5, 2020.
When an event, "A Night of Resistance with Guerrilla Dhaba", was going on, some students raised slogans on Monday against the Supreme Court's denial of bail to Khalid and Imam. The Supreme Court on Monday made a distinction between the accused over culpability and granted bail to five while refusing the relief to Khalid and Imam.
In the complaint sent to Vasant Kunj police station on Tuesday, JNU chief security officer Naveen Yadav named some students for allegedly raising slogans. According to the complaint, 30 to 35 students were present at the event.
"During the course of the event subsequent to the judicial verdict on the bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, the nature and tone of the gathering changed significantly. Certain students began raising highly objectionable, provocative and inflammatory slogans. It is a direct contempt of the honourable Supreme Court of India," said the complaint. The university alleged that raising such slogans amounted to the violation of the JNU code of conduct and had the potential to "seriously disturb public order, campus harmony and safety and security".
"The slogans raised were clearly audible, deliberate and repeated, thereby indicating intentional and conscious misconduct rather than any spontaneous or inadvertent expression. The acts reflect wilful disregard for institutional discipline, established norms of civil discourse and the peaceful academic character of the university campus," it said.
On January 5, 2020, unidentified persons entered the JNU campus and attacked students protesting a fee hike. Former JNUSU president N. Sai Balaji said members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad were behind the attack and that the Delhi police were yet to start an inquiry.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/jnu-asks-delhi-police-to-file-fir-over-slogans-on-umar-khalid-and-sharjeel-imam-bail-prnt/cid/2141404
--------
BJP leader Giriraj Singh accuses AIMIM’s Owaisi of ‘promoting jihadi mindset’
January 06, 2026
AMARNATH TEWARY
Reacting to remarks made recently by Asaduddin Owaisi, leader of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), in Amaravati, Maharashtra that the Central government should provide all records of instances of “love jihad” from all the States “in Parliament”, Union Textile Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Giriraj Singh on Tuesday (January 6, 2025) accused Mr. Owaisi of promoting a ”jihadi mindset”.
“AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi promotes a jihadi mindset. The data on ‘love jihad‘ should be addressed in Hyderabad first, where the AIMIM holds political influence,” Mr. Singh, MP from Begusarai in Bihar said, addressing media persons in Patna.
Mr. Owaisi had called for “concrete data”. “If adults are making their own decision, then our likes and dislikes don’t matter. If ‘love jihad’ is happening, present concrete data collected from all States where you claim such cases exist, in Parliament,” the AIMIM leader had said.
The issue of ‘love jihad’ went “beyond personal relationships”, Mr. Singh said, alleging it was a part of a “well-hatched conspiracy”. “This is not ‘love jihad’ in the name of love, it is a planned ghazwa-e-hind (’raid of India’). No matter how many conspiracies are being hatched, India will not be Partitioned again,” Mr. Singh said.
The AIMIM leader’s political ideology was “rooted in divisive thinking”, the BJP leader said, adding, “If the ghost of Jinnah has entered into anyone in India, it will not succeed.”
Earlier, Mr. Singh had condemned the slogans allegedly raised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah by students at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus in New Delhi. “JNU these days has become camp office of the tukde-tukde (pieces) gang. Those who support Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are traitors and cases must be lodged against them for being anti-national,” Mr. Singh said, adding, “Individuals with anti-national mindset, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and leaders from parties like the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), TMC (Trinamool Congress) and Left groups are supporting such activities.” “Nationalism will eventually triumph over divisive ideologies,” Mr. Singh said, evoking Swami Vivekananda.
Source: thehindu.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bjp-leader-giriraj-singh-accuses-aimims-owaisi-of-promoting-jihadi-mindset/article70478054.ece
-----
'You will rise...': Mahua Moitra pens poem for Umar Khalid
Jan 7, 2026
KOLKATA: Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday shared a poem in support of jailed activist Umar Khalid after the Supreme Court denied him bail in a case linked to the 2020 north-east Delhi riots.
Moitra posted the poem on X, titled “You will rise, Umar Khalid”, writing, "You Will Rise, Umar Khalid. You may write me (Umar Khalid) down in history,
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt,
But still, like dust, I'll rise...You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,But still, like air, I'll rise."
The Supreme Court on Monday denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in a case involving an alleged larger conspiracy behind the 2020 north-east Delhi riots.
The court, however, granted bail to Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa Ur Rehman, Mohd. Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad.
Following the court’s decision, a group of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students reportedly raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on campus.
The action drew sharp criticism from political leaders.
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said: "The offspring of Sharjeel Imam were born at JNU. We will crush such wicked intentions, which stand with the country's traitors, with those who speak the language of breaking the country."
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala also condemned the slogans, calling Congress and Left parties an "anti-India urban naxal gang", and added, "This shows that they are an anti-India urban naxal gang which always keeps people like Umar and Sharjeel and their vote bank above national security...Be it Congress or Left or their ecosystem in JNU, they always stand with anti-India elements."
Delhi home minister Ashish Sood described the alleged sloganeering at JNU as "unfortunate" and "condemnable", saying, "This kind of sloganeering after rejection of the bail plea of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam is unfortunate and condemnable. Sharjeel Imam talked about cutting off the Chicken's Neck corridor to separate Northeast India. Umar Khalid raised slogans of 'Bharat tere tukde honge'. I consider this treason."
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/you-will-rise-mahua-moitra-pens-poem-for-umar-khalid/articleshow/126387548.cms
------
Multiple complaints, surprise inspection: National Medical Commission withdraws MBBS nod to Vaishno Devi medical college amid row over admission to Muslims
by Arun Sharma
January 7, 2026
The National Medical Commission late Tuesday withdrew its Letter of Permission (LoP) granted to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) to run an MBBS course for the 2025-26 session on the grounds of serious deficiencies in its infrastructure, including faculty strength and clinical material, among other things.
The students admitted to the MBBS course at SMVDIME for the academic year 2025-26 based on their respective merit in NEET, as per NMC directions, will be accommodated by the competent authority in other government institutions within the Union Territory as supernumerary seats.
NMC allowed the college to conduct the MBBS course, admitting 50 students, in September last year, after it issued an LoP based on a detailed inspection by its team of experts. Out of the 50, 44 Muslim students were selected on the basis of their merit in NEET.
The withdrawal of permission followed a surprise inspection of the medical institute by a team from the NMC last week, which, according to officials, was conducted after multiple complaints that the college lacked the infrastructure to run a medical course.
According to the NMC letter issued to the principal of the medical institute, its team found glaring shortcomings in the medical college infrastructure, including a 39 per cent deficiency in teaching faculty and a 65 per cent shortage of tutors, demonstrators, and senior residents.
The letter said that the outpatient department recorded fewer than 50 per cent of patients, below the minimum required number, while bed occupancy was just 45 per cent, below the mandated 80 per cent. Intensive Care Units also showed an average bed occupancy of around 50 per cent, it pointed out.
The report also highlighted gross inadequacies in infrastructure, noting that student practical laboratories and research labs were not available in some departments, lecture theatres did not meet minimum standard requirements, and library resources were far below norms, with only 50 per cent of books available against the required number and just two journals against a requirement of 15.
Essential facilities, such as an ART centre, an MDR-TB management facility, adequate operating theatres, and separate male and female wards, were also found to be missing or inadequate.
However, officials at the medical college told The Indian Express that there were no deficiencies in infrastructure. They said the NMC team conducted a surprise inspection when nearly 50 per cent of their faculty was on leave due to winter vacations.
“We were informed about the inspection on the phone only 15 minutes before the arrival of the inspection team, and we tried to call back the faculty members who had been on leave,” an official at the medical college said.
Meanwhile, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Sangarsh Samiti, a group of nearly 60 pro-RSS and pro-BJP organisations, claimed that the surprise inspection was carried out at its instance.
The Samiti, which was set up to spearhead the agitation against admission of Muslim students from Kashmir into the medical institute, initially demanded shifting of students from Kashmir admitted in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence to other colleges in the UT as it had been set up based on offerings made at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine by Hindu pilgrims from across the country.
The Samiti’s youth wing on Tuesday held a demonstration near the civil secretariat to press its demand, and its convenor, Colonel (Retired) Sukhvir Mankotia, warned of intensifying the agitation over the matter.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/complaints-inspection-national-medical-council-withdraws-mbbs-vaishno-devi-medical-college-row-admission-muslims-10459539/
-------
Odisha’s struggle with language and religion
NISHANT KUMAR HOTA
January 7, 2026
As Odisha prepares to celebrate the 90th anniversary of its birth as India’s first linguistic province, and the Muslim League’s formation approaches its 120th year, a fascinating and often overlooked historical intersection emerges. While the “Odia Movement” and the “Pakistan Movement” might appear to be parallel tracks of history, they were deeply intertwined in a complex struggle over identity, language, and territorial belonging. The journey from 1905 to 1947 in Odisha was not just a quest for a linguistic homeland, but also a crucible where a distinct Muslim communal consciousness evolved, transitioning from elite administrative petitions to the radical separatist fervour that defined the 1946 elections in the state.
At the turn of the 20th century, the political landscape of the Odisha region, then a division of the vast Bengal Presidency, was shaped by a growing linguistic nationalism among the Odia-speaking Hindu population. However, for the Muslim minority, which constitute d approximately 2 per cent of the population, the “Odia Movement” for a separate province was viewed with profound scepticism. The elite Muslim leadership of the time, consolidated under the Orissa Mohammedan Association (OMA), perceived the drive for a linguistically unified Odisha as a move toward “Hindu Raj.” This early communal consciousness was not initially separatist in a territorial sense but was deeply protective of cultural markers.
Central to this was the linguistic divide; while the Hindu leadership sought to establish Odia as the sole official and educational medium, the OMA and its prominent members, such as the Zamindars of Cuttack, adamantly vouched for Urdu. They argued that Urdu was the indispensable carrier of Islamic heritage, and any imposition of Odia was an attempt at cultural assimilation. This divergence became glaringly evident during the 1905 Partition of Bengal. While the Odia Hindu intelligentsia largely opposed the partition, fearing it would dilute the Odia-speaking tracts within a larger Bengali-dominated Eastern province, Odia Muslims were notably sympathetic to the partition. They viewe d the creation of a Muslim-majority province in Eastern Bengal as a vital safeguard for their interests. This sentiment was further institutionalised in 1906, when the Muslim Zamindars and aristocrats of Odisha were among the first and most enthusiastic supporters of the foundation of the All-India Muslim League in Dhaka.
By participating in the Dhaka session, the Muslim leadership in Odisha signalled that their political destiny was anchored to the pan-Indian Muslim identity rather than a regional Odia one. For these leaders, the Odia identity was increasingly perceived as a Hindu identity, one from which they sought a distinct constitutional distance. The administrative reorganisation of 1912, which saw the creation of the province of Bihar and Orissa, placed the Muslims of Odisha in a “double minority” status. They were a minority within the Odisha division and a further minority within the larger Bihar-dominated province. During this period, the OMA intensified its efforts to secure educational and employment safeguards. The politics of this era remained largely petitionary but was marked by a steady hardening of communal lines.
Muslim leaders consistently opposed the creation of a separate Odisha province. Their opposition was rooted in the fear that in a smaller, linguistically homogeneous province, the Hindu majority would hold absolute power. This period saw the OMA leaders perfecting the narrative that Muslims were a “historically significant” community that deserved representation far exceeding their numerical strength, a concept known as “weightage.” The linguistic conflict over Urdu versus Odia remained the primary flashpoint. The OMA successfully lobbied for special grants for Maktabs and Madrasas, insisting that the “secular” curriculum of the British-Odia schools was culturally alien to Muslim children. By the late 1920s, when the Simon Commission visited India , the OMA presente d a memorandum that was a precursor to the Two-Nation Theory.
They demanded separate electorates and guaranteed quotas, asserting that the Muslim community’s interests could never be safely entrusted to a “joint electorate” dominated by the Hindu majority. The leaders who drafted these petitions were the same individuals who would later facilitate the community’s transition toward the Muslim League. With the eventual creation of the separate province of Odisha in 1936, the fears of the Muslim leadership were realised. The 1937 provincial elections, which brought the Indian National Congress to power, acted as a catalyst for a radical shift in Muslim politics. The perceived marginalisation of Muslim interests by the Congress ministry led to the formal establishment of the Muslim League branch in Cuttack in 1938.
The transition was seamless as the prominent leaders of the OMA, including legal luminaries such as Muhammad Abdus Sobhan Khan (grandfather of the famous Odia actress Aparajita Mohanty), formally joined the League. A major psychological turning point occurred when A.K. Fazlul Huq, the Premier of Bengal, visited Cuttack and delivered a fiery address to the local Muslim community. He urged them to abandon the “nationalist” rhetoric of the Congress and recognise the Muslim League as their sole protector.
This local organisation was eventually affiliated with the All-India Muslim League in February 1940, just weeks before the historic Lahore Resolution was passed. The affiliation transformed the local grievances of Odisha’s Muslims into a quest for a separate sovereign homeland. The League’s influence grew rapidly in the urban centres of Cuttack, Balasore, and Bhadrak. The argument was no longer just about Urdu or job quotas; it was about the survival of a “distinct nation.” The League argued that the “composite nationalism” of the Congress was merely a facade for the establishment of a Brahmin-Karan-dominated social and political order in Odisha. The resignation of the Congress ministry in 1939, following the outbreak of World War II, provided an unexpected opportunity for Muslim League leaders to gain executive experience.
Between 1939 and 1944, a series of Coalition Ministries were formed, primarily involving the United Party and the Muslim League, to fill the political vacuum. Muhammed Abdus Sobhan Khan and Maulvi Latifur Rahman emerged as key figures during this period. Latifur Rahman served as a Minister in the 1941 coalition cabinet led by the Maharaja of Parlakhemundi. During their tenure in these ministries, these leaders focused heavily on provincialising Muslim grievances. They used their ministerial influence to advocate for increased Urdu educational facilities and greater Muslim representation in the police and revenue departments.
However, their participation in these “interim” or “wartime” cabinets was often viewed as a strategic manoeuvre to prevent Congress from regaining total control. Abdus Sobhan Khan, through his legislative presence, consistently argued that the Congress’s claim to represent all Indians was fraudulent, citing the League’s role in the coalition as proof that Muslims required their own political machinery to achieve justice. This period of governance allowed the League to build a patronage network that would prove vital in the 1946 elections.
Source: thestatesman.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thestatesman.com/opinion/odishas-struggle-with-language-and-religion-1503536739.html
-------
Make Muslims partners in 2047 vision, says Akbaruddin Owaisi
Jan 7, 2026
Hyderabad: MIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi on Tuesday extended his party's support to the govt's Telangana Rising-2047 vision and appealed to the govt to make Muslims partners and stakeholders in the initiative, alongside Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Dalits, BCs, Brahmins and other sections of society. The remarks were made during a short discussion on Telangana Rising-2047 in the assembly.
Akbaruddin said every citizen of the state should be involved in the Telangana Rising vision. Whether one wears a ‘tilak' on the forehead or a ‘topi' or ‘pagdi' on the head, he said, all should work together to carry forward the development of the state and the nation. "The country should come first and party ideology or stands could be set aside. Real development means everyone should live happily," he added.
He appealed to the govt not to forget the Old City and to ensure it was included in the Telangana Rising vision. He also called for a law prohibiting permission for pan shops near schools and colleges, and for the cancellation of licences of wine shops located near places of worship and educational institutions.
On the Musi rejuvenation project, Akbaruddin said that for it be successful, the govt should first separate stormwater drains from the sewerage network. He said the MIM would stand with the incumbent govt in improving Hyderabad's brand image and in achieving the Telangana Rising 2047 goals.
Meanwhile, BJP floor leader Alleti Maheshwar Reddy questioned whether Telangana was rising on the fronts of corruption, scams and land sales. He also asked whether Telangana Rising meant failing to implement the six guarantees and other election promises.
He said the govt should stop talking about the Bharat Future City and instead shift its entire focus to addressing the civic, traffic, transport, drainage, drinking water and other infrastructure needs of the existing core city. He alleged that the education and health sectors had been neglected by the govt.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/make-muslims-partners-in-2047-vision-says-akbaruddin-owaisi/articleshowprint/126380536.cms
------
Mideast
Israeli forces raid Palestinian university in Birzeit, injure students
January 06, 2026
LONDON: Israeli forces raided Birzeit University, located north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, injuring 11 students and detaining the university’s vice president for academic affairs.
The university confirmed that 11 students were wounded, including five by live ammunition, while dozens suffered breathing difficulties from inhaling tear gas. All casualties were later transported to hospital for medical treatment by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
Nirdin Al-Mimi, the university’s public relations officer, confirmed that Israeli forces used live ammunition, tear gas canisters, and stun grenades during the violent raid on the campus on Tuesday.
Israeli soldiers broke and damaged the university’s main gate, stormed several buildings and departments, and seized equipment belonging to the student movement, she added.
They also detained the university’s vice president for academic affairs, Assem Khalil, according to Wafa news agency.
Birzeit University is one of the leading higher education institutions in Palestine, with nearly 8,000 students enrolled.
The Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Education condemned the raid, saying that it violates international norms protecting the sanctity of educational institutions.
It called on the International Association of Universities, the Association of Arab Universities, and all relevant organizations to expose and address ongoing violations against Palestinian higher education, Wafa added.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628460/middle-east
------
EU urges Israel to halt NGO registration law, warns it puts aid for Gaza at risk
EPHREM KOSSAIFY
January 06, 2026
NEW YORK CITY: The EU on Tuesday urged Israeli authorities not to implement in its current form a new law governing the registration of international nongovernmental organizations, warning it could jeopardize life-saving humanitarian operations in Gaza and the other occupied Palestinian territories.
In a joint statement, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaja Kallas, and Commissioners Hadja Lahbib and Dubravca Suica said the law could severely restrict the ability of international aid organizations to operate and deliver assistance to civilians amid one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.
The European Council highlighted the need for “rapid, safe and unimpeded” delivery of aid and warned that without nongovernmental organizations, “humanitarian aid cannot be delivered at the scale needed to prevent further loss of life in Gaza.”
The new law, adopted by the Israeli government after the introduction of new registration requirements in March 2025, obliges foreign humanitarian organizations to provide detailed information about their operations, including full lists of local and foreign staff, as a condition for registering to operate in Palestinian areas.
Dozens of aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders, World Vision and Oxfam, face having their accreditation revoked or licenses suspended after failing to meet the new criteria by the Dec. 31 deadline that was set. Israeli authorities have said organizations that fail to meet the new requirements must cease all activities by March 1.
Critics say the rules risk undermining humanitarian principles and could endanger local staff. The Israeli measures drew international condemnation and warnings from UN agencies, which said international NGOs provide essential “humanitarian lifelines” in Gaza where they are delivering most of the healthcare, nutritional, water and sanitation services amid ongoing restrictions and closures of border crossings.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, UN agencies have said, with winter conditions compounding the suffering of displaced populations living in makeshift shelters that expose them to heavy rain, flooding and cold.
Hundreds of thousands of people in the territory have received emergency food, shelter and winter supplies, and while famine conditions have eased since the ceasefire agreement in October, acute food insecurity, malnutrition and damage to infrastructure continues to take a toll.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said recent heavy rains have flooded tents, damaged homes and put a strain on already limited water, sanitation and health services, underscoring the need for sustained and unimpeded aid access.
The EU statement comes after the European Council on Dec. 18 welcomed a UN Security Council resolution for the establishment of a peace-building and stabilization force in Gaza, and urged all parties to implement it fully and in line with the principles of international law.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628480/middle-east
------
Syria military accuses SDF of killing 4 in Aleppo attacks
January 06, 2026
LONDON: Four people were killed and at least 17 injured in attacks by Kurdish-led forces in Syria’s second largest city, state media reported on Tuesday.
The clashes marked the third day in a row that the Syrian Democratic Forces had attacked targets in Aleppo and the surrounding province, Syria’s Defense Ministry said.
Two women and a man died after the SDF shelled residential buildings in and around Aleppo’s Al-Midan neighborhood, SANA reported.
The Aleppo Agriculture Directorate said nine of its employees were taken to the hospital after its building in the area was hit by an SDF shell.
Some residents in the area fled to safer parts of the city, the report said, with authorities urging people to avoid areas where clashes were underway until secured by the security forces.
Earlier, a Syrian soldier was killed by an SDF drone strike against army positions in Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood to the north.
The attack near the Shayhan roundabout injured three others.
The Defense Ministry accused the SDF of shelling several Aleppo neighborhoods next to areas it controls, causing extensive damage to private property.
The army responded by striking the SDF positions and drone launch sites.
The ministry accused the SDF of violating an agreement signed in March that included plans to integrate the Kurdish-led group’s military, territory and natural resources, including oil fields, into the new government in Damascus.
“The SDF organization once again proves that it does not recognize the March 10 agreement and is trying to derail it and drag the army into an open battle of its choosing,” the ministry’s media office said.
The deal was meant to be implemented by the end of 2025, but talks between the two sides on Sunday provided no “tangible results,” state TV reported.
The SDFdenied it was behind Tuesday's attacks and instead blamed the casualties on "indiscriminate artillery and missile shelling carried out by factions of the Damascus government."
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628465/middle-east
------
Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Aidrous Al-Zubaidi Flees to Unknown Location
January 07, 2026
RIYADH: Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki stated that the head of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi has fled to an unknown location.
Major General Al-Malki announced that on Jan. 4, 2026, the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition informed Al-Zubaidi that he must travel to Saudi Arabia within 48 hours to meet with President of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) of the Republic of Yemen Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, and the Coalition Forces Command to address the reasons behind the escalation and attacks by forces affiliated with the STC on the governorates of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra.
On Jan. 5, the Presidency of the STC reiterated its appreciation for the efforts led by Saudi Arabia in preparing for a comprehensive Southern conference to discuss ways to resolve the Southern issue, and affirmed its active participation in ensuring the conference’s success.
Consequently, Al-Zubaidi informed the Kingdom of his intention to attend on Jan. 6, and the delegation proceeded to the airport.
However, the departure of Yemenia Airways flight IYE 532, scheduled for 10.10 p.m. and carrying the delegation, was delayed for more than three hours. The legitimate government and the coalition received intelligence indicating that Al-Zubaidi had moved a large force—including armored vehicles, combat vehicles, heavy and light weapons, and ammunition—from the Jabal Hadid and Al-Solban camps towards Al-Dhale' around midnight.
Subsequently, the aforementioned flight was allowed to depart, carrying a large number of STC leaders but excluding the council's head Aidrous Al-Zubaidi, who fled to an unknown location.
He left the members and leaders of the STC without any details regarding his whereabouts. This occurred after he distributed weapons and ammunition to dozens of elements inside Aden, led by Mu'min Al-Saqqaf and Mukhtar Al-Nubi, with the aim of creating unrest in Aden in the coming hours.
This prompted the National Shield Forces and the coalition to request Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council Abdul Rahman Al-Mahrami (Abu Zara'a) to impose security, prevent any clashes within Aden, spare its residents any disturbances, protect lives and property, and cooperate with the National Shield Forces.
The coalition forces monitored the movement of the aforementioned military units as they emerged from the camps and took up positions in a building near Al-Zand camp in Al-Dhale' Governorate. At 4 a.m., coalition forces, in coordination with legitimate government forces and the National Shield Forces, launched limited preemptive strikes to disrupt these forces and thwart Al-Zubaidi's attempts to escalate the conflict and extend it into Al-Dhale'.
The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen affirms that it is working with the Yemeni government and the local authority in Aden to support and maintain security efforts and confront any military forces targeting cities and civilians. The command urges all residents to stay away from camps in Aden and Al-Dhale', avoid any gatherings of military vehicles for their own safety, and provide information to security agencies regarding any suspicious military movements.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628509/middle-east
------
Great expectations: Yemenis look forward to outcomes of Riyadh dialogue
MOHAMMED AL-SULAMI
January 06, 2026
RIYADH: Last December marked a troubled end to the year in Yemen, particularly in its southern and eastern governorates. While much of the world marked the season with hopes for peace and stability, developments on the ground took a sharply different turn.
The Southern Transitional Council (STC), led by Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, moved to seize control of state institutions and military camps, defying expectations in Hadramout and Al-Mahra and mounting a direct challenge to the internationally recognized government.
These actions, carried out through armed force and supported by external actors, led to casualties and an escalation of tensions in both governorates.
In response, Yemen’s political leadership appealed to the Saudi-led coalition to contain the situation, called for the withdrawal of Emirati forces, and initiated operations to reassert control over military headquarters in Hadramout and Al-Mahra.
Subsequently, Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, asked Saudi Arabia to host a conference in Riyadh, bringing together all southern factions to discuss solutions — a request accepted by the Saudi leadership.
The initiative comes amid the Kingdom’s affirmation of the legitimacy of the southern cause, coupled with its clear rejection of any solution imposed by force.
Arab News surveyed the views of several Yemeni politicians and analysts on their expectations for the conference, convened at a critical and highly sensitive juncture, and on the key issues anticipated to dominate the dialogue.
Among them was Salah Batis, a member of the Yemeni Shura Council, a member of the Preparatory Committee for the Unified Council of the Eastern Governorates, and a prominent figure in Hadramout.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — both leadership and people — for their steadfast support, assistance, and courageous stand alongside the people of Hadramout and the eastern governorates in particular, and Yemen as a whole,” Batis told Arab News.
“Without this support, and without the role of the Saudi Air Force, this victory would not have been achieved, security would not have been restored, and this militia would not have been removed from these sensitive areas, especially Hadramout and the eastern governorates.
“We also express our appreciation to the political leadership, represented by the chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, and to the governor of Hadramout and commander of the Homeland Shield Forces, Salem Al-Khanbashi.
“Our gratitude further extends to the heroes of the Homeland Shield Forces, the armed forces, and the security forces who participated in the operation to take control of the camps. It was a swift and decisive operation, carried out at minimal cost, praise be to God.”
However, Batis said he opposes the inclusion of the STC in the upcoming Riyadh conference, citing its involvement in the killing and terrorizing of civilians in Hadramout and Al-Mahra.
He described the call for dialogue as “a positive step toward preserving the southern cause, which the STC had sought to hijack and undermine, nearly causing severe damage had it not been for swift and decisive intervention.”
Batis said the southern cause must represent all southerners without exception, and that no single party should monopolize it or claim exclusive representation. He said the STC had already harmed the cause by using armed violence to advance its agenda, resulting in killings.
For this reason, he said, the people of Hadramout — where many of these violations occurred — have demanded, and continue to demand, accountability for those responsible and their exclusion from the dialogue.
He accused the STC of mobilizing armed forces, invading governorates, killing tribesmen, attacking villages and civilians, storming and looting state camps, and destroying public institutions, including airports, ports, oil facilities, and government offices in Seiyun, Mukalla, and other locations.
Batis said the STC and its leadership bear full responsibility, arguing they had led and directed the armed groups toward Hadramout under the banner of southern forces.
He questioned how the people of Hadramout and the eastern governorates could accept belonging to such a region after what had occurred, noting that these forces operated under a declared leadership and a self-proclaimed supreme commander.
Batis said local communities viewed them as invading forces that killed civilians, shed blood, attacked state institutions, and seized military camps.
He added that, were it not for the decisive intervention of allied forces and local authorities — leading to the return of the camps, the repair of the damage, and the withdrawal of these militias to their original positions — the consequences would have been far more severe.
“I believe this dialogue and conference must have a clear and firm framework: no group that possesses weapons, militias, or armed forces should take part,” Batis said.
“Arms must be exclusively in the hands of the state, under the authority of the ministries of defense and interior, and sovereignty must rest solely with the state — not with parties, factions, or individuals.”
Batis warned against repeating what he described as the mistake of 2013, when the Houthi group was allowed to participate in the National Dialogue Conference while still armed and expanding its territorial control.
He recalled that by January 2014 the Houthis had seized Amran Governorate and laid siege to Sanaa, halting the drafting of the federal constitution and forcing meetings to be held at the Presidential Palace.
Batis noted that he was serving at the time as vice president of the National Authority tasked with monitoring the implementation of the dialogue’s outcomes, before the Houthis later stormed the capital and plunged the country into a crisis that continues to this day.
For his part, political analyst and activist Youssef Ismail Abdo said that any fair and equitable outcomes from the conference would help stabilize the south — particularly Hadramawt and the eastern governorates — fostering security, development, and stability, with positive implications for all of Yemen and the wider region.
Also speaking to Arab News, Dr. Nasser bin Habtour, secretary-general of the Shabwa National Council, said that “the south is home to multiple political projects, including secession and a federal state.
“The events of December demonstrated that not all southerners support secession, leaving the STC isolated in its unilateral move. In my opinion, all political options should be placed on the dialogue table so that southerners can discuss them and reach a unified vision.”
He argued that “secession is neither feasible nor appropriate at the present stage, given Yemen’s dire circumstances, with the Houthi militia controlling Sanaa and state institutions and posing a serious threat to Yemen and the wider region.”
He stressed that “restoring the Yemeni state must come first, after which all political projects can be presented to the people, who should then decide the future form of the state.”
He added: “The meeting, to be held in Riyadh, came at the request of southern political and social figures and groups who convened after recognizing both their responsibility and the danger into which the STC had placed the southern cause.
“They contacted the chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, urging him to ask the Kingdom to host a southern dialogue conference.” He noted that “this initiative was consistent with Saudi Arabia’s longstanding role in supporting Yemen.”
“The conference must focus on repairing the damage inflicted on the southern cause by the STC’s unilateral decisions and attempts to monopolize it, as well as restoring the issue to its proper course through a consensual vision shared by the people of the south.”
Regarding the expected outcomes of the comprehensive southern national dialogue, Habtour said: “The first priority is reaching consensus on a unified southern vision that reflects the aspirations of the people of the south.”
He added: “The southern issue must be situated within the broader national struggle to restore the state from the Houthi militia, as well as integrated into the negotiation process aimed at restoring security and stability in Yemen.”
He further stressed “the importance of defining the role of southerners in the upcoming phase, particularly within the framework of a future federal state and their contribution to nation-building and development.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628496/middle-east
------
Israel’s main airport receives passenger boost from Gaza ceasefire
January 06, 2026
JERUSALEM: Passenger traffic at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv rose 33 percent in 2025, the Israel Airports Authority reported on Tuesday, reflecting the return of foreign carriers after many airlines halted flights during the two-year Gaza war.
A US-brokered ceasefire in October gave way to the resumption of flights to Israel by carriers who had not yet resumed routes to Tel Aviv. In December, the number of passengers rose 59 percent.
In all of 2025, passenger traffic at Israel’s main air gateway Ben Gurion reached 18.5 million, versus 13.9 million in 2024. The airport handled 21.8 million people in 2023, the year war broke out after the October 7 attacks by Hamas.
Flag carrier El Al Israel Airlines, which did not halt flights during the war other than last June during a 12-day conflict with Iran, showed a 5 percent annual gain to 6.9 million passengers, though its market share slipped to 37 percent from 48 percent.
El Al has posted steep gains in revenue and profit as a result of the conflict, in which just a handful of carriers were operating.
Smaller rivals Israir, with an 11 percent market share, and Arkia at 9 percent followed El Al.
Wizz Air was the largest foreign carrier in Israel with 1.23 million passengers — double its 2024 level — for a 7 percent market share. Wizz is seeking to establish a hub in Israel.
Aegean, flydubai, Etihad, Lufthansa and United also posted large gains in the number of passengers last year.
Separately, Israel’s Statistics Bureau said tourist numbers to Israel rose 38 percent in 2025 to 1.34 million, but remained below the 2023 level of 3.24 million. Outgoing tourism by Israelis grew 33 percent to 9.42 million last year.
The Gaza war broke out in October 2023. While the ceasefire halted most fighting, it has not stopped entirely.
Israeli strikes since the deal was struck have killed more than 400 Palestinians — most of them civilians, according to Gaza health officials — and Palestinian militants have killed three Israeli soldiers.
Both sides have accused one another of violating the deal’s provisions.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628492/middle-east
-------
Jordanian and Libyan army commanders discuss expanding military cooperation
January 06, 2026
LONDON: Jordanian and Libyan army commanders met in Amman on Tuesday to discuss opportunities for joint military cooperation and coordination.
The meeting involved Jordan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti and Libyan Deputy Commander-in-Chief Lt. Gen. Saddam Khalifa Abu Qasim.
The two sides discussed joint military cooperation, the exchange of training expertise, and capacity building to support defense partnerships and address shared security challenges, the Petra news agency reported.
Huneiti discussed key modernization programs by the Jordan Armed Forces and their ongoing humanitarian efforts in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. He emphasized that the JAF prioritize military cooperation to enhance regional security and mutual interests, the Petra added.
Abu Qasim stressed the importance of ongoing coordination and the sharing of military expertise between the two countries.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628468/middle-east
-----
Arab World
Saudi watchdog warns of possible health risk from Nestle baby formula
January 06, 2026
RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority on Tuesday warned the public not to consume certain Nestle infant formula products, after the company issued a voluntary recall over concerns about possible contamination.
The advisory covers products marketed under the Nan, Alfamino, S-26 Gold and S-26 Ultima brands. They might be contaminated with cereulide, a toxin produced by the Bacillus cereus bacteria, which can pose a risk to infant health, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The Saudi authority said the recall was a precautionary measure and no related illnesses have been reported. Possible symptoms of exposure can include nausea, repeated vomiting and abdominal pain.
It advised consumers to dispose of the recalled products immediately, and said it was coordinating with Nestle to ensure they are removed from stores and is monitoring the process.
Full details of the affected products, including batch numbers, are available at the Saudi Food and Drug Authority website. The organization said consumers can report any food safety concerns by calling 19999.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628484/saudi-arabia
-------
Capturing the Kingdom a frame at a time
NADA HAMEED
January 06, 2026
RIYADH: Long before Saudi Arabia’s cultural and archeological treasures were known to the world, Mohamed Babelli had already developed an instinct for uncovering its archaeological gems.
Consultant engineer by profession and photographer by passion, Babelli’s journey into visual documentation began at an early age and evolved into a publishing project.
“I received my first camera as a gift from my father before a summer trip to Cyprus in 1978. Since then, photography was associated with travel,” Babelli told Arab News.
That early exposure shaped a lifelong habit of seeing places through a photographer’s lens. In the early 1990s, Babelli began exploring the outskirts of Riyadh with colleagues from around the world, documenting landscapes rarely photographed at the time.
His interest deepened in the mid-1990s when he collaborated with an Australian photographer on books focused on Saudi Arabia’s natural environment.
“I returned from that trip with some good photographs and a decision to work on a book about Mada’in Saleh, AlUla and the Hejaz Railway,” Babelli said.
It took five years to complete “Mada’in Saleh,” which was published in English in 2003, with text researched and written by his brother, Ibrahim Babelli. The book was among the first visual works to document Hegra, AlUla and the historic railway in a single volume.
His work led to the founding of Desert Publisher in Riyadh in 2008, a publishing house specializing in high-quality visual publications about the Kingdom.
Babelli said the name reflected the publisher’s strong connection to the desert and Saudi heritage, a theme evident in both the design and content of its books. The name is also inspired by a transformative expedition earlier that year across the Empty Quarter.
“The expedition had a great impression on me,” said Babelli.
“Saudi Arabia,” published in 2007, is a visually rich volume that takes readers on a journey across the Kingdom, covering cities, traditions, architecture, people, heritage, religion, archaeology, nature and daily life.
What set the book apart was its multilingual format. From its first edition, it was published in four languages — English, French, German and Spanish — in order to reach an international audience.
“Since a young age, I had the opportunity to travel to different countries, east and west,” said Babelli. “In Europe, and in Germany in particular, I found cultural books include at least three languages.
“My goal was to provide the viewer or reader with a beautiful picture of Saudi Arabia, along with correct information in their language, so that they can enjoy and learn about (it),” he added.
Over time, his books expanded to feature nine languages, including Arabic, English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. This made them a natural choice for Saudi embassies, international conferences and major global events, including conferences in Senegal and Spain, as well as Expo Shanghai in China.
In 2019, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs selected several of the publisher’s titles for distribution to the Kingdom’s diplomatic missions worldwide to mark Saudi National Day.
Having witnessed every major phase of photography, Babelli’s work reflects both technical evolution and artistic discipline.
“Photography evolved greatly since I started taking photos,” he said. “I remember I started with negative films. My first use of positive films was not successful; I came back with a film I could not develop from a visit to the Alhambra Palace in Spain in 1983.”
From manual film cameras to slide photography, medium format systems and eventually digital platforms, Babelli adapted.
“When digital cameras came into the market, I immediately started using the best of the line available,” he said. “I never went back to film.”
Despite advances in technology, Babelli remains firm in his belief that equipment alone does not define success.
“What is important is the eye of the photographer,” he said, advising young photographers to start with what they could afford and upgrade as their knowledge expands.
To date, Babelli’s most ambitious project to date is “Antiquity of Saudi Arabia.” The project began in 2009 and took 15 years to complete, with support from the Cultural Development Fund enabling its final stages.
The book, which presents Saudi Arabia’s archeological heritage in a structured chronological sequence, was published in September 2025 and unveiled at the Riyadh International Book Fair.
The 384-page volume documents antiquities from across the Kingdom, from the Stone Age and early human presence on the Arabian Peninsula to the unification of Saudi Arabia in the 1950s.
It was developed with the contribution of leading academics and archeology specialists, including university professors and former museum directors, some of whom remain actively involved in excavation work. This ensured the accuracy of the material and the correct contextual linking of images to their original archaeological sites.
“We started with the arrival of the ancient human into the Arabian Peninsula over 1.3 million years ago,” Babelli said. “The book covers the Stone Age, ancient civilizations, ancient Arab kingdoms, the Islamic era and the Saudi state.”
The volume combines art and visual storytelling with texts written by specialists and links to academic references, with photographs carefully selected from Babelli’s extensive archive.
“I took all opportunities to photograph as many objects as I was able to,” he said. “Selection of the photos was done jointly with Dr Awad Al-Zahrani and Abdulaziz Al-Omari to ensure the best representation of the subject.”
While most of Babelli’s work centers on Saudi heritage, one publication stands apart — a book dedicated to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Palestine. Published in 2017, it evolved through collaborations with international scholars and photographers.
Seeing his books reach global audiences and feature at official events remains deeply meaningful: “It is the ultimate success,” he said.
Babelli believes documenting places and history through photography is both a responsibility, legacy and faith, yet his guiding philosophy remains unchanged: “Do the best work you can to the highest quality level,” he said, quoting a verse from the Qur’an: “And say: ‘Work (righteousness): Soon will Allah observe your work, and (so will) His Messenger, and the Believers’.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628478/saudi-arabia
------
AlUla’s ancient rock engravings provide enduring cultural legacy
RAHAF JAMBI
January 06, 2026
ALULA: Carved into sandstone cliffs and canyon walls, AlUla’s rock engravings form one of Saudi Arabia’s most enduring expressions of cultural heritage, preserving human memory across millennia.
More than decorative markings, these carvings document belief systems, daily life, and shifting power across civilizations that once converged in the northwest Arabian oasis.
For thousands of years AlUla lay along a vital caravan route linking the Arabian Peninsula to the Levant and beyond, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Hunters, traders, kings, and pilgrims all passed through the region, leaving behind depictions of animals, scenes of daily life, symbols, and inscriptions in different ancient scripts etched into the rocks.
From the early Dadanite and Lihyanite kingdoms to the Nabataeans and later the Roman influence, each era contributed layers to what has become a vast historic record.
The craft of rock engraving in AlUla is among the most distinctive features of its cultural landscape. These rock carvings have formed a visual record that documents social structures, practices and territorial presence.
Their varied styles and scripts reflect both artistic skill and evolving systems of communication, turning the surrounding mountains into silent narrators of the region’s past, the SPA noted.
Across successive periods, rock engraving remained a key means of documentation and expression. Changes in symbols, techniques and content trace the development of communities that settled in AlUla, offering insight into how societies adapted to their environment and one another. The engravings form a continuous timeline carved directly into the land.
This heritage continues to resonate with AlUla’s residents today. Local interest in rock engraving has grown, with younger generations learning from ancient techniques while engaging with the craft through contemporary educational frameworks.
This transmission of knowledge reflects a broader effort to preserve tangible heritage alongside physical remains.
Specialized workshops and training programs support this work, led by cultural and educational institutions such as the Al-Deira School.
These initiatives focus on the history, methods and meanings behind the carvings, ensuring that skills and context are passed on accurately.
Through these efforts, AlUla’s rock engravings remain a living heritage that is rediscovered by new generations and continues to connect past with present.
Razan Abdullah Al-Saleh, a stone-carving artist and instructor, learned the craft through specialized training courses and now leads workshops in collaboration with the Royal Commission for AlUla at the Rock Inscriptions Academy in Jabal Ikmah, helping preserve and promote this traditional art.
Speaking to Arab News, Al-Saleh said stone carving is “one of the oldest artistic practices, and an essential part of our heritage because it carries forward the legacy of ancient civilizations.”
Historically, she explained, the craft relied on simple yet precise techniques, including striking stone with harder materials like basalt for carving, cutting, and abrasion, while volcanic pumice was used to smooth and finish surfaces.
Preserving the practice, Al-Saleh noted, delivers multiple cultural benefits, from safeguarding the craft itself and protecting the cultural identity linked to stone-carving traditions to supporting tourism and raising cultural awareness.
However, she added that the craft faces significant challenges today, including limited interest among learners, a shortage of workshops, and insufficient media and financial support.
To engage younger generations, Al-Saleh said the solution lies in expanding hands-on training opportunities and increasing visibility through media and social platforms, helping transform this heritage skill into both a cultural and economic opportunity.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628474/saudi-arabia
------
Saudi deputy minister receives newly appointed ambassador of Azerbaijan
January 06, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati received newly appointed Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom Mutallim Mirzayev in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Al-Sati welcomed the ambassador and wished him success in his new duties, the Foreign Ministry wrote in a post on X.
In a separate meeting, the Azerbaijani ambassador also met with Saudi Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Rassi in Riyadh. They discussed various topics of mutual interest.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628472/saudi-arabia
-------
Saudi surgeons train Indonesian doctors in maxillofacial, thyroid surgery
SHEANY YASUKO LAI
January 06, 2026
JAKARTA: A 19-member surgical team from Saudi Arabia has trained Indonesian doctors in oral, maxillofacial and thyroid surgery under a King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center program to expand access to advanced medical procedures in eastern Indonesia.
The Saudi medics were embedded with their Indonesian colleagues at the Wahidin Sudirohusodo Central General Hospital in Makassar, South Sulawesi province.
“KSrelief’s medical team consisted of surgeons and consultants, so doctors from our hospital had the opportunity to directly observe surgical procedures done by the Saudi doctors that have never been performed here,” Aulia Yamin, spokesperson of the Makassar hospital, told Arab News on Tuesday.
“There were also in-depth discussions on diagnosis and plans for surgery for highly complex cases.”
The KSrelief team was in Indonesia in late December, during which Saudi doctors performed free maxillofacial and thyroid surgery on 60 patients, she added.
The transfer of knowledge by KSrelief also supported Indonesia’s health system transformation plan, which seeks to improve access and quality of services in all regional government hospitals, particularly in eastern Indonesia.
“Makassar is the primary transportation and health referral hub for eastern Indonesia, which means there’s a high number of cases requiring maxillofacial and thyroid surgeries,” Yamin said.
“We hope that this collaboration can continue in the future for other cases, so that more Indonesians can benefit from the program.”
The KSrelief program had also included guest lectures by the Saudi doctors, covering facial and jaw reconstruction as well as updated and new approaches to paranoid gland surgery.
“We’re really thankful to the very hard work that we saw here. The (Indonesian) team was with us day and night and throughout very long surgeries and very complex surgeries,” Prof. Basem T. Jamal, who led the KSrelief team in Makassar, said in a video statement.
“And not only was it supporting the medical effort, but there was always interest in expressing and exchanging knowledge and experiences, and it was really really, a very rich experience for all of us.”
KSrelief has conducted similar programs in other parts of Indonesia, including in Medan, North Sumatra in 2024 that focused on training Indonesian doctors in advanced cardiac procedures on adults and children.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628454/saudi-arabia
------
Islamic coalition launches rehab program in Kenya
January 06, 2026
RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition recently launched an anti-extremism program in Nairobi, Kenya, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The launch of the “Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration for Individuals with Extremist Ideologies and Terrorist Behaviors” program was attended by several top officials.
Those in attendance included Kenyan Deputy Director of Military Intelligence Brig. Joel Kirimi, Mansour Al-Qarni, head of the coalition’s ideology department, and leading specialists.
The program supports member states in promoting community-based approaches to rehabilitate individuals influenced by extremist ideas and reintegrate them into society.
It aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Over five days, the program will address the nature and dimensions of terrorism, and scholarly perspectives on rehabilitation, according to the coalition’s website.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628452/saudi-arabia
------
King Faisal Prize to announce 2026 laureates in Riyadh
January 06, 2026
RIYADH: The King Faisal Prize will announce its 2026 laureates on Wednesday in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Ahead of the announcement, specialized selection committees for the prize’s four categories — Islamic Studies, Arabic Language and Literature, Medicine, and Science — began meetings at the prize’s headquarters, continuing until Jan. 7.
Prince Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz is chairing the committee selecting the laureate for the Service to Islam prize, the SPA reported.
The topics for the 48th session of the King Faisal Prize are: Islamic Studies: “Trade Routes in the Islamic World”; Arabic Language and Literature: “Arabic Literature in French”; Medicine: “Discoveries Transforming Obesity Therapeutics”; and Science: “Mathematics.”
The Service to Islam is an honorary award granted to individuals who have made pioneering contributions to serving Islam and Muslims intellectually, scientifically, or socially through impactful works, activities, programs, or projects.
Nominations are submitted by scientific institutions, universities, research centers, and language councils. Nominees must be living, and their work must be published, informative, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge and human development.
This year’s selection committees include experts and scholars from various countries who are meeting in Riyadh to review nominations and select laureates objectively and transparently.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2628451/saudi-arabia
------
Europe
Teacher banned for calling Islam 'demonic' and saying Covid was fake
Adam Postans
06 Jan 2026
A teacher who told Bristol pupils covid was fake and claimed Islam was ‘demonic’, male homosexuality was an ‘unnatural, unhealthy, disgusting perversion’, and that Black Lives Matter (BLM) stood for ‘Burn, Loot, Murder’ has been banned from the profession.
Patrick Lawler wrote in a Catholic newsletter that ‘all other religions are false’ and that abortion was a ‘great wickedness’, a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel ruled.
The 62-year-old falsely told Year 6 students during a transition day to secondary school that Rosa Parks had not existed, that the famous account of the Black activist giving up her seat on a bus was ‘staged’, and that Martin Luther King was a ‘fraud and had embezzled lots of money’, it was found.
Most of the allegations relate to Lawler’s time as a history teacher at Bede Academy in Northumberland from 2015-20.
But, despite receiving a warning letter in 2019 about his controversial views, he was subsequently employed as a supply teacher by Monarch Education Recruitment Agency in Bristol and worked at Bristol Brunel Academy in Speedwell, part of Cabot Learning Federation.
The TRA panel, whose findings were published on Monday, January 5, said the teacher told Bristol pupils in September 2022 that there was no scientific proof of Covid-19 and that you could eat as much salt as you wanted without getting poisoned – a claim he attempted to back up by eating salt in front of children in the classroom.
It decided that Lawler was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct that could bring the profession into disrepute.
The report said he authored or co-authored an article in 2015 in an online Catholic newsletter called The Flock that said ‘Catholicism is the one true religion and… all other religions are false, and of all the false religions Islam is demonstrably the most demonic’.
The piece added that ‘copulation between two men is an unnatural, unhealthy, disgusting perversion’, ‘killing children in the womb by abortion is a great wickedness’ and that Islam was ‘Satanically inspired’.
The TRA concluded that the teacher told Bede Academy pupils in December 2020 that ‘back in the day you used to be able to get cocaine purer’, a comment that was ‘in no way related to the lesson’.
It decided Lawler should be banned from the profession indefinitely with a minimum of four years before he could apply to be reinstated as there was a ‘high risk of similar misconduct reoccurring’.
Confirming the ruling, a civil servant on behalf of the Secretary of State wrote: “The panel finds that the conduct of Mr Lawler fell significantly short of the standards expected of the profession.
“The findings of misconduct are serious as they include a teacher engaging in behaviour that sought to advance his own personal, often controversial, viewpoints over others, and reduce the standing of his own pupils.
“Patrick Lawler is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth-form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.”
Lawler did not attend the hearing and was not represented.
Source: bristolpost.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/teacher-banned-calling-islam-demonic-10739795
-------
Islamic scholar banned from entering UK after pro-Gaza support
06 January, 2026
A leading Islamic scholar was reportedly banned from entering the UK for a speaking tour over comments related to his support for Palestine.
Dr Shadee Elmasry was set to arrive in Birmingham on Sunday for a three-day tour to Bolton and Ilford, organised by the Global Relief Trust. However, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood revoked his travel authorisation over "controversial" social media posts relating to the Gaza war and allegedly justifying Palestinian resistance.
"There is no place in the UK for foreign nationals who spread hate or push extremist ideas," a spokesperson for the Home Office told The New Arab when asked about Elmasry's ban.
"Anyone intent on stirring hatred or dividing our communities will not be allowed to enter the UK."
Responding to the ban, Dr Elmasry told The New Arab: "All I have to say is how ironic it is that I actually said nothing about England! So why are they upset?"
"It's bizarre when people fail to see how controlled they are."
The scholar has been vocal in denouncing Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip and disinformation on the subject. He has also pointed out the double standards taken by Western countries who back Israel's "right" to defend itself, despite 71,386 Palestinians being killed in Gaza and almost the entire population of the enclave being displaced.
Following the 7 October attacks in southern Israel, Dr Elmasry wrote: "They [Western commentators] are all in this (fake or real) state of shock that the people of Gaza finally punched back (after 50 years)."
"In contrast, the very same people would celebrate a similar kind of attack from Ukraine against Putin, ignoring the fact that Israel has committed far worse things against Palestinians than what Russia did to Ukraine."
"Forget all of that, when our own nation wants more resources (not justice), it destroys entire regions in wars that last 20 years."
Dr Elmasry's ban came after Conservative MP Nick Timothy made a call for the scholar to be prevented from entering the UK, claiming that allowing him to speak was "giving a platform to incitement and violent extremism".
He also called on the Home Secretary to "exclude foreign nationals whose presence here would not be conducive to the public good".
The Jerusalem Post also reported on the "pro-Hamas" comments made by the scholar a day before his visa was revoked.
The move was praised by the pro-Israeli group North West Friends of Israel, saying the home secretary has "once again shown her commitment to protecting the UK's Jewish community".
While the Labour minister has made pro-Palestine sentiments in the past and called for recognition of Palestine, the secretary has since changed her stance, including abstaining on a key ceasefire vote in November 2023.
Mahmood also sparked outrage after claiming to have never heard of the Arabic name "Jihad" after learning the name of the attacker behind the Manchester synagogue attack was Jihad al-Shamie.
The home secretary had also cancelled the visa of Pakistani influencer Tuaha Ibn Jalil, who runs a Muslim youth club in Pakistan, was meant to speak at mosques, community centres, a university and a school after calling for "jihad", which means "struggle" against Israel.
Source: newarab.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.newarab.com/news/islamic-scholar-banned-entering-uk-after-pro-gaza-support
-------
Your Party’s future lies with Muslim voters
By Ben Walker
7 January 2026
Your Party, fresh from that fraught launch in Liverpool last year, is about to find how fast its prospective voters have abandoned it. The number of Britons considering a vote for Jeremy Corbyn’s party was never higher than what it was for the Greens, but now the gap between the two, in favour of the Greens, is greater. YouGov polling in July found 28 per cent of Brits would consider voting for the Greens, and 18 per cent for Your Party. However, since then, the number of people considering Your Party has fallen to 12 per cent. And more worryingly still, 85 per cent of Your Party-curious voters would also consider voting for the Greens.
Considering voting for a party is, of course, very different to saying you will to vote for that party. Read it as “ceiling support”. Now that Your Party has been officialised into a proper party pollsters may start including it in voter intention surveys. The findings, however, are likely to be unedifying.
Earlier in the year I wrote that any polling about a Corbyn party would overstate its position in the polls, and my claim appears to have come to fruition. Speculative polling about a fantasy force always risks overstating its potential among the voters. In July, More in Common estimated Your Party to reach 8 per cent and overtake the Greens. Now it estimates Your Party to reach only half of that.
Your Party and the Greens are sipping from the same cup, and Your Party’s prospective voters are currently leaning towards the Greens. The success of Zack Polanski – already better known than Caroline Lucas ever was during her tenure as party leader – has effectively positioned the Greens as the primary contender to Labour on the left. The capacity for Your Party to win over prospective Green voters was predicated on the Greens sitting on under 10 per cent in the opinion polls. They’re now north of that, near 15 per cent, with a leader who has more public renown than any Green figure in recent history.
Zack Polanski may not get the nod on The Rest is Politics, but right now he has a favourability score of 18 per cent, up from 9 per cent two months’ prior, and among those under 50 that figure rises to 24 per cent. Unlike previous Green figures, Polanski is building a base – and voters are noticing. “Progressive Activists” – a strata of society coined by More in Common – rank Polanski higher than they do Jeremy Corbyn or Zarah Sultana.
These are the killer statistics. When even your coveted base has moved on from you, what are you left with? Nationally, Your Party is all but dead. Its voters have moved to another party.
But that isn’t to say it’s all over for Corbyn or Sultana, or any of their fellow travellers. There is still life in them yet. The question is: is its route to relevance what Your Party’s founders and activists want it to be? Local elections in Asian Muslim-heavy wards in London and Birmingham may bear boons for Your Party or Your Party-aligned independents, if indeed they are organised locally and don’t concede that wing of voting options to the Greens.
Polanski’s own favourability among Pakistani and Bangladeshi voters, for instance, is greater than it is among white British people. But he is dwarfed by the number favourable towards Corbyn, by far the most popular politician for this cohort. The former Labour leader has a favourability rate of 57 per cent compared to 41 per cent for Sultana and 31 per cent for Polanski. These are figures anyone would envy. The Greens are currently the most popular party with these groups, but that may only have been because Your Party wasn’t an option.
If Your Party aspires to carry on being something, it wouldn’t be a national force. But it would disproportionately find strength in Muslim-heavy areas. And in truth, that may bear it more MPs than its national vote total might justify. It’s severely limiting, but it’s not nothing. There’s life in Your Party yet, albeit… as a revived RESPECT party. Watch out, George Galloway.
Source: newstatesman.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk-politics/2026/01/your-partys-future-lies-with-muslim-voters
-----
Founders of Wirral mosque say thanks for 'love and support' after move
6TH JANUARY
By Craig Manning
THE founders of a Wirral mosque that has moved to new premises have thanked the local community for its 'love and support'.
Wallasey Mosque had, until recently, been located at a premises on King Street in Wallasey since 2009 but has now re-located to the former library premises on Liscard Road in Seacombe.
Khuhinoor Miah and Shah Ripon, from the mosque's committee, explained: "When we opened in 2009, we found the capacity was very limited and we were always looking for more bigger place, but it took a long time to find a suitable space.
"So finally, when we found the library building, we asked the council if we could have this place to open a public place.
"Then finally, we found out they were selling it so, after discussions with our committee we bought it for a public place where people can worship. In the new place we have more space so we can offer more and do for the local people.
"We have so many religious around this world. We have Christian, we have Hindu, we have Sikh. There's so many people that believe. But anybody who wants to come to know about Islam, they're most welcome".
"At the moment, our community is quite big now and we have around 300 to 400 people in every Friday."
Prayer takes place at the venue five times every day. It is closed for a few hours overnight.
A spokesperson for the mosque's founding committee said: "The building had been empty and disused for the last four years while it was closed and lots of bad things were happening surrounding this building.
"If we was a neighbour of this building, I'd be very happy now, because there's no issues, nobody throwing or smashing bottles, screaming, swearing, no one doing these things anymore.
"We'd like to give thanks to the local community for its love and support. We did get so much love and support.
"We will work with local charities as well.
"We have two more mosques in the Wirral, Shahjalal mosque and Wirral Deen Centre, who are contributing to the local community and we will do more now because we have space and stronger community.
"We had guy called Craig, who is non-Muslim, but because he knows its charity-based work, he came and did some electric work free of charge. He didn't take any money from us because he just wanted to help.
"We want to do something for the kids, something for the needy people, like distributing foods and clothes during winter time so if anybody wants to get in touch, then e-mail us at wallaseymosque@gmail.com."
Source: wirralglobe.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/25742928.founders-wirral-mosque-say-thanks-love-support-move/
------
Nurse struck off over anti-Muslim and immigrant online posts
Rob Andrews
06 Jan 2026
A nurse whose career spanned nearly 45 years has been struck off after sharing anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant posts on Facebook. Roberta Batchelor posted a series of images including a boat filled with people arriving at a beach captioned "these give nothing and get everything" and a homeless veteran with the caption "these give everything and get nothing" in August 2024.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) said she also posted a picture of a child being chased by men, one wielding a knife, captioned "Next time when you pay your taxes, remember some of your money goes for the "Protection of Mosques".
Other content included "a highlighted section of the book of Deuteronomy stating 'Foreigners who live in your land will gain more and more power, while you gradually lose yours. 'They will have money to lend you, but you will have none to lend them. In the end they will be your rulers.'"
A fourth post was a split image showing a security inspection captioned "YOU AT THE AIRPORT" and a man departing from a boat captioned "MUHAMMAD AT DOVER."
Mrs Batchelor was working as a ward manager for the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust when she made the comments on her Facebook account.
On August 5, 2024, the Trust received a complaint from a member of the public raising concerns about posts, reports BirminghamLive.
An investigation was launched and she admitted making the posts and apologised, saying she was "disgusted" with herself for being so angry and she "should never allow myself to get into such a situation as a professional".
In the NMC report, Mrs Batchelor said she was "posting horrible stuff on Facebook (and) I was angry because at the time the government was going to take away the elderly TV licence and winter fuel.
"I allowed myself to get caught up in all the uprest in the country. I cannot forgive my self[sic] for doing this as all my family are if[sic] black and ethnic minority. I find it very difficult to forgive myself for doing this ridiculous thing. I apologised to all my family and friends, also work friends who knew it wasn't something I would do without a reason."
She also wished "to be removed from nursing as I don't feel I should have that privilege".
The NMC panel considered the order to strike off as "necessary to protect the public and to mark the seriousness of Mrs Batchelor's misconduct and underpin the importance of maintaining public confidence in the profession, and send to the public and the profession a clear message about the standard of behaviour required of a registered nurse".
Mrs Batchelor worked her way up from a cleaner to managing a ward.
Source: stokesentinel.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/nurse-struck-over-anti-muslim-10739920
------
Head of the Islamic Community in BiH congratulates Christmas
January 6, 2026
Reisul-ulema of the Islamic community in Bosnia and Herzegovina Husein Kavazović sent a congratulatory message to Metropolitan Chrysostom of Dabro-Bosnia on the occasion of the upcoming Orthodox holiday of Christmas.
Dear Metropolitan Chrysostom,
on the occasion of the great Orthodox holiday of Christmas, to you, the clergy and Orthodox believers in our country, on behalf of myself and the Islamic community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I send my hearty congratulations.
I want you to spend the coming holidays in peace, dignity and joy, in dear company and to give your neighbors and friends extra love, warmth and hugs.
In the hope that with our words and actions, but also with joint activities and dedication, we will make our own contribution to interpersonal and interreligious relations in our country and bring into the social environment the most beautiful and noble things that we carry in ourselves and inherit in our culture, I send you my most sincere wishes for your personal health and the progress of the religious community that you lead – says the congratulatory message of Reisul-Ulema Kavazović.
Source: sarajevotimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://sarajevotimes.com/head-of-the-islamic-community-in-bih-congratulates-christmas/
-------
Heydar Aliyev Foundation VP Leyla Aliyeva visits Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat
6 January 2026
BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 6. As part of her visit to Muscat, Leyla Aliyeva visited the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Trend reports.
The mosque, built on the initiative of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said and opened in 2001, is known as one of the most magnificent religious and architectural monuments in the country. The mosque, which can accommodate approximately 20,000 worshippers, has become an architectural symbol of Muscat.
Source: trend.az
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.trend.az/azerbaijan/society/4138660.html
------
North America
'Can't handle the heat': Vivek Ramaswamy mocked by rival for deleting social media apps to avoid 'racist hate'
Jan 6, 2026
Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was mocked by his primary rival Casey Putsch after announcing he deleted social media apps to avoid online harassment and racism
Putsch posted on X: "Except that he can’t handle the heat on X or IG. Or showing any respect for actual working Americans."
Putsch's response came after the X handle of the Ohio Republican Party praised Ramaswamy as a candidate in their state.
Except that he can’t handle the heat on X or IG.
Ex-DOGE leader Ramaswamy wrote in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece that he removed X and Instagram from his phone on New Year’s Eve to focus on listening to voters directly. "I’ll spend my newfound time listening to more voters in real-world Ohio, developing more policies to make our state affordable, and being more present with my family," he said.
He added that his campaign team would continue to use social media to distribute messages, but he personally would not scroll through posts. He called social media "a tempting alternative" to expensive polls and warned that the platforms can create a distorted view of public opinion.
"The messages you’re most likely to see are the most negative and bombastic," he said. Ramaswamy said that online commentary is mostly influenced by bots and foreign actors, which can mislead politicians about the views of real voters.
Ramaswamy’s decision follows his observation that social media can pressure leaders to react to extremes rather than focus on everyday concerns like higher take-home pay, lower utility bills, and better education. He cited his experience speaking at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, where online feedback predicted boos but he actually received a standing ovation from over 20,000 attendees.
Casey Putsch has entered the 2026 Ohio governor’s Republican primary as an “America First” alternative to Ramaswamy, who is endorsed by US President Donald Trump. Putsch criticises Ramaswamy on H‑1B visa policy, immigration, and alleged elitism. He has also accused Ramaswamy of taking a $50,000 college scholarship he did not need, calling it "fraud." Ramaswamy remains the front-runner in the race with significant funding and establishment support. Democratic candidate Amy Acton is also in the race.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/cant-handle-the-heat-vivek-ramaswamy-mocked-by-rival-for-deleting-social-media-apps-to-avoid-racist-hate/articleshowprint/126360843.cms
-------
CAIR-NY Welcomes Sentencing for Anti-Muslim Subway Attack
January 6, 2026
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed sentencing of a man for a 2022 subway attack during which the assailant reportedly made anti-Muslim remarks.
At that time, CAIR-NY welcomed the NYPD’s hate crime investigation into the attack.
In a statement, Afaf Nasher, Esq., Executive Director of CAIR-NY, said:
“We welcome the sentencing in this case as an important step toward accountability and justice. Hate-motivated violence has no place in New York City or anywhere in our society. While no sentence can undo the harm caused by such an attack, this outcome sends a clear message that acts driven by anti-Muslim hatred will be taken seriously and addressed through the justice system. We commend law enforcement and prosecutors for pursuing this case and urge continued vigilance in responding to bias-motivated crimes.”
CAIR-NY’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ny-welcomes-sentencing-for-anti-muslim-subway-attack/
-------
US threats over Greenland make NATO pointless – member-state PM
6 Jan, 2026
NATO would end up losing its “meaning” if conflicts break out within the bloc, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said, condemning Washington’s renewed interest in taking Greenland from Denmark.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Tusk voiced his support for Denmark in the reinvigorated row between the NATO member state and the bloc’s leader, the US. Washington reiterated its aspirations to get the island under its control, citing national security interests and the need to “protect” the Arctic.
“No member should attack or threaten another member of the North Atlantic Treaty. Otherwise, NATO would lose its meaning if conflict or mutual conflicts occurred within the alliance,” Tusk stated.
While Denmark could “count on the solidarity of the whole of Europe,” the bloc’s members must “ensure that transatlantic ties, which are the foundation of NATO and our security, do not suffer in the coming days and months,” Tusk added. The remarks come as Poland, alongside Denmark, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, made a joint statement on the Greenland issue.
The group argued that “security in the Arctic” must be “achieved collectively” by NATO while recognizing the US as an “essential partner in this endeavor.”
“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” the statement reads.
In the aftermath of its operation to kidnap Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the US again declared its aim to seize Greenland from Denmark, with the incident sending global shockwaves.
Speaking to The Atlantic in an interview published on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said that the US should control the Arctic island given its strategic location, citing purported competition with the Russian and Chinese navies. “We do need Greenland, absolutely,” Trump stated.
Both Danish and Greenlandic authorities have rejected Washington’s renewed claims to the island. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged the US to stop threatening its “historically close ally,” warning the potential attack on her country would effectively end NATO.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen slammed Trump’s “superpower rhetoric” as “unacceptable” and “insulting.”
“No more fantasies of annexation,” he wrote on Facebook on Monday.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.rt.com/news/630669-us-threats-greenland-nato/
-------
Controversial Plano Mosque Moves Ahead With Abbott-Opposed Development
January 6, 2026
Kelly Dearmore
The East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC) will move forward with its plans for a controversial residential development in Collin and Hunt Counties, according to a Monday announcement. Instead of being named EPIC City, however, Capital Community Partners says the proposed community will now be named “The Meadow.”
Announced in 2024, plans for the 400-acre development were halted last year after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott began leading a charge against what he called the “sharia city.” Over the course of most of 2025, Abbott, along with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a number of investigations against EPIC while using their social media reach to regularly speak out against the mosque’s efforts, including funeral services.
“The group behind the proposed East Plano Islamic Center compound may be misleading investors,” Abbott said in a March 2025 press release. “Defrauding Texans will not be tolerated. The Texas State Securities Board is conducting a thorough investigation to ensure Texans are protected from financial harm that is alleged to have been caused by EPIC. This is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of illegal activities by EPIC. All entities in Texas must follow state law, not Sharia law.”
In 2026, though, EPIC is looking to set the record straight as it moves ahead with its community plans.
“Over the past year, The Meadow and affiliated entities have been subjected to an extraordinary number of investigations and public claims, many of which have been framed as evidence of wrongdoing despite repeated findings to the contrary,” read a statement from Community Capital Partners, EPIC’s corporate entity for buying and selling land. “Multiple state and federal agencies have completed reviews examining distinct and unrelated issues, including housing, civil rights, and securities matters. Repeatedly, those reviews found no evidence of illegal intent or securities violations.”
Those opposed to The Meadow have claimed that EPIC will only allow Muslims to own homes in the development, which would be a blatant violation of the Fair Housing Act that prohibits discrimination in home sales, rentals and lending. EPIC and Community Capital Partners say that hasn’t been the case and will not be true moving forward.
“The plan allows for multiple houses of worship, reflecting the community’s open and inclusive design,” the statement says. “From the outset, the project has been open to anyone who chooses to live there and is being developed in full compliance with all local, state, and federal laws.”
Following Abbott’s vocal opposition to the EPIC housing development, groups of Christian and far-right protesters began appearing weekly at the mosque’s entrance. Through shouts and bullhorns, people attempting to enter the mosque’s grounds were routinely told to “repent and turn to Jesus Christ” among many other things.
“They want us to do something,” said an EPIC member who spoke to the Observer in October. “They’re trying to make us do something. Maybe we’re going to get mad at them and start fighting them, and then they’ll post something like, ‘Oh, these are how bad Muslims are.’ Luckily, so far, nothing has happened. But I’m afraid that someone will do something, some kid will get mad at them and fight them or something, and then the entire community will be painted a picture.”
EPIC’s announcement this week comes less than a month after Abbott noted the development’s name change on social media. As one might guess, he wasn’t impressed.
“‘The Meadow’” will remain just that – an empty meadow,” he posted on X. “EPIC can change its name, but can’t change the legality of the flawed structure they seek to impose. They delete social media posts & rewrite contracts. But it’s just a disguise to impose sharia on a community they create. At least 4 state agencies continue to investigate this misguided mission.”
No word yet on when construction might begin, but that is unlikely to keep the focus on EPIC from lessening anytime soon.
“It is important to note that The Meadow remains in very early stages of development still, with formal plans only now being submitted for routine county review,” says the statement. “While the intensity of public attention at this stage is uncommon for a development of this type, Community Capital Partners remains focused on moving the project forward through established, transparent processes and in full compliance with the law.”
Source: dallasobserver.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/collin-countys-controversial-epic-city-to-move-ahead-as-the-meadow-40632630/
-------
Community Advisory: CAIR, CAIR Action Release 2026 Toolkit to Empower Muslim Civic Engagement in Local and State Governments
January 6, 2026
Jan. 13 webinar will break down what the toolkit includes, explain how to use it effectively, and share practical ways to advocate within your local community
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today announced the release of its 2026 Toolkit on Promoting Muslim Civic Engagement in Local and State Governments, a comprehensive advocacy resource designed to help American Muslims and their allies advance inclusive, rights-affirming policies at every level of government.
ADVISORY: Join us for a webinar on Tuesday, January 13, at 7:30 PM ET, during which we will walk through the 2026 Toolkit on Promoting Muslim Civic Engagement in Local and State Governments.
As Muslim communities across the United States increasingly step into the civic arena, the new toolkit equips CAIR chapters, CAIR Action offices, Islamic organizations, students, and community advocates with practical tools to transform grassroots concerns into concrete policy victories. The resource compiles model resolutions, proclamations, executive orders, acts, and bills introduced or enacted in jurisdictions nationwide, offering adaptable language, strategic guidance, and real-world examples.
READ THE FULL TOOLKIT HERE
The toolkit addresses a wide range of policy areas central to Muslim communities, including:
Cultural Recognition
Muslim Heritage Month resolutions
Ramadan and Eid resolutions
Religious Accommodations
Halal food access in schools and correctional facilities
Protection of religious freedom in prisons
Sports religious headwear protections
Civil Rights & Equality
Measures condemning Islamophobia
Legislation addressing hairstyle and headwear discrimination
Free Speech & Political Rights
Efforts to overturn anti-BDS laws
Opposition to “No Sharia” legislation and similar discriminatory measures
Challenges to policies that suppress constitutionally protected advocacy, including the misuse of the IHRA definition to silence pro-Palestinian speech
Peace & Justice
Ceasefire resolutions
Statements affirming the right to advocate for Palestinian human rights, including protections for campus speech and civic engagement
“This toolkit is about power, participation, and principle,” said Shafiquil Muhshna, CAIR Government Affairs Department Coordinator. “American Muslims are not asking for special treatment—we are demanding equal protection under the law, respect for our identities, and the freedom to speak out against injustice. This resource provides communities with a roadmap to engage decision-makers, defend civil liberties, and advance policies rooted in justice and inclusion.”
CAIR emphasized that the toolkit is intentionally practical and action-oriented, offering step-by-step guidance to help advocates engage city councils, school boards, state legislatures, and governors’ offices. Whether pursuing a local proclamation or advancing statewide legislation, users can adapt the sample measures to meet the specific needs of their communities.
The 2026 Toolkit on Promoting Muslim Civic Engagement in Local and State Governments is available to CAIR chapters and partners nationwide and is intended to support sustained, proactive civic engagement that strengthens democracy and protects civil liberties for all.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
You are receiving this email due to your interest selection from commercial media databases. If you would like to join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here:
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/community-advisory-cair-cair-action-release-2026-toolkit-to-empower-muslim-civic-engagement-in-local-and-state-governments/
------
‘Zohran the Ziophobe’: Actor Michael Rapaport slams Zohran Mamdani, announces 2029 NYC mayor run
Jan 6, 2026
While much of New York has been irrevocably in love with their new mayor Zohran Mamdani, there is a part of the city that hates him being at the helm of the American finance capital. One among them is actor Michael Rapaport who has been vocally critical of Mamdani ever since he launched his campaign. However, his disappointment in the Indian-origin leader has reached the extent that he has decided to replace him and help save the people of NYC. In the latest episode of his podcast on Monday, Am Rapaport, the 'Masked Singer' actor said: "Welcome to the ziggy zone of disruption. My name is Michael Rapaport, a.k.a. Mayor Rapaport. Mr. Mayor Rapaport, a.k.a. The Gringo Mandingo, a.k.a. The Enflamed Ashkenazi, a.k.a. The Sultan of Sniff."
For the entire one-hour episode he continued to refer to himself as 'Mayor Rapaport' until the end, when he made his big announcement. "Let me tell you something, guys, girls, women, children of all ages. 2025 was crazy, and I don't see it getting any f---ing calmer or cooler in 2026, the way things started. That's why I'm running for mayor."
He noted that he had actually announced his 'proposal' previously. Which is true, in an Instagram post shared on Thursday, he wrote, "Born. Raised. NYC. Nothing's free. No bulls---. No fake grins. I'll own my mistakes, apologise when I screw up, and fight to make this city safe, affordable, and thriving. You got Zoron the Moron now... Mayor Rapaport is coming."
Rapaport has been one of the most ardent and crude critics of Mamdani ever since he emerged as the Democratic frontrunner last summer. From his podcast episodes and social media posts to interviews on right-wing news channels, he did his best to share his opinions on Mamdani and let the world know just what he thinks of him. The focal point in his ever-existent animosity towards the 34-year-old mayor is his criticism of Israel and his Muslim identity.
"We have a s--- stain at the helm right now. We have a s--- stain at the helm right now in New York City, and it is a reality. It is a f---ing reality. I think he's going to supersede our wildest fears and expectations. Zohran the Zero, Zohran the Ziophobe, he is going to supersede all our fears and expectations," he added in the podcast episode.
"Do I think people are going to be getting chased around New York City with pitchforks? No, but he is softening the palate for so many f---ing things. He's got a huge f---ing ego," he said. "He's got a f---ing evil f---ing grin. And I think he's up to no good."
The actor also invited resumes from his fans as he is "taking it as far as I can take it."
Mamdani, the son of popular Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair, recently took his oath in an abandoned subway station below the City Hall. He took his oath on two Qur'ans and was supported by his artist wife, Rama Duwaji during the ceremony.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/zohran-the-ziophobe-actor-michael-rapaport-slams-zohran-mamdani-announces-2029-nyc-mayor-run/articleshow/126374850.cms
------
Carney says Canada's 'low risk' oil can compete if Venezuela ramps up production
Nadine Yousif
Jan 7, 2026
Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he's not concerned about the future of Canadian oil even if Venezuela begins to produce more of the product following the US seizure of Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking to reporters in Paris, Carney said Canadian oil remains competitive because it is "low risk", "low cost" and "low carbon".
He said Canada welcomed the seizure of Maduro, which "creates the possibility for democratic transition in Venezuela".
Canada's largest export is oil, the vast majority of which is sold to the US. The seizure of Venezuela's leader has fuelled concerns Canada could lose its biggest customer, and leverage in trade talks with Donald Trump.
Trump has been open about his ambitions for American petroleum companies to scale up their operations in Venezuela following the military operation that captured Maduro.
In an interview with NBC News on Monday, Trump said he believed the US oil industry could be "up and running" with increased operations in Venezuela within 18 months or less, "but it'll be a lot of money".
He added that "having a Venezuela that's an oil producer is good for the United States because it keeps the price of oil down".
Venezuela is estimated to have over 300 billion barrels of oil reserves, which accounts for 17% of the world's total reserves. Canada, meanwhile, is home to 10% of reserves.
Canadian energy company stocks fell on Monday morning, but Carney said he did not believe more Venezuelan production would harm domestic oil producers.
Canada is focused on diversifying its exports, particularly to Asia through a proposed pipeline to the Pacific coast, making "Canadian oil competitive in the medium and long term", he said.
He added that a "functioning, not corrupt" economy in the Latin American country will be good for both the Venezuelan people and the Western hemisphere.
Nearly all of Canada's oil exports — around 97% — head south to the US, valued at about $100bn (£74bn) in 2023 alone.
While the events in Venezuela has spooked investor confidence in the sector, Heather Exner-Pirot, director of natural resources, energy and the environment at the MacDonald-Laurier Institute think tank, said she expects that to be short-lived.
"I think we'll see a lot of instability and chaos in Venezuela for at least the next few months," she said, adding that this likely won't make it an attractive place for investment.
Derek Holt, vice president and head of capital markets economics at Scotiabank in Toronto, said in an analysis note that "oil pundits may be getting way ahead of themselves".
"Greater caution is required before leaping to their conclusions that this will unleash a torrent of new supply on world markets with effects that allegedly include snowing under Canada's oil industry."
Exner-Pirot said that Canada should still cement its plans to diversify exports away from the US because it is no longer a reliable customer.
Ottawa signed a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian province of Alberta — home to the country's oil patch — in late November that opens the door to a pipeline to the Pacific. But it faces significant hurdles, including lack of buy-in from neighbouring British Columbia and First Nations groups.
Alberta has until 1 July to submit a formal proposal for the project.
Carney is facing pressure to do so from Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, who wrote in an open letter to the prime minister that Canada needs to "move millions of barrels a day to overseas markets quickly to reduce our dependence ton the US market".
He called on Carney to "immediately approve" a pipeline project to the Pacific.
Trade talks between Canada and the US have been on hold since late last year, after an anti-tariff advertisement that was run and paid for by the province of Ontario angered Trump.
Prior to that, the Trump administration and the Carney government were working on a deal to lower tariffs that included more energy exports to the US.
Maduro's seizure has raised questions on whether Canada still has that leverage. In a post on X, Katie Miller, a conservative political advisor and wife to Trump's deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, remarked that "the US doesn't need anything from Canada".
But Exner-Pirot noted that there is still demand for Canadian oil, as the Trump administration's overall stated objective is to lower oil prices rather than replace supply.
"Canada is very low risk, very reliable," she said, echoicing Carney. "And our oil will look attractive for different reasons".
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwnx5v2v8ro
------
Abortion stays legal in Wyoming after state's top court strikes down bans
6 Jan, 2026
Sakshi Venkatraman
Abortion will stay legal in Wyoming after the state's top court struck down laws that placed a near-total ban on the procedure.
The court ruled that Wyoming's anti-abortion legislation, including the nation's first ban on abortion pills, were in violation of the state's constitution.
"A woman has a fundamental right to make her own health care decisions, including the decision to have an abortion," the court wrote in a 4-1 decision.
Lawyers for the state had argued that abortion could not violate Wyoming's constitution because it does not constitute health care.
Wyoming is one of many states in which legal fights over abortion bans have ensued since 2022 - when the Supreme Court reversed the landmark 1973 Roe v Wade judgement legalising abortion.
More than a dozen states have since enacted near-total bans on abortions, several of which have been put on hold by the courts.
In Wyoming, the case against the state was brought by four women, including two obstetricians, an abortion advocacy group, and the state's only abortion provider, Wellspring Health Access in the city of Casper.
The state's Supreme Court looked at two laws - one banning abortion in all cases except to protect a pregnant woman's life or in cases involving rape or incest, and another banning abortion pills explicitly. Both laws were quashed on Tuesday.
"The record shows a pregnant woman's decision to continue or terminate a pregnancy is influenced by many considerations, all of them personal to the pregnant woman and her individual circumstances," the court wrote. "Although a woman's decision to have an abortion ends the fetal life, the decision is, nevertheless, one she makes concerning her own health care."
Wellspring Health Access celebrated the decision in a Facebook post, writing "Affirmed" alongside a quote from the court's ruling.
Abortion pills are the most common method of pregnancy termination in the US.
The Wyoming bill, which was passed by the state's Republican-controlled legislature in 2023, made it illegal to "prescribe, dispense, distribute, sell or use any drug for the purpose of procuring or performing an abortion".
At the time, Wyoming American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) advocacy director Antonio Serrano criticised the bill, saying "a person's health, not politics, should guide important medical decisions - including the decision to have an abortion".
Republicans in the state aren't happy with the laws being shot down. But they are now pushing for something more sweeping.
On Tuesday, Wyoming's Republican Governor Mark Gordon expressed disappointment over the ruling and called for state legislators to pass a constitutional amendment cementing the ban in the state.
"This ruling may settle, for now, a legal question, but it does not settle the moral one, nor does it reflect where many Wyoming citizens stand, including myself," he said. "It is time for this issue to go before the people for a vote, and I believe it should go before them this fall."
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwywp4zxd9yo
-------
Africa
Terrorists Attacks Hit Kwara, Katsina, Kaduna As IEDs Found In Niger Village
January 7, 2026
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
Days after over 40 people were killed in a terror attack in Niger State, marauders struck again across Kwara, Katsina and Kaduna states, abducting numerous victims, including a veteran photojournalist, and spreading fear in affected communities.
The fresh spate of violence comes as villagers in Niger State narrowly averted another tragedy after discovering three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Ganaru community, Zungeru District, Mashegu Local Government Area.
No fewer than seven persons were kidnapped in the Adanla community of Ifelodun Local Government Area, Kwara State, following a foiled attempt to abduct the traditional ruler, Oba David Oyerinola, and his wife.
Prince Oyerinola Olakunle, spokesperson of Adanla, who confirmed the development in Ilorin on Tuesday, named the victim, all members of the traditional ruler’s extended family, to include Sikiru Oyerinola, Taye Oyerinola, Idowu Oyerinola, Faruk Oyerinola and two minors.
He said bandits had demanded N300 million ransom for their release, warning that the community has been completely deserted.
“Our peoples’ lives are not safe in the community which has been deserted. The people have fled… I don’t think you can find a single person or human being there for now, except animals such as goats,” Olakunle said.
Oba Oyerinola and his wife escaped the attack after the monarch, who was away attending a function in neighbouring Igbaja, dodged the gunmen.
Olakunle narrated, “When the six armed terrorists stormed the palace, they were shouting and asking where is the Kabiyesi, where is the Olori?
“When they realised that Kabiyesi was not in the palace, they just asked the people sitting outside the palace to stand up and were taken into the bush. Seven people were picked, and they shot a girl who saw them and ran. She is now in the hospital for treatment.”
Olakunle appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene, noting that the family could not raise the huge ransom demanded.
Terrorists Attack Several Katsina Communities
On Monday night, suspected terrorists armed with dangerous weapons launched coordinated attacks on several communities in Katsina State, residents said.
Eyewitnesses who spoke with Vanguard reported that the attackers struck Unguwar Barau, Gidan Dan Mai‑gizo and Gidan Hazo communities in Na’alma Ward, Malumfashi Local Government Area, operating for hours before security forces could respond.
While the exact number of abductees and casualties remains unclear, the Katsina State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement.
Spokesman Abubakar Sadiq, when contacted, claimed he was unaware of the developments and promised to revert, but did not provide further details.
Malumfashi has become a terror hotspot despite recent peace agreements between local authorities and armed groups, with a mosque attack in August 2025 leaving at least 32 worshippers dead.
Kaduna Photojournalist Abducted, Residents In Shock
In Kaduna State’s Chikun Local Government Area, terrorists struck again on Monday night at Danhonu 11 community, abducting veteran photojournalist Malam Umar Usman Iyale.
Usman Iyale, a retired staff member of Africa Independent Television (AIT), Kaduna Station, and a former Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Kaduna employee, was reportedly whisked away from his home at about 9:00 p.m.
A community source said the gunmen entered the compound quietly and demanded money from the journalist before forcibly taking him to an unknown destination.
“He is not someone who can withstand hardship for long. Everyone here is deeply worried about his safety,” a resident said, expressing fear for his well‑being due to his age and health challenges.
Another community leader lamented what he described as a recurring wave of kidnappings in the area, noting that repeated attacks had forced many residents and landlords to abandon their homes, thus stalling development in the community.
The incident has also revived memories of the July 2024 abduction of two journalists from the same community, the current Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Kaduna State council, AbdulGafar Alabelewe of The Nation newspaper, and AbdulRaheem Aodu of Blueprint newspaper, who were kidnapped alongside members of their families.
Residents called on security agencies to take more decisive and sustained action to halt the activities of criminal gangs, stressing that ongoing efforts under the Kaduna Peace Model must be strengthened to address persistent pockets of kidnapping.
Meanwhile, Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the incident, assuring the public that efforts were underway to rescue the abducted journalist.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, had immediately deployed a team of operatives to track the perpetrators and ensure the safe rescue of Malam Umar Usman Iyale.
“We are making concerted efforts to rescue the victim unhurt,” the police spokesman said.
Bloodbath Averted, Three IEDs Discovered In Mashegu LGA Of Niger State
Meanwhile, three Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, planted by the roadside, along farm lands, that could have led to another bloodbath in Niger State were uncovered yesterday.
The explosives were discovered at the Ganaru community in Zugurma District of the Mashegu Local Government Area of the state by villagers on their way to the farms.
This is another dimension by terrorists to unleash terror on innocent residents in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff has assured the people of the state of the determination of the Army to wipe out terrorists from the state and other parts of the country.
According to Vanguard, the villagers heading to their farms to harvest crops discovered explosives along their path and quickly raised the alarm.
No life was, however, lost as security agents were immediately alerted, while the area was subsequently cordoned off to avoid any explosion and bloodshed.
Chairman of Mashegu Local Government Council, Alhaji Jibrin Egade, who confirmed the story to newsmen yesterday, said, “The news of the explosives was shocking and strange to us in this community but thank God that our people raised an alarm on noticing the strange items on their path.
“Security agents have been alerted and the area has been cordoned off to avoid eventual explosion and casualties.’’
TheNiger State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, who spoke with Vanguard on the development, said, “the command had deployed bomb disposal experts to the scene and the situation is under control.’’
In a related development, the Nigerian Army has declared its readiness to deploy more troops to bandit-infested communities in Niger state and other parts of the country, with the strong determination to crush terrorism across the country.
Speaking at the opening of the Chief of Army Staff Conference at the Training and Doctrine Command, TRADOC, Minna, Niger State, yesterday, the COAS, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, said the Nigerian Army will carry out to the letter, the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that all terrorists, bandits and gunmen be wiped out of the country.
“The president directed we should ensure the recent waves of attacks in Niger and other parts of the country are curtailed and we will ensure that all the terrorists behind these dastardly attacks are apprehended and brought to book.
“We will massively do more deployments across the country towards achieving our goal of making Nigeria safer for all law-abiding citizens,” he assured.
He said the army is adopting technology in its operational capabilities across the country, which, he assured, would make the effort easier.
Earlier, the Commander, TRADOC, Major General Peter Malla, said the conference marks the commencement of training for 2026, adding that it will provide an intellectual platform for engagements.
“The extant operational environments required an Army that is agile, forward-looking and doctrinally grounded, which the meeting aims to achieve,” he declared.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/07/terrorists-attacks-hit-kwara-katsina-kaduna-as-ieds-found-in-niger-village/
-------
Family Raises Alarm Over ‘Disappearance’ Of Islamic Scholar Days After Visiting Abuja
January 7, 2026
By Richard Ogunsile
The wife and children of a Zaria-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir, have raised the alarm over his disappearance 25 days after he travelled to Abuja to resolve issues linked to the alleged blockage of his bank account.
The cleric is a respected leader of Fityanul Islam, a Tijaniyya sect with a strong following in Zaria and other parts of Kaduna State.
Speaking in an interview with RFI International, monitored in Kaduna, the scholar’s wife, Hajiya Ramatu Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir, narrated how her husband left home early in the morning after informing her that he was travelling to Abuja to sort out issues concerning his bank account.
According to her, the cleric assured her he would return the same day.
“He knocked on my door in the morning. I told him I was praying. He gave me money for household expenses and said he was going to Abuja and, God willing, would return the same day,” she said.
She added that since that day, the family has heard nothing from him.
“From that day up till now, I have not heard his voice again. Whenever I call his line, it is switched off. Today makes it 25 days since I last heard from him,” she lamented.
Expressing deep distress, Hajiya Ramatu said the prolonged silence has taken a heavy toll on her and the children.
“I am alone at home with the children. I am under serious tension. I feel dizzy, and I cannot sleep. I try to be strong so that the children will not panic, but we are extremely worried,” she said.
She disclosed that the family was later informed that her husband’s disappearance might be connected to an allegation involving about ₦2 million.
“It was said that his account was blocked and that he had to go to Abuja for it to be reopened. Later, we were told it had something to do with about ₦2m,” she added.
Son Recounts Abuja Experience
The scholar’s son, Sunusi Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir, who accompanied his father on the trip, shed more light on what transpired during their visit to Abuja.
He said his father was informed that the blockage of his account was linked to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“After his account was blocked, he asked for the reason and was told it was the EFCC, and that the account could only be reopened if he went to their office,” Sunusi said.
According to him, the agency later told them that a sum of ₦2 million paid into the account was under investigation.
“They said there was the sum of ₦2m that had been sent to him, which they were investigating. He explained that someone linked him to another man who asked for prayers concerning personal life issues, and that he carried out what was requested,” he explained.
Sunusi further revealed that the matter later took a different turn when the anti-graft agency reportedly described it as a military issue.
“They said it was a military case and informed soldiers. They also said my father had agreed to return the money. The soldiers said they would come and question him, and since that day, for 25 days now, we have not seen him,” he said.
He added that within the period, the family received only a brief call from the cleric.
“Within these 25 days, they gave him a number and he called to say he was fine. But we still don’t know why he was arrested, where he is or what condition he is in,” he said.
Family Denies Coup-Related Allegations
Reacting to allegations circulating that the scholar was arrested for allegedly receiving money to pray for people planning a coup, Sunusi said the family was unaware of such claims.
“We don’t know anything about that because nobody informed us, and the authorities have not said anything like that to us,” he said.
Naija News reports that the family has appealed to the relevant authorities to either release Sheikh Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir or at least disclose his whereabouts, stressing that the prolonged silence has left them traumatised and in the dark.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/07/family-raises-alarm-over-disappearance-of-islamic-scholar-days-after-visiting-abuja/
-------
After Nearly One Year In Detention, Niger Republic Frees Former Petroleum Minister
January 7, 2026
By George Oshogwe Ogbolu
Niger’s former Minister of Petroleum, Mahaman Moustapha Barke, has been released from detention almost a year after his arrest by the country’s military authorities, family members and close associates confirmed on Tuesday.
A relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said Barke regained his freedom earlier in the day. A former aide to the ex-minister separately verified the development, according to Daily Post.
Barke was appointed petroleum minister in 2023 by Niger’s ruling military authorities following the coup that ousted the civilian government only weeks earlier. He was later arrested under circumstances that were never officially explained.
Neither the reasons for his detention nor the conditions of his release have been made public, as the military leadership has not issued any statement on the matter.
Niger’s junta has come under sustained criticism from human rights organisations over alleged repression of political opponents, journalists and other dissenting voices since taking power.
Meanwhile, authorities on Tuesday announced the appointment of Hamadou Tinni as the new Minister of Petroleum. He replaces Sahabi Oumarou, who assumed the role in 2024 following Barke’s removal.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/07/after-nearly-one-year-in-detention-niger-republic-frees-former-petroleum-minister/
------
Bomb Experts Deployed After Explosive Found In Niger
January 7, 2026
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
The Niger State Police Command has deployed bomb disposal experts to evacuate an explosive device discovered along a roadside in the state, the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, has confirmed.
The device was found in the Ganaru community, Zugurma District of Mashegu Local Government Area, but the police dismissed initial reports by villagers that there were three explosive devices.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, CP Elleman clarified the situation and reassured residents of their safety.
“An explosive device was found in the state. The command has deployed bomb experts to the scene to ascertain and possibly detonate the explosive. It was one explosive device and not three as claimed by the villagers.
“People should go about their legitimate businesses without fear of intimidation. Experts have been deployed to evacuate the bomb professionally,” the police boss said.
The explosive was spotted by farmers on their way to their farms in the Ganaru community, who alerted local authorities after initially reporting three devices planted by the roadside.
Mashegu Local Government Chairman, Jibrin Egade, told Punch that the area had been cordoned off to prevent any casualties.
“Some farmers in my local government were going to their farm when they found the explosives planted by the roadside. They immediately contacted me. I have also contacted the security agencies and they have taken over the place,” Egade said.
Expressing shock, the council chairman described Ganaru as a peaceful community.
“Me and my people, we were surprised to see a bomb planted in our domain. There is no security challenge here,” he added.
The discovery of the explosive device comes days after terrorists reportedly killed more than 40 people and abducted dozens during attacks in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of the state over the weekend.
Spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the killings and said security operatives had been deployed to rescue the abducted victims.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/07/bomb-experts-deployed-after-explosive-found-in-niger/
-------
‘They Misled The Young Man’ – Wike Lists Top Political Figures That Witnessed Peace Deal With Fubara
January 6, 2026
By Rachel Okporu Fadoju
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has asserted that some people misled the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, after signing the peace agreement before President Bola Tinubu.
Naija News reports that Wike made the disclosure while addressing supporters during a political engagement in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he spoke at length on the lingering political crisis in the State.
Wike said the peace agreement was witnessed and signed by key national figures, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and former Rivers State governor, Peter Odili, among others.
According to the Minister, all parties reached a consensus during a meeting with Tinubu, but the agreement later collapsed after some people gave Governor Fubara contrary advice on his return to the State.
He said, “There was a time we met with Mr President and everyone signed the agreement. Even the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, signed. Peter Odili also signed.
“But after they returned home, some people began to mislead the young man, telling him it was political and that he should not follow through. That was how the crisis dragged on and ended up in court, where we won clearly.”
Wike emphasised that despite the outcome, President Tinubu intervened again in the interest of peace, leading to another round of negotiations.
The former Governor of Rivers State said he initially expressed reservations about dealing with parties who fail to honour agreements, but several governors, ministers and legal practitioners appealed to him to accept a fresh deal.
He added, “They assured me it would be different this time. After several meetings with Governor Fubara, we reached a new agreement and presented it again before Mr President. Everyone committed to implementing it.”
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/06/they-misled-the-young-man-wike-lists-top-political-figures-that-witnessed-peace-deal-with-fubara/
-------
NANS Cancels Nationwide Protest Over Tax Law
January 6, 2026
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has suspended its planned nationwide protest against the new Tax Reform Act after a series of high-level engagements with key government institutions, including the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Assembly.
Naija News reports that the protest, initially scheduled for January 14, 2026, was aimed at halting the implementation of the law pending public sensitisation and an investigation by the National Assembly.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its maiden Expanded National Executive Council (ENEC) meeting, NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, said the association was fully briefed by NRS officials and lawmakers on the objectives and provisions of the law.
“Following the conclusion of the National Assembly’s investigation, whose report has now been published, the Expanded National Executive Council of NANS, in collaboration with all structural student bodies, provided a platform for tax experts from the NRS to educate student leaders, clarify grey areas, and respond comprehensively to concerns expressed by the Nigerian masses about the new Tax Reform Law,” Oladoja stated.
After extensive deliberations, NANS concluded that the Tax Reform Act was not targeted at the poor, but rather designed to ensure equitable tax contributions across income groups.
The statement read, “That the new Tax Reform Law is a deliberate and well-intentioned law aimed at improving Nigeria’s economy, strengthening institutional frameworks for revenue generation, with deliberate provisions to protect low-income earners and vulnerable citizens.
“That the Law does not target the poor; instead, it strengthens social protection while ensuring that higher-income earners contribute more equitably to national revenue, preventing lopsidedness and unnecessary tax burdens on a few.”
NANS said the association would now partner with the Federal Government and the NRS to support public enlightenment on the law’s provisions. It also passed a vote of confidence on the NRS Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, and praised President Bola Tinubu for what it described as student-friendly policies.
“That, consequent upon the above resolutions, NANS hereby calls off the proposed nationwide protest earlier scheduled for 14th January, 2025,” Oladoja declared.
The ENEC meeting drew participants from across student bodies, including presidents and senate presidents of national student associations from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, as well as female student representatives and campus coordinators from all six geopolitical zones.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/06/nans-cancels-nationwide-protest-over-tax-law/
-------
‘Absolute, Unwavering’ – Tinubu’s Ex-Minister Badaru Opens Up On Plan To Dump APC For ADC
January 6, 2026
By George Oshogwe Ogbolu
Former Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has denied reports suggesting that he is planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Badaru described the reports circulating on social media as false, unfounded and driven by political mischief.
The former minister said there was no truth to claims that he was holding consultations aimed at dumping the APC.
According to him, the rumours were speculative and deliberately crafted to mislead the public.
Badaru reaffirmed his commitment to the APC, stressing that he remains a loyal and dedicated member of the party, which he said he helped to establish.
“My allegiance to the party remains absolute and unwavering,” he stated.
He urged members of the APC and the general public to disregard the reports, insisting that he has no intention of defecting to any other political party.
Badaru reiterated his continued support for the APC and its ideals, adding that the misleading reports should not be taken seriously.
Naija News reports that Badaru recently resigned from the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He was replaced as Defence Minister by General Christopher Musa (Rtd).
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/06/just-in-absolute-unwavering-tinubus-ex-minister-badaru-opens-up-on-plan-to-dump-apc-for-adc/
------
Ramaphosa urges UN action after US capture of Venezuela’s President Maduro
January 6, 2026
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep concern over recent US military action in Venezuela, calling for the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Ramaphosa warned that the developments pose a serious threat to regional stability and international peace, urging the United Nations Security Council to intervene.
Speaking on the issue, Ramaphosa said the capture of President Maduro constitutes a violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. He stressed that the Security Council is the only international body mandated to address matters of peace and security and called on it to exercise its collective wisdom to resolve the crisis.
Ramaphosa cautioned that the incident could set a dangerous precedent, effectively giving “carte blanche” for military interventions against sovereign states. He said such actions undermine the global rules-based order and must be addressed through multilateral institutions.
International reaction has been sharply divided. China and Russia have led condemnation of the US move, describing it as unlawful and destabilizing, while other countries have voiced support, deepening global divisions.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2026/01/06/ramaphosa-urges-un-action-after-us-capture-of-venezuelas-president-maduro/
------
Southeast Asia
Indonesia to build Hajj Village in Mecca to cut pilgrimage costs
January 7, 2026
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s government is working to lower the cost of the annual Hajj pilgrimage for its citizens by building a dedicated Hajj Village in Mecca, increasing flights and shortening pilgrims’ stays in Saudi Arabia, officials said Tuesday.
State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said President Prabowo Subianto had instructed ministers to push Hajj costs as low as possible through multiple policy scenarios aimed at easing the financial burden on pilgrims.
“Our goal is to make it as affordable as possible, because in the end we want to reduce the cost of Hajj for our pilgrims using various approaches,” Hadi told reporters in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java.
One key measure is the construction of an Indonesia-managed Hajj Village, allowing the government to control accommodation and logistics more efficiently, he said.
He added that Indonesia is also negotiating for additional flights to reduce waiting times and improve scheduling during the peak pilgrimage season.
Currently, Indonesian pilgrims spend an average of about 41 days in Saudi Arabia.
The Indonesian government aims to reduce that duration closer to Malaysia’s average stay of around 31 days, Hadi said.
Shortening the length of stay would significantly cut accommodation and living expenses, which make up a large portion of Hajj costs borne by pilgrims.
Minister of Religious Affairs for Hajj and Umrah Mochamad Irfan Yusuf said the planned Hajj Village will be located in the Thakher area of Mecca, close to key pilgrimage sites.
The hotel complex in the area will be managed by state-backed investment agency Danantara, while the Ministry of Religious Affairs will use the facilities for Indonesian pilgrims, Yusuf said.
However, he said the Hajj Village will not be ready for use during the 2026 Hajj season.
“It will likely only be operational in 2027,” he added.
He stated that there has been no change to the current arrival scheme for Indonesian pilgrims, who will continue to enter Saudi Arabia through Madinah and Jeddah.
Danantara Chief Executive Rosan Roeslani said construction of the Hajj Village is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. For the upcoming Hajj season, he said assets already acquired in Mecca are still being surveyed by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
Indonesia sends the world’s largest number of pilgrims to Mecca each year, and rising costs have long been a concern for prospective worshippers.
Officials said the combination of dedicated housing, better flight arrangements and shorter stays is expected to improve efficiency, comfort and affordability for Indonesian pilgrims in the coming years.
Source: antaranews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://en.antaranews.com/news/398806/indonesia-to-build-hajj-village-in-mecca-to-cut-pilgrimage-costs
------
Pope Leo XIV hosts cardinals for governance talks
7 Jan 2026
Pope Leo XIV holds first consistory with global cardinals, addressing calls for more collegial governance following Pope Francis’s leadership style.
VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV is hosting cardinals from around the world for a two-day meeting starting on Wednesday.
This consistory follows calls within the Church for a more collegial approach to global governance.
It is the first such gathering since Leo was elected by his fellow cardinals in May 2025 following the death of Pope Francis.
Vatican sources indicate cardinals are seeking a larger role in governing the universal Church.
Francis’s 12-year pontificate was sometimes criticised for a personal leadership style that sidelined many cardinals.
The Vatican stated the cardinals would offer “support and counsel to the Holy Father in the exercise of his lofty and weighty responsibility”.
The meeting will include moments of “communion and fraternity, as well as times dedicated to reflection, sharing, and prayer”.
It could provide key insights into Leo’s own leadership style and future plans for the Church.
His agenda has so far been dominated by fulfilling commitments initiated by his predecessor.
This is classified as an “extraordinary” consistory to discuss important Church matters.
“Ordinary” consistories are typically held for the creation of new cardinals.
All 245 cardinals of the Catholic Church worldwide have been invited to attend.
Pope Francis convened only one “extraordinary” consistory during his papacy.
He preferred to govern through a smaller group of about a dozen cardinals.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/news/world-news/pope-leo-xiv-hosts-cardinals-for-governance-talks/
------
Federal Court dismisses Halim Saad’s final appeal in government suit
7 Jan 2026
Businessman Halim Saad’s final appeal over a 2001 government takeover of Renong and UEM shares is dismissed by the Federal Court.
PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court has dismissed businessman Tan Sri Halim Saad’s application for leave to appeal in his lawsuit against the government and two former ministers.
A three-judge panel led by Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Hashim Hamzah ruled Halim failed to meet the legal threshold under the Courts of Judicature Act 1964.
Hashim said the four legal questions posed did not raise novel issues or matters of public importance warranting further argument.
The panel ordered Halim to pay RM60,000 in legal costs to the respondents.
The suit stemmed from alleged losses following the government’s 2001 acquisition of shares in Renong Bhd and United Engineers Malaysia Berhad (UEM).
Halim had sued the government, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former second finance minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.
He sought compensation and a declaration that he remains a Renong shareholder.
Halim claimed he was instructed by Dr Mahathir and Nor Mohamed not to proceed with a plan to privatise UEM.
He alleged he was told the government wanted to take over UEM shares through Khazanah Nasional Berhad.
This instruction allegedly forced him to hand over control of Renong and UEM and dispose of his shares at a loss.
Khazanah’s subsidiary Danasaham Sdn Bhd subsequently acquired all UEM shares, gaining control of Renong.
The High Court struck out Halim’s suit in May 2022, a decision upheld by the Court of Appeal in August 2023.
The appellate court ruled the action was time-barred under limitation laws.
Halim’s lawyers were Datuk Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, A.Surendra Ananth and Yvonne Lim.
Senior Federal Counsel Ahmad Hanir Hambaly@Arwi and Federal Counsel Imtiyaz Wizni Aufa Othman represented the government and former ministers.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/courts/federal-court-dismisses-halim-saads-final-appeal-in-government-suit/
--------
King grants audience to new Minister of Plantation and Commodities
7 Jan 2026
Sultan Ibrahim receives Minister Noraini Ahmad, discusses ministry’s strategic plans and emphasises integrity and good governance.
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, granted an audience to the new Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad.
The meeting took place at Istana Bukit Tunku, according to a post on the Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar Facebook page.
Noraini, appointed to the post on December 16, briefed His Majesty on the ministry’s plans and strategic direction.
The ministry’s Secretary-General, Datuk Yusran Shah Mohd Yusof, was also present at the audience.
His Majesty shared his views and advice during the meeting.
He emphasised that all plans should be implemented with integrity and grounded in good governance.
The King also stressed the importance of prioritising the interests of the people.
Noraini is the Member of Parliament for Parit Sulong.
She was appointed Plantation and Commodities Minister following a cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on December 16.
The reshuffle involved 28 ministers and deputy ministers.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/king-grants-audience-to-new-minister-of-plantation-and-commodities/
------
Mukhriz: Surgery not recommended for Dr Mahathir’s fractured hip due to age
By Malay Mail
07 Jan 2026
PETALING JAYA, Jan 7 — Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will not undergo surgery for his fractured hip due to his age, his son Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir said today.
Speaking in a video posted today, Mukhriz said Dr Mahathir, 100, fractured his hip after a fall during his routine morning exercise on his balcony.
He was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) yesterday following the incident.
“The report from IJN is that as he had fractured his hip, it would take two to three weeks of admission at the hospital.
“Due to his age of 100 years, an operation is not a wise option,” Mukhriz said, adding that his father’s recovery will take some time.
He also thanked members of the public for their well wishes and requested privacy for Dr Mahathir to rest and recuperate.
“I also request that everyone give the space for Dr Mahathir to rest and get better as quickly as possible,” he said from the office of Parti Pejuang in Kuala Lumpur.
Dr Mahathir’s daughter, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir yesterday described the fracture as “serious but not dangerous.”
“For his age, everything is relative… he’s fine,” she told the media.
Dr Mahathir, who was conscious when taken to IJN, has previously undergone at least two major heart surgeries, including a quadruple bypass in 2007, his press secretary Sufi Yusoff confirmed via WhatsApp.
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/07/mukhriz-surgery-not-recommended-for-dr-mahathirs-fractured-hip-due-to-age/204606
-------
Finas moves to strengthen Malaysia’s position as Asean’s animation hub
07 Jan 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 — The National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) is committed to strengthening Malaysia’s position as a leading animation hub in Southeast Asia through an integrated strategy encompassing talent development, content production, marketing, distribution and the commercialisation of intellectual property (IP) throughout the year.
Its chief executive officer, Datuk Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, said the move aligns with the National Film Policy currently being drafted for the next 10 years, with animation identified as a key focus area.
He stressed that Finas now plays a broader role beyond funding, acting as an industry driver responsible for coordinating licensing, talent development, marketing, distribution and IP commercialisation to build a strong and sustainable animation ecosystem.
“We aim to ensure all elements come together to form a healthy and competitive industry, not merely short-term projects or funding. This is to ensure Malaysia remains a leading animation hub in the region,” he told Bernama.
Azmir Saifuddin said the integrated approach includes close collaboration among local companies, universities, television stations and digital platforms to ensure local animation remains relevant, innovative and capable of penetrating regional markets, while expanding homegrown IP.
“We want Malaysia to stay ahead. This momentum is not just about box office returns, but also about building strategic ties with regional partners, including festivals, studios and distribution platforms across Asean,” he explained.
Such efforts, he said, would enable local companies to learn from international experience, improve production quality and expand market reach, while maintaining Malaysia’s relevance at regional and global levels.
He also highlighted the importance of developing independent content producers so that local animation projects are not overly reliant on television stations or government funding.
“Producers must bring ideas and scripts to festivals such as Busan or Tokyo to seek partners. That is where financing and production can take shape, while building strong experience and networks,” he said.
Azmir Saifuddin said Finas is also placing strong emphasis on marketing, distribution and IP commercialisation, including merchandise, apparel and licensing, to maximise the economic potential of local animation.
“Animation goes beyond screenings. It includes merchandising, IP and branding. Les’ Copaque and Didi & Friends, for example, have proven that animation can generate revenue through multiple channels, and this can be expanded across Asean markets,” he said.
On talent development, Azmir Saifuddin noted a recent decline in animation student enrolment despite growing industry demand.
“We will strengthen collaboration with six universities and introduce train-the-trainer programmes to ensure curricula align with industry needs. This will prepare graduates not only for the local market, but also the regional industry,” he said.
The Madani Creative Youth Programme, he added, serves as a platform to engage younger generations through animation and digital content, including training in artificial intelligence and modern techniques.
“This programme ensures young people stay connected to animation, understand modern technologies including AI, and are ready to contribute to a resilient industry ecosystem,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/07/finas-moves-to-strengthen-malaysias-position-as-aseans-animation-hub/204593
-------
Anwar to meet Erdogan, chair Malaysia–Turkiye strategic council on second day of visit
07 Jan 2026
ANKARA, Jan 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has a packed schedule on the second day of his official visit to Turkiye today, highlighted by a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan scheduled to take place at the Presidential Complex here.
Anwar will begin the day’s programme with a courtesy call by Turkiye’s Defence Industry Secretary Prof Dr Haluk Gorgun at a hotel here in the morning.
The prime minister is also scheduled to deliver a public lecture, Power Shift: Strategic Choices for Malaysia and Turkiye, to an audience comprising professionals, academics, senior Turkish officials and students.
Following the session, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, will be accorded an official welcoming ceremony before the two leaders hold a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Complex.
Both leaders will then jointly chair the inaugral Malaysia–Turkiye High-Level Strategic Council (HLSC) Meeting, followed by a joint press conference in the afternoon.
Anwar will also be conferred Turkiye’s highest award, the Order of the Republic, in recognition of his role in strengthening relations between Malaysia and Turkiye.
The prime minister’s second day of the visit will conclude with an official dinner hosted by Erdogan in honour of Anwar and the Malaysian delegation.
Anwar is accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
The official visit, which concludes tomorrow, aims to further strengthen long-standing bilateral relations between Malaysia and Turkiye.
Malaysia’s total trade with Turkiye from January to November 2025 reached RM21.2 billion (USD4.92 billion), with the republic remaining an important economic partner.
In 2024, Turkiye was Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner, largest export destination and fourth-largest source of imports among West Asian countries, with total trade valued at RM24.15 billion (USD5.28 billion). — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/07/anwar-to-meet-erdogan-chair-malaysiaturkiye-strategic-council-on-second-day-of-visit/204568
-------
South Asia
MoIC Commits to Safeguarding Country’s Historical, Cultural Heritage, Mawlawi Jamal
January 7, 2026
KABUL: Mawlawi Jamal, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture for Tourism, Finance and Administration, stated that the ministry is placing strong emphasis on the preservation, protection, and restoration of Afghanistan’s historical and cultural sites.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the restoration work on the historic house of the great emperor Ahmad Shah Baba, Mawlavi Jamal highlighted that safeguarding the nation’s heritage is a priority for both cultural continuity and national identity.
The project, overseen by the Department for the Preservation of Historical Monuments of the Ministry of Information and Culture, was funded internally by the ministry for 17.5 million Afghanis and completed over 17 months, and opened to visitors in Kandahar, the Ministry of Information and Culture said in a statement on Tuesday.
“I am pleased to participate in the reopening of the historic house of the great emperor Ahmad Shah Baba, a source of pride for all Afghans. Ahmad Shah Baba was a visionary leader who valued Islamic culture and principles,” the statement quoted Jamal as saying.
He added that similar historical buildings in other provinces have already been restored and that work on additional heritage sites will continue.
The historic house, built in the Bukhara architectural style, features six main rooms, two auxiliary rooms, two floors, and a basement, the statement added.
The restoration of this site is expected to promote cultural awareness and tourism in Kandahar, reflecting the ministry’s dedication to safeguarding Afghanistan’s rich historical and cultural heritage, the statement concluded.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/moic-commits-to-safeguarding-countrys-historical-cultural-heritage-mawlawi-jamal/
------
Expanding Power Generation Key to Economic Growth, Hanafi Says
January 7, 2026
KABUL: Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs of the Islamic Emirate, said that expanding electricity generation is critical to Afghanistan’s economic growth, industrial development, and the improvement of living standards, according to a statement from DABS on Tuesday.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 22.75-megawatt Naghlu solar power project, Hanafi stated that the Islamic Emirate has made the energy sector a top priority and is actively implementing power generation projects across the country to meet rising demand from households and industries.
He noted that Afghanistan currently requires around 15,000 megawatts of electricity, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen domestic production capacity.
Hanafi added that significant efforts are underway to reduce dependence on imported electricity through investment in sustainable and renewable energy sources.
The deputy prime minister emphasized that increased power generation will play a central role in job creation, industrial expansion, and long-term economic stability, reaffirming the government’s commitment to developing the country’s energy infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Dr. Abdul Bari Omar, Chief Executive Officer of Afghanistan Breshna Company, said that the company has fully settled the debts inherited from the previous administration.
He noted that tens of millions of dollars in outstanding liabilities had been passed on to the Islamic Emirate and the power utility as a legacy of the former government.
Dr. Omar further revealed that Afghanistan Breshna Company has also made an $8 million advance payment for electricity imports to a foreign country, without naming the country.
He described the commissioning of the Sarobi solar power facility as a major achievement toward strengthening Afghanistan’s energy self-sufficiency.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/expanding-power-generation-key-to-economic-growth-hanafi-says/
-------
Public Awareness Gathering Held in Nangarhar to Promote Implementation of Amir’s Decrees
January 7, 2026
KABUL: The Nangarhar Department of Information and Culture organized a public awareness gathering in Kuz Kunar District to promote better implementation of the decrees of the Amir al-Mumineen.
Officials at the gathering highlighted the sacrifices made by the public for the establishment of the Islamic system, stating that these sacrifices would never be forgotten, according to a statement from the Ministry of Information and Culture on Tuesday.
They noted that the Islamic Emirate is working to reform harmful customs in all aspects of life in accordance with Sharia principles.
Speakers explained that the decrees aim to strengthen social justice, prevent harmful practices, and protect the legitimate rights of citizens, stressing that their implementation contributes to social welfare and prosperity.
Officials also elaborated on the key points of Decree No. 17, which focuses on preventing harmful customs.
At the conclusion of the event, local residents pledged full cooperation in implementing the decrees and reaffirmed their commitment to preserving and strengthening the Islamic system.
Printed copies of Decree No. 17 were also distributed among participants.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/public-awareness-gathering-held-in-nangarhar-to-promote-implementation-of-amirs-decrees/
--------
Country’s Trade Volume Reaches Nearly $14 Billion in 2025
January 7, 2026
KABUL: The country’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce has announced significant growth in Afghanistan’s trade sector in 2025, despite trade suspensions, logistical challenges, and route restrictions.
The total value of the country’s exports and imports reached $13.932 billion in 2025, the statement said, adding that the exports accounted for $1.807 billion, while imports totaled $12.125 billion.
This marks a notable increase compared to the previous year, when total trade volume stood at $12.422 billion, the statement added.
“Afghanistan expanded its trade relations with multiple countries, with India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, the UAE, Kazakhstan, Iran, Turkey, China, Iraq, and Tajikistan among the main export destinations,” the statement said.
Key export items included figs, raisins, asafoetida, coal, cotton, pistachios, almonds, saffron, dried apricots, cumin, apples, grapes, tomatoes, mung beans, energy drinks, minerals, carpets, kilims, pine nuts, and pomegranates, the statement further said.
Major import partners included Iran, the UAE, Pakistan, China, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and India, the statement concluded.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/countrys-trade-volume-reaches-nearly-14-billion-in-2025/
-------
Turkish Investors Seeking Investment in Herat Industrial Park
January 7, 2026
HERAT: Several Turkish investors have expressed strong interest in investing in the Herat Industrial Park during a meeting with the Governor of Herat, Shaikh Maulana Islam Jar, the provincial Governor’s Press office said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Turkish investors requested cooperation from the local administration and called for the provision of necessary facilities to support their investment plans.
Governor Islam Jar welcomed the delegation’s interest and assured them that the local administration fully supports both domestic and foreign investments.
He emphasized that all required facilities would be provided to investors operating in the Herat Industrial Park.
The governor further assured investors of security, administrative transparency, justice, and full cooperation, stating that the local government is committed to creating a favorable investment environment to promote economic growth, job creation, and industrial development in Herat Province.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/turkish-investors-seeking-investment-in-herat-industrial-park/
------
European Union Deputy Head Visits National Archives
January 7, 2026
KABUL: Benjamin, Deputy Head of the European Union, accompanied by Sandra, Head of Cultural Affairs of the EU, visited the National Archives under Afghanistan’s Ministry of Information and Culture.
During the visit, Shafiq Ahmadzai, Head of Foreign Relations and Cultural Attachés at Ministry of Information and Culture, along with Qari Obaidullah Hanif, Director of the National Archives, briefed the EU delegation on the building and the historical collections preserved at the archives, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
Officials stated that the National Archives building has a 129-year history and houses valuable historical manuscripts from different periods of Afghanistan’s history.
Benjamin expressed admiration after the visit, stating that he was deeply impressed by the preservation of historical manuscripts, describing it as a significant cultural achievement and a reflection of Afghans’ strong attachment to their heritage.
Meanwhile, Qari Obaidullah Hanif called on the European Union to support the establishment and expansion of cooperation between Afghanistan’s National Archives and archival institutions across Europe.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/european-union-deputy-head-visits-national-archives/
------
Need joint research to explore marine resources
Jan 7, 2026
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday stressed the need for coordinated joint research with Japan, Indonesia and the Maldives to explore marine resources, mentioning that Bangladesh has a maritime area almost equal to its landmass.
"The problems need to be identified. Research must be coordinated with those who have expertise in this area. Through such efforts, new horizons of the economy will open," he said.
"We have not even been able to determine the volume of resources and their potential. These resources must be properly utilised, which will require extensive research and policy support," said Prof Yunus.
He made the remarks when a survey and research report on marine fisheries and ecosystems, conducted by the research vessel RV Dr Fridtjof Nansen, was submitted to him by the committee at the State Guest House Jamuna.
The survey was carried out from August 21 to September 21 last year. A total of 25 scientists from eight countries participated, including 13 from Bangladesh.
Prof Sayedur Rahman Chowdhury of the Institute of Marine Sciences at Chittagong University presented the research findings at the meeting, revealing the existence of 65 previously unidentified aquatic species.
The study also found plastic waste at depths of up to 2,000 metres, which researchers described as a matter of serious concern.
Compared to a 2018 study, the report shows a decline in large fish populations in deep-sea areas, while fish stocks in shallow waters are decreasing at an alarming rate.
At the meeting, Fisheries Adviser Farida Akhter warned, "If targeted fishing continues in this manner, there is a risk that the Bay of Bengal will be depleted of fish. The government will take a decision regarding sonar-based fishing."
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/need-joint-research-explore-marine-resources-4074976
-------
Legal loopholes allow defaulters to stay in race
Jan 7, 2026
The Election Commission has scrapped the nominations of 82 parliamentary election aspirants for loan default, while 31 others will remain in the race after securing court stay orders on their default status.
Under the Representation of the People Order (RPO), a loan defaulter is not eligible to contest in the election. But a stay order from the top court enables a defaulter to enjoy the same opportunities as any other citizen until the appeal is disposed of.
One such beneficiary is an aspirant from a Narayanganj constituency.
Although he is a loan defaulter, his nomination was declared valid after the High Court, following a writ petition, issued a stay order on the Credit Information Bureau listing him as a defaulter. The order will remain effective until the appeal is disposed of.
In the same vein, another loan defaulter was able to pass his nomination from a Moulvibazar constituency.
If loan defaulters continue to receive such advantages in all areas, it will have negative consequences, especially in a national election, said experts and analysts.
"This is a great misfortune," said Mustafa K Mujeri, executive director at the Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development.
In this country, loan defaulters enjoy more privileges, while good borrowers suffer.
"Defaulters continue to move around with extra benefits, and it is we who have enabled this. This is an ominous signal for the country."
Loan defaulters often go to the HC without repaying their bank loans and file writ petitions that drag on for years, said Mujeri, a former chief economist of the Bangladesh Bank.
He stressed that laws must be changed and the number of money loan courts increased.
"More judges, lawyers and courtrooms are required so that financial cases can be resolved quickly. When defaulters see that even writ petitions are disposed of within two to three months, they will no longer be able to gain undue advantages by filing them."
Political governments have not implemented these reforms for various reasons.
"We expected the interim government would do it, but it did nothing," he added.
The amended RPO under the interim government allows the Election Commission to cancel an MP's seat even after the election if it is proven that the person is a loan defaulter or has provided false information.
"We can only state who is a loan defaulter and who is not -- the authority to decide the validity of an election rests solely with the EC," said BB Spokesman Areif Hossain Khan,
The bank can appeal against a candidate's writ petition, after which the EC will make its decision.
"But there is nothing more for us to do," said Khan, also an executive director of the BB.
For the 13th parliamentary election, 2,574 candidates submitted nominations across the country. Of them, 2,461 candidates were found to be default-free, according to BB officials.
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/elections/news/legal-loopholes-allow-defaulters-stay-race-4075056
-------
Bank Alfalah Advances Exit From Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
January 7, 2026
Bank Alfalah Moves Closer to Exiting Afghanistan After Securing Regulatory Clearances for Proposed Divestment.
Bank Alfalah Limited, one of Pakistan’s largest commercial banks, has moved closer to exiting Afghanistan after securing regulatory clearances to advance the proposed divestment of its operations there, according to filings cited by Pakistan’s Business Recorder.
The bank disclosed to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Tuesday that it has received in-principle approval from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), while Afghanistan’s central bank has also granted consent, allowing Ghazanfar Bank to begin due diligence.
Bank Alfalah said it had earlier received a non-binding offer from Ghazanfar Bank to acquire its Afghanistan operations, and that it will now allow the Afghan lender to proceed with a detailed review of its business.
The lender stressed that the proposed transaction remains at an exploratory stage and does not yet constitute a binding agreement between the two banks.
Foreign banks operating in Afghanistan have faced growing constraints since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, including sanctions-related compliance risks, restrictions on cross-border transactions and a prolonged economic downturn.
International financial institutions and analysts have repeatedly warned that Afghanistan’s banking sector continues to struggle with limited access to global financial systems, weak liquidity and declining investor confidence.
Bank Alfalah said the deal will be subject to the satisfactory completion of due diligence, execution of definitive agreements, compliance with all applicable laws and receipt of all required regulatory and legal approvals in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Industry analysts say that if the divestment is completed, it would mark a significant strategic shift for Bank Alfalah, which has operated in Afghanistan for several years and is majority owned by Abu Dhabi-based investors, underscoring a broader retreat by foreign banks from the Afghanistan market.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/bank-alfalah-advances-exit-from-afghanistan/
------
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/mcd-demolition-encroachments-faize-elahi-mosque-delhi/d/138343