'Shows How Far We Have Gone From Allah': Farooq Abdullah On Suicide Bombing In Pakistan Mosque
New Age Islam News Bureau
09 February2026
· 'Shows how far we have gone from Allah': Farooq Abdullah on suicide bombing in Pakistan mosque
· Israeli authorities force Palestinian family to self-demolish their houses
· Saudi space technology plays growing role in conflict and disaster zones: NSG executive
· Russia will not attack Europe unless struck first – Lavrov
· Elon Musk offers to cover legal costs of Epstein victims who get sued for 'speaking truth'
· US Lawmakers Tackle Religious Freedom In Nigeria, Slam $9 Million Lobbying Deal
· Malaysia must be safeguarded against racial, religious divisions, says Anwar
· Durani Warns: Afghanistan, India Actions Threaten Regional, Global Security
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India
· Assam CM 'inciting genocide' against Muslims, says Gaurav Gogoi, demands police action
· ‘Mohammad’ Deepak’s gym, which once had 150 members, now down to 15
· 'Working to spread hatred against Muslims': Owaisi slams Assam CM’s ‘point-blank shot’ video
· Kerala election: Why CPM, Congress and BJP are clashing over Jamaat-e-Islami
· Hindutva line melts: RSS chief Bhagwat calls on Bangladesh Hindus to unite and fight
· Himanta accuses Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of secret Pakistan visit, seeks MHA probe
· Sikh family gifts land to Muslims for access to graveyard
· Bifurcation of Malappuram, more holidays for Eid: Clerics’ body in Kerala issues demands ahead of polls
· Pasmanda Muslims moot Ulema Board, urges community to adopt mainstream education
· Bombay HC grants bail to accused in Baba Siddique murder case
· Dhami rivals Yogi in bulldozer politics with land jihad drive in Uttarakhand state
· Hindutva group calls Murshidabad march over Babri Masjid style mosque plan in Bengal
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Mideast
· Around 180 Gazans have left via Rafah crossing since reopening
· Norway’s ambassador to Jordan and Iraq resigns over Epstein links
· Baghdad traders protest new customs tariffs
· Prime minister’s visit to southern Lebanon promotes trust in state
· Israel announces measures to deepen control over West Bank
· Rescue teams search for survivors in building collapse that killed at least 9 in northern Lebanon
· Jordanian authorities thwart attempt to smuggle narcotics
· Flash floods in Syria kill 1 volunteer, trap civilians and block roads
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Arab World
· Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman inaugurates 3rd World Defense Show in Riyadh
· What Prince William’s first solo visit to Riyadh signals for UK-Saudi ties
· Saudi health minister checks Madinah’s healthcare readiness ahead of Ramadan
· Syrian foreign minister arrives in Riyadh
· ‘We see eye to eye’: Ambassador hails Saudi-Portuguese connection
· Saudi fund deputy CEO receives Guatemalan FM
· Saudi FM discusses latest developments in Syria with US special envoy
· Saudi Arabia is one of Boeing’s largest partners outside US, official says
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Europe
· Andrew shared confidential information with Epstein as trade envoy, files suggest
· Psychologist claims decline in Christchurch mosque terrorist’s mental health
· Azerbaijani community appeals to US VP Vance ahead of his Baku visit
· Achievements foster confidence in the return of western Azerbaijanis to their ancestral homelands - Community
· PM's chief aide McSweeney quits over Mandelson row
· Italian police arrest protesters after clash in Olympic host city Milan
· Zelensky tried to kill the chance for Russia-Ukraine peace, again
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North America
· ‘America’s elections are rigged, stolen’: Trump renews claims, warns US must fix system or lose country
· Trump calls Olympic skier a ‘real loser’
· Canada and France move into Greenland as US eyes the island
· Iran defies Trump on uranium enrichment
· Police fire tear gas as protests erupt against ICE and Israel at Milan Winter Olympics
· ICE secretly deports Palestinians in Trump ally's private jet to Israel: Report
· Apps to boycott US goods gain traction amid Trump's threats to Greenland
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Africa
· Experts Urge Structured Islamic Estate Planning to Protect Family Wealth, Legacy
· Senior Advocate faults Sharia Council’s call for INEC chair’s removal
· Muslim group urges Tinubu, N’Assembly to review appointment of INEC boss
· WHO says more than 30 killed in three Sudan health center attacks
· Pope Reacts To Deadly Attacks In Nigeria
· ‘Nigeria Has No Government’ – ADC Taunts Tinubu, Laments Bandits’ Attacks In Kwara, Katsina
· South Africa to withdraw troops from UN mission in DR Congo
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Southeast Asia
· Lunar New Year, Ramadan close timing to boost consumption: expert
· Prabowo wishes for peaceful, abundant Ramadan for Indonesian Muslims
· Ex-PM Muhyiddin’s sedition case remitted to High Court for trial
· Pig farms allowed, but must be away from residential areas, says Anwar
· Johor government to conduct cloud seeding this week following low water levels in dams
· Perkeso, Penang city council to sign MOU to close protection gap among the self-employed
· Malaysia outlines governance reforms under Madani framework at Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting 2026 in Fiji
· Johor-Singapore SEZ investment blueprint, master plan to be launched March 30 in JB, says economy minister
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South Asia
· Islamic Emirate Committed to Economic Growth, Global Partnerships, Beradar Says
· Journalists Urged to Uphold Ethics, Avoid Unverified Reporting
· Boosting Trade Ties with Neighboring Countries IEA’s Top Priority, Official
· Nangarhar Governor, Iranian Consul Discuss Health, Trade Cooperation
· Interior Ministry Delegation in Indonesia to Attend Anti-Narcotics Conference
· IEA Confirms UNAMA Figures on Civilian Casualties from Pakistani Attacks in 2025
· Army picking up Bangladesh Times staffers ‘unacceptable’
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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'Shows how far we have gone from Allah': Farooq Abdullah on suicide bombing in Pakistan mosque
Feb 8, 2026
NEW DELHI: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday expressed grief over the suicide bombing at a mosque in Pakistan’s capital. Speaking to reporters in Pampore in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Sunday, Abdullah said it was “unfortunate that now blasts are taking place inside mosques as well”.
“It shows how far we have gone from Allah. We are treading the path which will lead to hell fire,” he added, as quoted by PTI.
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister had travelled to Pampore to offer condolences to Mohammad Riyaz Hamadani on the death of his mother when he addressed the media. He said the entire Muslim world was “in chaos and engulfed in violence”. Asked whether Pakistan should be declared a terrorist state, Abdullah declined to comment.
The attack took place on Friday when a 32-year-old suicide bomber entered the Imambargah Khadijah-tul-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area during weekly prayers and detonated explosives.
According to Dawn, at least 31 worshippers were initially reported dead and 169 injured. Authorities later said the death toll had risen to 36 as several critically injured victims died in hospital. The Islamic State in Pakistan, an offshoot of Daesh, has claimed responsibility for the bombing.
In Jammu and Kashmir, members of the Shia community held candlelight marches to pay tribute to the victims. In Baramulla district, protesters gathered along the Srinagar–Baramulla National Highway in Hanjiwera, raising slogans and condemning the attack.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/shows-how-far-we-have-gone-from-allah-farooq-abdullah-on-suicide-bombing-in-pakistan-mosque/articleshowprint/128067305.cms
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Israeli authorities force Palestinian family to self-demolish their houses
February 08, 2026
A toppled water tank and concrete debris from a flattened Palestinian home in Al-Walaja, a village in annexed East Jerusalem. (File / AFP)
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LONDON: Israeli authorities forced a Palestinian resident of occupied East Jerusalem to demolish his home and that of his son in Sur Baher, citing building violations as the reason.
Raed Dabash demolished the two houses that housed eight people, totaling 90 square meters. The Dabash family built their homes in 2014 without obtaining a building permit from the Israeli authorities in the city.
Israeli authorities imposed high building fines exceeding 100,000 shekels (around $32,000) on two houses, part of a policy aimed at restricting residents in Jerusalem, according to the Jerusalem Governorate.
The Palestinian Authority’s affiliated governorate emphasized that the policy of forced self-demolition is a crime of coercion and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, the Wafa news agency reported.
Israel regularly denies building permits to Palestinians in Jerusalem, while illegally expanding Jewish settlements in the city and the occupied West Bank. The authorities often compel Palestinian residents in Jerusalem to demolish their own homes for allegedly lacking permits. Those who refuse face demolition of their homes by Israeli bulldozers and significant fines.
The Israeli government faces charges of war crimes and genocide in the Occupied Territories at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2632247/middle-east
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Saudi space technology plays growing role in conflict and disaster zones: NSG executive
HAJAR ALQUSAYER
February 08, 2026
Hassan Al-Johani, vice president of business development at Neo Space Group, speaks to Arab News at the World Defense Show in Riyadh. (AN photo by Jaafer Al-Saleh)
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RIYADH: Saudi-built space systems are moving beyond data collection to play a direct role in operational decision-making, particularly in high-stakes situations like conflict zones and natural disasters, according to one industry executive.
Hassan Al-Johani, vice president of business development at Neo Space Group, spoke on the sidelines of the World Defense Show in Riyadh, which has Arab News as a media partner, about how the company’s technology is used in real-life scenarios.
Al-Johani pointed to disaster management as an example of how integrated space services can directly influence outcomes on the ground.
The company uses high-resolution Earth observation imagery in optical, radio and infrared spectrums, to analyze damage from natural disasters, including flash floods.
He said this information can then be turned into actionable intelligence and shared directly with teams operating in affected areas, allowing them to assess damage to roads and determine the best routes for delivering equipment and emergency aid.
“We can utilize that in geospatial intelligence and communicate it to teams in the field using advanced satellite communications,” Al-Johani said.
The company’s satellite technology allows people to communicate in crisis-hit areas when traditional communication infrastructure has been damaged.
He added: “Even when communication fails, even when there’s disruption in infrastructure, we have the ability to understand what has happened, but also communicate it to people (who) need to take decisions in real time to save lives and property.”
Demonstrations at the World Defense Show, he said, were designed to show how this integrated approach worked in practice.
“We are not promoting one domain or one technology, but rather a unified architecture that brings together the best of the latest technologies,” he said.
The company’s technology has military uses, allowing users to determine the best locations for deploying troops and equipment, and its satellite technology allows secure communications in war zones.
He also highlighted the technical design choices behind ensuring continuity of service, particularly in contested or disrupted environments.
Artificial intelligence, he added, is increasingly part of the company’s system.
“We’re not utilizing just traditional geospatial intelligence, but rather AI-powered intelligence,” Al-Johani said.
This layered approach, he explained, is intended to reduce dependence on any single system or data source.
He added: “If one layer fails, then you have other layers to supplement and ensure the continuity of the value delivered to the clients.”
Beyond technology, Al-Johani said discussions at the World Defense Show reflected a broader shift in how Saudi Arabia approaches the space and defense sectors.
“Saudi Arabia has demonstrated that we are not looking to be buyers, but rather partners and builders,” he said.
“That means that we have to have an engaging dialogue with partners from around the world, understanding which parts of the ecosystem we need to build on.”
He said this approach ultimately supported local capability building and long-term sector development, adding that it was targeted at “finding a meaningful partnership that delivers win-win for everyone, (and) ultimately contributes to building this country, this industry and the space sector.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2632228/saudi-arabia
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Russia will not attack Europe unless struck first – Lavrov
8 Feb, 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks at an event in Moscow on January 5, 2026. © Maksim Blinov / Sputnik
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Russia will not attack EU or NATO member states unless it is attacked first, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
Western officials have justified increased military spending by citing the need to defend NATO’s eastern flank. Germany’s top military commander, General Carsten Breuer, said in December 2025 that the country must be ready for a potential war with Russia by 2029. Moscow has accused the West of warmongering.
“We have no intention of attacking Europe. There is no reason to do so,” Lavrov told NTV in an interview aired on Sunday.
“If Europe acts on its threats to prepare for war against us and initiates an attack on the Russian Federation, it will face a full-fledged military response from our side, with all available military capabilities,” he said.
At a year-end press conference in December, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed claims that his country was planning to attack NATO as “nonsense.”
Russian officials have said, however, that Western military aid to Ukraine, including the delivery of long-range and advanced weapons, increases the risk of a broader conflict.
Moscow has also accused the EU of seeking to derail US-brokered peace talks with Ukraine and prolong the fighting.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/632183-russian-no-plan-attack-europe/
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Elon Musk offers to cover legal costs of Epstein victims who get sued for 'speaking truth'
Feb 9, 2026
Elon Musk offered his support to victims of Jeffrey Epstein by offering to cover their legal expenses if they publicly name their abusers. His offer came in response to a discussion about a new PSA featuring Epstein's victims that aired on Super Bowl Sunday.
The tech billionaire made this commitment on X, replying to conservative commentator Matt Walsh's posts about the PSA. "I will pay for the defense of anyone who speaks the truth about this and is sued for doing so," said Musk.
The PSA showed several women who claim to be Epstein's victims, urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to support their cause. In the video, they appeared alongside photos of themselves from when the alleged abuse occurred, stating, "After years of being kept apart, we're standing together" and "Because we all deserve the truth."
Walsh questioned why these women haven't named their abusers directly. He pointed out that the timing of their campaign was curious, noting it began just as Biden left office. He suggested they could safely reveal names through Congress members who could speak on the floor without legal risk.
However, he noted that this hasn't happened and questioned why. Further dismissing the defence that women fear being sued, Walsh added, "For those claiming that they can’t name names because they’ll be sued: they could simply give the names to any of their many (and mostly very recent ) advocates in congress, who could read the names out loud from the floor, insulating themselves and these women from any litigation. But they refuse to do that. Why?"
It is in reponse to this that Musk offered to cover the legal costs.
Elon Musk in Epstein files?
A newly released photograph from the latest batch of Jeffrey Epstein files shows the disgraced financier at a 2015 dinner attended by Elon Musk and other tech figures. The image, disclosed by the US Department of Justice as part of a large release of investigative records, appears to show Musk seated at a long dining table alongside other prominent guests.
Emails included in the documents indicate Epstein had noted plans to dine in Los Angeles with “musk thiel zuckerberg” in August 2015 and later sent himself a photograph from the gathering.
Musk has previously said he declined invitations to Epstein’s private island and has not been accused of any crime.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/elon-musk-offers-to-cover-legal-costs-of-epstein-victims-who-get-sued-for-speaking-truth/articleshowprint/128098239.cms
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US Lawmakers Tackle Religious Freedom In Nigeria, Slam $9 Million Lobbying Deal
February 8, 2026
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
United States lawmakers on Wednesday renewed criticism of Nigeria’s human rights record, raising fresh concerns over religious freedom violations and the Nigerian government’s lobbying efforts in Washington.
During a Congressional hearing held in Washington, D.C., Nigeria was prominently featured among countries where religious liberty is said to be under threat, a characterisation Nigerian authorities have previously rejected.
Naija News reports that the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Chris Smith, did not mince words, citing Genocide Watch in his description of Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a killing field of defenceless Christians,” Smith declared.
While he acknowledged what he described as “small steps” taken by the Nigerian government to improve religious freedom, Smith praised the recent decision by the Biden administration to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).
“That wrong in our foreign policy has been righted with the President’s CPC designation. We commend and thank him for that action,” he added.
The hearing took a sharp turn toward Nigeria’s lobbying efforts in the United States. Smith criticised the $9 million lobbying deal signed in December 2025 with DCI Group, a Washington-based public relations and lobbying firm, to influence U.S. perceptions on Nigeria’s religious freedom record.
Smith also cited another contract involving Matthew Tonlagha, vice-chairman of Tantita Security Services, who reportedly hired Valcour Global Public Strategy at $120,000 per month to strengthen U.S.-Nigeria ties.
He said, “I am deeply concerned that Nigeria has hired the K-Street lobbying firm DCI to the tune of $9 million… and a Nigerian billionaire has entered into a $120,000-a-month contract with Valcour to influence Congress and the Executive Branch.
“They hire these firms; they come up with their very well-written talking points to say nothing to see here… and unfortunately, these firms are just so good at advocating for their client for religious freedom.”
Lawmakers Divided Over CPC Designation Impact
During the session, members of Congress debated the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) label recently reimposed on Nigeria by the U.S. government.
Some lawmakers dismissed the designation as mere “name and shame” without real policy consequences, while others argued it served to refocus global attention on Nigeria’s religious freedom issues.
In his remarks, Rep. Joaquin Castro accused the Trump administration of hypocrisy in its policy towards Nigeria, claiming that while it cited the need to protect Christians, it cut developmental assistance meant to address systemic religious discrimination.
“They struck under the front of protecting Christians but cut assistance that would actually address discrimination against religious communities,” he said.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/02/08/us-lawmakers-tackle-religious-freedom-in-nigeria-slam-9-million-lobbying-deal/
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Malaysia must be safeguarded against racial, religious divisions, says Anwar
09 Feb 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 — The country must be safeguarded against threats of division based on race and religion, which are becoming increasingly evident globally, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He noted that the rise of fascism, racism, and Islamophobia in Europe and the United States should serve as a warning, as such hateful sentiments can spread even among educated communities, according to a report published in BuletinTV3 today.
“Let us not underestimate what is happening in Europe and the US today — the resurgence of fascism and racism is growing, along with hatred toward minorities, Islamophobia, and other religions,” he said in his address at the Ministry of National Unity’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya today.
Anwar added that what is more concerning is that racial and religious sentiments are often spread without knowledge or rational basis, which has the potential to cause societal division.
“Sentiments that drag race and religion into issues are stronger even without a knowledge foundation. This is a major challenge we face, and it is not easy — it demands strength and wisdom,” he said.
The prime minister also stressed that the country’s peace and stability are fundamental to development and economic prosperity, as well as the well-being of the people.
“If the country is peaceful and stable, then we can focus on development. None of this is possible if the economy is weak or fails to generate sufficient revenue,” he said.
He added that political stability must be paired with attention to core economic issues and the implementation of sound policies to attract foreign investment and develop human capital.
“Stable politics, the right economic policies, and centralised economic activity will allow us to attract foreign investment and train our youth with the new skills required,” he said.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/02/09/malaysia-must-be-safeguarded-against-racial-religious-divisions-says-anwar/208588
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Durani Warns: Afghanistan, India Actions Threaten Regional, Global Security
By Fidel Rahmati
February 9, 2026
Durani claims that allowing terrorist activity from Afghanistan soil and India’s use of proxy forces against Pakistan poses serious risks to both regional stability and global security.
Former Pakistan envoy Asif Durani and President Asif Ali Zardari warn that Taliban support for terrorist groups in Afghanistan could have serious regional consequences.
Former Pakistani envoy to Afghanistan, Asif Durani, confirmed President Asif Ali Zardari’s statements, cautioning that Taliban support for terrorist groups poses dangerous consequences.
Durani stated that terrorism grows where it is tolerated or facilitated, emphasizing that Afghanstan soil should not be used to destabilize Pakistan.
He added that allowing terrorist groups to operate from Afghanistan, combined with India’s alleged proxy activities, creates a risky path with heavy regional and global implications.
Durani emphasized that lasting peace requires responsibility, not denial, highlighting the importance of accountable governance in countering extremism.
These warnings come after President Zardari remarked that the Taliban have placed Afghanistan in a worse situation than before 9/11.
Zardari highlighted that supporting or facilitating terrorist groups across borders would ultimately harm innocent people worldwide.
He urged regional cooperation to prevent extremist activities and stressed that unchecked terrorist networks threaten both national and international security.
While, the Taliban in Kabul and the Government of India have both rejected claims of supporting terrorist groups or proxy activities, saying they remain committed to regional peace and stability.
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concern about cross-border terrorism, citing past incidents where Afghanistan-based militant groups carried out attacks inside Pakistan.
The Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan has raised regional concerns over militant activity, governance, and the potential resurgence of extremist networks.
Durani and Zardari’s statements underscore the urgent need for responsible governance in Afghanistan and regional cooperation to prevent terrorism from destabilizing South Asia.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/durani-warns-afghanistan-india-actions-threaten-regional-global-security/
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India
Assam CM 'inciting genocide' against Muslims, says Gaurav Gogoi, demands police action
09 Feb 2026
Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi on Monday accused Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of promoting communal hatred and “inciting genocide” against Muslims, demanding that the police take suo motu cognisance of a controversial video allegedly shared by the ruling BJP.
Gogoi was referring to a now-deleted video earlier posted by the Assam BJP on social media platform X, which showed Sarma purportedly aiming a rifle and firing at two individuals , one wearing a skull cap and the other sporting a beard, accompanied by the caption “point-blank shot.”
Addressing a press conference, Gogoi said the video amounted to targeting a specific community and accused the chief minister of using social media to spread “vicious and dangerous” content.
“The Assam CM is inciting genocide against Muslims through his videos. The police must take suo motu cognisance of this act,” Gogoi said.
His remarks come amid an ongoing war of words between the Congress leader and Sarma, who has repeatedly alleged that Gogoi and his family have links with Pakistan.
Rejecting the allegations, Gogoi said his wife had travelled to Pakistan in 2013 for work, and that he accompanied her during a 10-day visit in December that year. He claimed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the matter never questioned him regarding the visit.
“The chief minister sat on the SIT report for six months because it does not support his allegations of my Pakistan links,” Gogoi alleged.
The Congress MP also said he would explore legal options over his minor children being dragged into the controversy by the CM.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Feb/09/assam-cm-inciting-genocide-against-muslims-says-gaurav-gogoi-demands-police-action
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‘Mohammad’ Deepak’s gym, which once had 150 members, now down to 15
Aiswarya Raj
Feb 9, 2026
Days after he was confronted by members of the Bajrang Dal for standing up for a 70-year-old Muslim man, Deepak Kumar has lost many of his gym members.
At Hulk Gym in Kotdwar, which is run from a rented building and once attracted 150 members, has seen the daily footfall drop to 15 people, he told The Indian Express.
On January 26, Deepak (38) stood up to a group of men who were harassing a 70-year-old Muslim shopkeeper, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, to drop the word “Baba” from his shop’s name. During the confrontation, when asked his name, he told the crowd it was Mohammad Deepak. A video of the confrontation went viral, thrusting Deepak into the limelight but also bringing unwanted attention. On January 31, several members of the Bajrang Dal gathered to confront Deepak, but were restrained by the police.
A week later, the town has been cleaved into two: those who extended solidarity and those who feel antagonised by his act. “Half of the town supports me, but people do not applaud when you do good deeds. Honesty might come at a price,” he said.
His gym has taken the hit. “People are scared, and I understand it. However, the gym is run on an entire floor with a rent of Rs 40,000 a month. Our family has only one income. I recently built the house and am still paying off the monthly loan of Rs 16,000,” Kumar said.
The remaining members, he said, assured him that they are staying put. “There is a high attrition rate; if you lose a member, it is hard to regain them,” he said.
On Sunday, Member of Parliament John Brittas, leader of CPI(M)’s Parliamentary Party in the Rajya Sabha, visited the owner of Baba Dress, Vakeel Ahmed, and Kumar. In a tweet, the CPI(M) said that he visited the gym and took a membership as it now stood deserted “due to threats from communal elements”.
“Brittas also registered his strong protest at the Kotdwar police station, which has filed a case against Deepak while shielding the rioters. He congratulated ‘Muhammad’ Deepak for fearlessly taking a stand against the fascistic thugs and added that it is people like him who are the true hope and strength of the country,” it posted.
“I still don’t think that I have done something wrong. People from outside are supporting me, but those in town have yet to come around. Things are moving slowly, but it will get better,” he said.
Police have meanwhile provided protection to Kumar and deployed additional force in the town.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/mohammad-deepaks-gym-which-once-had-150-members-now-down-to-15-10522215/
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'Working to spread hatred against Muslims': Owaisi slams Assam CM’s ‘point-blank shot’ video
Feb 9, 2026
NEW DELHI: All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday launched a broadside against Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over a video posted by the BJP showing Sarma taking a “point-blank shot” at two individuals identified as minorities.
During a rally at Telangana's Zaheerabad, Owaisi accused the Assam chief minister of spreading hate against the Muslim community and added that the AIMIM would soon lodge a police complaint over the video.
“If you think that communalism has ended, remember, no matter who comes to power, the poison of communalism persists. And the remedy, the antidote for the poison of communalism, is that you make the representatives of the Majlis successful. You see that in the country, the chief minister of Assam makes a video where he has a gun in his hand. And he fires a bullet. The bullet hits a person wearing a beard and a cap,” Owaisi said.
“Tell me, he is the chief minister of Assam from the BJP. He posts a video from the BJP's social media. Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen strongly condemns that video. And Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, God willing, will also file a complaint with the police against it, so that a case can be registered against the chief minister of Assam. They are working to spread religious hatred against Muslims,” he added.
This comes after the BJP Assam unit posted a video on X showing Sarma purportedly aiming a rifle at two people, one wearing a skull cap and another with a beard. The video was deleted after receiving backlash.
Earlier, Owaisi had slammed Sarma over his controversial remarks on “troubling Miya Muslims”, calling them unconstitutional and divisive.
Owaisi mocked the chief minister, saying, “I want to give you Rs 2 as alms,” and accused him of reducing constitutional governance to prejudice and intimidation. In a lengthy response, Owaisi said India’s Constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination, regardless of religion or community.
“The Constitution says all are equal. No discrimination should be done, whether it is a chief minister or anyone else,” he said.
Owaisi alleged that Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam were being scapegoated for issues ranging from migration to rising prices.
“If vegetable prices increase in Assam, Miya Muslims are blamed. If someone wants to vote, they are told to go to Bangladesh,” he said, adding that such rhetoric amounted to targeting a community for political gain.
The AIMIM leader's remarks came after Sarma made statements encouraging action against “Miya Muslims” in Assam.
Sarma said, “Trouble the Miya Muslims by any means. If they face trouble, they will go from Assam... We are directly against the Miya Muslims. We are not hiding anything.”
The comments triggered a political storm in the election-bound northeastern state, with opposition parties accusing the BJP of resorting to communal polarisation to consolidate votes.
The BJP, however, has long maintained that its focus in Assam is on addressing illegal immigration and protecting indigenous rights. Bengali-speaking Muslims have frequently been labelled “illegal infiltrators” in political discourse, an issue that has remained central to Assam’s electoral politics.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/working-to-spread-hatred-against-muslims-owaisi-slams-assam-cms-point-blank-shot-video/articleshowprint/128096040.cms
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Kerala election: Why CPM, Congress and BJP are clashing over Jamaat-e-Islami
Feb 8, 2026
NEW DELHI: As Kerala heads toward another high-stakes assembly election, a controversial name has returned to the centre of a new political storm. Jamaat-e-Islami, long part of the state's complex web of alliances and rivalries, is now the trigger for an escalating war of words between the CPM, the Congress and the BJP.
What began as a debate over electoral support has quickly turned into a larger fight over secularism, minority politics and ideological credibility.
The latest round of exchanges was triggered after Congress leader and the leader of the opposition VD Satheesan indicated that the UDF would accept support from Jamaat-e-Islami, asserting that the organisation had clarified it does not advocate a religion-based nation in India.
That remark drew immediate criticism from both the CPM and the BJP, who accused the Congress of legitimising a group they describe as communal.
Senior BJP leader K Surendran accused the Congress of closeness with Jamaat-e-Islami and alleged that the party was “whitewashing” communal forces. He went further, claiming that “sharia” would be implemented in Kerala if the Congress and the UDF came to power. “The Congress has now adopted a blatant communal stand by whitewashing terrorist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami,” Surendran said.
The CPM, too, sharpened its attack. State secretary M V Govindan alleged that the Congress had adopted a position portraying Jamaat-e-Islami as a non-communal organisation and accused it of attempting to give the outfit a “good certificate”.
Congress pushes back
Satheesan rejected the allegations and accused the CPM of hypocrisy. He alleged that the Marxist party had itself benefited from Jamaat-e-Islami support in the past.
“CPM is hypocritical. Until the parliamentary elections, they appeased minorities. Later, they appeased majority communities. Currently, there is confusion overall. They are in a state where they do not know what they are saying or doing. They are pretending to forget what they said in the past,” Satheesan said during the UDF’s Puthu Yuga Yatra in Kasaragod.
He further claimed, “For 42 years, Jamaate-Islami was aligned with the CPM. Many times, individuals like Govindan and Pinarayi Vijayan were elected with the support of Jamaat-e-Islami. Clips of Pinarayi Vijayan’s speech justifying Jamaat-e-Islami and Deshabhimani’s editorial can be sent to Govindan. If his forgetfulness is deliberate, then nothing can be done.”
Satheesan also argued that the opposition was unfairly being targeted for engaging with community organisations. “We do not interfere in the internal matters of any community organisations. Our wish is for everyone to walk together. It is not the opposition leader’s job to comment on any of this,” he said.
Who is Jamaat-e-Islami in Kerala?
In Kerala, references to Jamaat-e-Islami typically point to Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, a socio-religious organisation with an active presence in the state through educational institutions, social initiatives and community networks. Its political platform is the Welfare Party of India, which has contested elections and participated in local alliances.
The organisation is not a dominant electoral force in Kerala but commands influence in certain regions, particularly in parts of northern districts. In a closely contested political landscape where margins can matter, even limited organisational backing can acquire significance.
Jamaat-e-Islami has been in controversy several times for its ultra-conservative views. Only last month its leader Shaikh Muhammed Karakunnu said that no true believer who loves Prophet Muhammad can reject Islamic Republic.
In a Facebook post titled ‘Would true believers reject Islamic Republic?' posted on January 17, Karakunnu said Prophet was the founder of Islamic Republic, and its headquarters was Medina and it was established without shedding even a single drop of blood.
The remarks came amid the CPM's attack on Jamaat-e-Islami, accusing the organisation of subscribing to the ideology of establishing a theocratic nation.
CPM leaders were quick to cite Karakunnu's remarks as vindication of their stand.
"The people of that land welcomed its leader with open arms, choosing him as their ruler. They even gave their land his name: Madinatun-Nabi (The City of the Prophet). It was an ideal-based, humanitarian and pluralistic nation. At that time, the Muslim population there was only 15%," he said.
A triangular contest
Kerala’s politics has traditionally been bipolar, with power alternating between the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led UDF. The BJP, despite a growing vote share, has struggled to translate support into seats. In this context, debates over minority outreach and ideological positioning carry both symbolic and electoral weight.
For the CPM, attacking the Congress over Jamaat-e-Islami allows it to question the UDF’s secular credentials while attempting to consolidate its own base among both minority and majority voters. For the BJP, the issue provides an opportunity to frame the Congress and the Left as engaging in minority appeasement, a narrative it has consistently deployed in Kerala.
The Congress, meanwhile, appears to be balancing objectives of reassuring minority voters that it remains open to their support, while countering charges that it is endorsing communal politics.
The broader political calculus
Kerala has a significant Muslim population, and minority consolidation can influence outcomes in several constituencies. Historically, the Indian Union Muslim League has been the primary Muslim political force within the UDF. However, the presence of organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami adds layers to the competitive dynamic.
The CPM has previously worked with various community organisations, and its leaders have often defended engagement as part of Kerala’s plural political culture. The Congress now argues that similar engagement cannot be selectively labelled communal.
The BJP’s intervention introduces a national dimension, especially as it seeks to expand its footprint in a state where it has yet to break through decisively. By raising the spectre of “sharia” and accusing the Congress of legitimising extremist forces, it seeks to polarise the debate and position itself as the defender of secular governance.
The controversy has also intersected with rival mass contact programmes. While the UDF is conducting its Puthu Yuga Yatra to present what it describes as a vision for Kerala’s future, the LDF is running the Vikasana Munnetta Jatha to highlight development initiatives under chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Each side has used the Jamaat-e-Islami debate to undercut the other’s campaign narrative. Satheesan has suggested that the CPM’s criticism stems from discomfort over the UDF’s electoral confidence, while CPM leaders argue that the Congress is attempting to normalise communal elements.
At its core, the clash over Jamaat-e-Islami reflects deeper tensions in Kerala politics like how parties engage with community organisations, how secularism is defined in practice, and how minority support is negotiated in a competitive electoral field.
Source: indiatimes.com
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Hindutva line melts: RSS chief Bhagwat calls on Bangladesh Hindus to unite and fight
09.02.26
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday called upon Hindus in Bangladesh to unite and “fight”, assuring them of support from Hindus in India and across the world.
He urged the Centre to adopt a tougher stance against “infiltrators”, suggesting controversially that “their language gives them away” although he did not specify the language.
His comments come amid allegations of Bengali migrants being dubbed “Bangladeshis” and subjected to police harassment and mob violence in BJP-ruled states, and of an attempt by the Election Commission to disenfranchise genuine citizens during the ongoing SIR in Bengal.
“There are still around 1.25 crore Hindus in Bangladesh. If they unite, they can use the political system there for their own benefit and security, but they have to come together,” Bhagwat said, answering audience questions after delivering a lecture in Mumbai on the Sangh’s completion of 100 years.
Asked about the Bangladesh situation and its implications for India’s security, Bhagwat claimed that the Hindus in Bangladesh had this time decided not to flee in the face of adversity.
Bhagwat said: “They have decided they will stay there and fight. If they are going to fight, unity will be essential. The sooner they unite, the better.”
He added that Hindus in India and everywhereelse would extend all possible support “within our limitations”.
Attacks on Hindus have been reported in Bangladesh since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, with a spurt in recent months since the killing of the radical, anti-India student leader Sharif Osman Hadi.
‘Infiltration’ threat
On domestic security, Bhagwat flagged the alleged threat from “infiltrators” and urged the government to pursue an aggressive policy of detection and deportation.
He said the subject had begun receiving serious attention only in the past coupleof years.
“The government has a lot to do regarding infiltration. They have to detect and deport. This was not happening earlier, but it has started gradually,” he said.
He welcomed the ongoing SIR and said the upcoming population census, too,would help identify illegalresidents.
Demography
Without naming any community but leaving little to the imagination, Bhagwat said the government needed to do much more on issues of demographic change, birth rates and illegal immigration. He warned that all three posed serious challenges to the country’s security.
The Sangh chief again pitched for early marriage, ideally between the ages of 19 and 25, and said every Indian couple should have at least three children.
He warned that communities with a fertility rate below three faced the risk of extinction. The widely accepted figure for total fertility rate (TFR) — the average number of children born to a woman — below which a population declines is 2.1.
Bhagwat had made a similar appeal at an event in Delhi last year, citing concerns about demographic change.
Ratna for Savarkar
Bhagwat advocated that the Bharat Ratna be awarded to Hindutva ideologue and freedom fighter V.D. Savarkar, saying it would enhance the prestige of the country’s highest civilian honour.
“I am not part of the committee (that selects Bharat Ratna awardees) but if and when I meet them, I shall certainly raise this issue,” he said. “If the Bharat Ratna is conferred on Savarkar, the prestige of the award willgo up.”
Congress leader Pawan Khera hit back saying: “If Savarkar, who pleaded for mercy from the British, is given the Bharat Ratna, how will the souls of those who sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom feel?”
Retirement at 75
Addressing a question on retirement, Bhagwat said that while there was a convention of dignitaries giving up organisational posts after turning 75, the RSS had asked him to continue.
Bhagwat had turned 75 last September, as did Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“There is no election to the post of RSS chief. Regional and divisional heads appoint the chief. Generally, it is said that after turning 75, one should work without holding any post,” he said.
“Whenever the RSS asks me to step down, I will do so, but retirement from work will never happen.”
Smiling, Bhagwat added that the Sangh “extracts work till the last drop of blood (remains in) its volunteers”.
He said caste was nota factor in the selection ofthe RSS chief, but only aHindu could head the organisation.
“Who will become the sarsanghchalak? No Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya orShudra becomes the sarsanghchalak; only a Hindu becomes the sarsanghchalak,” he said.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/hindutva-line-melts-rss-chief-bhagwat-calls-on-bangladesh-hindus-to-unite-and-fight-prnt/cid/2146445
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Himanta accuses Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of secret Pakistan visit, seeks MHA probe
09.02.26
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday accused Congress MP and state unit president Gaurav Gogoi of undertaking a “secret visit” to Pakistan in 2013 without informing authorities.
Sarma made the claim at a packed media conference in Guwahati while sharing key outcomes of the government-constituted special investigation team (SIT) probing alleged links of the Congress MP and his wife Elizabeth Gogoi with Pakistan through Pakistan national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh.
Sarma also accused Gogoi’s wife of working in India while receiving a salary from Pakistan and “submitting periodic reports on political developments in India”. Elizabeth visited Pakistan nine times from India. Gogoi visited Pakistan before becoming an MP in 2014 and has not been questioned by the SIT so far.
Sarma announced that the case would be handed over to the ministry of home affairs (MHA) for further investigation.
Addressing the news meet and posting on X, Sarma said Gogoi visited Pakistan “when his spouse was working in India but he blatantly lied to local media channels that his wife worked in Pakistan when he visited the country”.
Using the hashtag #PakAgentGaurav, Sarma said the onus was on Gogoi to “come clean” on what he did in Pakistan based on “the irrefutable evidence we have presented today”.
Describing Gogoi as the “most vulnerable politician” in the country, Sarma suggested the “enemy country” might have recorded details of the ten-day visit to use as future leverage.
The SIT registered a case against Sheikh on February 17, 2025, to ascertain if his activities were “part of a larger conspiracy” against India.
The SIT report, submitted in September, stated Sheikh visited India multiple times between 2010 and 2018. The case involves Sheikh’s non-profit, LEAD Pakistan, where Gogoi’s wife, Elizabeth, was reportedly an “integral part” during her time in Islamabad.
Excerpts from the probe stated Gogoi visited Pakistan “between 14.12.2013 and 24.12.2013 using the land border crossing via Attari”. The report noted that Gogoi, son of the then-sitting chief minister, provided “no prior notice” to the CMO or the ministry of external affairs, maintaining “digital silence” during the trip. The investigation also flagged a deviation from the 2012 India-Pakistan Visa Regime regarding how his visa was reportedly changed on December 16, 2013.
Furthermore, the report questioned Gogoi’s subsequent parliamentary inquiries regarding military preparedness and the Kashmir conflict.
On X, Sarma alleged a “global nexus to destabilise India”, claiming Sheikh tried to embed Elizabeth Coleburn to “derail (India’s development) through environmental activism”. He alleged the setup involved “shady employment contracts” and the transmission of sensitive information.
Following the news meet, BJP workers staged protests across Assam, labelling Gogoi a “Pakistan agent”.
Gogoi’s response
Gogoi, scheduled to address the media on Monday, appeared unfazed. Posting on X, he called the event the “flop press conference of the century,” adding it was “worse than a C-grade cinema”.
Gogoi claimed Sarma had “embarrassed himself” and challenged the chief minister to explain how his family acquired “12,000 bighas” of property. “When we come to power, we will take those lands and distribute amongst the poor,” Gogoi wrote, using the hashtag
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Sikh family gifts land to Muslims for access to graveyard
Feb 9, 2026
Bathinda: For decades, over a dozen Muslim families from Mehna village in Punjab's Moga district were forced to take a detour through private fields to bury their dead. That is going to change now.
The family of Jagdish Singh, a Sikh farmer, and his nephews, Shamsher Singh and Rajwinder Singh, have announced to donate a piece of their land to provide access to the 70-year-old graveyard that has since been lacking a direct path.
The decision came after Jagdish Singh noticed mourners struggling to navigate the fields during a funeral for the mother of a retired policeman on Jan 25, calling it an affront on their dignity.
"We felt the pain of our Muslim brothers and the need to provide them land, so that they could reach the graveyard without any problem. It was my duty as well to stand by my brothers," Jagdish Singh told TOI.
The family has asked the community to take possession of over a 90-foot-long stretch of land, allowing the Muslims to determine the width they need—even though the path effectively divides the farmland into two.
Aas Mohammad, the local Maulvi, expressed gratitude, stating the act would be remembered for generations. Village sarpanch Amandeep Singh said that the gesture reflects the true spirit of Punjab, where harmony prevails over discrimination. Villagers said a single farmer managed to solve a problem that successive govts had ignored for decades.
Source: indiatimes.com
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Bifurcation of Malappuram, more holidays for Eid: Clerics’ body in Kerala issues demands ahead of polls
Shaju Philip
Feb 9, 2026
Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala, influential Muslim clerics’ body Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, which is closely associated with Congress-ally Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), has sought a bifurcation of the Muslim-majority Malappuram district. It also called for three-day public holidays on both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, changes to the academic calendar based on religious requirements, and the establishment of an Arabic university.
The clerics’ body passed resolutions in this regard during a conference held in Kasaragod to mark its centenary. The three-day conference concluded on Sunday.
These demands came close on the heels of senior IUML leader K M Shaji expressing confidence about the party’s chances in the Assembly elections, and saying that once the ruling Left loses power, the benefits that the community had allegedly lost during its reign would be restored.
According to the resolution passed on Sunday, the clerics’ body said the bifurcation of Malappuram district is necessary for effective administration, considering that the district has a population of 45 lakh, and for equitable distribution of resources.
In 2024, a prominent leader of SAMASTHA, Musthafa Mundupara, sought the formation of a separate state (Malabar state) with Malappuram and other North Kerala districts. In 1969, it was the Communist government led by EMS Namboodiripad that formed the Malappuram district. IUML was also a partner in that government.
In another resolution, the conference sought three days’ holiday for two major Muslim festivals. It pointed out that the Gulf countries have long holidays for Eid celebrations, and in Kerala, there should be at least three days of official holiday. At present, Kerala has only one day for Eid and all other festivals.
In another resolution, the organisation demanded that the government fix time-tables for educational institutions and examinations in a manner that does not affect religious requirements.
The conference also sought the establishment of an Arabic and foreign languages university in Kerala, which can be linked to madrasas and religious classes held in mosques.
In another resolution, the clerics’ body demanded that a research centre named after Mamburam Thangal should be opened in the University of Calicut, which, it said, would help in research on Indo-Arab cultural exchange and his contributions to the Malabar region. Mamburam Thangal was a prominent scholar during the British era.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bifurcation-of-malappuram-more-holidays-for-eid-clerics-body-in-kerala-issues-demands-ahead-of-polls-10521421/
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Pasmanda Muslims moot Ulema Board, urges community to adopt mainstream education
Feb 9, 2026
Lucknow: Over 100 ulema, intellectuals, and organisational representatives from Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, and other states took part in a consultative and brainstorming programme to initiate the formation of the All India Pasmanda Ulema Board, in Lucknow on Sunday.
Held under the banner of the All India Pasmanda Muslim Mahaz, the meeting saw discussions focused on the social, economic, and educational challenges faced by Pasmanda ulema, including financial hardship, inadequate honorariums, poor healthcare access, and the declining condition of madrasas and maktabs. Participants also stressed the need for mainstream education, inclusion in govt welfare schemes, and fair representation in Waqf Boards and similar bodies.
Addressing the gathering, Parvez Hanif, national president of the Mahaz, said Pasmanda ulema need an empowered and independent platform to raise their concerns effectively. Chief guest Mufti Ubaidullah Qasmi highlighted the importance of blending religious education with modern learning. National working president Shariq Adeeb Ansari urged ulema to assert their constitutional rights and recalled the historical role of Pasmanda Muslims in India's freedom struggle.
The meeting unanimously elected Mufti Ubaidullah Qasmi as national president along with other office-bearers. A concept note outlining the board's roadmap was also presented.
Source: indiatimes.com
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Bombay HC grants bail to accused in Baba Siddique murder case
09 Feb 2026
MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Monday granted bail to Akashdeep Karaj Singh, an accused in the murder of Congress leader and former MLA Baba Siddique, making him the first person to get relief in the case.
A bench of Justice Neela Gokhale directed Singh, a resident of Punjab, not to leave Mumbai until the trial is over in the case.
Siddique (66) was shot dead by three assailants outside his son Zeeshan's office in the Bandra East area on the night of October 12, 2024.
Singh (22), who was arrested in November 2024, is the first accused to have secured bail in the case.
The accused, in his bail plea, claimed he was implicated in the case and that the allegations levelled against him were baseless and vague.
Singh claimed that he is only accused of being a member of an organised crime syndicate, and no specific role has been attributed to him in the present case. He also contended that the trial in the case would not start in the near future, and said incarceration without trial was violative of his fundamental rights.
In January this year, the police filed a chargesheet in the case, showing Anmol Bishnoi, brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, as a wanted accused.
According to the prosecution, Anmol Bishnoi hatched a conspiracy to kill Siddique to instil fear and dominance over the crime syndicate.
The police have arrested 26 people in the case and booked them under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
They are currently in judicial custody.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Feb/09/bombay-hc-grants-bail-to-accused-in-baba-siddique-murder-case
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Dhami rivals Yogi in bulldozer politics with land jihad drive in Uttarakhand state
09.02.26
While Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath has been hogging the limelight for his “bulldozer raj”, his counterpart from tiny Uttarakhand has not been lagging behind.
This weekend, Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has razed hundreds of madrasas, mosques and mazars deemed built on government land in his four-and-a-half years in power, staked his claim to demolition glory too.
Addressing a public meeting on Saturday, he pledged to carry on his fight against “land jihad” — a term that openly identifies the alleged encroachers as Muslims and attributes a sinister campaign to them.
“I shall continue taking stringent action against the encroachers and the land jihadis. We won’t allow anyone to disturb the demography of Devbhoomi (Holy Land) Uttarakhand,” he said at Tanakpur town in Champawat district.
Dhami went on to plug his credentials as bulldozer wielder.
“We have sealed 250 illegal madrasas and bulldozed 500 illegal structures.... I have removed encroachments from over 11,000 acres of government land,” he thundered.
Dhami is widely seen in BJP circles as a more thorough pursuer of ground-level Hindutva agendas than the more high-profile Adityanath, although his exploits have tended to pass under the radar.
For instance, Adityanath had ignored VHP sadhus’ demand to ban Muslims (mainly vendors) from last year’s Mahakumbh and the ongoing Magh mela in Allahabad. Dhami, though, has openly backed similar calls from the managements of the Haridwar Kumbh (scheduled next year) and the Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri temples.
“The temple committees are the main stakeholders at those places; the government will accept whatever decision they take,” Dhami has said.
Whether or not he coined the term “land jihad”, Dhami has popularised it across Uttarakhand, although it’s rarely heard outside the hill state.
On Saturday, the chief minister targeted the Congress, which has been accusing his government of misleading the courts with false allegations of encroachment against Muslim structures, though he didn’t name the party.
“They feel bad when we act against those who encroach on government land…. My critics are fond of those involved in land jihad,” he said.
“I pledge in the name of Mother Sharda (the deity at a Tanakpur temple) that I won’t allow any jihadi to flourish in Devbhoomi.... We will protect its demography, its religious and cultural values, and give a fitting reply to those who stand against us.”
The BJP claims that a steady flow of Muslims from outside Uttarakhand has been settling in the state since its birth in 2000 to try and “destroy its religious culture”.
Dhami was in Tanakpur to inaugurate or lay the foundation stone for ?300 crore worth of development projects, including the beautification of the Sharda riverfront, road-widening and road repairs.
Later, addressing students at Khatima in Udham Singh Nagar, the chief minister said his government had “directly attacked love jihad and land jihad” because it tolerated “no compromise with the culture, honour and law and order of Uttarakhand”.
“Love jihad” is a Right-wing coinage that insinuates a conspiracy among Muslim men to lure Hindu women into love, marriage and conversion.
Dhami underlined that his government had enacted a law against religious conversions and implemented a uniform civil code “to ensure equal rights for all”.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/uttarakhand-bulldozer-politics-grows-as-dhami-pushes-land-jihad-narrative-in-state-prnt/cid/2146455
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Hindutva group calls Murshidabad march over Babri Masjid style mosque plan in Bengal
09.02.26
A Hindutva fringe group has called on the people of Uttar Pradesh to march to Bengal’s Murshidabad to protest against the proposed “Babri Masjid” there.
On December 6 last year, suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir laid the foundation stone for a Babri Masjid-style mosque at Beldanga in Murshidabad, seeking to resurrect the memory of the 16th-century shrine to rewrite his political future ahead of the Assembly polls.
There are reports that Humayun has received over ?1.30 crore from donors for the mosque’s construction, which is expected to start from February 11.
The Vishwa Hindu Raksha Parishad has put up banners across Lucknow, with slogans such as “Humayun hum aayenge, Babri phir girayenge (Humayun, we will come and demolish Babri again)” and “Is baar hoga Murshidabad mein nayi Babri pe aarpaar (The final fight over the new Babri will take place in Murshidabad this time)” written across them.
Another banner with “Chalo Murshidabad (March to Murshidabad)” emblazoned on it bears the pictures of Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and Vishwa Hindu Raksha Parishad chief Gopal Rai.
Humayun had expressed discontent over the delay in the construction of a mosque in Ayodhya following the 2019 Supreme Court verdict that paved the way for the construction of a Ram temple where the Babri Masjid stood before it was razed in 1992.
The Uttar Pradesh government eventually allotted five acres to the Sunni Central Waqf Board at Dhannipur, about 20km from the place where the Babri Masjid had stood. However, nothing has been built there till now.
“We can’t let anybody build any structure in India in the name of the Babri Masjid, which is history now. We’ll march to Murshidabad on February 10 with whatever resources we have and gather there on February 11 to prevent the construction of the Babri Masjid-style shrine,” Rai told reporters on Sunday.
A police inspector in Lucknow said they had not received any complaint against the banners. “We can take action against the group only when someone raises an objection, or the government wants us to bring the banners down,” he said on the condition of anonymity.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Mideast
Around 180 Gazans have left via Rafah crossing since reopening
February 08, 2026
RAFAH, Palestinian Territories: Around 180 Palestinians have left the Gaza Strip since the limited reopening of the Rafah crossing with Egypt a week ago, according to officials in the territory.
The Rafah crossing, the only gateway for Gazans to the outside world that does not pass through Israel, reopened for the movement of people on February 2, nearly two years after Israeli forces seized control of it during the war with Hamas.
Between Monday and Thursday, 135 people crossed into Egypt from Gaza through the crossing, mostly patients and their companions, according to Ismail Al-Thawabteh, head of the Hamas-run media office in the Palestinian territory.
“Official statistics on the movement at the Rafah crossing from Monday, February 2, 2026, until Thursday, February 5, 2026, show a severe restriction on travel,” Thawabteh said.
He said the crossing was also closed on Friday and Saturday.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society confirmed that 135 Gazans had left through the crossing between February 2 and 5.
On Sunday, another 44 people left the Gaza Strip through the crossing to Egypt, Mohammed Abu Salmiya, director of the territory’s main Al-Shifa Hospital, told AFP.
They included 19 patients, while the rest were their companions, he added.
A source at the border on the Egyptian side also confirmed the figure for travelers passing through the gateway on Sunday.
It brought the total number to 179 people entering the Gaza Strip.
“My son was injured during the war and a metal plate was inserted in his leg for a year and a half,” Rajaa Abu Al-Jadian told AFP as she prepared to leave through the crossing earlier on Sunday.
“They told us it had to be removed to prevent further damage.”
Travel through the crossing is also taking place in the opposite direction, with dozens returning to Gaza during the same period.
Thawabteh told AFP that 88 people entered the Gaza Strip from Egypt since the crossing reopened, often meeting their families in tearful reunions.
Israel allowed the reopening of the Rafah crossing on Monday, reportedly following US pressure, but has so far restricted passage to patients and their accompanying relatives.
The reopening of Rafah has long been demanded by the United Nations and aid organizations, and forms a key element of US President Donald Trump’s truce plan for Gaza, where humanitarian conditions remain dire.
For thousands of sick and wounded Palestinians, the crossing’s reopening offers a rare chance to seek medical treatment in Egypt or elsewhere.
Abu Salmiya said last week that around 20,000 patients in Gaza urgently require treatment, including 4,500 children.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2632265/middle-east
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Norway’s ambassador to Jordan and Iraq resigns over Epstein links
February 08, 2026
OSLO: Norway’s ambassador to Jordan and Iraq has resigned after an investigation was launched into her ties to late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the foreign ministry said Sunday.
Mona Juul, who played a key role in the secret Israeli-Palestinian negotiations which led to the Oslo Accords of the early 1990s, is among several high-profile Norwegian figures swept up in the latest Epstein file release.
“This is a correct and necessary decision... Juul’s contact with the convicted abuser Epstein has shown a serious lapse in judgment,” Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a statement.
The senior diplomat was temporarily suspended on Monday pending an investigation into her alleged links to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.
Epstein left $10 million in his will to Juul’s two children with her husband, fellow diplomat and Oslo talks broker Terje Rod-Larsen, according to Norwegian media.
Eide said that the ministry would continue to hold talks with Juul throughout the review to determine the extent of their dealings.
“It is important to understand the scope of the contact she, as an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has had with Epstein,” he said.
He added that the Jordan embassy would be led by the deputy ambassador until a new envoy is appointed.
Norway’s political and royal circles have been thrust into the eye of the Epstein storm, including the CEO of the World Economic Forum Borge Brende, and former prime minister Thorbjorn Jagland, who is being investigated for “aggravated corruption.”
Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit has also come under scrutiny for her relationship with Epstein, which on Friday she said she “deeply regretted.”
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Baghdad traders protest new customs tariffs
February 08, 2026
BAGHDAD: Hundreds of traders and owners of customs clearance companies protested in central Baghdad on Sunday, demanding that Iraq’s government reverse recently imposed customs tariffs they say have sharply increased their costs and disrupted trade.
The new tariffs that took effect on Jan. 1 were imposed to reduce the country’s debt and reliance on oil revenues, as oil prices have fallen.
Iraq faces a debt of more than 90 trillion Iraqi dinars ($69 billion) — and a state budget that remains reliant on oil for about 90 percent of revenues, despite attempts to diversify.
But traders say the new tariffs — in some cases as high as 30 percent — have placed an unfair burden on them. Opponents have filed a lawsuit aiming to reduce the decision, which Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court is set to rule on Wednesday.
The demonstrators gathered outside the General Customs Directorate on Sunday, chanting slogans against corruption and rejecting the new fees.
“We used to pay about 3 million dinars per container, but now in some cases they ask for up to 14 million,” said Haider Al-Safi, a transport and customs clearance company owner.
“Even infant milk fees rose from about 495,000 dinars to nearly 3 million.”
He said that the new tariffs have caused a backlog of goods at the Umm Qasr port in southern Iraq and added that electric vehicles, previously exempt from customs duties, are now subject to a 15 percent fee.
“The main victim is the citizen with limited income, and government employee whose salary barely covers his daily living, those who have to pay rent, and have children with school expenses — they all will be affected by the market,” said Mohammed Samir, a wholesale trader from Baghdad.
Protesters also accused influential groups of facilitating the release of goods in exchange for lower unofficial payments, calling it widespread corruption.
Many traders, they said, are now considering routing their imports through the Kurdistan region, where fees are lower.
The protests coincided with a nationwide strike by shop owners, who closed markets and stores in several parts of Baghdad to oppose the tariff increase.
In major commercial districts, shops remained shut and hung up banners reading “Customs fees are killing citizens.”
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Prime minister’s visit to southern Lebanon promotes trust in state
NAJIA HOUSSARI
February 08, 2026
BEIRUT: Nearly 15 months on from Israeli airstrikes which reduced Nabatieh’s historic market to rubble during the war between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, local civic leaders have stepped in to provide relief.
The war, which ended with a ceasefire in November 2024, left the southern Lebanese city’s centuries-old souk — a key commercial hub — devastated, displacing shop owners and crippling local trade.
In the absence of swift rebuilding by Hezbollah, which many affected residents had relied on, a group of non-partisan civic figures from Nabatieh launched an initiative about six months ago to establish a temporary alternative market.
The new market was officially opened on Sunday by Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam during a two-day tour of southern Lebanon.
The visit began in Tyre and Naqoura, continued through Bint Jbeil and Aitaroun, and included stops in devastated border villages before reaching Hasbaya and Marjayoun, and finally concluding in Nabatieh.
Nabatieh’s market has long been one of the region’s most important commercial landmarks.
It served as a vital transit point for traders moving goods between Syria, Lebanon, and Jerusalem in the early 20th century.
It evolved over time into a bustling local marketplace central to the city’s economy and daily life.
The initiative highlights growing frustration among some residents over unfulfilled promises for reconstruction aid from Hezbollah following the conflict’s destruction.
Salam’s opening of the temporary facility underscores government efforts to support community-led recovery amid broader rebuilding challenges in the war-affected region.
The temporary market aims to restore essential commercial activity while permanent reconstruction is underway.
Mahdi Sadeq, executive director of project overseer Nabatieh Emergency Rescue Service Association, told Arab News: “The project is a joint initiative by business people, self-employed professionals, and financiers, some of whom belong to non-Muslim sects.”
Sadeq, who is the son of Sheikh Abdul Hussein Sadeq, Nabatieh’s imam, added: “The project’s significance lies in the fact that it is not tied to any form of patronage that would burden traders with political loyalties.
“This initiative brings 85 owners of destroyed shops, many in dire economic conditions, back to work without imposing any obligations on them — unlike partisan grants.
“It is an initiative that saves the historic market, restores the pulse of life to the people, and sets us on the path to recovery.”
Sadeq added that the importance of the initiative was the fact that Nabatieh “has a moderate and independent religious” character “that has asserted its presence among all forces.”
He said: “No one has been able to eliminate it: not the Palestinian factions that were present in southern Lebanon in the 1960s and 1970s, nor the Lebanese partisan forces that came afterwards. It has remained centrist and has enjoyed broad popular support.
“If people in the south are left without pressure being exerted on them, they are eager to be embraced by the state. The state is the foundation, and everything else is the exception.
“At the same time, there is a degree of caution, because the state has yet to assert its presence after the war and has, in a way, passed judgment on people in advance. Had it moved quickly to take the initiative, it would have reaped greater dividends.”
Architect Samir Ali Ahmad, who is in charge of the implementation of the project, said that “the alternative market was built on Waqf-owned land donated by the imam of Nabatieh for a limited period of no more than four or five years, until the main market is rebuilt.”
Ali Ahmad added: “The new market consists of prefabricated rooms. It also includes courtyards and a Khan-style market complex featuring cafes, restaurants, rest areas, playgrounds, and a parking lot.
“Once the project is completed, these rooms can be donated to the Lebanese army or to the poorest families.
“This market will enable residents to remain on their land and secure their livelihoods without being forced into displacement.”
Engineer Lina Ezzeddine, who contributed to the project through fundraising efforts, said: “Priority was given to destitute individuals who were unable to fend for themselves.”
She noted that “some merchants had succeeded in rebuilding their shops, others had moved to different locations, while some had died of heart attacks due to the shock of what had occurred.”
Ezzeddine stressed that “donors did not consider the political affiliations of the merchants.”
She added: “The only condition was that no political party be allowed to interfere. And, indeed, no party did.
“The people have endured many tragedies, and the prime minister’s participation in the opening of the alternative market sends a clear message that the state stands with them.
“The people of the south love their land and are deeply attached to it. How could they not stand with the state?”
Salam’s visit, which has been marked by numerous public gatherings and meetings with local figures, reflects the people’s renewed support of the state following a devastating war that was the result of Hezbollah’s unilateral move to take decisions on war and peace out of the hands of official authorities.
The scenes witnessed during Salam’s tour of the south have carried exceptional significance.
The scattering of roses and rice, the ululations that have welcomed him, and the banners bearing welcoming phrases to “the state of law and citizenship” indicate the desire of the people of the south to return to the protection of state institutions.
An official source said that they had recognized that “the state is the only safe haven, while all slogans raised outside its framework have brought nothing but destruction, poverty, and displacement.”
Salam reiterated that “the state’s presence in the area is a message in the face of this massive destruction, to which we will never surrender.”
He added: “The state is here to stay, not to visit and leave. The state is responsible for every southern village and for all people, without discrimination.
“The cohesion of southern villages, regardless of their affiliations, protects the entire region.
“The government will continue to exert relief, reconstruction, and economic recovery efforts. The path to recovery and reconstruction is proceeding within an integrated framework.”
Salam said the state’s presence was “a clear message in the face of immense destruction.”
On Saturday, the first day of his tour, Salam announced that $360 million had been secured to help rebuild areas in southern Lebanon, adding that the government would boost reconstruction projects once funding was ensured.
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Israel announces measures to deepen control over West Bank
February 08, 2026
JERUSALEM: Israel’s security cabinet approved a series of measures on Sunday set to deepen Israeli control over the occupied West Bank, paving the way for further settlement expansion in the Palestinian territory.
The territory, which Israel has occupied since 1967, would form the largest part of any future Palestinian state but is seen by many on the religious right as Israeli land.
“The security cabinet today approved a series of decisions... fundamentally changing the legal and civil reality in Judea and Samaria,” a statement said, using the biblical names for the West Bank.
The measures, announced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz, include the removal of decades-old regulations barring Jewish citizens from purchasing land in the West Bank, according to a joint statement by the two ministers.
Smotrich said the move aimed at “deepening our roots in all regions of the Land of Israel and burying the idea of a Palestinian state.”
Katz said “Judea and Samaria is the heart of the country, and strengthening it is a paramount security, national, and Zionist interest.”
The reforms also envisage transferring authority over building permits for settlements in parts of Palestinian cities, including Hebron, from the Palestinian Authority’s municipal bodies to Israel.
Until now, construction changes in the city’s Jewish community required approval from both the local municipality and Israeli authorities, the Times of Israel reported, citing the statement.
Under the new arrangements, such changes would require Israeli authorization only.
“We are committed to removing barriers, creating legal and civil certainty, and allowing settlers to live, build and develop on equal footing with every citizen of Israel,” Katz said in the statement.
The measures would also allow Israeli authorities to administer certain religious sites even when they are located in areas under Palestinian Authority control, the statement said.
The Palestinian presidency in Ramallah condemned the decision, saying it was aimed at “deepening attempts to annex the occupied West Bank.”
The presidency said the “decisions reflect an open Israeli attempt to legalize settlement expansion, land confiscation, and the demolition of Palestinian properties, even in areas under Palestinian sovereignty.”
The Palestinian Authority exercises control over some discontiguous areas of the West Bank.
The Yesha Council, an organization representing the majority of West Bank settlers, praised the moves, saying the “the Israeli government today declared, de facto, that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people.”
The announcement comes days ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United States, where he is due to meet President Donald Trump.
Trump has opposed Israeli annexation of the West Bank.
Excluding Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, more than 500,000 Israelis live in settlements and outposts across the West Bank, which are illegal under international law.
Around three million Palestinians live in the territory.
In 2025, settlement expansion reached its highest level since at least 2017, when the United Nations began tracking the data, according to a recent UN report.
Israel approved 19 settlements in December alone.
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Rescue teams search for survivors in building collapse that killed at least 9 in northern Lebanon
February 08, 2026
BEIRUT: At least nine people were killed and six rescued from the rubble of a multistory apartment building that collapsed Sunday in the city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon, state media reported.
Rescue teams were continuing to dig through the rubble in search of an additional eight people believed to be missing, the state-run National News Agency reported. The bodies pulled out included a child and a woman.
Dozens of people crowded around the site of the crater left by the collapsed building, with some shooting in the air.
The building was in the neighborhood of Bab Tabbaneh, one of the poorest areas in Lebanon’s second largest city, where residents have long complained of government neglect and shoddy infrastructure. Building collapses are not uncommon in Tripoli due to poor building standards.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry announced that those injured in the collapse would receive treatment at the state’s expense.
The national syndicate for property owners in a statement called the collapse the result of “blatant negligence and shortcomings of the Lebanese state toward the safety of citizens and their housing security,” and said it is “not an isolated incident.”
The syndicate called for the government to launch a comprehensive national survey of buildings at risk of collapse.
Government officials pledged to assist in providing shelter to the survivors and to residents of surrounding buildings that were evacuated out of fear that they were also structurally unsound.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said in a statement that the government would also work to reinforce any buildings deemed to be in danger of collapse. Determining where those buildings are is the responsibility of local authorities, he said.
The government “will not shirk our responsibility, and we will continue to fulfill our duties completely, including holding accountable anyone who may have been negligent in this matter,” he said.
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Jordanian authorities thwart attempt to smuggle narcotics
February 08, 2026
LONDON: Jordanian anti-narcotics authorities foiled a smuggling attempt by drone in the southern region of the country.
Forces from the anti-narcotics department and border guards seized the drugs after shooting down the drone during the smuggling attempt, the Petra news agency reported.
Jordan is known as a transit point for smuggling drugs that are typically bound for the Gulf countries from Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq.
Smugglers are increasingly using drones and balloons, which are guided by basic devices, to transport narcotics into Jordan from neighboring countries.
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Flash floods in Syria kill 1 volunteer, trap civilians and block roads
February 08, 2026
LONDON: Flash floods caused by heavy rainfall in northern and western Syria have resulted in the death of a volunteer with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and have injured several others during rescue operations in the Latakia countryside on Sunday.
Volunteer Samiha Rakhamieh was killed when her vehicle slid into a valley in Jabal Al-Turkman while responding to flood emergencies. Five volunteers suffered moderate to severe injuries, including one who was injured while attempting to rescue a child trapped in floodwaters, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.
On Saturday, two children lost their lives, and a third was rescued after severe flooding swept through the Ain Issa area in the northern Latakia countryside.
Heavy rains in northern and western Syria have caused flash floods, inundating tents in camps near Idlib and prompting emergency evacuations. Flooding in the Latakia countryside has trapped civilians and blocked roads, authorities reported.
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Arab World
Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman inaugurates 3rd World Defense Show in Riyadh
February 09, 2026
RIYADH: Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman inaugurated the third edition of the World Defense Show (WDS) on Sunday on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Organized by the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), the five-day event will run until February 12, showcasing the Kingdom’s rapid strides toward strategic independence and technological leadership in the defense sector.
The 2026 edition features a purpose-built venue with a 2,700-meter runway for live air and land demonstrations, underscoring the show’s status as a premier global defense event.
GAMI Governor Ahmad Al-Ohali emphasized that the show reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to localizing over 50 percent of military spending in line with Vision 2030, fostering an integrated ecosystem where government bodies and international partners collaborate on innovation.
Strategic agreements and major launches
The opening day witnessed significant activity at the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) Group pavilion, where Prince Khalid launched several key initiatives:
• New entities: The inauguration of SAMI Land Company, SAMI Autonomous Company, and the SAMI Land Industrial Complex.
• Supply chain: The unveiling of the SAMI Local Content Program (RUKN) and the HEET Program.
• International cooperation: A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Saudi General Authority for Defense Development and the Korean Agency for Defense Development to cooperate on advanced military research.
• Defense deals: The Minister signed cooperation agreements with Slovakia, Malaysia, and Somalia.
Technological debuts & innovations
The show is also serving as a launchpad for cutting-edge security technologies across various government sectors:
AI-Powered Lucid Gravity: Public Security debuted its advanced Lucid Gravity electric security vehicle at the Ministry of Interior's pavilion. The vehicle integrates state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and specialized security equipment designed to accelerate emergency response times and support field operations.
This high-tech addition highlights Public Security’s shift toward smart, sustainable security solutions. By leveraging predictive intelligence and advanced command-and-control systems, the Lucid Gravity exemplifies the ministry’s commitment to protecting the Kingdom through integrated technological innovation and sustainable mobility.
Smart Helmet: Also at the Ministry of Interior’s pavilion, the General Directorate of Civil Defense unveiled its smart helmet. Designed to revolutionize public safety and emergency response, the helmet features day-and-night cameras and specialized sensors to detect hazardous materials in hard-to-reach locations.
The device serves as a mobile command node, delivering live video feeds directly to command-and-control centers. By enabling real-time data analysis and faster decision-making, the smart helmet significantly reduces incident response times and enhances personnel safety in high-risk environments.
Border Security: The General Directorate of Border Guard (GDBG) showcased an integrated security system featuring radar and thermal cameras capable of detecting drones and classifying moving targets to protect critical infrastructure.
It also functions as an early warning system for critical facilities and border areas and is fully integrated with command and control systems.
Counter-Terrorism: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) presented a comprehensive framework integrating intellectual, media, and military domains to combat extremism and terror financing.
Visitors are briefed on specialized programs designed to raise the readiness of national personnel and foster sustainable institutional cooperation among member states to combat extremism. On the event’s opening day, the pavilion hosted high-level delegations, including ministers, military leaders, and ambassadors who reviewed the coalition's pivotal role in coordinating international security efforts and commended its initiatives that support regional and global stability.
Meteorology: The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) displayed advanced weather systems essential for ensuring the safety of the event's air shows and military operations.
At its dedicated pavilion, the NCM is showcasing its latest advanced meteorological technologies and systems. These solutions serve both the military and civilian sectors, providing accurate data to support beneficiary entities' operational processes and highlighting the center's pivotal role in national security and safety.
World Defense Show CEO Andrew Pearcey noted that participation is expected to surpass previous records, reflecting the event's growing importance on the international stage. The show continues through February 12.
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What Prince William’s first solo visit to Riyadh signals for UK-Saudi ties
JONATHAN GORNALL
February 08, 2026
LONDON: Prince William’s arrival in Riyadh on Monday will be a reaffirmation of the special bond between the monarchies of Britain and Saudi Arabia that was forged in the early days of the reign of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and which has flourished ever since.
But for the 43-year-old prince, heir apparent to the British throne, his first official visit to the Kingdom will also be imbued with an element of personal poignancy.
William will be following in the footsteps of his mother, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who visited Saudi Arabia 40 years ago during a nine-day tour of the Middle East in 1986 with her then husband, Prince Charles.
The couple had married in 1981, and Diana was just 25 years old during their first tour of the Middle East. Prince William, their first child, was three years old at the time and did not accompany his mother on the visit, although as a nine-month-old baby he had travelled with his parents to Australia and New Zealand in 1983.
William was 15 when his mother died in a car crash in Paris in August 1997.
The prince has visited the region before. His first trip was freighted with personal meaning. In June 2018 he paid a three-day visit to Israel and Palestine, meeting both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority.
It was the first official visit by a senior member of Britain’s royal family to Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Although the visit was described by Britain as strictly non-political, and William visited holy places important to all three Abrahamic faiths, to the annoyance of some Israeli politicians he made a point of publicly assuring Palestinians that they had not been forgotten by Britain, which had ruled the area from 1917 until the creation of Israel in 1948.
But there was also an element of personal pilgrimage to the trip for William. While in Jerusalem he visited the tomb of Princess Alice of Battenberg and Greece, his great-grandmother, a devout Christian who had helped Jews to evade Nazi capture during the Second World War.
After her death in 1969, Israel honored her request to be buried in Jerusalem, and William visited her burial place in a crypt in the Russian Orthodox Church of Mary Magdalene on the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem’s Old City.
Kensington Palace describes the purpose of Prince William’s first solo visit to Saudi Arabia as “a celebration of trade, energy and investment ties.”
It is no coincidence that the visit of the prince, who served for several years as a pilot in the British Royal Air Force, coincides with the World Defense Show in Riyadh, and amid British hopes of Saudi Arabia becoming the fourth national partner in the next-generation Tempest fighter aircraft program.
In May 2025, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman travelled to London to discuss closer cooperation with UK Defense Secretary John Healey, who described the Kingdom as “a vital partner for the UK in ensuring security and stability in the Gulf.”
However, royal watchers in the UK have attached another significance to Prince William’s visit. For Tatler, the house journal of Britain’s upper classes, for the man it describes as “one of Britain’s greatest diplomats” the visit is being seen as “another step in his preparation for the throne.”
The visit comes at a pivotal moment for the British royal family.
Queen Elizabeth II, who became queen at the age of 25 upon the death of her father, King George VI, on Feb. 6, 1952, reigned for 70 years. When she passed on Sept. 8, 2022, at the age of 96, she was succeeded by her eldest son, Prince Charles.
Upon the accession of King Charles III, Prince William, known formerly as the Duke of Cambridge, inherited his father’s previous titles as Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall.
But in February 2024, barely nine months after the coronation of the king, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles III had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.
Fears about his health have persisted ever since, although in December 2025, the 77-year-old monarch revealed that “thanks to early diagnosis, effective intervention and adherence to doctors’ orders, my own schedule of cancer treatment can be reduced in the new year.”
Nevertheless, as heir apparent, all of Prince William’s duties are now designed with his future responsibilities very much in mind.
His visit this week reflects the importance placed by Britain not only on its relationship with Saudi Arabia as an important trading partner, but also on a personal connection between the two royal families that stretches back for more than a century.
The friendship between the British and Saudi royal families dates back to 1919, when Prince Faisal, the 13-year-old third son of Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman, the future founder and king of Saudi Arabia, became the first member of the Saudi royal family to visit Britain.
The invitation had been sent to his father, the king of Najd, who was known in the West as Ibn Saud and was recognized by the British government following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the First World War as the rising political force in the Arabian Peninsula.
Still grappling with the impact on his territories of the influenza epidemic of 1919, which would claim more lives globally than the First World War that had preceded it, the king chose his eldest son, Prince Turki, to represent him in England.
Tragedy, however, intervened. Turki fell victim to the epidemic and, at the last minute, Prince Faisal was appointed in his place as the symbolic head of the Saudi delegation to London.
It proved a wise choice. Although young, the Prince won over his hosts during a cordial visit that set the tone for a relationship between the two royal families that has endured ever since.
While in London, Prince Faisal visited Buckingham Palace, where he met King George V, toured the House of Commons and the House of Lords, and was taken on what must have been a somber tour of the battlefields of northern France, where more than 3.5 million Allied and German soldiers had been killed in the war that had ended only one year previously.
In June 1953, Prince Fahd, another of King Abdulaziz’s sons, represented his 78-year-old father at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. King Abdulaziz had only five months left to live, and on Nov. 9, 1953, would be succeeded by Crown Prince Saud, his second son.
During the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, there were no fewer than four state visits to Britain by kings of Saudi Arabia, a number matched by the heads of state of only four other countries, including the UK’s near-neighbors, France and Germany.
The first to visit was King Faisal, who as a young prince had visited England in 1919 and had succeeded King Saud in 1964. In May 1967 he arrived in London for a momentous eight-day visit, at the start of which he was honored with a full state welcome, riding through the streets of London in a horse-drawn carriage alongside Queen Elizabeth II.
King Faisal would be followed on state visits to Britain by King Khalid in 1981, King Fahd in 1987 and King Abdullah in 2007.
The royal traffic between the two kingdoms has always been two-way.
In February 1979, arriving on board the supersonic jet Concorde, Queen Elizabeth II visited Riyadh and Dhahran during a Gulf tour that also took her to Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman.
In Saudi Arabia, she was hosted by King Khalid and enjoyed a series of events, including a desert picnic and a state dinner at Maathar Palace in Riyadh. In return, she and her husband hosted a dinner for the Saudi royal family on board Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia.
The relationship between the two royal families has not been limited to the great occasions of state.
The Court Circular published by Buckingham Palace reveals that between 2011 and 2021 alone various members of Britain’s royal family met with Gulf monarchs more than 200 times — equivalent to once a fortnight — and that 40 of these informal meetings were with members of the House of Saud.
In January 2015, Prince William’s father, the then Prince Charles, flew to Riyadh to pay his respects following the death of King Abdullah, while flags over royal and government buildings in London were lowered to half-mast.
In March 2018, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had a private audience and lunch with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace during an official visit to the UK. During that visit he also dined with the Prince of Wales — now King Charles III — and his son, Prince William.
This week, with William’s arrival in Saudi Arabia as the Prince of Wales, the two men will resume their acquaintance, this time both as heirs apparent.
Prince William is famously unstuffy and down to earth, and very much at ease meeting members of the public, both at home and when he travels overseas.
His precise itinerary while in Saudi Arabia is unclear. For anyone who might encounter him during his visit, Buckingham Palace insists “there are no obligatory codes of behavior” when meeting a member of the royal family.
However, its advice for those who “wish to observe the traditional forms” is to address Prince William first as “Your Royal Highness” and thereafter as “Sir.”
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Saudi health minister checks Madinah’s healthcare readiness ahead of Ramadan
February 08, 2026
LONDON: Fahad Abdulrahman AlJalajel, the Saudi health minister, visited hospitals and clinics in Madinah on Sunday to ensure they are ready for the upcoming Ramadan season, which begins in less than two weeks.
AlJalajel met the regional Hajj and Umrah coordination committee and toured key hospitals and primary healthcare centers in Madinah to review preparations for serving visitors and residents.
He inspected upgrades to specialized departments, including critical care services, emergency departments, and operational support facilities.
AlJalajel looked at the progress made on several projects, including upgrades to operating rooms, expansion and restoration of outpatient clinics, and improvements in neonatal and nursery services.
Madinah’s healthcare system currently operates about 200 facilities, serving more than 2.1 million residents.
The visits form part of the ministry’s inspections to ensure that healthcare facilities maintain high levels of readiness, with a focus on patient safety, quality of care, and operational excellence.
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Syrian foreign minister arrives in Riyadh
February 08, 2026
RIYADH: Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani arrived in the Kingdom on Sunday evening, Saudi Press Agency reported.
Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khereiji welcomed him on arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
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‘We see eye to eye’: Ambassador hails Saudi-Portuguese connection
LAMA ALHAMAWI
February 08, 2026
RIYADH: As he concludes a four-year tenure defined by the rapid transformation of Vision 2030, Portuguese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Nuno Mathias has reflected on the deepening economic ties and the profound “eye-to-eye” cultural connection between the two countries.
“Saudi energy and the implementation of Vision 2030 have given me a great boost and interest in my work here, and to some extent pushed me to do more,” he said.
Speaking to Arab News, the official reflected on his time in the Kingdom, recalling when the previous ambassador told him: “Saudi Arabia is not what you think.”
Mathias arrived in the Kingdom in January 2022 and said he had had the “privilege to witness firsthand the transformations of the Kingdom and the implementation of Vision 2030.”
He highlighted the cultural and people-to-people connections he had observed between the Saudi and Portuguese people immediately on his arrival.
He said: “Throughout our history — architecture, language, culinary traditions, music — we have inherited so much from the Arab world that it brings our two peoples closer.”
Mathias added that the two countries and their populations see “eye to eye faster than others, probably.”
The ambassador focused his mission on bridging the two cultures and enhancing the relationship between the nations, beginning with people-to-people connections.
He said: “We see eye to eye on many things, and I dare say we become fast friends. Diplomacy is all about that — listening and understanding.
“In my four years it has always been about approaching or showcasing the connectivities that exist between Portugal and the Arab world.”
Mathias highlighted one key takeaway he will remember from his tenure in the Kingdom: Saudi hospitality.
He added: “You guys make it much easier. I feel very grateful for the way I was received and hosted in your country.”
As a result of Vision 2030, the ambassador also felt compelled to further Saudi-Portugal cooperation in economic and commercial areas.
Speaking about the evolution of diplomatic relations, he said that in 2022 the countries had “potential.” Throughout his four-year tenure he had worked “to bridge that gap or tried to make that potential more tangible.”
He added: “I think we did. We have, like I mentioned earlier, now some major Portuguese companies, especially in construction and civil construction, that are engaged in the Kingdom.”
Highlighting the expansion of Saudi-Portuguese ties, the ambassador underlined that the “potential is enormous.”
Mathias said: “I think in the last four years we have witnessed a lot of Portuguese companies coming to the Kingdom with a real interest to help implement Vision 2030.”
He noted that business cooperation was further strengthened through the creation of the Saudi-Portuguese Business Council, formalized in 2024.
Moving forward, he emphasized his desire to attract Saudi investors to Portugal, adding: “I think Portugal can offer great opportunities; again, because it’s a place where Saudis will feel at home, and I think that will be important.
“Wherever you do business, you want to feel welcomed, and because we share the same commonalities in terms of our values, this is important to highlight.”
One of the key milestones he pointed out was the official visit of Portugal’s Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel to Riyadh in October 2025.
And during his own time in the Kingdom Mathias traveled to various areas, including AlUla, the Eastern Province, Hofuf, and Jeddah.
He said: “I must say I fell in love with Jeddah. I know it’s hard for Riyadh people to hear this, but I am a person of the sea, so for me the presence of the sea was fantastic. And I fell in love with Al-Balad.”
The ambassador described Al-Balad as the “pinnacle of his stay,” and added: “Every time I go to Jeddah, I just love to get lost in Al-Balad — just to stroll the streets without any agenda, just to take in the atmosphere.
“To take in the prayers you hear in the background, the people, the street life, the old-town commerce.”
Mathias said his wife had also fallen in love with the place, and added: “We had probably one of the most extraordinary moments when we visited King Abdulaziz’s house.”
The ambassador went to Naseef House — the residence of King Abdulaziz in 1925 — with his family, where he witnessed the Maghrib call to prayer from the top-floor window.
He said: “At the end of the day, just before prayer time, we were there and suddenly you hear from all around Jeddah the call to prayer.
“It gives you goosebumps. This medley of voices that come … that was extraordinary.”
He described it as one of the “greatest experiences in his life.”
The experience was extended when he visited a 300-year-old home in Al-Balad and ate hamour fish.
He added: “Deep-fried hamour fish, sliced, for my kids — it was an extraordinary experience. It had cilantro, it had lemon, and we picked those pieces of fish. Incredible, incredible, incredible. So, that was one of my greatest experiences.”
Looking to the future, the ambassador hopes to see the implementation of direct flights between Saudi Arabia and Portugal.
He said: “I think once we have direct flights between our two countries, it is going to be a game changer.
“It is going to change the people-to-people connection, which is fundamental to any relationship. It will be much more intertwined. You will discover Portugal and the Portuguese will discover Saudi Arabia.”
Mathias offered words of wisdom to his successor Luisa Fragoso, Portugal’s next ambassador to Saudi Arabia.
He said: “I would let her be guided by the Saudi hospitality. I’m sure she will be in very good hands. I want to wish her all the best.
“I was very happy here and I’m sure she will be very happy.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2632245/saudi-arabia
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Saudi fund deputy CEO receives Guatemalan FM
February 08, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Fund for Development Deputy CEO Faisal Al-Kahtani received the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala Carlos Ramiro Martinez Alvarado and his accompanying delegation at the Saudi fund’s headquarters in Riyadh on Sunday.
During the meeting, they reviewed the fund’s activities in developing countries worldwide, the official account stated in a post on X.
The officials also discussed opportunities for development cooperation between the Saudi fund and Guatemala.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2632255/saudi-arabia
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Saudi FM discusses latest developments in Syria with US special envoy
February 08, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan discussed the latest developments in Syria with US special envoy for the country Tom Barrack on Sunday in Riyadh, Saudi Press Agency reported.
The two officials also discussed efforts made with regard to the developments, SPA said.
Prince Faisal also received his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martinez on Sunday.
During the meeting, they reviewed relations between their countries and discussed developments of mutual interest.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2632235/saudi-arabia
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Saudi Arabia is one of Boeing’s largest partners outside US, official says
NADA ALTURKI
February 08, 2026
RIYADH: The World Defense Show, Saudi Arabia’s annual conference put on by the General Authority for Military Industries, convened on Sunday, bringing together official delegations, government entities, and leading international companies specializing in the defense and security sectors.
Arab News spoke to Boeing — the world’s largest aerospace company and leading manufacturer for jetliners — about its presence in the region and Saudi Arabia’s evolving role in shaping the future of the global aerospace and defense industry.
“Boeing’s legacy in Saudi Arabia, first of all, spans almost 80 years and we have over 400 defense articles that are currently in Saudi Arabia and that makes (it) one of the biggest partners that we have in the defense business outside of the United States,” Vincent Logsdon, vice president of international business development, defense, space, and security at Boeing, told Arab News.
“What we’re really interested in is evolving that relationship and we’re doing that by things like joint ventures, investing in human capital, and we really want to be a part of the finishing help on getting to Vision 2030, where Saudi Arabia is going,” he said.
The company sees the Kingdom as a cornerstone of what they are doing with aerospace and a country that can take their technologies to the next step, prompting investment in various areas.
Logsdon said: “As we continue to invest in Saudi Arabia, as Boeing, we invest across the board. A lot of industry cooperation is something that we’re very involved in. We also continue to invest in the local community, which I think is very important.
“We’re investing in areas such as women empowerment, health, education, and we continue to put our money where our mouth is. We’re here not only to sell platforms. We’re here to be a strategic partner.”
It was reported by Bloomberg News recently that Saudi Arabia’s flagship carrier, Saudia Airlines, is in early talks with Boeing and Airbus to buy at least 150 narrowbody and widebody jets.
“If you look at the things that Saudi Arabia is currently doing in the market, they have very advanced capabilities, and from a Boeing perspective, we’re very interested in providing a family of systems and helping along that path because that is the future of warfare,” Logsdon added.
“That is the future of defense, taking all those different systems and achieving your objective that way versus one system at a time partition,” Logsdon said. “And we think that Saudi Arabia has very much the capability to do those things, not only what the Kingdom is currently operating, but how we see the Kingdom operating in the future.”
WDS is a platform for countries and entities to share expertise, offer opportunities for partnership and explore the latest technologies in the industry.
The show supports efforts to localize more than 50 percent of military spending, in line with Vision 2030, while also contributing to higher operational readiness and strengthening the Kingdom’s strategic independence in the defense sector.
For companies like Boeing, participation at WDS offers a direct channel to align their global strategies with Saudi Arabia’s evolving regulatory, industrial and security priorities.
Logsdon said: “The World Defense Show is incredibly important and we brought a very large team this year. We’ve invested significantly in being here and showing up in Saudi Arabia and the region because we feel that this is a very important market for us and we feel that there’s a lot of work to do here to continue to drive the future of aerospace.”
As new technologies mature, defense exhibitions are increasingly serving as platforms for forward-looking dialogue rather than traditional equipment displays.
“So, we’re seeing here a lot of different countries, a lot of different ideas, different new technologies and we also see the fire here. We’re starting to talk about things like AI and autonomy and those types of things are the future of warfare and we certainly want to be a part of that and in the cutting edge to see what is out there so being here gives us access to all of that,” he said.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2632232/saudi-arabia
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Europe
Andrew shared confidential information with Epstein as trade envoy, files suggest
9 February 2026
Andy Verity
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor appears to have knowingly shared confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein from his official work as trade envoy in 2010 and 2011, according to material in the latest release of files in the US seen by the BBC.
Emails from the recently-released batch of Epstein files show the former prince passing on reports of visits to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam and confidential details of investment opportunities.
Under official guidance, trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality over sensitive, commercial, or political information about their official visits.
The former Duke of York, who served as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, has been contacted for comment but is yet to respond.
Andrew has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing. Being named in the Epstein files is not an indication of misconduct.
The emails indicate that on 7 October 2010, Andrew sent Epstein details of his official upcoming trips as trade envoy to Singapore, Vietnam, Shenzhen in China and Hong Kong, where he was accompanied by business associates of Epstein.
After the trip, on 30 November, he appears to have forwarded official reports of those visits sent by his then-special assistant, Amit Patel, to Epstein, five minutes after receiving them.
Andrew told BBC Newsnight in 2019 that he last saw Epstein in New York in early December 2010 to tell the disgraced financier he was breaking off the friendship.
However, on Christmas Eve that year, he emailed Epstein a confidential briefing on investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, which was overseen at the time by British armed forces and funded by UK government money.
By this time, Epstein was already a convicted sex offender.
Sir Vince Cable, who was then business secretary, said: "I was unaware of Andrew... sharing information about investment opportunities [in Afghanistan] before, this is the first I've heard of it."
In a further email dated 9 February 2011, Andrew suggests Epstein might invest in a private equity firm he visited a week before.
Official terms of reference for trade envoys state that they "are not civil servants", adding: "However, the role of a Trade Envoy carries with it a duty of confidentiality in relation to information received. This may include sensitive, commercial, or political information shared about relevant markets/visits.
"This duty of confidentiality will continue to apply after the expiry of their term of office. In addition, the Official Secrets Acts 1911 and 1989 will apply."
Andrew has faced years of scrutiny over his past friendship with Epstein.
He was stripped of his royal titles in October last year following increasing numbers of questions about his links to the late, convicted sex offender.
Earlier in February, Andrew moved out of his home in Windsor to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.
Buckingham Palace had announced in October that he would be moving from Royal Lodge, at the same time his title of prince was removed.
The former prince left the property on Monday night and is currently living at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate while his new permanent home undergoes renovations.
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c99j01p1yjro
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Psychologist claims decline in Christchurch mosque terrorist’s mental health
Jeremy Wilkinson
9 Feb, 2026
A psychologist who assessed the Christchurch mosque gunman has told a court that isolation in prison likely contributed to a decline in his mental health.
The witness was asked to prepare a report on convicted terrorist Brenton Tarrant’s mental health to be presented as evidence as part of his bid to overturn his convictions and recant his guilty plea.
Today, the gunman had his day in the Court of Appeal seeking leave to appeal after filing his claim in 2022, out of time.
The crux of his claim is that the harsh prison conditions he was subjected to while awaiting trial severely impacted his mental health and meant he was effectively “forced” to change his plea to guilty.
“I did not have the mind frame or mental health required to be making informed decisions at that time,” he told the court this morning.
“I think the issue is, did I really know what I wanted to do or what would be a good idea? No, I didn’t actually.”
The gunman was jailed for life without parole in 2020 for murdering 51 people at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch on March 15, 2019.
Today was the first time that he has spoken at length in any forum, and he appeared via audiovisual link from prison.
Since his sentencing five years ago, he’s lost considerable weight and shaved his head.
More than 60 survivors and family members of those killed by the terrorist are in court in Christchurch watching the proceedings, on an hour-long delay to the live hearing in Wellington.
‘I think there’s an obvious change in his mental health’
A clinical psychologist, whose name is suppressed, was asked to prepare a report on the gunman’s mental health and his decision to make a guilty plea.
The man, known as Witness B, had access to complaints made by the terrorist about his conditions, and reports from two psychologists but didn’t have access to the affidavits of his legal counsel, nor access to reports from a forensic psychiatry clinic talking about his mental health.
He met with Tarrant twice over video in 2024 for a total of three hours.
Crown prosecutor Barnaby Hawes questioned the psychologist and the accuracy of his report, specifically that he appeared to have taken Tarrant’s word for many things without verifying them further.
“In accepting his version of events, I do rely on his version of events,” the psychologist replied.
“The point is that you have a man, who is telling you that he hasn’t been straight with health assessors in the past, and he’s appealing his conviction, he’s got an outcome he wants out of this process, does that not raise alarm bells for the psychologist asked to prepare a report?” Hawes asked.
“Accepting things at face value is being an advocate, isn’t it? You’re not looking for balance; you’re not performing the expert role.”
“I don’t think I’ve just acted as his advocate,” the psychologist replied.
“But I did draw a conclusion based on his version of events and how I described the impact on his mental health.
“I think it’s not correct to say that I’ve acted purely as his advocate; I’ve attempted to understand how he changed his plea.”
The psychologist said the crux of his findings and report was that the gunman’s condition was impaired, and his ability to make informed choices was impacted.
The man also found the terrorist was suffering from a mental health condition, but not one that impacted his ability to give his lawyers instructions or be able to plead.
“I don’t believe at any stage during his incarceration that he wasn’t fit to plead,” the witness said.
“But, I think there’s an obvious change in his mental health.“
Hawes said the material the psychologist relied on in his report was deficient.
The psychologist disagreed and said a reviewer of his report appeared to have minimised the effects of solitary confinement on prisoners.
“I was more struck by the time he spent in solitary confinement ... five months, I think,” he said.
“It’s a gradual process, as he explained it to me [the deterioration of his mental health].”
The man said this process may have begun as early as 2019.
Two more witnesses are scheduled to be cross-examined and the hearing is scheduled for the rest of the week.
Source: nzherald.co.nz
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https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/psychologist-claims-decline-in-terrorist-brenton-tarrants-mental-health/KS3EFKA55BA4BJ7RVL2EQPNEO4/
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Azerbaijani community appeals to US VP Vance ahead of his Baku visit
09 February 2026
The Western Azerbaijan Community has issued a formal statement addressed to U.S. Vice President James David Vance in connection with his upcoming visit to Azerbaijan.
The statement, submitted to AZERTAC by the Community, addresses the U.S. Vice President as follows:
“Distinguished Mr. Vance,
We have learned through the media of your forthcoming visit to Azerbaijan and warmly welcome you to the ‘Land of Fire.’ Azerbaijan is a nation of peace, where Muslims, Christians, and Jews have historically coexisted in harmony and tranquility. Our country places profound value on family, moral, and traditional principles.
Azerbaijan’s relations with the Christian world and the Holy See continue to develop successfully, marked by numerous high-level visits to the Vatican in recent years. Furthermore, last year saw the opening of the Baku office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and plans are underway for the construction of a second Catholic church in our capital.
Tragically, due to the criminal negligence of the former Soviet leadership, Western Azerbaijanis were subjected to mass deportation from Armenia beginning in 1987. Their villages and homelands were emptied, burned, and looted; their mosques and cultural heritage were systematically destroyed. Our cultural legacy has been misappropriated and our history falsified—most notably in Yerevan, where the identity and purpose of the Azerbaijani Blue Mosque were altered.
While Western Azerbaijanis have successfully integrated into Azerbaijani society over these decades, they have never forgotten their ancestral lands in Armenia and have lived with the enduring hope of return.
Western Azerbaijanis harbor no territorial claims against Armenia and do not oppose its sovereignty. On the contrary, we fully support the policy of President Ilham Aliyev to achieve sustainable peace, as well as the Azerbaijan-Armenia reconciliation process advancing with the support of U.S. President Donald Trump.
We applaud the historic Washington Summit held on August 8, 2025, the Joint Declaration signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the United States, and the initialing of the peace treaty. We further support the progress made since that summit, including confidence-building measures and the commencement of trade relations between the two nations. We also look forward to the swift realization of the 'Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity' (TRIPP).
Distinguished Mr. Vance,
The achievements reached recently, in large part thanks to your administration, inspire confidence in us that after a long period of longing, Western Azerbaijanis will return to their ancestral homes in Armenia. They will restore their destroyed hearths, visit their cemeteries once again, and rebuild their mosques. To achieve this, we require the support of all progressive humanity, and most specifically, the United States.
We believe that your visit to the region will significantly contribute to the normalization of relations between the two states and peoples, the strengthening of economic and trade ties, and the restoration of vital transportation links.”
Source: caliber.az
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://caliber.az/en/post/azerbaijani-community-appeals-to-us-vp-vance-ahead-of-his-baku-visit
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Achievements foster confidence in the return of western Azerbaijanis to their ancestral homelands - Community
8 February 2026
BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 8. The Western Azerbaijan Community has issued a formal statement addressed to U.S. Vice President James David Vance in connection with his upcoming visit to Azerbaijan, Trend reports.
The statement addresses the U.S. Vice President as follows:
“Distinguished Mr. Vance,
We have learned through the media of your forthcoming visit to Azerbaijan and warmly welcome you to the ‘Land of Fire.’ Azerbaijan is a nation of peace, where Muslims, Christians, and Jews have historically coexisted in harmony and tranquility. Our country places profound value on family, moral, and traditional principles.
Azerbaijan’s relations with the Christian world and the Holy See continue to develop successfully, marked by numerous high-level visits to the Vatican in recent years. Furthermore, last year saw the opening of the Baku office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and plans are underway for the construction of a second Catholic church in our capital.
Tragically, due to the criminal negligence of the former Soviet leadership, Western Azerbaijanis were subjected to mass deportation from Armenia beginning in 1987. Their villages and homelands were emptied, burned, and looted; their mosques and cultural heritage were systematically destroyed. Our cultural legacy has been misappropriated and our history falsified—most notably in Yerevan, where the identity and purpose of the Azerbaijani Blue Mosque were altered.
While Western Azerbaijanis have successfully integrated into Azerbaijani society over these decades, they have never forgotten their ancestral lands in Armenia and have lived with the enduring hope of return.
Western Azerbaijanis harbor no territorial claims against Armenia and do not oppose its sovereignty. On the contrary, we fully support the policy of President Ilham Aliyev to achieve sustainable peace, as well as the Azerbaijan-Armenia reconciliation process advancing with the support of U.S. President Donald Trump.
We applaud the historic Washington Summit held on August 8, 2025, the Joint Declaration signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the United States, and the initialing of the peace treaty. We further support the progress made since that summit, including confidence-building measures and the commencement of trade relations between the two nations. We also look forward to the swift realization of the 'Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity' (TRIPP).
Distinguished Mr. Vance,
The achievements reached recently, in large part thanks to your administration, inspire confidence in us that after a long period of longing, Western Azerbaijanis will return to their ancestral homes in Armenia. They will restore their destroyed hearths, visit their cemeteries once again, and rebuild their mosques. To achieve this, we require the support of all progressive humanity, and most specifically, the United States.
We believe that your visit to the region will significantly contribute to the normalization of relations between the two states and peoples, the strengthening of economic and trade ties, and the restoration of vital transportation links.”
Source: trend.az
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.trend.az/azerbaijan/politics/4150850.html
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PM's chief aide McSweeney quits over Mandelson row
9 February 2026
Paul Seddon
Morgan McSweeney has dramatically quit as Sir Keir Starmer's chief of staff, after mounting scrutiny over his role in Lord Mandelson's appointment as the UK's ambassador to the US.
The PM's adviser had been coming under pressure after pushing for the former minister to be given the job, despite the peer's relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein being publicly known about at the time.
McSweeney said he did not oversee the vetting but wanted to take "full responsibility" for advising the prime minister to appoint him.
It leaves Sir Keir battling to shore up his premiership as he continues to face anger from Labour MPs over his decision to hire the peer for the Washington role.
Sir Keir sacked Lord Mandelson in September, after emails emerged showing he sent supportive messages to Epstein as he faced charges for sex offences.
But further revelations this week from the latest release of Epstein files in the US about his continued contact with the late disgraced financier after his conviction in 2008 have led to fresh fury within Labour over the decision to hand him the role.
Emails suggesting the peer leaked sensitive government information to Epstein whilst a minister in the last Labour government have also prompted a police investigation into alleged misconduct in public office.
Sir Keir has said Lord Mandelson's prior relationship was Epstein was flagged when he was vetted for the role, whilst insisting the former cabinet minister misled him about the depth of the relationship.
But it has failed to contain the row over the decision, with a handful of Labour MPs now openly calling for Sir Keir to resign as party leader.
York Central MP Rachael Maskell told BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour that the prime minister has a "very tight timetable... to prove that he has got it in him to lead us forward".
Alloa and Grangemouth MP Brian Leishman called on Sir Keir to "look at his own position" and question whether he should "resign for the good of the country and the Labour Party".
But others have thrown their support behind him.
Karl Turner, Kingston upon Hull East MP, told BBC Radio 5 Live Sir Keir knew it was "a catastrophic mistake" to appoint Lord Mandelson and "he wants to make good".
Rugby's MP John Slinger called for his party to "rally behind the prime minister", adding: "We don't ditch a leader just because the going gets tough."
Sir Keir will address Labour MPs in private on Monday evening, at the weekly Parliamentary Labour Party meeting, as he seeks to convince his backbenchers he can regain control.
It was earlier suggested that he might publicly address the episode on Monday but this is not thought to be the case at this stage.
It comes as the boss of the Fire Brigades Union, Steve Wright, became the first leader of one of Labour's 11 affiliated unions to call for the prime minister to go.
McSweeney's departure is a big blow to Sir Keir, with the 48-year-old Irishman having masterminded his successful bid for the Labour leadership in 2020 and the party's campaign for the general election in 2024.
His deputies Jill Cuthbertson and Vidhya Alakeson have been appointed acting chiefs of staff in the wake of his exit, Downing Street has confirmed.
'Only honourable course'
In a statement on Sunday, McSweeney said Lord Mandelson's appointment in December 2024 had been "wrong", adding he had "damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself."
"When asked, I advised the prime minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice," he added.
"While I did not oversee the due diligence and vetting process, I believe that process must now be fundamentally overhauled.
"In the circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside."
It is understood that both the prime minister and McSweeney decided now was the right moment for him to leave.
Sir Keir said it had been an "honour" to work with him, thanking him for "turning our party around" in the wake of its crushing defeat in the 2019 election.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said it was "about time" McSweeney resigned, but added the prime minister "has to take responsibility for his own terrible decisions".
The Lib Dems said Sir Keir "can change his advisers all he likes, but the buck stops with him", while Reform said Labour was "just continuing the chaos we saw under the Tories".
Pay-off plea
The statement from McSweeney came just hours after a key Starmer ally had dismissed calls from within Labour for Sir Keir to sack his adviser.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden told Laura Kuenssberg it would not make "any difference at all" to the situation facing the government.
He also called on Lord Mandelson to return or donate to charity the pay-off he received after his sacking as ambassador, thought to be up to £40,000.
The BBC understands Lord Mandelson's view is he answered questions about his relationship with Epstein in the vetting process accurately.
Email exchanges in the latest US government release on Epstein include several from Lord Mandelson during his time as a cabinet minister in the Labour government of Gordon Brown.
Among them is one that indicates Lord Mandelson gave Epstein advance notice of a €500bn bailout by the EU to save the Euro in 2010.
Another suggests he forwarded the financier an internal No 10 memo in 2009 discussing potential government asset sales in the wake of the financial crash.
Lord Mandelson has not responded to requests for comment but the BBC understands his position is that he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain.
He has resigned as a member of the House of Lords, with the government pledging to introduce legislation required to strip him of his title.
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8r1xp7j533o
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Italian police arrest protesters after clash in Olympic host city Milan
9 February 2026
Kathryn Armstrong
Six people have been arrested after police clashed with protesters in Milan, one of the host cities of the Winter Olympic Games, during the first day of the competition.
Thousands took to the streets in the northern Italian city on Saturday to protest against the Games and a range of issues including the cost of living. Some released fireworks and threw stones at police, who responded with water cannon.
It comes after the government tightened protest laws in the wake of a demonstration last weekend in Turin that left more than 100 officers injured, according to government figures.
Meanwhile, officials are investigating suspected sabotage on northern Italy's railway network on Saturday.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said those protesting against the Olympics were the "enemy of Italy" and had put images of the demonstrations "on the televisions of half the world", while thousands of other Italians were working hard to make the competition a success.
She said this had happened "after others locked railway cables to prevent trains from starting".
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described those involved in confrontations in Milan as "criminals".
"Just days after the shameful violence in Turin, more clashes, more attacks on law enforcement," he said.
"We're proud to have pushed for a new security package that will allow for even more effective interventions against thugs and criminals."
The Turin demonstration, which was called in response to the eviction of an unofficial social centre, started peacefully but later turned violent when armed groups confronted police. More than 30 people were arrested.
One officer was attacked with a hammer, which Meloni described as attempted murder.
A new security package, which was adopted on Thursday after being fast-tracked as a result of the violence in Turin, allows police to detain suspected troublemakers for up to 12 hours before demonstrations to stop them from spreading unrest. Critics have called it repressive.
Most of those involved in Saturday's protest in Milan marched peacefully. One woman, Francesca Missana, told news agency AFP that the Olympic Games were "no longer sustainable from an environmental or a social point of view, their time is up".
"These Games were promoted as sustainable and cost-neutral," protest organiser Alberto di Monte told AFP. He added that because the Games were spread across multiple sites, and that billions had been spent on roads instead of protecting the mountains.
Saturday also saw chaos on some of Italy's northern rail networks, with suspected attacks delaying people for hours.
A fire hit rail infrastructure between Bologna and Venice, and police later found severed cables and an explosive device in locations nearby.
Police said a track switch was set alight near Pesaro on the Adriatic coast and electric cables were found severed near Bologna, along with a rudimentary explosive device left by a track.
Bologna's central rail station is a major hub, linking cities in the north and south, and east to west lines.
RFI, which owns the country's railways, said services have since returned to normal.
The transport ministry described the incidents as "suspected sabotage" and said they mirrored vandalism at the start of the Paris Olympics in 2024.
"These actions of unprecedented seriousness do not in any way tarnish Italy's image in the world, an image that the Games will make even more compelling," Salvini, who is also Italy's transport minister, said on Saturday.
The Winter Olympics are taking place until 22 February in a number of locations, from Milan to the resort town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, the Dolomite regions of Predazzo and Tesero, and the Alpine resorts of Livigno and Bormio.
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgl5293n5n9o
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Zelensky tried to kill the chance for Russia-Ukraine peace, again
By Nadezhda Romanenko
8 Feb, 2026
The assassination attempt on Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev, first deputy chief of Russia’s Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) is clearly the Zelensky regime’s latest desperate bid to sabotage the emerging Russia-Ukraine-US negotiations channel in Abu Dhabi and prolong the war.
When negotiations gain traction, spoilers surface. That’s Negotiations 101. And this week’s second round in Abu Dhabi was precisely the kind of movement that unnerves actors who fear ballots, reforms, and accountability more than inevitable defeat on the battlefield.
The target choice reinforces the point. Alekseyev is the second-in-command of GRU chief Igor Kostyukov – who sits on the Russian delegation in Abu Dhabi. Striking the No. 2 as the No. 1 shuttles between sessions is both a very deliberate message and an attempt to rattle Russia’s delegation, inject chaos into its decision loop, force security overdrive, and ultimately, provoke Moscow’s withdrawal from the talks.
Nor is this the first time kinetic theater has tracked with diplomatic motion. Recall the attempted drone strike on President Vladimir Putin’s Valdai residence in late 2025, which coincided with particularly intense US-Russia exchanges. You don’t have to be a cynic to see a pattern: whenever the diplomatic door cracks open, someone try to slam it shut with explosives, drones, or bullets – then retreats behind a smokescreen of denials and proxies. Call it plausible deniability as policy.
Why would Kiev’s leadership gamble like this? Start with raw political incentives. Vladimir Zelensky extended his tenure beyond the intended March 2024 election under martial law. If hostilities wind down and emergency powers lift, the ballot box looms. His standing has eroded amid war fatigue, unmet expectations, and a massive corruption scandal swirling around the presidential administration that has infuriated many Ukrainians and dealt his image a blow. End the war without a narrative of total victory, and he risks owning a messy peace, grueling reconstruction, and a reckoning at the polls. Facing voters at a stadium famously worked well during Zelensky’s initial presidential campaign, but now endlessly moving the goalposts is his only hope of clinging to power.
Then there’s the strategic logic of spoilers. Negotiations compress time, clarify tradeoffs, and create deadlines – none of which benefit maximalists. If an agreement would force Kiev to accept hard limits or expose fissures with its more hawkish backers, creating a pretext to stall makes sense from a narrow survival lens. A brazen hit inside Moscow during talks does exactly that: it dares the Kremlin to harden its stance, fractures trust at the table, and lets Kiev posture as unbowed while keeping the war‑time rally frame at home. Even if direct authorship can be obfuscated (at least on paper – because nobody will buy claims Kiev had nothing to do with it at this point), the practical effect is what counts.
Predictably, defenders will object: Kiev has every incentive to keep US support flowing, so why risk alienating Washington with an operation that screams escalation? But ‘incentives’ aren’t monolithic. They’re filtered through domestic politics, factional competition within security services, and the temptations of a successful spectacle. And remember: spoilers don’t have to be centrally ordered to be useful. A wink, a nod, and a green light to ‘make pressure’ can travel a long way in wartime bureaucracies.
The most important thing for Russia and the US at this stage is to firewall the talks from such bloody theatrics. For the negotiation process to provide real results, it must be built to survive shocks – because the shocks will keep coming. That means insulating prisoner‑exchange and humanitarian working groups from headline provocations, revalidating military deconfliction channels, and demanding verifiable behavior changes rather than trading barbs about attribution in the press.
The larger point is simpler: if we let every well‑timed bullet dictate the pace of diplomacy, we are outsourcing strategy to those who most fear peace. The Alekseyev attack fits a familiar script – choose a symbolically loaded target, hijack the narrative, and hope negotiators flinch. The right response is the opposite: call the bluff, keep the calendar, and raise the cost of sabotage by refusing to let it reset the table.
Zelensky’s regime may calculate that its political survival depends on endlessly throwing up hurdles for peace and call it ‘resistance’. If so, the fastest way to test that proposition is to keep pressing at the negotiating table. Talks are not a favor to one side; they are a filter that separates leaders who can face an endgame from those who can only survive in the fog of “not yet.”
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/632170-zelensky-gru-assassination-talks/
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North America
‘America’s elections are rigged, stolen’: Trump renews claims, warns US must fix system or lose country
Feb 9, 2026
US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that American elections are “rigged” and “stolen,” renewing calls for sweeping changes to voting rules that he says are necessary to restore public trust in the electoral system.
In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump warned that the United States risks political collapse unless major reforms are introduced.
"America’s elections are rigged, stolen, and a laughingstock all over the world. We are either going to fix them, or we won’t have a country any longer," Trump wrote.
In his post, Trump outlined three key demands under what he called the “Save America Act.”
First, he called for mandatory government-issued photo identification for all voters. Second, he demanded proof of US citizenship at the time of voter registration. Third, he urged an end to most mail-in voting, allowing it only in limited circumstances such as illness, disability, military service or travel.
Trump argued that these measures would prevent fraud and restore public confidence in elections. While several US states already require voter ID, the types of identification accepted vary widely across the country.
His latest remarks follow comments in a recent interview in which he urged Republicans to “nationalise” and “take over” voting processes in at least 15 locations, though he did not specify which ones. Those comments drew criticism from election experts, who warned that federal control of local elections could undermine the independence of state and county authorities.
Under the US Constitution, states hold primary responsibility for administering elections, although Congress can establish certain nationwide standards.
Democrats push back
Democratic leaders quickly condemned Trump’s statements. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused him of attempting to manipulate the electoral system for political gain.
“What Donald Trump wants to do is try to nationalise the election. Translation: Steal it. And we’re not going to let it happen,” Jeffries said in an interview with CNN.
Jeffries said Democrats had blocked Republican efforts to redraw congressional maps in what he described as unfair ways and had opposed attempts to expand federal control over election administration.
According to US election data and multiple court rulings, no evidence has emerged to support claims of widespread fraud in recent national elections. More than 60 lawsuits challenging the 2020 election results were dismissed or withdrawn.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/americas-elections-are-rigged-stolen-trump-renews-claims-warns-us-must-fix-system-or-lose-country/articleshowprint/128085069.cms
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Trump calls Olympic skier a ‘real loser’
9 Feb, 2026
US President Donald Trump has branded Olympic skier Hunter Hess a “real loser” in response to the athlete saying he had “mixed emotions” about representing his country at the ongoing Winter Games in Italy.
During a press conference last week, Hess, who is from Oregon, was asked how he felt about competing for the US amid the current political climate.
“There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t,” he said. “Just because I’m wearing the flag doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the US,” Hess added.
Trump responded in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, arguing that Hess shouldn’t be on the team if he doesn’t fully support the US.
“US Olympic Skier, Hunter Hess, a real Loser, says he doesn’t represent his Country in the current Winter Olympics,” Trump wrote. “If that’s the case, he shouldn’t have tried out for the Team, and it’s too bad he’s on it. Very hard to root for someone like this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Trump’s post followed criticism from Tennessee Republican Representative Tim Burchett, who wrote on X that Hess should “shut up and go play in the snow,” while White House chief of protocol Monica Crowley argued the skier should “represent America with pride.” Senator Bernie Sanders, meanwhile, described Hess as a “proud American.”
The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee said in a statement that it “stands firmly behind Team USA athletes,” adding that its priority is Hess’ protection and ensuring he has the support and resources to compete on the world’s largest stage.
Hess’ remarks came amid worsening political tensions in the US. Protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spread across several cities after federal agents shot and killed two US citizens in Minneapolis during a major immigration enforcement surge earlier this year. The deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have triggered nationwide demonstrations and calls for investigations, further fueling debate over the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/632186-trump-calls-olympic-skier-real/
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Canada and France move into Greenland as US eyes the island
8 Feb, 2026
Canada and France have established consulates in Greenland amid a rift between the US and other NATO member states over the Danish-controlled autonomous territory.
US President Donald Trump recently reiterated his demand that the strategically located island become part of the US. He has cited supposed Russian and Chinese threats to the Arctic territory – which both Moscow and Beijing have dismissed. Denmark, along with several other European nations, has rejected the Trump administration’s push to take possession of Greenland.
On Saturday, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand met with her Danish and Greenlandic counterparts, Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Vivian Motzfeldt, in Nuuk. During her visit, Anand opened Canada’s new consulate in Greenland’s capital.
The Canadian diplomat reaffirmed Ottawa’s “support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Greenland and of the Kingdom of Denmark,” as quoted by the Foreign Ministry.
A day earlier, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot officially assumed the office of French Consul General in Greenland. A statement by the Foreign Ministry noted that France is the “first European Union country to set up a consulate general” on the Danish-governed island.
“France reiterates its commitment to respect for the Kingdom of Denmark’s territorial integrity,” the ministry said.
Last month, Denmark launched a military exercise in Greenland, with Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, and the UK sending symbolic contingents of up to 15 personnel each.
After several European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reaffirmed support for Denmark last month, Trump threatened Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland with tariffs.
The US president dropped his threat shortly thereafter, saying he agreed on the “framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland” with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte – with no details forthcoming to date.
Last month, Rasmus Jarlov, the chair of Denmark’s parliamentary defense committee, said Russia and China pose no threat to Greenland – an assessment echoed by EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov similarly said Washington is “well aware” that neither Russia nor China has plans regarding the island.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/632169-canada-france-open-consulates-greenland-us-rift-trump/
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Iran defies Trump on uranium enrichment
8 Feb, 2026
Iran will not give up its uranium enrichment capacity even under threat of war, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said. US President Donald Trump has demanded that Iran agree to a “zero enrichment” policy.
Araghchi made the remarks at the National Congress on the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy in Tehran on Sunday, calling enrichment a legal right rooted in sovereignty and national dignity.
“Why have we insisted so strongly on enrichment and continue to do so, and why are we not willing to give it up, even if war is imposed on us? Because no one has the right to tell us what we should have and what we should not have,” he said.
Araghchi added, however, that Iran is open to addressing concerns over its nuclear program and building trust on the matter. “If there are any questions or ambiguities regarding the peaceful objectives of Iran’s nuclear program, we will respond and remove ambiguities, and the only way is through diplomacy.”
He went on to say that the US and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last year failed to provide the desired results.
“Knowledge cannot be bombed away. Bombing can destroy buildings, but technology cannot be destroyed,” Araghchi said, adding that this was the message he relayed to the US during recent indirect talks in Oman.
Araghchi previously described the negotiations as a “good beginning,” stressing that they were “exclusively nuclear,” though US officials said they also wanted to discuss Iran’s ballistic missiles and support for its regional allies.
The Trump administration has long insisted that Iran must accept a “zero enrichment” policy, and has on numerous occasions suggested that Washington could resort to a military option if diplomacy fails.
Araghchi’s remarks come amid rising tensions between Tehran and Washington, with the US recently deploying additional naval and air assets to the region. Trump has also promised support for violent protests in Iran triggered by economic grievances; Tehran has said it will not bow to pressure.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/632168-iran-defies-trump-uranium-enrichment/
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Police fire tear gas as protests erupt against ICE and Israel at Milan Winter Olympics
08 February 2026
Thousands of protesters have staged a rally against ICE and Israel during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
On Saturday, the first day of the competition, demonstrators marched peacefully through the northern Italian city to condemn the participation of the Israeli team, the presence of ICE agents with the US delegation, and the environmental and social impacts of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, alongside various issues including the cost of living.
A brief confrontation occurred between Milan police and some protesters at the end of the march, where fireworks were shot and stones were thrown. The police responded with tear gas and water cannons, resulting in six arrests.
Protester Francesca Missana told AFP that the Olympic Games were "no longer sustainable from an environmental or social point of view," insisting that they should not continue due to dire socioeconomic conditions.
Protest organizer Alberto di Monte highlighted that billions spent on infrastructure should have been directed toward protecting the natural environment.
The opening ceremony on Friday was met with boos for the four-person Israeli delegation and the larger US team, reflecting the political unrest in the US related to ICE's actions, which fueled protests against the Trump administration's anti-immigration policies.
These clashes followed a previous protest in Turin, which resulted in over 100 police injuries, prompting the government to impose stricter laws granting police more power to arrest potential troublemakers.
The government's approval of granting sweeping power to police came in the wake of last Saturday's demonstration in Turin that left more than 108 officers injured, according to government figures.
The authorities are also investigating suspected sabotage on northern Italy's railway network, which has caused significant disruptions.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni labeled the protesters as the "enemy of Italy," claiming they projected a negative image of the country.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini described them as "thugs and criminals," emphasizing the government's commitment to enhancing security measures.
The protests coincide with chaos on northern rail networks, including incidents of sabotage and vandalism, leading to delays for commuters. Despite the incidents, RFI announced that services have returned to normal, while the transport ministry condemned the actions as "suspected sabotage."
"These actions of unprecedented seriousness do not in any way tarnish Italy's image in the world, an image that the Games will make even more compelling," Salvini, who is also Italy's transport minister, said on Saturday.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will run until February 22, featuring events in several cities, including Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Predazzo, Tesero, Livigno, and Bormio.
Source: presstv.ir
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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2026/02/08/763729/Protests-against-ICE-Israel-at-Winter-Olympics-in-Milan
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ICE secretly deports Palestinians in Trump ally's private jet to Israel: Report
07 February 2026
A private aircraft owned by a businessman close to US President Donald Trump was reportedly used to transport Palestinian detainees to the Israeli-occupied territories.
According to The Guardian, the aircraft—owned by Florida property developer Gil Dezer—was chartered as part of a secretive deportation effort run by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Public records cited in the report show that the Dezer family has longstanding business ties with Trump and has donated significant sums to his political campaigns.
The jet has twice flown Palestinians from Arizona to Tel Aviv. Each time, the flights carried Palestinian men detained by ICE from a deportation facility in Phoenix to Tel Aviv, where they were later transferred by armed Israeli forces and released at a military checkpoint in the occupied West Bank.
Each flight is estimated to cost between $400,000 and $500,000.
Witness accounts described detainees arriving disoriented, wearing prison-issued clothing, and carrying their belongings in plastic bags.
“They were not wearing jackets or coats, and the weather was very cold and windy that day,” said a local resident who helped the men.
“They stayed at my place for two hours, during which I fed them, and they called their families, who either came to pick them up or arranged transportation for them.”
Some had not been allowed to contact their families for many months and were believed to be missing, the report said.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the deportations followed “an unusual request from Washington to Israel,” and were conducted with the approval of Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet.
Some of the Palestinian men hold green cards, allowing legal residency in the United States, while several have wives, children, and other close family members in the country. Some had been detained by ICE for weeks, and at least one was held for more than a year, the report added.
The report has sparked outrage among rights advocates, who say ICE is enforcing immigration policy through secretive arrangements that separate families, evade scrutiny, and hand sensitive government functions to politically connected private interests.
Several immigration attorneys also told The Guardian that deporting Palestinians to Israel could breach international law.
According to Gissou Nia, director of the Strategic Litigation Project at the Atlantic Council, the principle of non-refoulement prohibits forcibly returning individuals to a place where there are substantial grounds to believe they could face irreparable harm, including persecution, torture, ill-treatment or other serious human rights violations.
“The United States is bound by international treaties that explicitly prohibit this, including the Convention against Torture,” she added.
Human rights groups and UN officials have documented abuse of Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has reported cases of arbitrary detention, prolonged incommunicado holding, and accounts from released prisoners describing torture and severe mistreatment.
Human Rights Watch has likewise said Palestinian detainees have faced degrading treatment and other forms of abuse that could amount to serious violations of international law.
Source: presstv.ir
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https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2026/02/07/763679/ICE-secretly-deports-Palestinians-Trump-ally-private-jet-Israel-Gil-Dezer
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Apps to boycott US goods gain traction amid Trump's threats to Greenland
Feb 9, 2026
COPENHAGEN: The makers of mobile apps designed to help shoppers identify and boycott American goods say they saw a surge of interest in Denmark and beyond after the flare-up in tensions over President Trump's designs on Greenland.
The creator of the "Made O'Meter" app, Ian Rosenfeldt, said he saw around 30,000 downloads of the free app in just three days at the height of the trans-Atlantic crisis in late Jan out of more than 100,000 since it was launched in March 2025.
Rosenfeldt, who works in digital marketing, decided to create the app a year ago after joining a Facebook group of like-minded Danes hoping to boycott US goods. "Many people were frustrated and thinking, 'How do we actually do this in practical terms,'" the 53-year-old recalled. "If you use a bar code scanner, it's difficult to see if a product is actually American or not. And if you don't know that, you can't make a conscious choice."
The latest version of "Made O'Meter" uses artificial intelligence to identify and analyse several products at a time, then recommend similar European-made alternatives. Users can set preferences, like "No USA-owned brands" or "Only EU-based brands." The app claims over 95% accuracy. "By using AI, you can take an image of a product ... and it can make a deep dive to go out and find the correct information about the product in many levels," Rosenfeldt told Associated Press during a demonstration at a Copenhagen grocery store. "This way, you have information that you can use to take decisions on what you think is right."
After an initial surge of downloads when the app was launched, usage tailed off. Until last month, when Trump stepped up his rhetoric about the need for the US to acquire Greenland, a strategically important and mineral-rich Arctic island that is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
Usage peaked Jan 23, when there were almost 40,000 scans in one day, compared with 500 or so daily last summer. It has dropped back since but there were still around 5,000 a day this week, said Rosenfeldt, who noted "Made O'Meter" is used by over 20,000 people in Denmark but also by people in Germany, Spain, Italy, even Venezuela. "It's become personal," said Rosenfeldt, who spoke of "losing an ally and a friend." Rosenfeldt knows such boycotts won't damage the US economy, but hopes to send a message to supermarkets and encourage greater reliance on European producers.
Another Danish app, "NonUSA," topped 100,000 downloads at the beginning of Feb. One of its creators, 21-year-old Jonas Pipper, said there were over 25,000 downloads Jan 21, when 526 product scans were performed in a minute at one point. Of the users, some 46,000 are in Denmark and around 10,000 in Germany. "We noticed some users saying they felt like a little bit of the pressure was lifted off them," Pipper said. On a recent morning, shoppers leaving one Copenhagen grocery store were divided. "We do boycott, but we don't know all the American goods. So, it's mostly the well-known trademarks," said Morten Nielsen, 68, a retired navy officer. Sixty-three retiree Charlotte Fuglsang said, "I love America, I love travelling in America. I don't think we should reegister protest that way."
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/apps-to-boycott-us-goods-gain-traction-amid-trumps-threats-to-greenland/articleshowprint/128090506.cms
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Africa
Experts Urge Structured Islamic Estate Planning to Protect Family Wealth, Legacy
By Kingsley Okoh
Legal, financial and religious experts have called on Nigerians to adopt structured Islamic estate planning frameworks, warning that reliance on informal arrangements and verbal agreements continues to expose families to disputes, financial losses, and prolonged legal battles.
The call was held this weekend in Abuja at the 8th Annual Islamic Estate Planning Clinic, themed “From Informality to Legacy: Structuring Islamic Wealth Transfer,” organised by The Metropolitan Law Firm in collaboration with First Trustees Ltd and Al-Ameen Trustees Ltd.
Speakers stressed the urgent need for documentation, professional advisory support, and the adoption of modern financial and legal tools to ensure responsible wealth transfer, particularly amid Nigeria’s evolving tax environment and the rise of digital assets.
The managing partner of The Metropolitan Law Firm, Hajia Ummahani Amin, said many Nigerian families still rely on undocumented arrangements that often lead to disputes, mismanagement, and outcomes that contradict the intentions of wealth creators.
“Estate planning allows individuals to organise their affairs before death and ensure their wishes are respected. Leaving assets in the hands of relatives or friends without proper documentation has caused serious problems for many families,” she said.
Amin noted that while Islamic inheritance principles are clearly defined, individuals retain the right to allocate up to one-third of their estate through wills or trusts. She urged Nigerians to adopt structured tools, such as trusts and endowments, to protect beneficiaries and sustain legacies.
She added that Nigeria is increasingly prepared for the realities of digitalisation and emerging tax reforms, noting that proactive planning would help individuals adapt to the changing financial environment.
Keynote speaker and co-chairman of the African Union’s 4th Industrial Revolution Policy Council, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, emphasised the importance of moving from verbal arrangements to structured, documented, and Sharia-compliant systems.
“The transition from informality to legacy means moving from cultural verbal agreements to formal, documented frameworks,” he said. “Verbal agreements are unreliable and often lead to disputes.”
Pantami, a former minister of Communication and Digital Economy, advocated the use of modern technologies, including blockchain systems, to securely preserve wills and legal agreements, adding that structured wealth management is not only a legal necessity but also a religious responsibility rooted in Islamic teachings.
He further highlighted common challenges, including cultural practices that conflict with Islamic inheritance principles, delayed will-making, and inadequate documentation of property ownership across communities.
Chairperson of the Better Life Programme for the African Rural Woman (BLPARW), Dr Hajiya Aisha Babangida, underscored the need for continuous education and awareness to help families understand available Islamic financial instruments.
She noted that tools such as waqf (endowment), trusts, and Sukuk bonds could support community development, education, and infrastructure if properly understood and utilised.
“Education is key,” she said. “People must understand the available instruments and how structured planning can help families build sustainable legacies while contributing to community growth.”
In the same vein, associate director of First Trustees Ltd, Abimbola Ajinibi, identified cultural misconceptions as a major barrier to estate planning. According to him, many Muslims mistakenly believe that Islamic inheritance rules eliminate the need for wills or structured planning.
“In reality, up to one-third of an estate can be distributed through personal discretion,” he explained. “Failure to plan can lead to intestate estates and probate processes that may cost up to 10 per cent of the estate value.”
Ajinibi also noted that estate planning encompasses more than wills, including trusts, gifts, and powers of attorney designed to ensure seamless wealth transfer.
Speaking on financial governance, Rotimi Obende of First Trustees highlighted the implications of tax reforms effective January 1, 2026. He said trustees and estate administrators are now required to report income generated from estates and trusts.
“While inheritance transfers themselves remain largely unchanged, income earned from estate management must now be reported and taxed,” he explained. “Proper structures ensure that taxes are assessed on net income rather than gross income.”
On her part, Representative of Al-Ameen Trustees, Mutiat Olatunji, emphasised the role of regulated, faith-based trustees in providing Sharia-compliant estate planning and ethical financial governance.
She said professional trusteeship helps ensure transparency, regulatory compliance, and responsible management of wealth for both private beneficiaries and broader community development.
Participants concluded the clinic with a collective call for Nigerians to integrate religious guidance with legal expertise, professional trusteeship, and modern technology to secure their families’ futures.
They emphasised that structured Islamic estate planning remains essential not only for protecting wealth but also for promoting social stability, responsible governance, and intergenerational prosperity.
Source: leadership.ng
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://leadership.ng/experts-urge-structured-islamic-estate-planning-to-protect-family-wealth-legacy/
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Senior Advocate faults Sharia Council’s call for INEC chair’s removal
by Eric Ikhilae, Abuja
February 8, 2026
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Sebastine Hon, has faulted the recent call by a group, the Sharia Council of Nigeria, for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN).
Hon, who described that call as an unguided request, argued that it is ridiculous because it amounted to an invitation to President Bola Tinubu to breach the provisions of the Constitution.
Quoting extensively from the Construction, the senior lawyer added, in a statement on Sunday, that the reasons advanced by the group in support of its request are mere blackmail and untenable constitutionally and empirically.
Hon contended that contrary to the erroneous position of the group, INEC’s Chair could only be removed from office by the President, acting on the provisions of the Constitution and the requirements of the National Assembly.
Part of the statement read, “I have observed with shock the call made by the Sharia Council of Nigeria for the removal or resignation of Prof. Joash Amupitan from office as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The reasons advanced by the Council are, with respect, not tenable constitutionally and empirically.
“Subsections (1) and (2) of section 157 of the Constitution provide that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission ‘may only be removed from that office by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct.’
“From the above provisions, not even the President has power to remove Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, from office with the wave of the hand: he has to subject his decision to the approval of at least two-thirds of members of the Senate.
“Secondly, the removal must be based on the stated constitutional reasons: ‘For inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct.’
“The guiding and controlling phrases here are ‘inability to discharge the functions of his office’ and ‘misconduct.’
“None of these reasons has been raised by the respected Sharia Council of Nigeria. Let me also make it clear that the phrase ‘or any other cause’ in the provision is not at large, but owes its origin to the parent phrase ‘for inability to discharge the functions of the office.’
“This means that Prof. Amupitan must, for this provision to affect him, have been unable to perform the functions of his office due to any other cause apart from ‘infirmity of mind or body.’
“No other permissible interpretation, to the best of my knowledge, could be made of these extant provisions.
“To be more specific, the Nigerian Constitution, in particular, section 157(1) and (2), the only provisions dealing with removal from office of the INEC Chairman, does not contemplate such removal being based on a prior public opinion expressed by the occupant of that office.
“It will amount to doing grave and damaging violence to the Constitution if such interpretation is imputed to those crystal-clear provisions.
“Further still, those provisions contemplate removal from office for actions or inactions of the occupant thereof while in office and not for infractions that took place prior to his assumption of office.
“Pray, how did Prof. Amupitan assume office in the first place? Again, resort would have to be had to the provisions of the Constitution and empirical facts.
“Section 153(1)(f) of the Constitution has established INEC, while section 158(1) thereof makes the said INEC, inter alios (amongst others), ‘not to be subject to the direction or control of any authority or person.’
“INEC, having been so established, Section 154 of the same Constitution makes it mandatory that its Chairman shall ‘be appointed by the President and the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.’
“From undeniable facts, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had, on November 9, 2025, nominated Prof. Amupitan to that office. On October 10, 2025, the National Council of State, made up of the President (a Muslim), the Vice President (also a Muslim), all former Presidents/Heads of State (some of whom are Muslims), the Chief Justice of Nigeria (herself a Muslim), the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives (also a Muslim), the Attorney-General of the Federal (another Muslim) and Christian and Muslim State Governors, unanimously approved the appointment.
“State House press statement issued on that same October 10, 2025, quoted Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State (himself a Muslim) as describing Amupitan as “a man of integrity.”
“After the unanimous clearance by the National Council of State, the Senate, in compliance with the above-adumbrated provisions of the Constitution, also unanimously confirmed the appointment on October 16, 2025.
“It is remarkable to note that the Senate of Nigeria is made up of a large number of Muslims, but none objected at all to this confirmation during the over two hours’ screening exercise.
“The sudden realisation by the Sharia Council that Prof. Amupitan had decried genocide against Christians in Nigeria by Muslim extremists; hence is not fit to occupy that office, therefore, amounts to an afterthought.
“A very dangerous precedent will also be set if this tendentious objection is accepted.
Save if the Sharia Council has any other reason to oppose the continued functioning of Prof. Amupitan as INEC Chairman, the fact that he decried genocide against Christians in Nigeria is not strong enough to make him leave office.
“All the high officers of the Federation named above presumably carried out proper investigations on his person before unanimously proposing and or confirming his appointment, are not inferior Muslims.
“Besides, Prof. Amupitan has not committed any of the listed infractions that would make him lose office, as spelt out under section 157(1) and (2) of the Constitution.
“Consequently, I vehemently oppose calls for the removal from office of Prof. Amupitan as INEC Chairman. I also strongly counsel him not to succumb to this blackmail by voluntarily resigning from that office.
“Rather, I hereby suggest to him to take this unfounded suspicion of possible bias against Muslims in the conduct of the affairs of his office as a springboard that would spur him to side more with justice, fair play and neutrality, which are the basic and compulsory requirements of his office,” Hon said.
Source: thenationonlineng.net
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https://thenationonlineng.net/senior-advocate-faults-sharia-councils-call-for-inec-chairs-removal/
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Muslim group urges Tinubu, N’Assembly to review appointment of INEC boss
February 8, 2026
The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Assembly and the Council of State to review the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement signed by its National President, Alhaji Sani Suleiman Maigoro, and National Secretary, Alhaji Mas’ud Akintola, and made available to journalists on Saturday, the group expressed concerns over the appointment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
NACOMYO said it considered the leadership of the electoral body a sensitive national responsibility that requires broad public confidence and trust across all segments of the country.
It noted that any issue capable of generating apprehension among stakeholders should be addressed early to preserve the integrity of the democratic process.
The organisation said its appeal was driven by what it described as the need to ensure national unity, electoral credibility and public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
It urged the relevant authorities to take proactive steps that would strengthen the legitimacy of the electoral process before the next general elections.
According to the group, reviewing the appointment would demonstrate the commitment of the Presidency and other key institutions to transparency, fairness and inclusiveness in the management of the nation’s elections.
NACOMYO added that the electoral management body must be led by individuals who enjoy broad-based acceptance and whose leadership would not generate avoidable controversies or concerns among political actors and the general public.
The organisation maintained that the credibility of the electoral process remains central to the stability of the country’s democracy, noting that public perception of neutrality and fairness in the leadership of INEC is essential for peaceful and credible elections.
Source: thenationonlineng.net
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WHO says more than 30 killed in three Sudan health center attacks
February 08, 2026
GENEVA: Sudan’s South Kordofan region has seen attacks on three health facilities in the past week alone, leaving more than 30 dead, the World Health Organziation said Sunday.
“Sudan’s health system is under attack again,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on X.
The Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been at war since April 2023, with the conflict killing tens of thousands of people, displacing millions more and triggering one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
In the central Sudanese region of Kordofan, where fighting is now concentrated, Tedros said the health system had faced numerous attacks.
“This week alone, three health facilities were attacked in South Kordofan, in a region already suffering acute malnutrition,” he said.
On February 3, he said an attack on a primary health center killed eight people — five children and three women — and injured 11.
Then a day later, “a hospital was attacked killing one person,” he said.
And “on February 5, another attack on a hospital killed 22 people — including 4 health workers — and injured 8,” the WHO chief said.
“The whole world should get behind Sudan’s peace initiative to end violence, protect the people and rebuild the health system,” he insisted.
“The best medicine is peace.”
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2632230/middle-east
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Pope Reacts To Deadly Attacks In Nigeria
February 9, 2026
By Justina Otio
Pope Leo XIV has reacted to the violent attacks across different parts of Nigeria.
Speaking via a post on 𝕏, the pontiff expressed sorrow over the dire situation and offered prayers for victims of terrorism and communal violence.
Describing the incidents as deeply troubling, he urged authorities to intensify efforts to protect citizens.
“It is with sorrow and concern that I learned of the recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria, leading to a heavy loss of life.
“I express my prayerful closeness to all the victims of violence and terrorism. I likewise hope that the competent authorities will continue to work with determination to ensure the safety and protection of the life of every citizen,” the Pope wrote.
His comments come amid renewed security concerns following attacks that left dozens dead, homes destroyed, and residents displaced across several communities.
In Kwara State, gunmen launched a deadly assault on Woro village in Kaima Local Government Area, shortly after military operations were carried out in the area against what authorities described as “terrorist elements.”
The attackers reportedly set shops ablaze and torched the residence of a traditional ruler, creating panic as wounded residents fled into nearby bushes to escape the violence.
On the same day, another deadly attack occurred in the Doma community, Tafoki Ward, Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, where more than 20 persons were reportedly killed by suspected bandits.
Residents said the assailants stormed the community in large numbers, opening fire and causing mass casualties before fleeing the area.
Source: naijanews.com
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‘Nigeria Has No Government’ – ADC Taunts Tinubu, Laments Bandits’ Attacks In Kwara, Katsina
February 8, 2026
By Richard Ogunsile
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Minister of Youth and Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, has said the persistent wave of insecurity across the country indicates that Nigeria currently lacks effective governance.
Abdullahi, who serves as the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, made the assertion while reacting to a 2014 tweet by President Bola Tinubu, in which the then-opposition figure criticised the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan over insecurity.
Naija News reports that in the old tweet dated September 9, 2014, Tinubu had written, “The festering Boko Haram attacks on the North East and massacre of innocent citizens is concrete proof that Nigeria has no government.”
At the time, Tinubu was a leading opposition voice and frequently criticised Jonathan’s handling of security challenges.
Responding to the resurfaced tweet, Abdullahi argued that the current spate of violence and killings across parts of the country shows that the same situation persists.
He wrote on his 𝕏 handle, “The festering insecurity and violent attacks in Kwara, Katsina and other parts of the country, and massacre of innocent Nigerians is concrete proof that Nigeria has no government.”
Naija News reports that Abdullahi’s remarks come amid renewed insecurity in several states, including Kwara and Katsina, where many residents have been killed or abducted by armed groups in recent weeks.
Reports indicate that at least 75 residents were buried last Wednesday following a deadly attack on the Woro community in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The following day, 13 more bodies were interred as locals continued to recover corpses from surrounding bushes, while several persons remain missing from the incident that has shocked many Nigerians.
The ADC chieftain’s comments have since generated heated reactions on social media, with some users supporting his position and others defending the current administration.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/02/08/nigeria-has-no-government-adc-taunts-tinubu-laments-bandits-attacks-in-kwara-katsina/
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South Africa to withdraw troops from UN mission in DR Congo
February 8, 2026
South Africa has announced the withdrawal of its troops from a United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said on Saturday that he had informed the UN Secretary‑General, Antonio Guterres, of the decision.
South Africa has supported the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC for 27 years and has more than 700 soldiers deployed there.
The Presidency said Pretoria will work jointly with the UN to finalise the timelines and other modalities of the withdrawal, which will be completed before the end of this year.
It said the decision to leave MONUSCO was influenced by the need to consolidate and realign the resources of the national defence force.
Pretoria said, however, it will maintain close ties with Kinshasa and continue to support regional, continental, and UN efforts to bring lasting peace to the the DRC.
MONUSCO’s mandate is to counter the many rebel groups who have been fighting for decades in eastern Congo, a region that has recently seen an escalation in fighting.
When its mandate was extended in December, it had a total of nearly 11,000 troops and police deployed in the country.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/02/08/south-africa-to-withdraw-troops-from-un-mission-in-dr-congo/
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Southeast Asia
Lunar New Year, Ramadan close timing to boost consumption: expert
February 9, 2026
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The close timing of the Lunar New Year and the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan could help lift public consumption of micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) products, an Indonesian economic think tank said, as businesses look for momentum amid uneven household purchasing power and global economic uncertainty.
The Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) said the overlap of major religious and cultural holidays often creates multiple consumption cycles, providing MSMEs with opportunities to diversify products and target niche markets. These periods typically drive higher spending on food, clothing and seasonal services.
“There needs to be research on the direction of consumption trends, for example what clothing trends will look like for Eid al-Fitr 2026,” CELIOS Director Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara said Monday, stressing the importance of anticipating demand rather than relying on broad assumptions.
Adhinegara said religious and cultural celebrations tend to encourage demand for segmented MSME products. During the Lunar New Year, consumer interest often centers on themed snack packages, promotional gift sets and accessories linked to holiday traditions and family gatherings.
He added that the Lunar New Year season usually pushes up demand for fresh fruits such as mandarin oranges, as well as festive cakes, pastries and specialty drinks commonly served during celebrations.
Ramadan, meanwhile, presents its own consumption patterns. MSMEs can increase sales by offering products closely associated with the fasting month, including worship equipment, frozen and ready-to-eat foods, modest clothing and promotions tied to transportation and hospitality services.
Looking ahead to the Eid al-Fitr holiday, Adhinegara said businesses could also tap into demand for complementary services, such as pet boarding for families traveling home and festive gift hampers exchanged during the holiday.
Local products still have room to grow, he said, but MSMEs should focus on specific consumer segments instead of targeting the mass market.
Products linked to daily necessities tend to perform better during peak travel and holiday seasons.
“Local products still have growth potential, but they need to be highly localized and closely connected to essential needs such as food, clothing and transportation during the homecoming period,” he said.
To navigate weak purchasing power and ongoing global uncertainty, Adhinegara urged MSMEs to collaborate, including by organizing Ramadan food and supplies bazaars near mosques.
He also encouraged wider use of digital platforms and social media, while carefully managing raw material supplies to match projected demand and avoid losses.
Source: antaranews.com
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https://en.antaranews.com/news/403586/lunar-new-year-ramadan-close-timing-to-boost-consumption-expert
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Prabowo wishes for peaceful, abundant Ramadan for Indonesian Muslims
February 8, 2026
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has expressed hope that Muslims in Indonesia will experience abundance and tranquility during Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam, as they observe the obligatory fast throughout the month.
“God willing, we will have a calm, joyful, and abundant holy month with our families,” the president said in a message to Indonesian Muslims during Nahdlatul Ulama’s (NU) 100th-anniversary commemoration in Malang, East Java, on Sunday.
The president emphasized that his government places the people above all else and encouraged Indonesians to help foster a peaceful and abundant Ramadan by maintaining national unity and solidarity.
President Prabowo also urged the public to express gratitude and pray for the nation’s safety and unity, free from disasters and divisions that could sow various discord.
“Let us unite in prayer and endeavor so that the Indonesian nation will always be under the protection of the Almighty God and be spared from division and disasters,” he said.
On the occasion of Nahdlatul Ulama’s centenary, President Prabowo also expressed appreciation for the organization’s contributions to Indonesia’s history and its role in safeguarding national unity.
“Thank you, Nahdlatul Ulama, for your continued commitment to upholding the dignity of the Indonesian nation,” he remarked.
As Indonesian Muslims prepare to welcome the holy month of Ramadan, expected to begin next week, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto on Tuesday, February 3, announced an economic stimulus package worth Rp12.83 trillion (about US$765.4 million) to boost consumption during Ramadan and the Eid al-Fitr holiday period from February to March.
The stimulus package includes discounts on transportation tickets and toll road tariffs, as well as social assistance in the form of 10 kilograms of rice and cooking oil for each beneficiary household over the two-month period.
Source: antaranews.com
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Ex-PM Muhyiddin’s sedition case remitted to High Court for trial
09 Feb 2026
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 9 — The Federal Court today remitted the former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s sedition case to the High Court for trial.
Court of Appeal President Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Jais, chairing a five-member bench, said the defence is not prevented from raising the four legal questions concerning the Sedition Act in the course of the trial.
He said that at this stage, the Federal Court declined to answer the four questions of law posed by the defence.
The decision followed submissions by Muhyiddin’s counsel, Datuk Amer Hamzah Arshad, who informed the court that, after taking into account the court’s views and receiving instructions from his client, the defence was of the opinion that there were “live issues” which could be raised before the High Court during trial.
Amer Hamzah said the defence therefore agreed for the case to be remitted to the High Court for hearing and decision.
In explaining the court’s position, Justice Abu Bakar said that if the Federal Court were to decide on the legal questions at this stage and the decision was unfavourable to the applicant, it would not benefit Muhyiddin, as that ruling would bind the High Court.
Conversely, he said, any decision made by the High Court could be appealed to the Court of Appeal and subsequently to the Federal Court, preserving avenues of recourse for both the prosecution and the defence.
He added that if the Federal Court were to proceed with hearing and determining the questions of law now, there would be no further avenue of appeal for any party dissatisfied with its decision.
“The question is what is better for the accused. At this stage, should the High Court be required to follow what has already been decided by the Federal Court?
“Or is it better for the accused to allow the High Court, without being bound by the Federal Court, to determine these questions?” he said, noting that the trial has yet to begin and no witnesses have been called.
The other judges on the bench were Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk Seri Hashim Hamzah, and Federal Court judges Datuk Rhodzariah Bujang, Datuk Lee Swee Seng and Datuk Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.
Among the questions raised was whether Section 4 of the Sedition Act 1948, read together with Section 3(3), constitutes an unreasonable restriction that conflicts with Article 10(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution, as well as whether Sections 3(2) read with Section 3(3) is unconstitutional for infringing a defendant’s right to a fair trial.
On Feb 4 last year, Muhyiddin, 78, pleaded not guilty at the High Court to charges of making seditious comments during the Nenggiri by-election campaign at Dewan Semai Bakti Felda Perasu between 10.30 pm and 11.50 pm on Aug 14, 2024.
The alleged seditious statements concerned claims that he was not invited by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to be sworn in as Prime Minister after the 15th General Election, despite reportedly having the support of 115 out of 222 members of parliament at the time.
Muhyiddin is charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948, punishable under Subsection 4(1) with a fine of up to RM5,000, or imprisonment of up to three years, or both. The case was initially listed at the Gua Musang Sessions Court, Kelantan, on Aug 27, 2024, before being transferred to the High Court.
On Aug 28 last year, the High Court granted Muhyiddin’s application to refer the questions of law to the Federal Court. — Bernamaa
Amer Hamzah later told reporters that the case has been fixed for case management at the High Court tomorrow.
In the proceedings today, also representing Muhyiddin were lawyers Rosli Dahlan, Chetan Jethwani, Joshua Tay H’ng Foong, Lee Yee Woei and Tan Jia Yearn. Deputy Public Prosecutors Saiful Hazmi Mohd Saad, Datuk Ahmad Sazali Omar and Nadia Mohd Izhar appeared for the prosecution. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Pig farms allowed, but must be away from residential areas, says Anwar
By Anis Zalani
09 Feb 2026
PUTRAJAYA, Feb 9 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government is not opposed to pig farming but the rearing of the livestock should not take place in areas that could cause public concern.
He said that communities should not be forced to live near pig farms, which could give rise to health, hygiene, and environmental issues.
“I agree with the idea that pig farming should not be carried out in areas where it causes concern for local residents. If required, the farms should be moved to locations further away.
“We are not opposed to pig farming or to non-Muslims consuming pork, but we do not want to compel communities to live near such operations,” he said during his speech at the Ministry of National Unity’s monthly assembly here today.
He said this demonstrates that even among different communities, mutual respect fosters strong and lasting relationships between races.
He explained that negative attitudes can arise when people become closed-minded, focusing only on their own group and ignoring others.
“If issues are addressed properly, however, they can be resolved peacefully. Guidance by principles of spirit, kindness, and truth is essential, and related matters should be handled in accordance with proper law,” he added.
On January 28, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari Selangor is not alone in its efforts to centralise and modernise pig farming, with plans to relocate operations away from residential communities.
He said the decision came in response to residents’ concerns that, even after the closure of traditional farms in Tanjung Sepat, waste was still seeping into local water sources.
Source: malaymail.com
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Johor government to conduct cloud seeding this week following low water levels in dams
By Ben Tan
09 Feb 2026
JOHOR BAHRU, Feb 9 — The Johor government is scheduled to conduct cloud seeding in the state following the low water levels in several dams due to a dry spell.
The cloud seeding will be concentrated at the Machap Dan, Upper Layang Dam and several other water catchment areas this Wednesday.
Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman, Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh said the cloud seeding was an effort to contain the water supply problems in Kluang and Pontian.
He said the decision was made after consultation with the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) and the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
“This is expected to resolve the issue of water supply disruptions by next week just in time before the Chinese New Year holidays.
“The cloud seeding is expected to start by Wednesday to resolve the water level issues as soon as possible,” he told reporters after the Johor Dialogue 2026 at the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) Tower in Bukit Senyum here today.
Mohamad Fazli was responding to the water supply disruptions in Kluang and Pontian that was announced yesterday.
According to state water utility concern, Ranhill SAJ, the water disruption was due to the Machap Dam water level showing a decrease following the prolonged dry season.
Mohamad Fazli said consumers in Pontian and Kluang receive their water supply from the Gunung Pulai and Machap water treatment plants.
He explained that the Machap water treatment plant had reported a low water supply from the Machap Dam and had to process raw water from the Yong Peng water treatment plant at four million litres per day (MLD).
“The Machap water treatment plant usually gets its water source from Sungai Benut, but the river’s capacity has recently been at a low level,” he said.
Mohamad Fazli, who is also the Bukit Pasir assemblyman, said Johor is also receiving assistance from neighboring states that provide water tankers to facilitate the direct supply of clean water to users.
At present, he said a total of 46 tankers have been dispatched to the Kota Tinggi, Pontian, Kluang and Batu Pahat districts, while 15 tankers from other states are sent to the Simpang Renggam and Pontian districts.
“Johor would like to thank the water utility companies from Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perak, Kedah and Pahang, that loaned their water tankers,” he said.
Source: malaymail.com
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Perkeso, Penang city council to sign MOU to close protection gap among the self-employed
09 Feb 2026
GEORGE TOWN, Feb 9 — The Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) is stepping up efforts, including working with local authorities in every state, to close the protection gap among self-employed individuals, especially hawkers and small traders, through the Skim Lindung Kendiri (Self-Employed Social Security Scheme).
Perkeso Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed said this comes amid a worrying social protection gap, with many self-employed workers still not covered by the scheme.
He said Labour Force statistics from the Department of Statistics Malaysia as of November 2025 recorded 3.26 million self-employed individuals nationwide.
However, the organisation’s data as of Jan 23 showed that only 325,008 self-employed persons, about 10 per cent, were actively contributing under the scheme, with 15,021 registered in Penang.
“These figures clearly signal that the social protection gap among the self-employed remains wide and needs to be addressed urgently. The breakdown also shows that only 38,358 people nationwide are contributing from the hawker sector.
“In Penang, hawkers make up 13.17 per cent or 5,053 contributors, which indicates that many small traders have yet to see or feel the benefits of this social protection,” he told reporters after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Penang City Council (MBPP) at Wisma Perkeso here today.
He said the MoU between Perkeso and MBPP reflects the critical need to close the protection gap among self-employed workers and strengthen the social security safety net, particularly for hawkers and small traders.
The MoU was signed by Mohammed Azman and MBPP Mayor Datuk R Rajendran, and witnessed by state Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye and Perkeso deputy chief executive (Operations) Azirruan Ariffin.
Mohammed Azman said Penang is the first state to sign the MoU and hoped the collaboration would drive the development of a more structured social protection ecosystem and become a standard model for all 156 local authorities nationwide in strengthening Malaysia’s informal economy.
“In 2025 alone, Perkeso paid out RM31.25 million in benefits to 7,693 contributors under the Skim Lindung Kendiri nationwide, including 424 self-employed individuals in Penang who received assistance when they were affected by misfortune,” he said.
Meanwhile, H’ng welcomed the collaboration, saying it would enhance the welfare of hawkers and traders in case of unforeseen incidents. He added that the state government would also study making contributions under the scheme a mandatory requirement for obtaining business licences.
Rajendran said that beyond providing security, the initiative also boosts confidence among the target group to continue earning a living in a safer environment. He noted that MBPP oversees 5,220 licensed hawkers operating at 30 markets, 68 food complexes, 58 hawker sites and 25 temporary static stalls.
“They are exposed to various risks in their daily operations, including on-site accidents, equipment-related injuries, fires and health hazards. Therefore, this protection scheme is crucial to ensure their personal safety and the sustainability of their income,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Malaysia outlines governance reforms under Madani framework at Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting 2026 in Fiji
09 Feb 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has presented the Madani Accountability Framework at Session 1 of the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM) 2026 in Fiji, in line with the theme of “Democratic Resilience”.
Azalina, who is heading the Malaysian delegation, said the presentation summarised the Madani Government’s proactive measures in implementing the concept of democratic resilience through a comprehensive institutional reform agenda.
“The Democratic Resilience concept of the CLMM Plan 2025-2030 focuses on three key elements, namely strengthening independent institutions, including the judiciary, legislature, elections and public authorities.
“In addition, a trusted and authoritative information ecosystem, especially in the digital environment, and a meaningful public participation in the democratic process,” she posted on Facebook today.
Azalina said the focus is in tandem with the Madani Accountability Framework that incorporates Madani values in the implementation of various institutional reform initiatives.
Among the initiatives are strengthening Parliament as an institution, separating the roles of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecutor, limiting the Prime Minister’s term of office, establishing an Ombudsman, enacting a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and strengthening protections in the digital space through online safety and anti-bullying laws.
She said all these initiatives are implemented with the meaningful participation of the public through the process of public engagement.
Azalina also emphasised the strong commitment of the Madani Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to realising the agenda of reform and governance.
“The proof is that within three years of the Madani Government’s administration, various significant initiatives have been implemented. All this for the sake of a more transparent, accountable and resilient governance to strengthen the people’s trust and the country’s future,” he said.
The four-day CLMM 2026, which began today in Nadi, Fiji, brings together about 150 delegates, including law ministers and attorneys general from 56 Commonwealth countries, to discuss issues related to legal reform, governance and democratic resilience at the global level.
The outcomes from this meeting are expected to help shape the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda in November. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Johor-Singapore SEZ investment blueprint, master plan to be launched March 30 in JB, says economy minister
09 Feb 2026
JOHOR BAHRU, Feb 9 — The Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) investment blueprint and master plan will be launched on March 30 in Johor Bahru.
Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said the decision was made following discussions with his Singaporean counterpart and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
“We have agreed to hold the launch in Johor Bahru so that the people of Johor can truly feel the impact,” he said in his speech during the Johor Dialogue 2026 at the Majlis Bandaraya Johor Bahru (MBJB) Tower here today.
Also present were Onn Hafiz and Johor Economic and Investment Adviser Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad.
Akmal Nasrullah said the blueprint outlines the incentives, opportunities and operational framework of the JS-SEZ.
“We know this is not simply about bringing in investment, it is also about raising productivity and delivering high-quality outcomes for our people and the economy,” he said.
He added that the JS-SEZ, which aims to reach a gross domestic product (GDP) of RM260 billion by 2030, will fundamentally reshape Johor’s economic landscape.
Akmal Nasrullah said the economic zone aims to transition to a more advanced, innovation-driven river economy, with a target of creating more than 20,000 high-skilled jobs.
Meanwhile, Akmal Nasrullah said Malaysia must shift decisively from planning to delivery in line with the implementation of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
“Thus, all ministries, agencies, states and stakeholders need to mobilise with discipline, speed, commitment and accountability to deliver measurable outcomes,” he added. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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South Asia
Islamic Emirate Committed to Economic Growth, Global Partnerships, Beradar Says
February 9, 2026
KABUL: Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar Akhund, reaffirmed the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to strengthening Afghanistan’s economy and expanding constructive engagement with the international community.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony of the 17th cohort of the Abu Ubaidah bin al-Jarrah National Defense University, Beradar underscored Afghanistan’s historic resilience, saying the country has never been an easy target for foreign powers but “a thorny tree” that even ancient empires could not overcome, according to a statement from Beradar’s office on Sunday.
A total of 67 cadets completed their four-year professional bachelor’s programs in various fields under the Ministry of National Defense’s Directorate of Education and Personnel, the statement said, adding that currently, the academy hosts 1,150 cadets across the first, second, and third-year classes, who are undergoing training in modern military disciplines.
Congratulating the graduating cadets, he urged them to apply their training to safeguard Islamic and national values, defend territorial integrity, and protect every inch of Afghan soil with clarity, determination, and sincerity.
“Piety, pure intentions, and dedication to public service are essential for fulfilling national responsibilities,” the statement quoted him as saying.
Emphasizing the Islamic Emirate’s economy-centered approach, the deputy prime minister announced upcoming tax exemptions ranging from one to five years for both domestic and foreign investors, depending on the scale and type of investment.
The policy aims to accelerate industrial growth, support emerging sectors, and strengthen Afghanistan’s path toward economic self-sufficiency, Mullah Beradar said, noting that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has been instructed to expedite land allocation for small, medium, and large industries, along with providing necessary facilities to encourage investment.
According to him, the Islamic Emirate’s economic policies are grounded in institutional frameworks and fully aligned with Islamic Sharia.
Reiterating that Afghanistan seeks peaceful relations with all countries but will not tolerate hostility, Beradar called on nations to redirect their resources from conflict toward cooperation and mutual benefit, affirming the Emirate’s readiness to engage globally within the framework of its principles.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/islamic-emirate-committed-to-economic-growth-global-partnerships-beradar-says/
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Journalists Urged to Uphold Ethics, Avoid Unverified Reporting
February 9, 2026
KABUL: The Information and Culture Department of Faryab province held a coordination meeting with officials from both government-run and private media outlets, emphasizing the critical role of journalists in delivering accurate and responsible information.
Officials highlighted that accurately reporting the directives, orders, and guidance of the Islamic Emirate through media and social networks is a key responsibility of all journalists, according to a statement from the Ministry of Information and Culture on Sunday.
They stressed that the media plays a vital role in raising public awareness, particularly in preventing human trafficking and opium cultivation, and encouraged close cooperation between state and private media organizations.
Participants were reminded to refrain from publishing content without verified sources and to adhere strictly to professional journalism standards and ethical guidelines.
Several journalists raised challenges related to access to information and requested stronger support and coordination from government departments.
Officials also emphasized the importance of ensuring journalists’ safety, promoting responsible content, and using media as a tool to strengthen societal values and Islamic principles.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/journalists-urged-to-uphold-ethics-avoid-unverified-reporting/
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Boosting Trade Ties with Neighboring Countries IEA’s Top Priority, Official
February 9, 2026
KABUL: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening trade relations with neighboring countries, emphasizing regional cooperation as a key pillar of national economic growth.
Mawlavi Ahmadullah Zahid, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, highlighted that the IEA’s policy of good neighbourliness guides all efforts to foster strong and broad commercial ties.
He stated that Afghanistan seeks to maximise existing trade opportunities while ensuring mutual benefits for all parties involved, according to a statement from the ministry on Sunday.
During a meeting with a delegation from Uzbekistan, including the head of the Central Asia International Institute and the advisor to the Uzbek President, Zahid underscored the need for close coordination and the establishment of committees to follow up on joint initiatives.
He stressed that these committees must act diligently to address any challenges and remove obstacles to trade.
Jolan Vahabov, the Uzbek advisor, welcomed the initiative and expressed satisfaction with the growing bilateral trade.
He noted that annual trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan has increased from $600 million six years ago to $1.6 billion last year, expressing optimism that it could reach $2 billion in the near future.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/boosting-trade-ties-with-neighboring-countries-ieas-top-priority-official/
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Nangarhar Governor, Iranian Consul Discuss Health, Trade Cooperation
February 9, 2026
JALALABAD: Mullah Mohammad Naeem Akhund, Governor of Nangarhar, met with Majid Reza Panah, Consul General of Iran in Jalalabad, to discuss avenues for bilateral cooperation in health, agriculture, and trade.
The meeting discussed a series of important issues, including training doctors at Iran’s Cancer Hospital, providing online training for doctors in diabetes management, constructing greenhouses in Nangarhar, and offering facilitation for Afghan traders, the provincial governor’s press office said in a statement on Sunday.
The discussions reflect continued efforts to strengthen practical collaboration between Afghanistan and Iran in key sectors impacting health and economic development.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/nangarhar-governor-iranian-consul-discuss-health-trade-cooperation/
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Interior Ministry Delegation in Indonesia to Attend Anti-Narcotics Conference
February 9, 2026
KABUL: A delegation led by Mawlavi Haseebullah Ahmadi, head of the Counter-Narcotics Directorate of the Ministry of Interior Affairs, has travelled to Jakarta, Indonesia, at the official invitation of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The delegation will participate in a conference focused on strengthening international cooperation in combating narcotics and enhancing treatment programs for drug addiction, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
The visit underscores the Islamic Emirate’s ongoing engagement with international bodies on issues related to narcotics control, reflecting its commitment to strengthening cooperation, sharing best practices, and participating in global efforts to combat drug trafficking and support rehabilitation programs.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/interior-ministry-delegation-in-indonesia-to-attend-anti-narcotics-conference/
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IEA Confirms UNAMA Figures on Civilian Casualties from Pakistani Attacks in 2025
February 9, 2026
KABUL: The Islamic Emirate has confirmed key parts of a recent UNAMA report stating that hundreds of Afghan civilians were killed or wounded in Pakistani military attacks on Afghan soil in 2025.
In an audiotape, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat, said the other day that Pakistani forces targeted residential areas near the Durand Line, and that civilians, including sportsmen, were among the victims.
He stated that this portion of UNAMA’s findings reflects the reality on the ground.
UNAMA’s quarterly report revealed that 613 Afghan civilians were killed or injured in Pakistani attacks during 2025, marking the highest number of casualties attributed to Pakistan in 15 years.
According to the report, in the last three months alone, 70 civilians were killed, and 478 were wounded by Pakistani military operations.
UNAMA called on all parties to strictly distinguish civilians and civilian infrastructure from military targets and refrain from attacks that harm non-combatants.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/iea-confirms-unama-figures-on-civilian-casualties-from-pakistani-attacks-in-2025/
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Army picking up Bangladesh Times staffers ‘unacceptable’
February 9, 2026
Transparency International Bangladesh has expressed concern after 21 employees were picked up from a media outlet’s office on Saturday night, describing the incident as a move to create an atmosphere of fear for the press.
Around 9:30pm on Saturday, army personnel entered the office of online news portal Bangladesh Times in Dhaka’s Nikunja and picked up the staffers and took them to the army camp.
At around 11:30pm, a live video streamed on the Bangladesh Times Facebook page showed that the 21 employees were released and returned to their office.
Speaking at an event at TIB’s office at the MIDAS Centre in Dhanmondi yesterday, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the incident at the Bangladesh Times office set a troubling precedent.
“I strongly protest and express deep concern. Taking away employees of an institution at night without any specific allegation is completely unacceptable…. Whatever the justification, this is an extremely negative and violent precedent for Bangladesh’s free journalism.”
He added that if there were objections to any news report, there were appropriate legal and institutional mechanisms to address them.
“But picking up people in such an authoritarian manner, even if they were later returned, has sent a very harsh message -- not only for that particular institution; it has created an intense climate of fear across the entire media in Bangladesh.”
Referring to recent attacks, vandalism, looting, and arson at the offices of The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, he said the role of law enforcement agencies, including the army, was questionable.
“Only two days ago, the army at a press conference described the media as ‘the mirror of the nation’. It was very pleasing to hear. The spokesperson also said the media should be able to report without fear. But is this [incident at Bangladesh Times] an example of what happens after fearless reporting?
“I want to ask -- without approval from the highest authority, can any army officers undertake such an action? If that is possible, then where does command and control exist within the army?”
Iftekharuzzaman urged the army and all institutions to refrain from such activities and stressed the need to find ways to address the growing pressure on free media in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media (BJIM), in a statement yesterday, also expressed serious concern over the incident at the Bangladesh Times office.
“BJIM is closely monitoring the evolving situation surrounding Bangladesh Times and is deeply concerned by allegations that members of the Bangladesh Army entered the newsroom, took several journalists to an army camp for questioning, and later released them,” it said.
Condemning the incident, which included claims by the journalists during a Facebook Live broadcast that they were pressured to remove content or issue clarifications while at the camp, the organisation called for an immediate, transparent explanation from the authorities and stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of journalists while protecting editorial independence from intimidation or interference.
Regarding the army drive, the Inter-Services Public Relations yesterday stated that the journalists of Bangladesh Times were “invited for a discussion on two to three news-related matters”, and that the issue was later resolved.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/army-picking-bangladesh-times-staffers-unacceptable-4101671
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