Valentine's Day: Mamata Banerjee, Smriti Irani Write Posts, 'Hindu Activists' Disrupt Indore Event
New Age Islam News Bureau
14 February2026
Mamata Banerjee (left), Smriti Irani
PTI
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· Valentine’s Day: Mamata Banerjee, Smriti Irani write posts, ‘Hindu activists’ disrupt Indore event
· Trump says change of power in Iran would be ‘best thing’
· Saudi customs authority thwarts attempt to smuggle illegal drugs through Al-Batha port
· AI amplifies anti-Muslim hate in UK: Study
· US Homeland Security shuts down partially as Democrats, Republicans fail to agree on funding; ICE remains operational
· Mali: Exiled Imam calls for peace in Sahel region
· Immigration dept vows continued enforcement during Ramadan, targets illegal traders and workers at bazaars
· Global media focuses on BNP’s sweep, Jamaat’s surge
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India
· Watchdogs flag BJP's AI 'weapon' on Muslims, warn of surveillance risks ahead of summit
· A low-grade fever, a relentless sadness: Being Muslim in the New India that is Bharat
· India among top nations on Religious Diversity Index, Pakistan & Bangladesh scrape bottom
· NIA gets 45 more days to complete Red Fort blast case probe
· Mumbai's new BJP Mayor vows action against 'illegal Bangladeshis'; opposition asks for focus on civic issues
· PM witnesses special IAF aerial show at emergency landing facility in Assam
· Lucknow Diary: Nasimuddin Siddiqui quits Congress to boost SP in polls
· Arundhati Roy pulls out of Berlin Film Festival amid Gaza row
· Drone-dropped heroin seized in J&K’s Kathua, 2 with Pakistan links held
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Mideast
· Israel’s Barak ‘regrets’ knowing Epstein after documents detail friendship
· US transfers thousands of Daesh detainees from Syria to Iraq
· Why Jordanians are flocking to Damascus as Syria reopens roads, skies and rails
· Lebanon’s Berri says parliamentary election must be held on time
· Main donor US unclear on UNRWA future, jettisoning it would leave black hole: Agency chief
· Restoration and Maintenance of Several Mosques in Sana'a
· Prime Minister receives a phone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
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Arab World
· Saudi deputy FM meets Eritrean counterpart in Asmara
· Prince Faisal takes part in Munich Security Conference panel on global order
· Prince Faisal and Lavrov discuss Saudi-Russian relations
· Saudi inventor wins two gold medals at Mideast International Invention Fair
· Saudi foreign meets Kuwaiti and Ukrainian counterparts
· King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve plants 10,000 arta trees
· KSrelief launches educational course at Zaatari Camp
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Europe
· 'Phobias are for spiders' Ex-Monty Python star John Cleese claims criticism of Islam is 'not racist'
· Nuclear weapons no longer taboo for Germany – Russian envoy
· Munich conference ignoring Kiev’s ‘hellish terrorism’ – Moscow
· 'Shocking and worrying' - Widespread condemnation after arson attack on Limerick mosque
· City Mosque applies to retain lowered ceiling aimed at reducing energy bills
· Hospital charity supports colleagues observing Ramadan
· French FM under fire over ‘false’ claims about UN rapporteur
· Russia contributed to restoration of peace in CAR – president
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North America
· New GOP caucus signals resurgence of anti-Shariah movement
· Watch: US military conducted a 'lethal kinetic strike' on 'terrorist' vessel in Carribbean; 3 killed
· Police investigate after Toronto mosque receives 'deeply disturbing' threat
· CAIR-NJ: Historic First CD-12 Candidate Forum Draws Nearly 200 Attendees in West Windsor
· THIS MORNING: CAIR-NJ to Join Paterson Officials Calling for the Release of Leqaa Kordia from ICE Detention
· ICE agents may have lied about shooting of migrant in Minneapolis, officials say
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Africa
· America Helping Us To Fight Against Insurgency Is A Welcome Development – Ndume
· Ramadan concerns: INEC consults, may seek legislative intervention on 2027 poll dates
· El-Rufai refutes 2027 presidential ambition, defends Kwankwaso on Sharia
· ‘January 22 Is The Day Governor Yusuf Gained Freedom, Not Betrayal Day’ – Ganduje
· Kwankwaso Followed Other Northern Governors – El-Rufai Slams US Sanction Bill, Points Finger At Zamfara
· Something Fishy Is Going On – Ndume Blasts US Move To Sanction Kwankwaso
· El-Rufai Fingers APC Over US Congress Blacklisting Of Kwankwaso
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Southeast Asia
· Selangor to crack down on misuse of mosque teaching credentials during Ramadan
· Govt upgrading mosques, surau at malls and R&Rs as Friday prayer venues, says religious affairs minister
· Perlis declares first day of Ramadan a Special Public Holiday
· PKR at its strongest but must keep forging ahead, says Anwar
· National pig farming blueprint underway to guide industry, says deputy agriculture minister
· Five more Bersatu leaders expelled following Hamzah Zainudin’s sacking, including previously suspended Wan Ahmad Fayhsal
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South Asia
· Trump Slams Biden Over “Humiliating” Afghanistan Withdrawal
· 18 Afghan Migrants Detained in Border Operation in Turkey
· Afghan Restaurant Owner Killed in Hamburg Stabbing Attack
· Radio Adei Launches in Kabul on World Radio Day
· World Radio Day: Journalist Support Groups Warn of Growing Media Restrictions in Afghanistan
· Berlin International Film Festival Opens with Shahrbanoo Sadat Film from Afghanistan
· Towards Constructive Engagement with Afghanistan
· Bangladesh Election Results 2026: BNP secures landslide victory, Tarique Rahman tipped to be PM
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Valentine’s Day: Mamata Banerjee, Smriti Irani write posts, ‘Hindu activists’ disrupt Indore event
14.02.26
Mamata Banerjee (left), Smriti Irani
PTI
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Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee and former Union minister Smriti Irani shared messages on Valentine’s Day, the run-up to which was marked by some people barging into a private university in Indore and allegedly disrupting an event on Friday.
Banerjee quoted Rabindranath Tagore's poem Ananta Prem to express enduring, selfless love for the people, while Irani used Instagram to highlight the importance of self-love and inner peace.
Banerjee wrote, "Tomarei jeno bhalobashiyachi shoto rupe shotobar/ Jonome jonome juge juge onibar [I seem to have loved you in a hundred forms, a hundred times, In every birth, in every age, unceasingly]."
Valentine’s Day, the chief minister said, is a celebration of love in all its forms and manifestations, in its widest and noblest sense; love that transcends caste, creed, class, and religion.
"It is this spirit of love that has guided my journey in public service. A love for the people strong enough to withstand storms, patient enough to listen, and bold enough to fight for justice and dignity. Happy Valentine's Day! May love be long-lasting," she wrote.
Irani shared her thoughts on Instagram, focusing on self-love. She highlighted the importance of quiet, personal love in a world that often measures it with tangible symbols.
Posting a candid selfie, Smriti wrote: "In a world that measures love in decibels in roses that promise forever, in candlelight that flickers like borrowed devotion, in greeting cards that say what the heart sometimes cannot…choose a quieter romance."
She reflected on finding validation within oneself.
"Love yourself -without the audience, without the applause. Center your soul so deeply that no storm can drag you to the ocean floor of your own despair. Become your own safe place. Your own steady pulse. Your own home. For when you find yourself, love will not feel like something to chase. It will feel like peace," she wrote.
University ruckus over Valentine’s Day
“Activists of Hindu organisations” on Thursday entered a private university, the NMIMS University, in Indore and allegedly vandalised property after claiming an obscene programme linked to Valentine's Day was being organised on campus, according to a PTI report quoting deputy commissioner of police Shrikrishna Lalchandani.
The university asserted that an "unauthorised group" damaged infrastructure and disrupted a student-led event aimed at developing professional skills.
"An investigation is underway based on video footage. We are speaking to both sides and appropriate legal action will be taken," the DCP said.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad Samrasta Department's local convener Tannu Sharma alleged obscenity was being promoted among students in the name of a Valentine's Day event on campus.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Trump says change of power in Iran would be ‘best thing’
February 13, 2026
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Friday that a change of government in Iran would be the “best thing that could happen,” as he sent a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East to ratchet up military pressure on the Islamic republic.
Trump’s comments were his most overt call yet for the toppling of Iran’s clerical establishment, and came as he pushes on Washington’s arch-foe Tehran to make a deal to limit its nuclear program.
At the same time, the exiled son of the Iranian shah toppled in the 1979 Islamic revolution renewed his calls for international intervention following a bloody crackdown on protests by Tehran.
“Seems like that would be the best thing that could happen,” Trump told reporters at the Fort Bragg military base in North Carolina when a journalist asked if he wanted “regime change” in Iran.
Trump declined to say who he would want to take over in Iran from supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but he added that “there are people.”
He has previously backed off full-throated calls for a change of government in Iran, warning that it could cause chaos, although he has made threats toward Khamenei in the past.
Speaking earlier at the White House, Trump said that the USS Gerald R. Ford — the world’s largest warship — would be “leaving very soon” for the Middle East to up the pressure on Iran.
“In case we don’t make a deal, we’ll need it,” Trump said.
The giant vessel is currently in the Caribbean following the US overthrow of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro. Another carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, is one of 12 US ships already in the Middle East.
‘Terribly difficult’
When Iran began its crackdown on protests last month — which rights groups say killed thousands — Trump initially said that the United States was “locked and loaded” to help demonstrators.
But he has recently focused his military threats on Tehran’s nuclear program, which US forces struck last July during Israel’s unprecedented 12-day war with Iran.
The protests have subsided for now but US-based Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last shah, urged international intervention to support the Iranian people.
“We are asking for a humanitarian intervention to prevent more innocent lives being killed in the process,” he told the Munich Security Conference.
It followed a call by the opposition leader, who has not returned to his country since before the revolution, for Iranians at home and abroad to continue demonstrations this weekend.
Videos verified by AFP showed people in Iran this week chanting anti-government slogans as the clerical leadership celebrated the anniversary of the Islamic revolution.
Iran and the United States, who have had no diplomatic relations since shortly after the revolution, held talks on the nuclear issue last week in Oman. No dates have been set for new talks yet.
The West fears the program is aimed at making a bomb, which Tehran denies.
The head of the UN nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said Friday that reaching an accord with Iran on inspections of its processing facilities was possible but “terribly difficult.”
Reformists released
Trump said after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week that he wanted to continue talks with Iran, defying pressure from his key ally for a tougher stance.
The Israeli prime minister himself expressed skepticism at the quality of any agreement if it didn’t also cover Iran’s ballistic missiles and support for regional proxies.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, 7,008 people, mostly protesters, were killed in the recent crackdown, although rights groups warn the toll is likely far higher.
More than 53,000 people have also been arrested, it added.
The Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO said “hundreds” of people were facing charges linked to the protests that could see them sentenced to death.
Figures working within the Iranian system have also been arrested, with three politicians detained this week from the so-called reformist wing of Iranian politics supportive of President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The three — Azar Mansouri, Javad Emam and Ebrahim Asgharzadeh — were released on bail Thursday and Friday, their lawyer Hojjat Kermani told the ISNA news agency.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2632952/middle-east
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Saudi customs authority thwarts attempt to smuggle illegal drugs through Al-Batha port
February 13, 2026
RIYADH: An attempt to smuggle drugs through Al-Batha port has been foiled by Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.
The authority said on Friday that its officials at the port seized 218,280 pills concealed in shipments, declared to be pots of paint, as they entered the Kingdom on trucks.
The type of pills was not immediately revealed.
The authority is responsible for carrying out customs inspections, enforcement of import and export regulations, and the prevention of attempts to bring prohibited or restricted items into the Kingdom, including narcotics, unlicensed medicines, and other goods that violate health, safety or commercial regulations.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2632935/saudi-arabia
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AI amplifies anti-Muslim hate in UK: Study
By Eastern Eye
Feb 13, 2026
Social media platforms have been exploited by extremist networks using bots and recycled accounts to create a false impression of widespread support, the report warns. Leon Neal/Getty Images
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FOREIGN extremists are using artificial intelligence and social media manipulation to fuel anti-Muslim hatred in Britain, with online incitement rapidly translating into real-world attacks on mosques and communities, new research revealed on Tuesday (10).
The Tell MAMA report warned how contemporary far-right extremism is “no longer confined to domestic networks or isolated online ecosystems, but is increasingly shaped by transnational actors, foreign influence, and rapidly advancing digital technologies”.
Titled The Risk of Foreign Influence on the UK Far-Right and Anti-Muslim Hate, the report found out that AI was used to generate racist imagery and propaganda, falsely depicting Muslims as violent and glorifying attacks on police and public infrastructure.
“Artificial intelligence is acting as a force multiplier for anti-Muslim hate, driven by international actors based in Russia,” said Iman Atta OBE, director of Tell MAMA, which measures and monitors anti-Muslim incidents across the country.
“It allows small extremist networks to appear larger, more credible and more threatening than they are.”
Researchers warned that current counter-terrorism frameworks, which “remain largely structured around domestic threat models”, cannot adequately respond to threats that are now “cross-platform, cross-border, and technologically fused”.
The report called for stronger regulation of AI-generated extremist content, recognition of transnational online extremism in UK counter-terrorism strategy, and increased protection and support for Muslim communities and places of worship.
Tell MAMA urged policymakers to “do more to address the risks of racists and extremists using AI to spread fear, encourage violence and recruit”, alongside steps to improve social media literacy skills in view of the rise in online disinformation targeting minority communities.
The latest study centres on a far-right network called “Direct Action” that operated between September 2024 and early 2025, targeting British Muslim communities. The network offered £100 in cryptocurrency to anyone who vandalised mosques with racist graffiti, successfully coordinating attacks on mosques, community centres and a primary school in London and Manchester between January and February 2025.
According to the study, social media platforms were exploited, using purchased dormant accounts, bots, and hybrid “cyborg” accounts to create a false sense of domestic support. Researchers identified X (formerly Twitter) accounts created years earlier that suddenly became active after the Southport stabbings in July 2024, spamming identical messages encouraging violence.
While the true origins of the network remain unclear, investigators said they found “compelling” evidence of foreign involvement. The group’s main logo was copied direct from a defunct Russian hacktivist Telegram channel called “The Youth of the Saboteur”.
Messages contained tell-tale signs of non-native English speakers, including the pound symbol written backwards (2.500£ instead of £2,500), cities misspelt as “Glassgow” instead of Glasgow, and repetitive phrases like “discontented with politics and migrants” – phrasing more common in automated translation.
The network also used protest footage from Athens, Greece, filmed during 2011 anti-austerity demonstrations, falsely presenting it as UK unrest to encourage violence against police.
Researchers also identified AI-generated images depicting Muslims as terrorists, fake footage of burning police cars with misspelt text, and synthesised voices encouraging violence.
Videos combined real footage from the far-right riots following the Southport tragedy with AI-generated content, falsely claiming the attacker was Muslim and using the sentiment to recruit supporters.
“Behind every online incitement post, propaganda video, and encrypted message thread lies a real-world target: a mosque, a community centre, a family, or an individual,” the report said. “The transition from online incitement to physical vandalism, arson threats, and terror tactics is not theoretical; it is already occurring.”
Source: easterneye.biz
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https://www.easterneye.biz/ai-amplifies-anti-muslim-hate-uk-study/
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US Homeland Security shuts down partially as Democrats, Republicans fail to agree on funding; ICE remains operational
Feb 14, 2026
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered a partial shutdown on Saturday due to a congressional funding dispute centered around Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The controversy intensified after ICE agents killed two US citizens during raids in Minneapolis, leading Democrats to demand major reforms before approving new funding, while thousands of government workers face furloughs or unpaid work.
The shutdown impacts several key agencies but notably excludes ICE itself, which remains operational under previous funding. Critical services affected include FEMA's disaster response capabilities and TSA's airport security operations, with warnings of possible flight delays and longer wait times.
Democrats have specific demands for ICE reform, including restrictions on patrols, banning face masks during operations, and requiring judicial warrants for property entry. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized this stance, stating, "Donald Trump and Republicans have decided that they have zero interest in getting ICE under control."
The White House, through Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, countered by blaming Democrats for the shutdown, calling it politically motivated. Senator John Fetterman broke ranks with fellow Democrats, noting that "This shutdown literally has zero impact on ICE."
This marks Trump's third shutdown of his second term, following a record 43-day closure last fall and a recent four-day shutdown earlier this month. The Senate needs 60 votes to pass the budget bill, requiring Democratic support even if all 53 Republicans vote in favor.
Some progress occurred during the previous shutdown after public outrage over the deaths of Renee Good, a mother of three, and Alex Pretti, a veterans' nurse, in Minneapolis. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem responded by mandating body cameras for federal agents in Minneapolis, planning to expand the policy nationwide.
While the Senate is currently in recess, members could return if negotiations advance. However, talks between the White House and Democrats remain stalled despite the administration's willingness to discuss immigration enforcement policy changes. Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged it as "an extremely serious offer" but cautioned that Democrats won't achieve all their demands.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-homeland-security-shuts-down-partially-as-democrats-republicans-fail-to-agree-on-funding-ice-remains-operational/articleshowprint/128335850.cms
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Mali: Exiled Imam calls for peace in Sahel region
Feb 14, 2026
On Thursday, exiled Malian imam Mahmoud Dicko urged an end to the jihadist violence engulfing the Sahel countries, insisting, ‘we must find a solution for the entire sub-region’.
Over the past ten years, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have been plagued by attacks from jihadist groups linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
The countries are also led by military juntas which took power in coups and are hostile to former colonial power France.
Paris used to be their partner in the fight against jihadism, but their troops have been expelled in favour of new ties, particularly Russia, as analysts observe.
The imam used to be president of Mali’s High Islamic Council and is viewed as one of the country’s most important men.
He inspired the protest movement which triggered the fall of Mali's last elected president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, in a coup six years ago.
He has lived in exile in Algeria since 2023.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/02/13/mali-exiled-imam-calls-for-peace-in-sahel-region/
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Immigration dept vows continued enforcement during Ramadan, targets illegal traders and workers at bazaars
14 Feb 2026
KAJANG, Feb 14 — The Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM) will intensify enforcement and monitoring operations at Ramadan bazaars nationwide to ensure business premises are free from the involvement of illegal immigrants.
Its deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Lokman Effendi Ramli said the initiative aims to prevent foreign nationals from running businesses or being employed without valid permits.
“Enforcement will continue and will not be halted during Ramadan. We will step up inspections at Ramadan bazaars to ensure they are free from illegal immigrant involvement, whether as traders or workers,” he told reporters after leading Ops Selera in Bandar Sungai Long last night.
He also reminded employers not to hire or shelter foreign nationals who violate the law, to avoid facing action under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
On overall statistics, Lokman Effendi said that from Jan 1 until yesterday, the department had conducted 1,700 enforcement operations nationwide, inspecting a total of 27,000 foreign nationals.
Of that total, 6,200 individuals were detained for various immigration offences, with the majority coming from Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and China.
“During the same period, 230 employers were also detained for violating provisions under the Immigration Act,” he said.
In the operation at a business area in Sungai Long last night, 51 foreign workers – 40 men and 11 women aged between 21 and 36 from Myanmar and Bangladesh – were detained following checks on 463 individuals.
“Among the offences identified were the absence of valid travel documents, overstaying, and misuse of passes or permits, including plantation sector permit holders found working as restaurant staff.
“All detainees were taken to the KLIA Immigration Depot for further action,” he added. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Global media focuses on BNP’s sweep, Jamaat’s surge
13 Feb 2026
Bangladesh’s historic election yesterday drew the attention of the global media, which analysed the poll day environment, the BNP’s victory by more than two-thirds of the seats and the resurgence of Jamaat-e-Islami.
The media outlets largely reported on an overall peaceful election, with some minor allegations of irregularities in the voting.
Thursday’s democratic exercise is a moment of huge potential -- and risk -- for the country, with one of its two main parties winning such a big victory, said the BBC in its report titled “Bangladesh Nationalist Party sweeps to victory in first election since Gen Z uprising”.
“Tarique Rahman will be under great scrutiny to deliver to a very youthful electorate hungry for change.”
He faces huge challenges in getting the economy back on its feet.
“Reviving the country’s economy, bringing rising food prices under control and creating jobs for Bangladesh’s huge young population are the big challenges facing the new government. Repairing strained ties with giant neighbour India is also high up the list of priorities,” it added.
Up to 1,400 people were killed in the July 2024 uprising, while some 3,500 extrajudicially disappeared during the last 15 years of Sheikh Hasina’s regime, said Time Magazine in its report titled “What Bangladesh’s New Leader Tarique Rahman Means for South Asia and the World”.
“Those wounds remain very raw, and Rahman will have to rebuild trust in institutions that were totally politicised by Hasina’s Awami League party, including the military, courts, civil service and security services.”
Reminding of violence targeting the AL and religious minorities after the BNP-led coalition took power in 2001, Time said Rahman will have to work tirelessly to keep peace.
Though Bangladesh’s GDP grew from $71 billion in 2006 to $460 billion in 2022, soaring costs, inequality and youth unemployment remained major challenges. Bangladesh’s woes have not improved much since Hasina’s ouster.
Some 2 million young Bangladeshis enter the workforce each year, though youth unemployment already stands at 13.5 percent. Declining foreign reserves have led to import restrictions that undermine energy supplies and the vital manufacturing industry.
Time also identified managing Islamism a challenge for the BNP.
Other than the BNP, the other main beneficiary of Thursday’s election is Jamaat e-Islami, which, along with its alliance partners, bagged 77 seats.
While Jamaat has the goal of Shari‘a law in its party constitution, it moderated its more radical rhetoric, focusing on social welfare and rebranding itself as “anti-fascist”.
“However, critics say a leopard can’t change its spots. Jamaat will remain a significant force in the country going forward,” it added.
British daily Guardian said the election was the “first truly competitive vote in the country in years” and the largely peaceful nature of polling day was seen as a huge step forward for the country.
The new government, however, faces an uphill task of restoring democracy, law and order and economic growth to the country.
“To some, the return of the BNP -- a dynastic party whose previous regime was riddled with rampant corruption -- did not represent the spirit of reform and hunger for change that had driven the student-led uprising against Hasina,” it said.
The media outlets also highlighted the congratulations coming from foreign countries, including India, Pakistan, the US and China, while also identifies repairing relation with India as a challenge.
India’s state news agency PTI reported that the BNP thanked Indian Prime Minister Modi for congratulating Tarique and believes that under the prime minister-elect’s leadership, the relationship between these two countries will be strengthened.
Source: thedailystar.net
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India
Watchdogs flag BJP's AI 'weapon' on Muslims, warn of surveillance risks ahead of summit
Pheroze L. Vincent
14.02.26
Days before the India AI Impact Summit opens in the capital, digital rights group Internet Freedom Foundation and US-based think tank The Centre for the Study of Organised Hate have released a report raising concerns over the political and social use of artificial intelligence in India.
Titled "India AI Impact Summit 2026: AI Governance at the Edge of Democratic Backsliding", the report highlights how generative AI has become a tool of the BJP to "demonise" minorities and the use of AI for "indiscriminate mass surveillance" in India.
The report says: "Generative AI has also emerged as a convenient tool for the BJP to demonise, dehumanise, and incite violence against minorities. The ruling party’s weaponisation of social media to spread Hindu nationalist propaganda and silence dissenters has been well-documented.
"Just a week before the India AI Impact Summit, BJP’s Assam unit uploaded an AI-generated video on its official X account, depicting the chief minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, shooting at two visibly Muslim men with the title 'No Mercy'. One of the individuals in the framed picture appeared to be a morphed photo of the (Assam) Opposition leader, Gaurav Gogoi, wearing a skullcap," it says.
Several other examples of the similar use of AI by the BJP in Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka have also been cited.
The report says that the unchecked dissemination of harmful content must also be seen as a failure of social media and generative AI platforms in enforcing their terms of service and community guidelines. "Generative AI tools lack adequate safety guardrails, especially in local languages and social contexts. An investigation revealed the lack of safety guardrails in popular text-to-image tools, with Meta AI, Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and Adobe Firefly responding to harmful prompts and generating imagery reinforcing stereotypes and demonising the Muslim community."
On surveillance, the report explains: "Recently, Devendra Fadnavis, the chief minister of Maharashtra, the second most populous state in the country, announced the development of an AI tool in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay to detect alleged Bangladeshi immigrants and Rohingya refugees across the state. The said tool is reported to use language-based verification to analyse 'speech patterns, tone and linguistic usage' to assist law enforcement in the initial screening of suspected illegal immigrants....
"But linguistic experts doubt the possibility of building an AI tool to distinguish nationalities, given the shared culture and history of Bengal and the resultant overlap of Bengali dialects spoken in India and Bangladesh. It is thus extremely likely that this tool could become another instrument to discriminate against the highly persecuted Bengali-speaking Muslim community and low-income migrant workers from Assam and Bengal," the report says.
Referring to the widespread use of facial recognition technology (FRT) by police, the report points out: "The lack of transparency in the procurement and use of FRT systems further means that there is little public information about their accuracy; available limited data shows the prevalence of high error rates can have a significant impact on the lives of those wrongfully identified in a country where criminal cases take years, if not decades, and undertrials languish in prisons.
"Across the world, civil society and policymakers have recognised the need to regulate and limit the use of FRT," the report says, explaining regulatory laws in Europe and the US on AI that India doesn't have.
AI error, warns the report, has also led to unwarranted exclusion of welfare scheme beneficiaries in several states, despite the broad exemption of these databases from India's privacy law.
The report says: "The state’s deployment of opaque algorithmic systems without public consultation in the absence of effective grievance redressal mechanisms unfairly places the burden of proving their right to access public goods on citizens."
Citing the deletion of valid electors and other malfunctions of AI in elections, the report says: "The opacity on the deployment of the software and the underlying logic used to flag suspected voters can exacerbate the risks of disenfranchisement in an already controversial revision exercise, which places the burden of proving the right to vote on citizens."
The report ends with long lists of recommendations for states, industry, generative AI content and civil society.
The prescription for states includes framing of policies and regulations through consultation and adherence to global human rights norms. Industry should be transparent and provide for human oversight, and institute third-party audits for content. Civil society should raise awareness, document cases of harm and build Global South coalitions for AI governance.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/watchdogs-flag-bjps-ai-weapon-on-muslims-warn-of-surveillance-risks-ahead-of-summit-prnt/cid/2147253
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A low-grade fever, a relentless sadness: Being Muslim in the New India that is Bharat
Rakhshanda Jalil
February 13, 2026
Each time I come to the Goa Arts and Literature Festival, I am struck anew by the manner in which this festival continues to create a space for voices from the margins and explore “ways of belonging”.
The idea of identity, of belonging, has shaped much of my recent work. At the same time, I am also concerned about the dark underbelly of belonging, the forces of othering that are gathering like dark clouds over our country. On this glorious day, in this wonderful setting , it seems strange to talk about fear and I thought long and hard whether I should or not, but then I decided if not at GALF where else can one speak one’s mind, where else can one speak of one’s deepest, darkest fears?
I want to talk about fear, a fear that is very real for very many of us, one that rubs away insidiously at the idea of belonging. While I will mostly talk about the fear that Muslims in India feel, I know that fear is shared by many – by other minorities in India, by communities who find themselves on the margins and many from the majority community who sense and share this fear, some of whom gather in echo chambers to vent “gham ghalat karna”, as it is referred to in Urdu.
I must confess to a crushing fear, one that weighs my chest with an inexorable weight and makes it difficult to breathe sometimes. Yes, with all my privileges – of education, of class, of having friends in “high places” – I feel scared, more scared than I have ever been in my entire life. I must also confess to an almost persistent depression, like a low-grade fever, over the past few years, that doesn’t quite halt the daily rhythm of life; it just slows you down by its continuous, relentless presence in your life making you feel sad and somehow empty, as though a great deal that one has taken for granted all one’s adult life is like sand slipping through one’s fingers.
I suspect I am not alone in this. I feel this fear and depression among a great many Muslims in urban India. I hear it in their silences. I sense it in their steadfast refusal to get drawn into political debates. I notice it in their stoicism in the face of virulent hate swirling about in school and college WhatsApp groups as well as RWA/housing society group chats. I spot it in the hastily withdrawn social media posts drawing attention to some recent communal outrage or atrocity. I recognise it in their zeal to distance themselves from instances of any sort of violence, be it a Muslim man killing his Hindu girlfriend and chopping her into pieces or a Muslim man killing his non-Muslim partner in a business dispute – where the perpetrator, not the victim, is a Muslim.
If my own fear and despair, and that of others like me, is so palpable and pronounced, what of those Muslims who are doubly marginalised by their poverty and illiteracy? Or vulnerable because they don’t have the safeguards and barriers, however flimsy, that “people like us” have in our gated communities and cushioned lives? What of those who live on the edge of survival because they must perforce go out into the real world every single day to eke out a living? What of the plumbers, electricians, painters, carpenters, maids and sundry service providers who don’t give their real, Muslim-sounding names for fear they will not be hired? Or the vegetable vendors who festoon their carts with saffron flags after every call to boycott small Muslim businesses? Or the biryani vendors, kabab sellers, quilt makers, car mechanics who have traditionally plied these trades for generations but now fear for their lives? What of the meat sellers whose makeshift stalls happen to be along the routes taken by the kawariyas during every monsoon? What of the imams and naib imams, often from the poorest of families, who are hired by Waqf boards to serve as custodians of small, isolated mosques often surrounded by hostile neighbours?
I don’t “look” like a Muslim so, to an extent, I am safe. I have written a book with the same title – But You Don’t Look Like a Muslim and I was invited some years ago to discuss it here at GALF. Unless called out to chant “Jai Shree Ram” to profess my Indianness, I am largely safe. But what of my name? How can I camouflage that? Or hide it when asked to provide proof of identity? While my first name can afford some benefit of doubt for it might pass as a Parsi’s, my surname is a dead give-away. When push comes to shove in the New India that is Bharat, not even speaking English will give me an exit pass if a mob baying for Muslim blood were to gherao me. All my so-called privileges can be brought to naught by a crowd of lumpens. The realisation is chilling.
And if I were a man? Imagine, over 75 years after Partition and after reading all the gory stories penned by Saadat Hasan Manto and other chroniclers of communal violence, having your pants pulled down to check whether you are a “katua” or not? But what if I did “look” like a Muslim? What if I chose to offer namaz perfectly peacefully and quietly while sitting on my berth in a train? Worse still, what if I had a beard, wore a topi or a hijab and indeed “looked” like a Muslim?
You might recall the incident that happened on a train to Mumbai when a railway protection officer shot dead three people in August 2023. What if I worked as an imam in a mosque? So what if I had just assured my family that all was well, that I was safe given the police presence all around me? What, then?
What if I, as an Indian, have been conditioned to believe that the tattered fabric of secularism will be held up no matter what? The violence in Gurgaon, also in July-August 2023, proved that these are no longer hypothetical scenarios. This is a lived reality for countless Indian Muslims. It gets an impetus when the chief minister of a state urges his people to “trouble the miyas” and to actively underpay them for services such as plying rickshaws. He goes on to post videos from his party’s official X handle – since deleted – showing Muslims being shot at point blank range
And there are other instances:
Jab mulle kaate jaainge
Ram Ram chillainge
Or:
“Hindustan mein rehna hoga
Jai Shri Ram kehna hoga”
And “Goli maro saalon ko” by someone who is now a Union minister are no longer isolated instances of random, unrelated, personal biases and prejudices. They are dog whistles. They are a clarion call to a large, restive majority that is being brain-washed to believe they are second-class, nay “seventh-class” citizens, in their own land. They are part of a larger narrative, a grand design.
Since we have clearly turned into a nation of “whatabouters”, each of these hate-filled, terror-inducing slogans are instantly and viciously countered with those raised by the PFI [Popular Front of India] or other fringe minority outfits. When rapes, murders, corruptions, scams and scandals are thwarted in Parliament by elected representatives of the people by instances of whatabouts, how can these rising incidents of bigotry and hate not be similarly countered? It’s easier to come back with counter-accusations, to point fingers, to obfuscate, to fling more filth, to parry hate with hate than it is to understand fear, to acknowledge militant, muscular majoritarianism, to call out the elephant in the room.
As we spiral inexorably downwards, as every fresh instance of bigotry is outstripped and outdone by even bigger, bolder, more blatant, more bare-faced occurrences, we don’t seem to pause to think of the consequences. This rampant whataboutery – both at the political and the individual level – is exhausting, predictable and eventually empty. It will derail the India we have known and loved – probably forever.
What we are witnessing today is a creeping normality (also called gradualism, or landscape amnesia), a process by which a major change comes to be accepted as “normal”, even “acceptable” if it happens slowly through small, often unnoticeable, increments of change. A change that might otherwise be viewed as objectionable if it were to take place in a single step or short period is seen as quite all right – as some of us of a certain age can bear witness to the slow-building horror of the past few decades.
I don’t quite believe that one way of life ended in 2014 and another began in May 2014. No, I believe localised, small, seemingly insignificant events, beginning with the country-wide Rath Yatra of 1990 have kept adding a layer of “normal” till we have reached this stage of the New Normal where blatant bigotry, bare-faced communalism and publicly-aired prejudices are considered perfectly all right.
I will come back to the fear I began with. From this platform today, all I am asking for is an acknowledgement of this fear, a fear that I have about being a Muslim in India today. A fear that is shared – in different ways and in different degrees – not just by Muslims but by other minority groups, by adivasis, by LGBT communities, in fact by large numbers of those who are sneeringly referred to as LIBTARDS.
Many of you may not fully understand this fear, some might dismiss it as part of a victim syndrome, an exaggerated sense of harbouring a grievance, of wanting to wallow in self pity, a tendency to focus on the negatives; a handful among you might even accuse me of fear mongering. To you I say, try any one of these simple experiments: Walk into a Barista and announce your name as Salman or Salma or, for that matter, Umar Khalid or even Sharjeel Imam; wave off a friend or relative at a train station or airport by announcing “Khuda Hafiz”; go about your day as you would ordinarily with one single addition – wear a skull cap – as the Delhi journalist Mayank Austen Soofi did and recorded the chilling consequences; or do as I did on my flight from Delhi to Goa – read a book in Urdu in public. Try it.
However, it would be a sad day if one were to give in to fear or simply feel sorry for oneself. I am not a politician or an activist. I am only a writer. Words are all I have and I want to use them as tools in the only way a writer can: I can bear witness, I can speak up, I can record and chronicle both for the present and for posterity.
To come back to fear, its only antidote, I do believe, is empathy, cultivating the ability to say, I am not you, but I see you, I hear you. Remember these lines from To Kill a Mocking Bird, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”
Source: scroll.in
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https://scroll.in/article/1090719/a-low-grade-fever-a-relentless-sadness-being-muslim-in-the-new-india-that-is-bharat
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India among top nations on Religious Diversity Index, Pakistan & Bangladesh scrape bottom
February 13, 2026
India ranks among the more religiously diverse countries in the world, while Pakistan and Bangladesh are placed near the bottom of the global Religious Diversity Index (RDI), according to a new study by the Pew Research Center. The findings are based on data from 2020 and look at how evenly different religious communities are spread within each country. In simple terms, the study tried to measure whether a nation is dominated by one religion or home to a more balanced mix.
Researchers reviewed 201 countries and territories and grouped people into seven broad categories: Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, followers of other religions, and those with no religious affiliation. Each country was then given a score between 0 and 10. A higher score means the population is more evenly shared among these groups, while a lower score suggests that one religion makes up most of the population.
Singapore tops global religious diversity rankings
Singapore emerged as the world’s most religiously diverse country, scoring 9.3 on the index. No country achieved a perfect 10, but Singapore came closest to an even balance among major religious groups. Buddhists form 31 per cent of its population, followed by religiously unaffiliated people (20 per cent), Christians (19 per cent), Muslims (16 per cent), Hindus (5 per cent) and others (9 per cent).
Suriname ranked second, while Taiwan, South Korea, Australia, Mauritius, Guinea-Bissau, Togo and Benin were also in the top 10. France was the only European country to feature in this group.
In contrast, Yemen, Afghanistan and Somalia were among the least diverse, with Muslims accounting for 99 per cent or more of their populations.
India among top populous nations for diversity
When focusing on the world’s 10 most populous countries, the United States (RDI rank 32) ranked first in religious diversity, followed by Nigeria (34), Russia (47), India (78), and Brazil (83). Bangladesh and Pakistan were among the least diverse of the large nations studied, ranking 133rd and 165th respectively. Muslims account for about 91 per cent of Bangladesh’s population and 97 per cent of Pakistan’s.
Overall, the Asia-Pacific region recorded the highest level of diversity among global regions, while the Middle East-North Africa region was the least diverse.
The study noted that in most countries, a single religious group forms a majority. Only a small number of countries have four or more religious groups, each making up at least 5 per cent of the population.
Source: thestatesman.com
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https://www.thestatesman.com/india/india-among-top-on-religious-diversity-index-pakistan-bangladesh-scrape-bottom-1503556273.html
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NIA gets 45 more days to complete Red Fort blast case probe
Nirbhay Thakur
Feb 13, 2026
A Delhi court on Friday granted 45 more days to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to file a chargesheet in connection to the November 10 blast near the Red Fort, which has claimed 13 lives. The NIA had sought an extension of 90 days after three months of investigation.
The central agency has till date arrested nine people in connection with the case. As per NIA, all the arrested persons are connected to Umar Nabi, who drove the Hyundai i20 car that exploded near the Lal Qila Metro station.
“…during investigation, it was revealed that the deceased and the… accused persons along with other co-accused persons conspired with each other for propagating the Islamic ideologies of Ansar Ghazwat-Ul-Hind (AGH) and collected arms and ammunitions and explosive materials in furtherance of their intention to commit terrorist act in various parts of India including Delhi,” the NIA has submitted recently before the court while seeking remand of the accused.
As part of the probe, the NIA said it has got disclosures, social media extractions, “seizures of incriminating materials” and voice samples of the accused.
“…based on their disclosures… coupled with extraction of data from their social media… after procuring duplicate SIMs earlier used by the accused… incriminating seizures and recoveries were made and these recoveries revealed the names of several suspects who were part of the larger conspiracy. Details of association and involvement of such suspects required to be discovered,” the agency submitted.
Seeking custodial interrogation of the accused in order to understand “code words” and other “incriminating material” that has surfaced, the NIA told the court, “The accused are required to be confronted with co-accused, suspects, and certain witnesses… who are believed to possess exclusive knowledge of facts and circumstances of the case… to carry out crime simulation and point out remaining places in J&K, UP and NCR… which have been revealed by witnesses.”
It also said it wanted to “identify additional associates/conspirators and trace the flow of communication and movements” linked to the case.
The court also extended until March 13 the judicial custody of seven accused in the case.
The NIA said it is working closely with various state police forces to track those behind the blast. It is also tracking everyone Umar had contacted over the last few months before the blast. Umar is suspected to be the leader of a “white collar group” of doctors, a part of a terror module that was busted days before the Red Fort explosion.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/red-fort-blast-probe-nia-45-days-10530869/
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Mumbai's new BJP Mayor vows action against 'illegal Bangladeshis'; opposition asks for focus on civic issues
14 Feb 2026
Mumbai's new BJP Mayor, Ritu Tawde on Friday said strict action will be taken against those she described as "illegal Bangladeshis" and alleged that several such people are residing in the city after procuring bogus birth certificates.
Speaking to reporters, the city's first female Mayor also vowed action against agents and officials who allegedly helped "illegal Bangladeshis" procure forged documents.
She said as many as 237 "fake birth certificates" issued by officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have been cancelled, adding that officials have been directed to confiscate the original documents, in the possession of the beneficiaries within 15 days.
If the officials fail to discharge their duty, a resolution will be moved to initiate stringent action, the BJP leader warned.
"Eight FIRs have been registered so far in connection with the illegal issuance of birth certificates and further action is underway. Two medical officers of health department have already been suspended. The probe will continue," she added.
The mayor said her BJP colleague and former Lok Sabha member Kirit Somaiya, had been flagging the issue for a long time, submitting documents and complaints regarding "large-scale irregularities" in the issuance of birth certificates at the ward level. She alleged no action was taken in this matter earlier.
"Now, with the BJP in power in Mumbai, the administration will not ignore such serious matters," Tawde said while alleging large-scale corruption in the civic machinery.
"Birth certificates were issued in the names of persons who do not exist and even hospitals mentioned in the records were fake. All records issued after January 1, 2026 have now been ordered to be verified and scrutinised. In one case, a doctor named Ashraf Kazi issued a birth certificate in 2015 for a home delivery despite not being present. Despite complaints, no action was taken against him," Tawde claimed.
Asserting that action was not taken in several cases, Tawde alleged the functioning of some civic officials was "callous."
As per information shared by Somaiya, at least 1,000 persons in Mumbai may be holding such illegal birth certificates, Tawde claimed.
"The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will verify the birth certificates and Aadhaar cards of street vendors and hawkers across the city. There will be no leniency. If they are using bogus documents, action will be taken. We want footpaths free for pedestrians and will continue our drive against illegal stalls and encroachments," she said.
Upon her election as Mumbai mayor, Tawde had alleged that Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya refugees had encroached on the city's footpaths, and clearing these encroachments would be among her priorities.
Taking a dig at Tawde, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray said the Mayor's entire existence seemed to be about Bangladeshis and not civic issues in the city.
Dealing with Bangladeshis residing illegally in India is the job of the Union Home Ministry and the state department, Thackeray said.
He accused the Centre as well as the state of hiding its "failure" over large number of Bangladeshis "infiltrating," adding it only proves that the BJP-led Union government is a big failure when it comes to national security.
"So the mayor's entire existence now seems to be about Bangladesh- not the civic issues in Mumbai like dug up roads, garbage that isn't picked up, inaccessible footpaths, builders encroaching on open spaces, polluted water and air," Thackeray said in a post on Facebook while asserting the BJP needs to answer important questions.
"If it is true, how did Bangladeshis illegally enter India? How did they cross over from the almost one end of India, all the way towards the south west, making their way through so many BJP run states? How did they stay for so long- the BJP is running the Union govt for over a decade," the Worli MLA questioned.
NCP (SP) national spokesperson Clyde Crasto said the BJP was paying more attention to Bangladeshis than the concerns of Mumbaikars.
If the BJP was so concerned about the issue, it should have appointed Kirit Somaiya as the mayor of Mumbai and Tawde could then have focused on the "real problems" facing the city, he said ridiculing the ruling party.
"Illegal immigration from Bangladesh remains a serious issue in Mumbai and across the country and should be addressed by the BJP-led Central government. The BJP has failed to resolve the issue despite being in power at the Centre," Crasto added.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Feb/14/mumbais-new-bjp-mayor-vows-action-against-illegal-bangladeshis-opposition-asks-for-focus-on-civic-issues
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PM witnesses special IAF aerial show at emergency landing facility in Assam
14 Feb 2026
GUWAHATI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday witnessed an aerial show featuring IAF's fighter jets and transport helicopters, which are engaged for emergency situations and responses, at the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in Assam's Dibrugarh district.
The 4.2-km ELF in Moran --the first-of-its-kind in the northeast region-- was earlier in the day inaugurated by the PM, who arrived in Assam on a day-long visit.
In the over 20-minute aerial display, the IAF pilots displayed precision take-off and landing at the ELF on Moran Bypass.
A Sukhoi-30 MKI was the first jet to take-off, followed by a Rafale aircraft.
IAF's 'workhorse' An-32 helicopter, designed for ferrying both cargo and passengers, performed a 'touch and go'.
A three-aircraft set each of Sukhoi-30 MKI and Rafale then roared over the Moran sky in quick succession.
While one Sukhoi-30 MKI and Rafale each of the formation landed at the ELF, the other jets performed overshoot during the display.
The indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) demonstrated Special Heli-Borne Operations (SHBO) by dropping off commandos at the airstrip.
Another set of ALHs demonstrated relief operations and medical evacuation procedure at the ELF.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said earlier that it will be the first such "elaborate" exercise at an ELF, with around 16 aircraft participating.
The ELF, developed at a project cost of nearly Rs 100 crore, has been specially designed and constructed in coordination with the IAF to support landing and take-off of military and civil aircraft during emergencies, an official statement said.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Feb/14/pm-witnesses-special-iaf-aerial-show-at-emergency-landing-facility-in-assam-2
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Lucknow Diary: Nasimuddin Siddiqui quits Congress to boost SP in polls
Namita Bajpai
14 Feb 2026'
LUCKNOW: With UP assembly elections due early next year, UP Congress heavyweight Nasimuddin Siddiqui quit the party and has purportedly made up his mind to join the SP. On Friday, after namaz, he met his supporters. For 20 days, Siddiqui toured different districts and held discussions with his supporters before deciding on strengthening Akhilesh Yadav’s hands.
Siddiqui, who started his politics from the BSP, was as a cabinet minister in Mayawati’s government. He is considered to have a political influence in western UP, especially among minority voters. Nasimuddin sent his resignation to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge after feeling neglected, as he claimed in his resignation letter.
Buzz of BJP-BSP tacit ties doing rounds
With signs of her closeness with the ruling party in UP since 2024 Lok Sabha polls when she had expelled her nephew Akash Anand from the party allegedly over his diatribe against the BJP in a rally in Sitapur, BSP chief Mayawati went a step ahead on October 9, 2025 by expressing her gratitude to CM Yogi Adityanath for maintaining the monuments built by her.
In turn, in January, Mayawati received a Type-8 bungalow in Delhi, whereas as a national party president she is eligible for a Type-6 or Type-7. There is a buzz as to whether something is brewing between the BJP and Mayawati. Is there a chance for a tacit understanding?
‘Nagin’ drama at play as woman disappears
It was an engrossing ‘nagin’ drama in Auriayya when a 24-year-old woman vanished into the unknown from her house, abandoning a 5-foot serpentine slough, fuelling whispers of a mystical metamorphosis. The dramatic turn of events unfolded in Singanpur village as Reena eloped with her lover leaving behind a trail of eerie clues — a 5-foot snake slough, bangles, rings, and clothes on her bed. Her family discovered the snake slough on her bed sparking claims that she had transformed into a ‘naagin’, prompting villagers to alert authorities. Locals gathered at the girl’s house until police traced her movement by tracking her mobile.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Feb/14/lucknow-diary-nasimuddin-siddiqui-quits-congress-to-boost-sp-in-polls
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Arundhati Roy pulls out of Berlin Film Festival amid Gaza row
14 Feb 2026
BERLIN: Award-winning Indian writer Arundhati Roy said Friday she was withdrawing from the Berlin Film Festival over jury president Wim Wenders's comments that he wanted to "stay out of politics" after being asked about Gaza.
Roy said in a statement sent to AFP that she was "shocked and disgusted" by Wenders' response to a question on Gaza at a press conference on Thursday. "With deep regret, I must say that I will not be attending the Berlinale," she said.
Roy, whose novel "Children of a Lesser God" won the 1997 Booker Prize, had been announced as a festival guest to present a restored version of the 1989 film "In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones", in which she starred and wrote the screenplay.
However, she said that the "unconscionable" statements by Wenders and other jury members had led her to reconsider.
"To hear them say that art should not be political is jaw-dropping," she said.
When asked about Germany's support for Israel at the press conference on Thursday, Wenders said: "We cannot really enter the field of politics", describing filmmakers as "the counterweight to politics".
In her statement Roy, described Israel's actions in Gaza as "a genocide of the Palestinian people by the State of Israel".
"If the greatest film makers and artists of our time cannot stand up and say so, they should know that history will judge them," she said.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Feb/13/arundhati-roy-pulls-out-of-berlin-film-festival-amid-gaza-row
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Drone-dropped heroin seized in J&K’s Kathua, 2 with Pakistan links held
Feb 14, 2026
JAMMU: Police arrested two cross-border drug peddlers associated with a Pakistan-based drone-dropped narcotics module in J&K’s Kathua district and seized about 150g of heroin from them. Kathua Police registered a case and booked the duo under the NDPS Act.
Police received information about an episode of drone-dropping along the J&K-Punjab border near Kathua’s Nagri area and launched an investigation. With the help of technical analysis and CCTV footage, the first accused, Jatin from Manwal in Pathankot, was arrested. Further probe led cops to Danish Dogra, a resident of Jakhbar in Kathua, cops said.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were in contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler through VoIP calls and had received the consignment of heroin, which was to be sold to vulnerable youths for monetary gain, police stated. Further investigation was underway to uncover the entire smuggling network and forward linkages.
Cops requested citizens to come forward with any information and cooperate with authorities in the war against drugs.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/drone-dropped-heroin-seized-in-jks-kathua-2-with-pakistan-links-held/articleshowprint/128320762.cms
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Mideast
Israel’s Barak ‘regrets’ knowing Epstein after documents detail friendship
February 13, 2026
TEL AVIV, Israel: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has apologized for his years-long friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein that included regular correspondence, multiple visits to the disgraced financier’s Manhattan apartment and one to his private island.
The former Israeli leader has not been implicated in Epstein’s sexual abuse of underage girls and faces no accusations of wrongdoing. In an exclusive interview with Israel’s Channel 12 on Thursday, he said he regretted having ever known Epstein and apologized to all those “who feel deeply uncomfortable.”
“I am responsible for all my actions and decisions, and there is definitely room to ask if there wasn’t room for more in-depth judgment on my part and a more thorough examination of what the details really are, what exactly happened there,” he said.
Barak is among several political, business and cultural elites found to have maintained long relationships with Epstein, even after his 2008 guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl in Florida. Epstein died by suicide in detention in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal allegations of sexually abusing and trafficking dozens of girls.
Barak, who has previously distanced himself from Epstein, gave the latest interview after millions of pages of documents were released by the US Justice Department in connection with its investigations of Epstein.
Barak and his wife, Nili, have turned up frequently in the documents, showing they stayed in regular contact with Epstein for years, including after he cut a deal with prosecutors in 2008 that resulted in an 18-month prison sentence.
Barak has acknowledged visiting Epstein numerous times, flying on his private plane and staying at his New York apartment when he was out of public office. Barak said he and his wife and some security guards paid a three-hour visit to Epstein’s home in the US Virgin Islands, but saw only Epstein and some maintenance workers there.
Barak said he never observed or took part in any inappropriate behavior. He said he was aware of the earlier Epstein case but assumed he had paid his debt to society.
“Only in 2019, when a reinvestigation of the whole story begins, does the breadth and depth of the man’s heinous crimes become apparent and I cut off relations with him, and everyone cuts off relations with him,” Barak said.
A Netanyahu rival
Barak served as prime minister from 1999 to 2001, when Israel and the Palestinians held high-level peace talks before the process collapsed and a Palestinian uprising broke out. He later served as defense minister.
His ties to Epstein came to light seven years ago after Barak announced a political comeback in an unsuccessful bid to topple Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
At the time, US tax records showed Barak received some $2 million in grants for unspecified “research” the previous decade from the Wexner Foundation — a philanthropic organization that supports Jewish causes. At the time, Epstein was a trustee of the foundation.
Barak downplayed those ties when they surfaced, saying Epstein “didn’t support me or pay me.”
The new batch of released documents show regular correspondence among Barak, his wife and Epstein.
Some detail plans for a 2017 stay at Epstein’s New York residence, while others discuss mundane logistics for other visits, meetings and phone calls. In June 2019, Barak’s wife, Nili, emailed Epstein saying they delayed their flight to New York by roughly a week. In 2013, Epstein’s assistant, Lesley Groff, emailed Epstein about dinner with Barak, his wife and several business people and celebrities, including Woody Allen.
In 2019 — about a week before Epstein was arrested — an exchange about Barak between Epstein and an unknown person shows Epstein saying he was ”dealing with Ehud in Israel. Making me crazy.”
The documents show that Epstein connected Barak with US President Donald Trump’s former adviser, Steve Bannon, who was seeking to become more involved in Israeli politics. Emails from Epstein to his staff and others in 2018 discussed setting up dinners or meetings between Barak and Bannon.
Bannon has not been implicated in any wrongdoing related to Epstein.
In Thursday’s interview, Barak said it’s likely more information will emerge from the documents in the weeks ahead, but he maintained that he had done nothing illegal or improper.
“I promise you that nothing will be discovered, because there is nothing,” he said.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2632928/middle-east
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US transfers thousands of Daesh detainees from Syria to Iraq
February 13, 2026
BAGHDAD: The United States Central Command said it has completed the transfer of more than 5,700 detained Daesh group suspects from Syria to Iraq.
The detainees from some 60 countries had for years been held in Syrian prisons run by Kurdish-led forces before the recapture of surrounding territory by Damascus prompted Washington to step in.
CENTCOM said it “completed a transfer mission following a nighttime flight from northeastern Syria to Iraq on Feb 12 to help ensure Daesh detainees remain secure in detention facilities.”
“The 23-day transfer mission began on Jan 21 and resulted in US forces successfully transporting more than 5,700 adult male Daesh fighters from detention facilities in Syria to Iraqi custody,” it added in a statement.
The US had previously announced it would transfer around 7,000 detainees.
Daesh swept across Syria and Iraq in 2014, committing massacres and forcing women and girls into sexual slavery.
Backed by US-led forces, Iraq proclaimed the defeat of Daesh in the country in 2017, and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) ultimately beat back the group in Syria two years later.
The SDF went on to jail thousands of suspected jihadists and detain tens of thousands of their relatives in camps.
61 countries
Last month, Syrian troops drove Kurdish forces from swathes of northern Syria, sparking questions over the fate of the Daesh prisoners.
Lingering doubts about security pushed Washington to announce it would transfer them to Iraq to prevent “a breakout” that could threaten the region.
“We appreciate Iraq’s leadership and recognition that transferring the detainees is essential to regional security,” said head of CENTCOM Admiral Brad Cooper.
“Job well done to the entire Joint Force team who executed this exceptionally challenging mission on the ground and in the air,” he added.
Iraq’s National Center for International Judicial Cooperation (NCIJC) said 5,704 Daesh detainees of 61 nationalities have arrived in Iraq.
They include 3,543 Syrians, 467 Iraqis, and another 710 detainees from other Arab countries.
There are also more than 980 foreigners including those from Europe, Asia, Australia and the United States.
The NCIJC said Iraq’s judiciary will interrogate the detainees before taking legal action against them.
Many prisons in Iraq are already packed with Daesh suspects.
Iraqi courts have handed down hundreds of death sentences and life terms to those convicted of terrorism offenses, including foreign fighters.
Under Iraqi law, terrorism and murder offenses are punishable by death, and execution decrees must be signed by the president.
The detainees in Syria were transferred to Baghdad’s Al-Karkh prison, once a US Army detention center known as Camp Cropper, where former ruler Saddam Hussein was held before his execution.
To make space for the newcomers, authorities moved thousands of prisoners from the Karkh prison to other facilities, a lawyer and an inmate told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Repatriation
Iraq has issued calls for countries to repatriate their nationals among the Daesh detainees, though this appears unlikely.
For years, Syria’s Kurdish forces also called on foreign governments to take back their citizens, but this was done on a small scale limited to women and children held in detention camps.
Most foreign families have left northeast Syria’s Al-Hol camp, which holds relatives of Daesh fighters, since the departure of Kurdish forces who previously guarded it, humanitarian sources told AFP on Thursday.
Last month, the Syrian government took over the camp from Kurdish forces who ceded territory as Damascus extended its control across swathes of Syria’s northeast.
Source: arabnews.com
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Why Jordanians are flocking to Damascus as Syria reopens roads, skies and rails
KHALED AL-KHAWALDEH
February 13, 2026
DUBAI: Ask nearly any Jordanian over the age of 40 about Damascus and you are likely to be met with a nostalgic tale of days gone by when weekend trips to the old city were as common as those to the Dead Sea.
Such memories were confined to the pits of nostalgia by the onset of the Syrian civil war, which turned the once-famed journey into an ordeal of derelict rest stops, militia checkpoints, sudden closures and the possibility of violence.
However, over the last year, tour buses have reappeared on the centuries-old trade route. Private drivers are booking permits to take the road north and a new generation of Jordanian travelers, eager for regional rediscovery, are getting back on the road to Damascus.
Statistics released by Syria’s Ministry of Tourism show that Jordanians are by far the largest group of tourists represented in Syria, with 394,871 arrivals in 2025 alone — some 93 percent more than the previous year and eclipsing any other nation, including those with substantial Syrian populations like Turkiye and Germany.
These figures represent “not only the reactivation of tourism flows, but a deeper strategic recovery extending beyond the economic domain,” Mazen Al-Salhani, Syria’s minister of tourism, said in a statement.
“It signals a transition to organized, civilian-driven mobility and a restored perception of Syria as a safe, attractive and culturally rich destination.”
FASTFACT
Jordan and Syria share not only a border, but also centuries of cultural, familial and economic ties. The Nasib-Jaber crossing on the Damascus-Amman highway was one of the busiest gateways in the region before the civil war.
That crossing’s reactivation is symbolic of a wider lifting of barriers. While the border was closed intermittently in late 2024 amid renewed conflict, the crossing has now been revitalized, streamlining the process of getting permissions for vehicles and border patrol checks.
Hamzeh Battieh, executive manager of Sharif House Handcrafted Travel and Events, a tourism operator based in Damascus, told Arab News the crossing had become substantially easier to navigate, transforming from somewhere that was once quite hostile into something quite welcoming.
“Following the liberation of Syria, the situation at the crossing changed fundamentally for the better,” he said.
“The time required to complete entry or exit procedures no longer exceeds 10 minutes, whereas under the former regime it used to take many hours and involved widespread bribery and favoritism.
“Visitors are now received with warm hospitality. Many travelers have repeatedly heard officers at the crossing say to passengers: ‘Welcome home, you have illuminated our country’.”
Jordanian tour operators, who for years pivoted travelers to Istanbul, Cairo, or Beirut, now report growing inquiries for tours that include Damascus’ ancient souks, the Umayyad Mosque and day trips to historic sites such as Bosra.
Meanwhile, a growing number of independent travelers are making the Amman-Damascus bus route part of their itineraries, sharing tips online about passports, bus times and border crossing formalities.
Battieh said the fall of the Bashar Assad regime had made Syria a substantially freer and easier country to navigate.“
Tourism has indeed begun to return to Syria, but with a new spirit, free of the difficulties and complications that were imposed during the era of the former regime,” he said.
“Starting from border and airport police and extending to public roads, today, procedures for entering Syria have become smoother and far more welcoming.”
Syria’s comparable affordability as a destination is reportedly another appeal that is attracting Jordanians to venture north.
According to Hussein Halaqat, a spokesperson for the Jordan Hotels Association, domestic tourism in Jordan declined during the first three days of the last Eid Al-Adha holiday due in part to the lower-cost travel on offer across the northern border.
“Prices in Syria are lower than in Jordan, particularly compared with Jordan’s five-star seaside hotels in Aqaba and the Dead Sea, which not everyone can afford,” he told Erem News.
He said the queues at coach stops in the capital, Amman, for services heading to Syria, which can cost as little as 15 Jordanian dinars ($21) per passenger, were indicative of the rising competition that regional integration could bring.
Battieh said Jordanians were particularly drawn to Damascus and Aleppo for their historical significance and famed cuisine. Many of Damascus’ most famous restaurants had moved to Amman during the war, creating a local following.
“A visitor can easily spend at least one full week in Damascus alone, exploring landmarks such as the Umayyad Mosque, Al-Azem Palace, and famous traditional markets like Al-Hamidiyah Souq and Al-Buzuriyah,” he said.
“They also really love the city’s diverse cuisine, Damascene ice cream, traditional cafes such as Al-Nawfara Cafe and historic public bathhouses like Hammam Al-Malik Al-Zahir.”
As the road to Damascus is reconnected with its southern neighbor, so too are its skies. In early January, a Royal Jordanian commercial flight landed at Damascus International Airport, marking the restoration of the Amman-Damascus air corridor after a 14-year hiatus.
The flight, organized as a technical trial, carried a Jordanian delegation of aviation experts tasked with assessing the airport’s readiness to resume regular operations.
While modest in scale, the flight was heavy with symbolism — a sign that Damascus was once again reentering regional airspace after more than a decade of isolation.
Since then, travel has surged, with Royal Jordanian offering four weekly flights between the two capitals. With a flight time of just 25 minutes, the route is intended to close the gap for road-weary travelers, while giving Syrians access to more destinations through an Amman transit.
Moreover, perhaps more ambitiously, the two countries have agreed to restore a historic rail link that once connected Damascus and Amman. The Hijaz Railway project aims to have passengers traveling between the two cities as early as this year.
Although the timeline remains unclear, Zahi Khalil, director-general and deputy chairman of the Jordan Hijaz Railway at the Jordanian Ministry of Transport, told Arab News that plans are well underway.
“Regarding the connection process — the link between Damascus and Amman — it could be ready by the end of 2026.”
Historically, the Hijaz Railway was part of the Ottoman rail network and served as a major link between Damascus and Makkah, reducing a journey that once took 40 days to just five.
Seen by the sultan at the time as a symbol of Islamic unity and progress, the railway holds deep historical and cultural significance across the region.
Khalil said much of the historic track would be rehabilitated, upgraded for modern trains and reused, with large sections of the original route still intact.
“Once Syria is linked to the Turkish rail lines, Amman will be connected all the way to Istanbul,” he said.
For Jordanian tourists, these developments reinforce a sense that Syria is no longer a place visited only out of necessity or for nostalgia, but one that is once again accessible by choice.
For Syrians like Battieh, these changes represent something far deeper — a reclaiming of mobility after years of enforced paralysis, and a signal that reintegration into the region is no longer theoretical, but operational.
“Syria has room for all who love her,” Battieh said. “Welcome to the new Syria. As the French archaeologist Andre Parrot once said: ‘Every civilized person has two homelands: Their own, and Syria’.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Lebanon’s Berri says parliamentary election must be held on time
February 13, 2026
BEIRUT: Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Friday he was committed to holding a parliamentary election as scheduled on May 10, despite calls from some politicians to postpone the vote.
Several politicians have called for a delay, citing security concerns in southern Lebanon, where Israel has carried out air strikes targeting Hezbollah.
Berri, a Shiite leader allied with Hezbollah, said in a statement carried by the state-run National News Agency that he had informed President Joseph Aoun and the government of his position.
“It is not permissible that, at the start of a new era, we obstruct its launch by disrupting, postponing or extending the most important constitutional entitlement, which is the foundation for forming authorities and producing political life,” Berri said.
Berri has opened the candidacy registry for the election and submitted the first nomination request for the Tyre-Zahrani district in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon last held a parliamentary election in May 2022, a vote marked by low turnout and deep public anger over a financial collapse. The election saw some gains by reformist candidates emerging from the 2019 protest movement, while the Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies lost their parliamentary majority. (Reporting by Laila Bassam; Writing by Tala Ramadan; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Source: arabnews.com
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Main donor US unclear on UNRWA future, jettisoning it would leave black hole: Agency chief
February 13, 2026
MUNICH: The United States is still not clear about how it sees the future role of the UN Palestinian refugee agency, its chief said on Friday, warning that jettisoning it would create a black hole similar to Iraq after 2003.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has accused UNRWA staff of having links with Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, allegations UNRWA has vigorously disputed.
Washington was long UNRWA’s biggest donor, but froze funding in January 2024 after Israel accused about a dozen UNRWA staff of taking part in the deadly Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the war in Gaza.
“There is no definitive answer, because the interest of the US is also to be successful in this process and if you get rid of an agency like ours before you have an alternative, you are also creating a huge black hole,” UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini told Reuters on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
“Remember what happened in Iraq in 2003 when the entire administration had been dismantled (following the US-led invasion). There was no alternative and people were left without any services,” he said in an interview.
UNRWA has functioned for decades as the main international agency providing for the welfare of millions of Palestinian descendants of those who fled or were driven from homes during the war around Israel’s 1948 founding.
Lazzarini, who leaves his post at the end of March, said UNRWA did not foresee any more cuts in the immediate term and it continued to offer public health and education services that no one else was really providing.
He urged Gulf Arab countries to increase their support because their contribution did not match their strong expression of solidarity with Palestinian refugees.
Israel accuses UNRWA of bias, and the Israeli parliament passed a law in October 2024 banning the agency from operating in the country and prohibiting officials from having contact with it. (Reporting by John Irish; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Source: arabnews.com
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Restoration and Maintenance of Several Mosques in Sana'a
13 Feb 2026
Sana'a (Saba) – The Sana'a Governorate branch of the General Authority for Endowments and Guidance continues its efforts to restore mosques in preparation for the month of Ramadan.
The branch director, Abdullah Amer, explained that the Authority has completed the restoration, maintenance, and furnishing of eight mosques in the Bani Hashish district, out of a total of ten mosques included in this year's plan.
Source: saba.ye
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Prime Minister receives a phone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
13 Feb 2026
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized on Friday the necessity of joint security coordination, combating the remnants of terrorism, and continuing efforts to enhance regional security.
The Prime Minister's Media Office said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): that "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received a phone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan."
"During the call, the two leaders exchanged greetings on the occasion of the approaching holy month of Ramadan. They also discussed bilateral relations and ways to develop them to strengthen cooperation in various fields, particularly regarding the strategic development road project, given its economic and investment importance. They also explored ways to increase trade between the two countries."
According to the statement, both sides emphasized "following up on regional and international developments, the necessity of joint security coordination and combating the remnants of terrorism, continuing to work on strengthening the region's security, stressing the importance of sustaining dialogues and resorting to peaceful solutions, and preventing the expansion of conflicts in order to spare the region and its people the dangers of wars."
Source: ina.iq
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Arab World
Saudi deputy FM meets Eritrean counterpart in Asmara
February 13, 2026
ASMARA: Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji has met Foreign Minister of Eritrea Osman Saleh, in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on X on Friday.
The parties discussed ways to enhance and further develop bilateral relations across various fields. They also looked at regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The meeting was also attended by Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Eritrea Meshal Alrogi.
Source: arabnews.com
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Prince Faisal takes part in Munich Security Conference panel on global order
February 13, 2026
MUNICH: Saudi Arabia’s minister of foreign affairs took part in a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference on Friday titled “The Turning Point: The International Order Between Reform and Collapse,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Alongside Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the panel also included Colombia’s Minister of Defense Pedro Arnulfo Sanchez Suarez, US Permanent Representative to the UN Michael Waltz, and the EU’s foreign affairs chief and vice president of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas.
Their discussions focused on transformations in the international system and the effectiveness of multilateral institutions amid rising geopolitical tensions, security challenges and global economic crises.
Panelists also underlined the importance of reforming the international system through the modernization of its mechanisms to help achieve greater justice and equality among nations, SPA added.
Source: arabnews.com
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Prince Faisal and Lavrov discuss Saudi-Russian relations
February 13, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov reviewed bilateral relations during a phone call on Friday.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said they discussed ways to “enhance areas of joint cooperation” and “addressed a number of issues of mutual interest."
Russia’s foreign ministry said they also discussed the Palestinian-Israeli peace process, Iran, and Yemen.
“They underscored the importance of maintaining a dynamic political dialogue between Moscow and Riyadh, as well as intensifying joint efforts to develop trade, economic, investment, and cultural and humanitarian cooperation,” the Russian ministry said.
They also discussed preparations for the 100th anniversary next week of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Saudi Arabia.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi inventor wins two gold medals at Mideast International Invention Fair
February 14, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi inventor Duaa Nizar Khudry won two gold medals at the 16th International Invention Fair in the Middle East (IIFME), held in Kuwait from February 8 to 11, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Khudry was recognized for inventing a device designed to filter materials and recycle used liquids, an innovation aimed at improving efficiency in liquid purification and reuse. The technology has potential applications in environmental protection, industrial processing, and water conservation, particularly in regions where sustainable resource management is critical.
A member of the Mawhiba Alumni Program, Khudry represented Saudi Arabia with the support and nomination of the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawhiba), which was participating in the fair for the third time.
She received her first gold medal from the fair’s organizers and was also awarded the IFIA Best Invention Award by the International Federation of Inventors’ Associations, recognizing her innovation as one of the most outstanding entries in the exhibition.
The IIFME, organized annually by the Kuwait Science Club since its launch in 2007, is regarded as one of the region’s largest specialized invention exhibitions and a major platform for inventors to present their work to international audiences.
As a student, Khudry won first place nationwide at the National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity (Ibdaa) in 2013 for the same recycling device, competing against tens of thousands of students across the Kingdom. She later obtained an official patent for the invention in 2024, strengthening its scientific and commercial potential.
She studied chemistry and is currently pursuing graduate studies in materials science and engineering under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program. Her research focuses on environmental sustainability, advanced materials, and liquid purification technologies.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi foreign meets Kuwaiti and Ukrainian counterparts
February 14, 2026
MUNICH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Kuwaiti Minister Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on the sidelines of the 2026 Munich Security Conference.
The two ministers reviewed bilateral relations and explored ways to further strengthen cooperation.
They also discussed the latest regional developments.
Prince Faisal also met with Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha and discussed bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments.
The meetings were also attended by Mohammed Alyahya, advisor to the Saudi foreign minister.
Source: arabnews.com
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King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve plants 10,000 arta trees
February 13, 2026
RIYADH: An initiative to plant 10,000 arta trees in the Al-Dahna sands has been launched by the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, in partnership with the Green Dahna Association.
The project involves 300 volunteers from government agencies and educational institutions with the aim of rehabilitating local ecosystems and promoting environmental stewardship.
Chosen for its high adaptability to harsh desert climates and its effectiveness in soil stabilization, the arta tree is a strategic investment in biodiversity and desertification control.
Authority CEO Maher Al-Gothmi said the collaboration exemplified the institutional integration required to meet Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030 goals.
It also ensures the sustainability of natural resources for future generations through research and community engagement.
Source: arabnews.com
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KSrelief launches educational course at Zaatari Camp
February 13, 2026
RIYADH: The Saudi Community Service Center, an affiliate of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, recently held its 36th training course at the Zaatari Camp for Syrian refugees in Jordan.
The course included instruction on a range of vocational handicraft activities — including sewing, embroidery, and drawing — the culinary arts, and remedial lessons for students from primary through secondary levels.
It also included literacy courses, as well as lessons on the Holy Qur’an, Islamic ethics, and English.
The program aims to develop refugees’ academic and life skills and enhance their self-reliance. A total of 255 trainees benefited from the program.
Source: arabnews.com
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Europe
'Phobias are for spiders' Ex-Monty Python star John Cleese claims criticism of Islam is 'not racist'
February 13, 2026
The 86-year-old actor and comedian has described criticism of the religion as "Islamosceptic", after MP Rupert Lowe - who is carrying out an independent inquiry into sex abuse gangs - claimed the Muslim Council of Britain stated some of his inquiry's findings were "Islamophobic".
However, Fawlty Towers co-creator John has insisted phobias are "for spiders" rather than "criticising a religion".
He wrote on X: "I'll say again...
Criticism of Islam is not racist, it's culturalist
For example, disapproving of Female Genital Mutilation
is not racist
Criticism of Islam is Islamosceptic. There is no phobia involved in criticising a religion. That's for spiders
Life of Brian is not Christophobic. The Pythons did not have a phobia about Christianity. We were sceptical about some of its adherents
Trying to win arguments by changing the meaning of words is a cheap debating trick (sic)"
John's comments come after MP Rupert wrote on LinkedIn: "The Muslim Council of Britain has stated that certain findings from our rape gang inquiry are Islamophobic. This may have worked before to shut down debate. It will not work now. We are going to continue our inquiry, and we are going to continue telling the truth."
Rupert is one of the signatories for a new Early Day Motion entitled "Rape gang overseas trafficking", which was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday (10.02.26).
On the UK Parliament website, the motion text reads: "That this House expresses grave concern at evidence presented during recent independent hearings into organised child sexual exploitation indicating that a number of women and girls may have been trafficked overseas to Pakistan and elsewhere by those responsible for their abuse; notes that the Rape Gang Inquiry has received multiple witness statements alleging that victims were deliberately targeted to be removed from the United Kingdom in order to maintain control, prevent disclosure and obstruct investigation; recognises that such allegations, if proven, would constitute serious offences including human trafficking and modern slavery; further recognises the profound safeguarding failures that would be implied if victims were able to be taken abroad without effective intervention by public authorities; and calls on the Government to initiate, as a matter of urgency, a full and properly resourced national investigation into the alleged overseas trafficking of victims connected to organised sexual exploitation."
Source: bangpremier.com/
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Nuclear weapons no longer taboo for Germany – Russian envoy
13 Feb, 2026
The idea of obtaining nuclear weapons is no longer taboo for German politicians and the military, Russian envoy to Berlin Sergey Nechaev has told RIA Novosti, calling the growing discussions highly concerning.
Berlin is in the process of a massive military buildup, planning to spend $582 billion on defense over the next four years, citing the supposed ‘Russian threat’.
German officials have set 2029 as the deadline for the armed forces to be “war-ready” for a potential conflict with Russia – which Moscow has dismissed as “nonsense.”
he shift in the nuclear discourse is obvious. The topic of Germany’s potential possession of nuclear weapons stops being a taboo and is being increasingly discussed by the media… and gets more and more advocates among the politicians, MPs, the military officials and experts,” the ambassador told RIA Novosti in an interview published on Friday.
Moscow earlier called Germany’s growing militarization and anti-Russian rhetoric worrisome. In September 2025, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said it is “not just militarization, there are clear signs of re-Nazification.”
Berlin is explicitly barred from developing, producing, or acquiring its own nuclear weapons under the Two Plus Four Treaty which allowed reunification in 1990, as well as the 1969 Non-Proliferation Treaty. However, it hosts dozens of US nuclear weapons on its territory as part of NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements.
On Friday, Chancellor Friedrich Merz told the Munich Security Conference that he had discussed EU-level “nuclear deterrence” with French President Emmanuel Macron. The issue was raised earlier by Jens Spahn, who leads the chancellor’s joint CDU/CSU party group in the Bundestag.
Berlin should receive access to French and British nuclear weapons and lead the charge on the issue of their modernization, Spahn said in September. “Germany needs nuclear weapons,” Alternative for Germany party lawmaker Kay Gottschalk stated in January. Former Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer has urged Berlin to take the lead in the EU’s nuclear rearmament.
The idea has sparked concern among some German politicians, with the leader of the BSW party, Sahra Wagenknecht, calling the proposals “madness.”
Source: rt.com
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Munich conference ignoring Kiev’s ‘hellish terrorism’ – Moscow
14 Feb, 2026
The Munich Security Conference should focus on Kiev’s “hellish terrorism” and strikes on Russian civilians instead of debating additional military aid to Ukraine, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said.
The comments come after Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Friday that a Ukrainian attack on the border region killed two people and injured five. He added that the strike knocked out power, heat, and water supplies, with damage also reported to several residential buildings and parked vehicles.
Ukraine has routinely targeted Russian border regions with drones, artillery, and missile strikes since the escalation of the conflict in 2022, killing hundreds of civilians.
In response, Zakharova urged Western leaders attending the Munich Security Conference to address what she described as Ukraine’s indiscriminate attacks.
“The Munich Security Policy Conference should discuss this hellish terrorism against the civilian population by the Kiev regime, rather than ways of pumping money into the ghouls on Bankova Street,” she said, referring to the seat of the Ukrainian government.
The Munich Security Conference opened on Friday with over 60 heads of state attending the three-day gathering. The agenda covers not only the Ukraine conflict but also the widening rift between the US and EU, with Western leaders sounding the alarm over the erosion of the ‘rules-based international order’.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said the rules-based order “no longer exists,” and French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe to “accelerate its strategic autonomy.”
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky will also deliver an address and hold several rounds of talks, which he said will focus on expanding joint military production.
Source: rt.com
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'Shocking and worrying' - Widespread condemnation after arson attack on Limerick mosque
Cathal Ryan
13 Feb 2026
There has been widespread condemnation following an arson attack on a mosque in Limerick this week.
Emergency services, including members of Limerick City Fire Brigade, were dispatched to the scene in Dooradoyle at around 1:30am on Thursday after the blaze broke out at the Limerick Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre.
Thankfully there were no injuries following the shocking incident, and Gardaí are continuing to investigate. It is understood the blaze was started after a petrol bomb was thrown through a window at the centre.
Bishop of Limerick Brendan Leahy has said that the attack on the Islamic Cultural Centre in Limerick is “shocking and worrying”.
Bishop Leahy said: “A central tenet of the Christian faith is to love your neighbour as yourself. None of us would want to be the subject of racial or other forms of hatred. We would want our homes and our places of worship respected. We would want to live in peace.
“In the light of all of this, the attack on the Islamic cultural Centre in Limerick is shocking and worrying.
“I would like to express the solidarity of Catholics with the Muslim community in Limerick at this time. As has been pointed out by others, such an attack is uncommon and not supported by the vast majority of people in Limerick.
“No matter what our creed or religious belonging, we are all brothers and sisters, children of the one God.
“This incident is a wake-up call to us all to resolve to work actively for the promotion of good relations in our community and peace building in a world that is increasingly fractured and polarised.”
Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, Chairperson Irish Muslim Council, said: “The Irish Muslim Council strongly condemns the recent arson attack on the Islamic Cultural Centre in Limerick.
“An attack on any place of worship is an attack on the fundamental values of peace, respect, and coexistence that define Irish society.
“We are deeply alarmed by the rise in anti-Muslim hate and the growing levels of Islamophobia across the country. Such acts of hostility and intimidation not only target one community but undermine the inclusive and democratic principles upon which Ireland is built. There can be no tolerance for hatred directed at any faith group.
“The Muslim community in Ireland stands firmly for peace, dialogue, and cooperation. We remain committed to working constructively with all communities and civic partners to ensure that fear, division, and prejudice do not prevail.
“At this critical moment, the Irish Muslim Council calls on the Government to strengthen protections for all places of worship, not only mosques, but churches, synagogues, temples, and every sacred space across the country. Every person must feel safe in practicing their faith without fear of intimidation or violence. Protecting religious institutions is a shared responsibility and a reflection of our commitment to religious freedom and mutual respect.
“We urge unity, solidarity, and decisive action to ensure that Ireland remains a welcoming home for people of all faiths and none.”
Fianna Fáil’s Councillor Abul Kalam Azad Talukder, the only Muslim councillor in Limerick, previously told this paper it was very lucky no one was killed in the horror attack.
Source: irishmirror.ie
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City Mosque applies to retain lowered ceiling aimed at reducing energy bills
13th February 2026
A Preston mosque has applied for permission to keep in place a dummy ceiling that it has already installed in its Grade II-listed premises.
City Mosque, on North Road, says the ‘suspended ceiling above its main hall has been designed to “lower fuel bills by reducing the total volume of air that needs to be heated”.
“By creating a lower, secondary ceiling, the occupied space has become smaller, allowing room to warm up faster and more economically,” an application to Preston City Council for retrospective ‘listed building consent’ states.
The place of worship – which has operated as a mosque since 2016 after being built as a Wesleyan Methodist Church back in 1838, before later becoming the North Road Pentecostal Church – has also sought upfront permission for other renovation works, including the proposed refurbishment of its washing, or ablution, area.
The existing toilet facilities were last renovated in 2014, when the city authority’s conservation officer found they contained “no historic fabric”.
The plan now is to replace the brick partitions between each of the cubicles with acrylic ones, along with the installation of new doors. The changes would create an easier-to-clean, and more hygienic space, the application explains.
Work to repair two of the mosque’s pews and some damaged plaster on the first floor has also been applied for.
Source: blogpreston.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2026/02/city-mosque-applies-to-retain-lowered-ceiling-aimed-at-reducing-energy-bills/
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Hospital charity supports colleagues observing Ramadan
February 13, 2026
From 18 February to 20 March, Muslim colleagues across United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust will begin their fast before sunrise, take no food or drink during the hours of daylight, and break their fast once the sun has set.
To support staff who will be observing Ramadan whilst at work, the charity has gifted each colleague water and dates to use when their fast ends.
Consultant Anaesthetist Yusuf Ghumra, who has worked in the theatres at Lincoln County Hospital for three years, explained why Ramadan is such an important time. He said: “It is like a spiritual bootcamp where we develop our connections with God.
“It is incredible that United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity is recognising that we are entering this holy month. This gift is a lovely gesture that helps break down barriers.”
“The breaking of the fast is a communal event, and we look forward to meeting for a few minutes each day to have a cup of water and share our dates before we resume our duties. Dates hold a deep significance in Islamic culture and tradition, and it is considered an honour for the giver if someone breaks their fast with a gifted date.”
Jayne Warner, Director of Corporate Affairs for Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group, and Charity Manager, Ben Petts met with colleagues after prayers to share the gifts. Ben said: “For our Muslim colleagues, Ramadan is a most beautiful time of year. It is good to show our support as they observe this holy tradition.”
Ramada ends on 20 March and is followed by the festival of Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast. As Yusuf summed up: “We have done it, we’ve fasted, enjoyed our additional night prayers and now it is Eid, a time of great celebration with family and friends.”
More information on how to support the work of United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity can be found on the website: ulhcharity.org.uk
Source: ulh.nhs.uk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.ulh.nhs.uk/news/hospital-charity-supports-colleagues-observing-ramadan/
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French FM under fire over ‘false’ claims about UN rapporteur
13 Feb, 2026
A lawyers association has filed a legal complaint against French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot over his accusations against UN Palestinian rights rapporteur Francesca Albanese regarding alleged remarks she made about Israel.
Barrot this week accused Albanese of labeling Israel a “common enemy of humanity” and called for her removal from the UN Human Rights Council. Albanese has rejected the allegations as “shameful and defamatory,” insisting that in her remarks made recently in Doha she was referring to “the system” enabling genocide in Palestine and not to the Israeli people or state.
On Thursday, the Association of Lawyers for the Respect of International Law (JURDI) filed a legal complaint against Barrot, saying that his statements represent “the dissemination of false information,” undermine the independence of UN mechanisms, and could constitute a criminal offence under French law.
Barrot’s calls for Albanese to step down were later echoed by German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka.
Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard defended Albanese’s “vital work,” cautioning against political pressure on independent UN experts.
The UN human rights office has also voiced concern. Spokesperson Marta Hurtado warned that judicial officials and rapporteurs are increasingly subjected to personal attacks and misinformation that distract from investigating serious human rights violations.
Albanese has previously labeled Israel’s war in Gaza a “genocide,” and called for a full arms embargo and suspension of trade agreements with the country. She has been sanctioned by the US and has faced mounting accusations of bias and anti-Semitism, which she denies.
Her mandate runs until 2028, and she is due to brief the Geneva-based council next month. While there is no precedent for removing a special rapporteur mid-term, some diplomats cited by Reuters say a motion could theoretically be proposed, though strong support for Palestinian rights within the body makes it unlikely to succeed.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.rt.com/news/632472-france-barrot-albanese-israel/
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Russia contributed to restoration of peace in CAR – president
13 Feb, 2026
Russian instructors have played a key role in improving security and stabilizing the Central African Republic (CAR), the country’s president, Faustin-Archange Touadera, has said.
Speaking to RT, he noted that cooperation with Moscow has helped to achieve an agreement to disarm armed groups and strengthen the country’s defense forces.
“The Russian instructors have helped us a lot, and they have contributed to the restoration of peace,” Touadera told RT.
The president explained that Russian instructors were also instrumental in training personnel and expanding the armed forces, which grew from around 5,000-6,000 soldiers to 25,000-26,000 across the country.
“The buildup of troops in the state with the support of Russian instructors made a significant contribution to improving the situation. They played a key role in this,” he highlighted.
The president said that the security agreement with Moscow had proved to be “the right choice,” adding that Russia “consistently supports the CAR in its struggle and in matters of protecting its sovereignty.”
Touadera also described the broader partnership between Bangui and Moscow, noting that Russia helped lift the embargo on arms supplies and diamonds, provided grants in petroleum products, and delivered humanitarian aid such as wheat, which helped lower bread prices nationally. He also noted that many CAR citizens now study in Russia in both military and civilian fields.
In addition, the president criticized international media reporting on the country. “The international press is filled with lies about the CAR,” he stated, saying some outlets go to “great lengths to slander” the African country. “The purpose is unknown, but we are fighting for the truth to prevail,” he said.
Touadera noted that RT “helps convey accurate information to viewers,” saying that the channel’s reporting allows audiences to see the true situation in the country.
Diplomatic ties between Russia and the CAR were established in 1992, while diplomatic relations between the Soviet Union and the CAR were first established in 1960 – the same year the African state gained independence from France. Relations developed further in later years, including military and political cooperation. The CAR maintains an embassy in Moscow, while Russia operates a diplomatic mission in Bangui.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.rt.com/africa/632425-russia-support-restoring-car-peace/
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North America
New GOP caucus signals resurgence of anti-Shariah movement
February 13, 2026
(RNS) — A new congressional group is targeting what it claims is a growing threat of Shariah, or Islamic religious law, in the U.S., a move that harks back to anti-Islam movements that flourished during the post-9/11 era and the early 2010s.
Leaders of the Sharia Free America Caucus say the growing number of mosques in the country is a cause for alarm, while critics say the group is an attempt to shore up votes for Republicans in places such as Oklahoma and Texas during campaign season.
Led by Republican U.S. Reps. Chip Roy and Keith Self of Texas, the caucus heard testimony about how some believe Shariah violates the U.S. Constitution at a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Tuesday (Feb. 10). The caucus, which formed in December and is made of 36 Republican representatives from 18 states, aims to push legislation that counters what it calls “the alarming rise of Shariah Law in the United States.”
“Some of you might think of Shariah as a 2010s buzzword. That is wrong,” Roy, the subcommittee chair, said in his opening statement. “Over the last few years, efforts to impose Shariah on American communities have taken off, and nowhere more than in my home state of Texas.”
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, a Pennsylvania Democrat who is not a member of the caucus, said the hearing was meant to stoke suspicion of American Muslims and “a cynical political ploy driven by the Texas Republican primary.”
Haris Tarin, vice president of policy and programming for the Muslim Public Affairs Council advocacy group, said the caucus is made of “bigoted members” who are promoting a “hoax to drive people to the polls and scare them.”
“They’re taking the playbook of the 2010s and just enhancing it with more fear and more racism, more xenophobia and more Islamophobia,” Tarin told RNS, adding that an interfaith coalition is prepared to challenge the caucus.
Caucus members have introduced seven related House bills in recent months, including the No Shari’a Act, which would prohibit American courts from enforcing judgments based on Islamic law or other foreign legal systems that violate the Constitution.
During Tuesday’s hearing, some Democratic lawmakers said the Constitution inherently prevents theocratic rule or following foreign laws.
“The establishment clause, the free exercise clause and the clause guaranteeing no religious tests for public office, if you take time to study them, they will dispel all the anxieties stirred up by legislation and agitation like this,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md.
For Muslims, Shariah is sacred law that guides their personal lives. It includes rules for charity, prayer, pilgrimage, inheritance and marriage. Arabic for “the path to water,” Shariah also includes criminal law, though mainstream Muslim American scholars have consistently said that those laws can only be applied in Muslim countries with Shariah courts.
During the hearing, anti-Islam activists argued the religion practiced by millions of Americans is a political threat. Robert Spencer, director of Jihad Watch, suggested that freedom of speech should not apply to adherents of Shariah.
“The whole hearing here is turning on the idea that it would be terrible to restrict religious practice and in violation of the First Amendment,” he said. “But the difficulty here is that Shariah, in all of its forms and wherever it has been implemented, has been political and not just religious.”
Attempts to ban Shariah are also trickling into state legislatures. Last month, Gabe Woolley, a Republican state legislator who represents Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, where activists have sought to block a new mosque, filed a bill aimed at amending the Oklahoma Constitution to ban Shariah or any other foreign legal codes from being used in the state’s courts. In announcing it, Woolley rejected criticism that the bill violated the religious freedom of Muslims. And during an “Islam Unveiled” event at a Tulsa church on Tuesday, he claimed Islam was “not a religion.”
“It’s a political ideology that comes in under the Trojan horse of a religion,” he told attendees.
Woolley said that the bill was meant to prevent any spread of Islam in the state and that Christian opponents of Islam needed to be “proactive, not just reactive.”
A similar state constitutional amendment was approved by Oklahoma voters in November 2010, but a federal court blocked it from taking effect, saying the law violated Oklahoma’s Religious Freedom Act. The same court later ruled the amendment was unconstitutional and an appeals court affirmed the ruling. In announcing his bill, Woolley said that with a new administration in the state, it was time to pass a Shariah ban again.
The Rev. Shannon Fleck, executive director of the progressive Christian group Faithful America, said that fighting Islam has become an issue in the race to succeed Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, whose term expires in January. State Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who is running for governor, announced plans last month to investigate the proposed mosque in Broken Arrow, just outside Tulsa, before the project was rejected by the City Council. And a recent ad for Charles McCall, former speaker of the Oklahoma House and another Republican candidate for governor, warned that radical Islamists who want to impose Shariah are a threat to America.
“They are coming to Oklahoma next,” the ad warns. “Charles McCall will stop them.”
Trey Orndorff, a political science professor at Oklahoma Christian University, said the Oklahoma anti-Shariah bill allows politicians to show that they are aligned with President Donald Trump on the issue of immigration. The professor pointed to recent immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, which targeted Somali immigrants and refugees whom Trump described as wrongdoers who need to be kicked out of the country. Trump also restricted travel from some Muslim-majority countries in his first administration and did so again after returning to office last year.
“Right now, being anti-Islam, being anti-Muslim, is a litmus test for being right on the issue of immigration,” Orndorff said.
The 2010 Oklahoma amendment was part of a nationwide anti-Islam movement led by activists including Spencer, Glenn Beck, Pamela Geller and Brigitte Gabriel, who led nonprofits with names such as Stop Islamization of America. The movement accused American Muslims of being part of a conspiracy to undermine the country and tried to convince church members and conservatives to distrust their Muslim neighbors and to stop mosques from being built.
The movement made national headlines for opposing a planned mosque not far from the former site of the World Trade Center in New York City, which critics called the “Ground Zero Mosque,” and one in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, not far from Nashville. The movement also promoted model legislation aimed at banning Shariah and argued that Islam is not a real religion and therefore religious freedom did not apply to Muslims.
Courts consistently rejected that argument. In Tennessee, the U.S. Department of Justice filed an amicus brief in a 2010 lawsuit aimed at blocking the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, saying that Islam is a major world religion and Muslims are protected by religious freedom.
“A mosque is quite plainly a place of worship, and the county rightly recognized that it had an obligation to treat mosques the same as churches, synagogue, or any other religious assemblies,” Thomas E. Perez, then U.S. assistant attorney general for civil rights, said at the time. “This is not only common sense; it is required by federal law.”
While opposition to mosques has continued since the Obama era, the anti-Islam movement waned for a period. But a planned housing development by a Muslim group in Texas and the proposed mosque in Broken Arrow – along with Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric — seem to have given the movement new life.
The Rev. Jackson Lahmeyer of Sheridan.Church in Tulsa, which hosted the “Islam Unveiled” event featuring Woolley, said the proposed mosque in Broken Arrow was a tipping point for concerns about Islam. “I think that’s what probably rallied the masses,” Lahmeyer told RNS in a phone interview.
During the event, he said the nondenominational church will host future trainings for pastors and politicians about the dangers of Islam with John Bennett, a former Republican state representative and pastor, and former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn.
Tulsa, which Lahmeyer referred to as “Tulsa-rusalem” in the interview, has an overtly Christian culture, he said. He wants to keep it that way. “I’ve made the commitment that we’re going to do everything we can to make sure Tulsa doesn’t become the next Dearborn, Michigan,” he said, referring to a city with one of the largest Arab American populations in the U.S.
Lahmeyer, who runs a group called Pastors for Trump and has hosted Trump’s adult children, Kash Patel, Rudy Giuliani and other MAGA figures at the church, rejected the idea that mosques are protected by the First Amendment. He said that even if the state Shariah bill fails, he still supports it. And he wants mosque organizers to go elsewhere.
“There are 57 or 56 Islamic countries,” he said. “They can build all the mosques that they want over in those countries.”
Source: religionnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://religionnews.com/2026/02/13/sharia-free-caucus-a-sign-the-anti-muslim-movement-is-back/
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Watch: US military conducted a 'lethal kinetic strike' on 'terrorist' vessel in Carribbean; 3 killed
Feb 14, 2026
The US military conducted a deadly strike on a suspected drug trafficking boat in the Caribbean Sea, killing three people. The operation is part of the Trump administration's ongoing campaign against drug cartels, which has resulted in 133 deaths through 38 attacks since September in Caribbean and eastern Pacific waters.
US Southern Command shared details of the latest strike on social media, including video footage showing a boat exploding in flames. The military claimed the vessel was following known drug trafficking routes and was involved in illegal operations.
Last week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made a bold claim on social media, stating that "some top cartel drug-traffickers" in the region "have decided to cease all narcotics operations INDEFINITELY due to recent (highly effective) kinetic strikes in the Caribbean." However, no evidence was provided to support this statement.
US President Donald Trump has framed these operations as an "armed conflict" with Latin American cartels, arguing that such aggressive measures are essential to combat drug trafficking. Yet his administration has provided limited proof to support their claims of targeting and eliminating "narcoterrorists."
The ongoing military campaign represents a significant escalation in the US approachclaiming to combating drug trafficking in the region. This comes just days after US military has released footage of a recent strike on an alleged drug-trafficking vessel in the Eastern Pacific, stating that the boat was operating along what it described as “known narco-trafficking routes.” According to the officials, the strike resulted in the deaths of two individuals identified as “narco-terrorists,” while one person survived the incident.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/watch-us-military-conducted-a-lethal-kinetic-strike-on-terrorist-vessel-in-carribbean-3-killed/articleshowprint/128334395.cms
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Police investigate after Toronto mosque receives 'deeply disturbing' threat
Feb 13, 2026
Toronto police say they are investigating after a midtown mosque received two phone calls threatening violence against the mosque and its staff.
Police said they received a report about the calls made to the Toronto Islamic Centre and Community Services, on Yonge Street north of Bloor Street, on Wednesday.
According to the centre, the calls were received Wednesday at 7:20 p.m. and 8:41 p.m. The first call was about a minute, while the second lasted 14 minutes. The centre received the second call while a staff person was calling 911.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims, an advocacy organization, posted audio of one of the calls on its Instagram page. In it, a person is heard speaking with the caller, who makes reference to Brenton Tarrant, who killed 51 Muslims praying at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in 2019.
The caller, who says he is not Canadian, tells the person to search for Tarrant's name.
"Another Christchurch is going to happen to you," the caller says.
In a news release on Friday, the centre said said the call was "deeply disturbing."
"During the call, the individual used Islamophobic and racist language and made explicit threats of murder," the centre said.
Threat particularly 'brazen,' general manager says
Shaffni Nalir, the centre's general manager, said people who use the centre take turns praying. While some are praying, others watch the entrance and exit, he said.
Nalir said it's not the first time that the centre has received a threat but this one was "next level" and particularly "brazen."
In 2020, the centre received a threatening email from someone saying he was going to shoot up the mosque, he said. In 2023, someone came to the mosque and attacked some people outside after morning prayers.
The centre is raising funds to hire additional security, he added.
"At the end of the day, we do feel that it is a community responsibility to protect ourselves," he said. "At the end of the day, Islamophobia kills. We've seen it happen in different parts of the country."
Nalir said the threat is concerning because sometimes before attacks, there are signs.
"This raised flags for us and this is why we are on edge. However, in order for some of us to pray peacefully, others need to be on guard. And we're OK with that reality."
Police have not determined where calls came from
Police said they do not know where the calls originated from and have not said whether the calls will be investigated as a hate crime.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said in a social media post on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday, called the threats "heinous."
"Toronto is a city built on compassion, diversity, and a profound respect for people of all faiths," she said. "We will not tolerate threats of violence, Islamophobia, or hate of any kind. Every resident deserves to feel safe in their place of worship."
The NCCM, meanwhile, said it has been in contact with the mosque.
"Unfortunately, violent Islamophobia is rising across Canada. It is time for elected leaders to work with community members to generate real plans to make sure that our community is safe," the NCCM said in its post.
Source: cbc.ca
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/police-toronto-islamic-centre-phone-call-9.7089870
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CAIR-NJ: Historic First CD-12 Candidate Forum Draws Nearly 200 Attendees in West Windsor
February 13, 2026
In a historic first for New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District, a broad coalition of Muslim civic and advocacy organizations hosted a CD-12 Candidate Forum on Super Bowl Sunday at the Muslim Center of Greater Princeton, drawing nearly 200 attendees from both the Muslim community and the broader public.
The forum was organized by CAIR Action NJ, Emgage Action, and the NJ Muslim Civic Coalition Activate, in partnership with American Muslims for Democracy (AMD), New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association (NJMLA), CAIR-NJ, ICNA Social Council for Justice, NJ Muslim League of Voters, and NJ Muslim Voters for Progress.
SEE: Recording of the candidate forum.
All 20 candidates who have filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) for the CD-12 race were formally invited to participate. Twelve candidates attended and engaged directly with constituents in a robust discussion covering key issues including healthcare, economy, military spending, foreign policy, immigration, reparations, and campaign funding. The candidates who attended included Mayor Adrian Mapp, Commissioner Shanel Robinson, Iziah Thompson, Michael Lawrence, Squire Servance, Sam Wang, Dr. Adam Hamawy, Andres Jinete, Kyle Little, Elijah Dixon, Sujit Singh, and Jay Vaingankar.
In two powerful hand-raising questions that were asked by the respective moderators Councilwoman Eman Badawi of Cranbury and Omar Abuattieh, a 2026 Rhodes scholar from Rutgers University, nearly all candidates raised their hands setting the stage for what has become the most crowded race in NJ.
One question was: “Raise your hand if you publicly reject campaign contributions from foreign interest lobbies (such as AIPAC, NORPAC, DMFI) and any of their associated PACS?” Eleven out of twelve candidates raised their hands. The community so eagerly watched the long table of candidates seated and yet another community concern was raised in the form of the following question: “The United Nations Commission of Inquiry and over a dozen international human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Doctor’s Without Borders, have stated that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. By a show of hands, do you agree?” Once again all but one candidate raised their hands, a powerful testament of the overwhelmingly increasing pro-justice sentiment across our state.
Organizers described the event as a milestone moment for civic engagement within the district.
“This forum reflects the growing civic participation and political engagement of Muslim voters and allied communities in New Jersey,” said Omayma Mansour from CAIR Action NJ. “Providing a platform where candidates can directly address the concerns of our communities strengthens democracy and ensures voters are informed ahead of the upcoming election.”
The discussion allowed candidates to present their policy positions, respond to community concerns, and outline their priorities if elected to represent CD-12 in Congress. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from a diverse slate of candidates in a single setting, fostering transparency and accountability.
Despite taking place on Super Bowl Sunday, the event saw strong turnout, underscoring the high level of interest in the race and the issues affecting residents across the district.
Organizers emphasized that the forum was nonpartisan and focused on encouraging civic participation, voter education, and community dialogue.
As the CD-12 race continues, the coalition reaffirmed its commitment to engaging voters, increasing turnout, and ensuring that elected officials are responsive to the needs of all constituents.
About the Organizers
CAIR Action NJ, Emgage Action, and the NJ Muslim Coalition Activate work to promote civic engagement, voter education, and advocacy on issues impacting Muslim communities and the broader public. In collaboration with partner organizations including AMD, NJMLA, CAIR-NJ, ICNA Social Justice, and NJ Muslim Voters, the coalition aims to strengthen democratic participation and amplify community voices across New Jersey.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-nj-historic-first-cd-12-candidate-forum-draws-nearly-200-attendees-in-west-windsor/
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THIS MORNING: CAIR-NJ to Join Paterson Officials Calling for the Release of Leqaa Kordia from ICE Detention
February 13, 2026
This morning, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, plans to attend a press conference at Paterson City Hall alongside Mayor Andre Sayegh and other community leaders to call for the release of Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman and long-time resident of Paterson who has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado since March 13, 2025.
Kordia has remained in ICE custody for nearly a year despite two immigration judges having ordered her release on bond, orders which federal authorities have challenged. Last week, she was hospitalized after fainting and suffering a seizure but was reportedly returned to detention shortly after receiving medical care — a situation that has alarmed her family, legal team, and civil rights advocates.
Her case has drawn national attention amid concerns about conditions in ICE detention facilities, and advocates maintain that she has been targeted for her participation in a 2024 protest against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, where she lost many family members.
Speakers at Friday’s event will address the urgent need for Kordia’s immediate release, respect for judicial decisions, and the broader implications for civil liberties and human rights.
Speakers:
Mayor Andre Sayegh, City of Paterson
Assemblyman Al Abdelaziz, 35th Legislative District
Councilman Ibrahim Omar, 6th Ward, City of Paterson
Omar Farah, Executive Director, Muslim Advocates
Selaedin Maksut, Executive Director, CAIR New Jersey
Representatives from the Palestinian American Community Center
Representatives from the Islamic Center of Passaic County
Representatives from American Muslims for Palestine
Members of the Paterson City Council
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/this-morning-cair-nj-to-join-paterson-officials-calling-for-the-release-of-leqaa-kordia-from-ice-detention/
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ICE agents may have lied about shooting of migrant in Minneapolis, officials say
February 14, 2026
Two immigration agents may have made "untruthful statements" in sworn testimony about the shooting of a migrant in Minneapolis last month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has said.
ICE acting director Todd Lyons said the two officers, who have not been named, were immediately placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
"Lying under oath is a serious federal offence," Lyons said. On Friday, a judge granted a request to drop charges against two men who were accused of attacking the officers.
The Department of Homeland Security initially said a federal officer shot a man in the leg after being attacked with a shovel and broom handle by three migrants on 14 January.
On Friday, Lyons said in a statement that the two officers appeared to have provided inaccurate testimony, and that the US attorney's office was actively investigating the matter.
"Video evidence has revealed that sworn testimony provided by two separate officers appears to have made untruthful statements," he said.
"Upon conclusion of the investigation, the officers may face termination of employment, as well as potential criminal prosecution," he added.
After the 14 January incident, the DHS issued a statement saying the shooting happened after a car chase involving a Venezuelan national who was in the country illegally. After the pursuit the man got out of his car and an altercation broke out between him and the federal agent, it added.
"While the subject and law enforcement were in a struggle on the ground, two subjects came out of a nearby apartment and also attacked the law enforcement officer with a snow shovel and broom handle," the agency had claimed.
"As the officer was being ambushed and attacked by the two individuals, the original subject got loose and began striking the officer with a shovel or broom stick."
The DHS statement went on to say, "fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired defensive shots". The three people then ran into an apartment and were later all arrested.
Shortly after the incident, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said an agent was "beat up, he's bruised, he is injured, he's getting treatment, and we're thankful that he made it out alive".
It was soon followed by a statement on X by US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche: "Minnesota insurrection is a direct result of a FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement. It's disgusting."
Two men, Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna and Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, were charged with forcibly assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers in performance of their official duties.
Sosa-Celis was shot in the leg, and the DHS initially said Aljorna had fled the scene in the car, but officials later revised their version and said it was Aljorna - not Sosa-Celis - who fled.
They also scaled back their earlier claim that three people had attacked the immigration agent. Charging documents indicated there were only two individuals involved.
On Thursday, in an extraordinary reversal, Minnesota's top federal prosecutor Daniel N Rosen asked a judge to dismiss the charges against Aljorna and Sosa-Celis, saying that "newly discovered evidence in this matter is materially inconsistent with the allegations".
The US attorney wrote that as a result, dismissing the case with prejudice - meaning it cannot be refiled - "will serve the interests of justice".
On Friday, a judge granted the request and dismissed the case.
Frederick Goetz, a lawyer representing Aljorna, said he was "delighted" by the decision to dismiss the charges with prejudice.
Sosa-Celis' lawyer Robin Wolpert said his client was "a crime victim".
"These untruthful statements had serious consequences for my client and his family," he said.
A third Venezuelan man, Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez Ledezma, who lived nearby was also arrested after the 14 January incident, but a court filing shows he was taken to an ICE detention facility in Texas, and was later returned to Minnesota and released by order of a federal judge.
On Thursday, Trump's border tsar Tom Homan announced that the enforcement surge in Minnesota will end after more than two months.
More than 4,000 undocumented immigrants were arrested during the campaign, he said.
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8l9jp1z3yo
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Africa
America Helping Us To Fight Against Insurgency Is A Welcome Development – Ndume
February 14, 2026
By Justina Otio
The lawmaker representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has applauded the United States’ military intervention in the nation’s insecurity situation.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television on Friday, Ndume asserted that Nigeria needs all the help it can get to crush insurgency.
He stated that Nigeria has been seeking support from the United States for a long time and has made many efforts to obtain it.
He said, “The fact that the Americans are now helping us fight insurgency is a welcome development. We have been looking for this support for a long time and have made many efforts to get it, but have failed.
“Now that we have this window of opportunity, we must utilize it. I have complained many times that our major setback in this fight is a lack of certain resources; now, America has agreed to provide those resources free of charge.”
Ndume also clarified that the US troops currently in the country are not involved in direct physical combat.
“They are not engaging the enemy themselves. Instead, they are providing technological support and training,” Senator Ndume said.
“Furthermore, they are not operating independently; they are working under the leadership and command of the Nigerian Army,” he added.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/02/14/america-helping-us-to-fight-against-insurgency-is-a-welcome-development-ndume/
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Ramadan concerns: INEC consults, may seek legislative intervention on 2027 poll dates
February 14, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission has acknowledged public concerns over the timing of the 2027 general elections, which coincide with the holy month of Ramadan, a period of fasting and prayers for Muslims, and said it may seek legislative intervention if necessary.
This was disclosed in a statement by the National Commissioner, Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, on Friday.
The commission explained that the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2027 general election was developed in strict compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, and INEC’s own Guidelines and Regulations for the Conduct of Elections, 2022.
The statement highlighted that the Regulations and Guidelines, issued since 2019, prescribe the dates for elections:
“Election to the office of President and Vice President, as well as National Assembly, shall hold on the third Saturday of February of any general election year, while election to the Office of Governor and Deputy Governor and the State Houses of Assembly shall hold two (2) weeks thereafter,” it said.
Accordingly, INEC fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027 for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and Saturday, March 6, 2027, for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly Elections.
However, the commission acknowledged public concerns regarding the timing of the elections, which coincide with the holy month of Ramadan.
INEC said it is sensitive to such considerations and remains open to adjustments.
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, the commission has taken due notice of concerns expressed by stakeholders regarding the coincidence of the scheduled dates with certain nationally recognised holidays and observances.
“The commission wishes to assure the public that it remains sensitive to all legitimate concerns that may impact electoral participation and the overall conduct of elections.
“In view of these representations, the commission is currently undertaking consultations and may, where necessary, seek appropriate legislative intervention to address the concerns raised, while ensuring that any adjustment remains consistent with constitutional and statutory requirements,” the statement said.
INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and the credible conduct of the 2027 general elections, promising to keep the public informed of any changes.
The commission had earlier scheduled party primaries between May 22 and June 20, 2026, for the nomination of candidates, alongside the general election dates.
Recall political figures like former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad have called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to reconsider the February 20, 2027 date announced for the next general elections.
They expressed concerns that the timing coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, which could affect participation by Muslim voters.
Source: punchng.com
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https://punchng.com/ramadan-concerns-inec-consults-may-seek-legislative-intervention-on-2027-poll-dates/#google_vignette
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El-Rufai refutes 2027 presidential ambition, defends Kwankwaso on Sharia
February 13, 2026
A former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has said that he has no immediate plans to contest the presidency in 2027, insisting that he is not currently seeking any elective office.
El-Rufai made the clarification during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, where he addressed speculation about his political future and the state of the nation.
“I have said this over and over, I’m not a candidate for any office. I would have been in Egypt pursuing my PhD, but because I contributed to putting this government in place, I am still here to correct the decision,” he said.
When pressed on whether he would join the 2027 presidential race, the former governor responded, “For now, I am not running.”
He, however, acknowledged that politics remains fluid and subject to change.
“You never say never in politics, but the decision to run for president has not been made by me,” he said.
El-Rufai suggested that any future move would depend largely on the direction of his political associates and party stakeholders, maintaining that no such decision has been taken at this time.
Beyond the question of his ambition, the former governor expressed deep concern about Nigeria’s current condition, describing the country as being in a difficult phase.
He also weighed in on the controversy surrounding former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, amid reports of a proposed US congressional bill that names him among individuals potentially subject to visa bans and asset freezes for “severe religious freedom violations.”
El-Rufai argued that it was misleading to single out Kwankwaso when several northern states adopted similar legal frameworks over the implementation of Sharia law in parts of the North.
“Look, 12 northern states implemented Sharia, okay? The first state to do so was Zamfara. I thought Zamfara should be listed there, if at all anyone is to be blamed for this Sharia fiasco,” he said.
According to him, the adoption of Sharia law began in Zamfara State before spreading to other states, including Kano State.
“Kwankwaso followed suit like many other northern governors. Kano did not do anything different in the way it implemented Sharia. Kano was not very strict,” El-Rufai stated.
He further rejected claims portraying Kwankwaso as a religious extremist by the United States.
“He is not one of those you would call a fundamentalist in this Sharia matter,” he said.
El-Rufai also questioned why other former governors who enforced Sharia were not being mentioned in the ongoing debate.
“Nobody is mentioning people like Abdulaziz Yari and other governors that protected and promoted Sharia, people that cut off hands but it is Kwankwaso that is being targeted here. It makes me want to ask questions; where is this coming from?” he stated.
The former governor alleged that political considerations might be driving the focus on Kwankwaso, linking it to his refusal to join the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“Is it the nine billion dollars lobbying money that led to the listing of Kwankwaso because he has refused to move to the APC? The evil that this government is capable of is beyond your imagination. They may be behind it because Kwankwaso has refused to join APC. In fact, I can’t think of anyone else,” El-Rufai said.
He urged Nigerians to critically assess political narratives and avoid being swayed by vested interests.
“As Nigerians, we should not get carried away. We must be very discerning,” he said.
On insecurity and allegations of genocide, El-Rufai maintained that the primary concern should be the protection of all citizens, regardless of faith.
“Whether Christian or Muslim, everyone is at risk. That is what we should be worried about. We need to ask difficult questions. This genocide of a thing is a domestic politics in the U.S, this has nothing to do with Nigeria,” he said.
Source: punchng.com
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https://punchng.com/el-rufai-refutes-2027-presidential-ambition-defends-kwankwaso-on-sharia/
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‘January 22 Is The Day Governor Yusuf Gained Freedom, Not Betrayal Day’ – Ganduje
February 13, 2026
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has stated that January 22 will be celebrated as the day Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, gained freedom.
Naija News reports that Ganduje made this known while responding to remarks by the leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, regarding the defection of Governor Yusuf from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kwankwaso stated that January 22 would be celebrated as ‘World Betrayal Day’ following Yusuf’s defection, calling it a betrayal and disloyalty.
However, Ganduje, during a condolence visit to the residence of former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, over the death of his brother, maintained that January 22 was the day Yusuf gained freedom.
He said, “He considers me an enemy, but I am not his enemy; I am his brother.
“If he chooses to regard the day the governor left the NNPP, January 22, as ‘World Betrayal Day,’ then we will celebrate it as the day the governor gained his freedom.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected in Kano on Monday to formally receive Governor Yusuf into the APC at a grand reception scheduled to hold at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata.
Naija News understands that the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and several APC governors are also billed to attend the event, which party leaders have described as a major political gathering aimed at consolidating the ruling party’s influence in the North-West.
Kano State APC Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, said the reception would symbolically and formally welcome Yusuf into the party.
He described the development as a significant milestone for the APC in Kano, widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s most strategic political strongholds.
According to him, extensive preparations have been concluded to ensure a hitch-free ceremony.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/02/13/january-22-is-the-day-governor-yusuf-gained-freedom-not-betrayal-day-ganduje/
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Kwankwaso Followed Other Northern Governors – El-Rufai Slams US Sanction Bill, Points Finger At Zamfara
February 14, 2026
A former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed claims portraying erstwhile Kano Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as a religious extremist.
He was reacting to reports of a proposed United States congressional bill that names Kwankwaso among individuals potentially subject to visa bans and asset freezes for “severe religious freedom violations.”
Speaking during an interview on Arise News, El-Rufai argued that it was misleading to single out Kwankwaso, noting that several northern states had adopted similar legal frameworks for the implementation of Sharia law in parts of the North.
He said, “Look, 12 northern states implemented Sharia, okay? The first state to do so was Zamfara. I thought Zamfara should be listed there, if at all anyone is to be blamed for this Sharia fiasco.”
According to him, the adoption of Sharia law began in Zamfara State before spreading to other states, including Kano State.
“Kwankwaso followed suit like many other northern governors. Kano did not do anything different in the way it implemented Sharia. Kano was not very strict.
“He is not one of those you would call a fundamentalist in this Sharia matter,” he said.
El-Rufai also questioned why other former governors who enforced Sharia were not being mentioned in the ongoing debate.
“Nobody is mentioning people like Abdulaziz Yari and other governors that protected and promoted Sharia, people that cut off hands but it is Kwankwaso that is being targeted here. It makes me want to ask questions; where is this coming from?” he stated.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/02/14/kwankwaso-followed-other-northern-governors-el-rufai-slams-us-sanction-bill-points-finger-at-zamfara/
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Something Fishy Is Going On – Ndume Blasts US Move To Sanction Kwankwaso
February 14, 2026
The lawmaker representing Borno South in the Senate, Ali Ndume, has condemned a bill by United States lawmakers proposing sanctions against former Kano governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Naija News reports that on Tuesday, five US lawmakers introduced a bill in Congress, seeking to sanction Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore for alleged violations of religious freedom.
The proposed legislation, captioned “Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026,” is being sponsored by Chris Smith, Riley Moore (bill author), Brian Mast, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Bill Huizenga.
Speaking on the development during an interview on Channels Television, Ndume insisted that something fishy was going on for Kwankwaso’s name to be mentioned.
He stated that he wants to know the reason why the former governor’s name was mentioned.
He said, “I am surprised that Kwankwaso’s name was mentioned, and I want to know why and how he got mentioned.
“For them to mention just Kwankwaso, a former governor, something must be fishy somewhere. Perhaps there is intelligence and information available to others that some of us aren’t aware of.
“I don’t want to go too deeply into that, but in my view, the asset freezes and sanctions proposed by the UK, America, and other developed countries are misplaced.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/02/14/something-fishy-is-going-on-ndume-blasts-us-move-to-sanction-kwankwaso/
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El-Rufai Fingers APC Over US Congress Blacklisting Of Kwankwaso
February 13, 2026
Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may be behind the United States (US) Congress’s blacklisting of the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Naija News recalls that United States lawmakers initiated a new bill aimed at increasing accountability for human rights abuses in Nigeria.
The legislation, Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, contains provisions for potential sanctions against Fulani militias and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Reacting to the development, El-Rufai, while responding to questions in an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, on Friday, said the blacklisting may be linked to Kwankwaso’s refusal to join the APC and rumoured defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He said, “The APC may be behind it because Kwankwaso has refused to move to the APC, and there are rumours that he will move to the ADC.
“In fact, I cannot think of anyone else because, look, 12 northern states implemented Sharia.
“The first state to do so was Zamfara. I thought Zamfara should be listed there if at all anyone is to be blamed for this Sharia fiasco.
“So Kwankwaso is not one of the governors that you would say was a fundamentalist.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/02/13/el-rufai-fingers-apc-over-us-congress-blacklisting-of-kwankwaso/
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Southeast Asia
Selangor to crack down on misuse of mosque teaching credentials during Ramadan
13 Feb 2026
SHAH ALAM, Feb 13 — The Selangor state government will take firm action, including suspending or revoking teaching credentials, against any individual found to have misused the permission granted to them, particularly during the month of Ramadan.
State Islamic Religious Affairs and Cultural Innovation Committee chairman Dr Mohammad Fahmi Ngah said the move is aimed at ensuring mosque activities are conducted in a disciplined manner, in line with guidelines, and are not misused to touch on matters prohibited by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS).
“Anyone delivering lectures or ‘tazkirah’ at mosques must hold a valid credential, and that credential is issued according to specific categories. If it is only for teaching the Quran, then it is strictly limited to the Quran.
“If complaints are received and investigations find misuse of credentials, the permission may first be suspended and subsequently revoked, depending on the decision of the state religious authorities,” he told a press conference after attending the Ramadan preparations briefing for Selangor mosques here today.
In the briefing, he said guidelines for mosque activities during Ramadan were highlighted, including mosques not being used to criticise the government and political parties or for political discussions, so as to maintain harmony among congregants.
“The public is encouraged to lodge official complaints if speakers without credentials are involved or if any conditions are violated so that investigations can be carried out,” he said.
Among the recommended Ramadan practices is the performance of 20 rakaat of tarawih prayers at mosques, along with tazkirah sessions after Isyak prayers limited to no more than 20 minutes.
“Tazkirah” before Zohor prayers is also allowed but must stop once the azan is called to ensure congregants can perform their prayers on time, he added.
Mosques are also encouraged to appoint imams from local tahfiz institutions to lead tarawih prayers, giving students valuable experience in serving the community.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Fahmi said the state government has allocated sufficient funds to support mosque programmes during Ramadan. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/02/13/selangor-to-crack-down-on-misuse-of-mosque-teaching-credentials-during-ramadan/209136
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Govt upgrading mosques, surau at malls and R&Rs as Friday prayer venues, says religious affairs minister
13 Feb 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 — The government has welcomed initiatives by various parties to enhance mosques and surau nationwide, including efforts to upgrade selected surau into Friday prayer venues at strategic locations such as shopping malls and highway rest and recreational (R&R) areas.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan, said the government is actively expanding Friday surau facilities at such locations following encouraging response to pilot projects at the Seremban R&R and IOI Mall Putrajaya, which drew thousands of worshippers.
“Previously, those who wished to establish Friday surau had to submit applications. Now, we are proactively going to the ground to identify suitable locations. We have mobilised teams to identify potential sites, including shopping malls,” he said.
He was speaking at the handing over of the Friday Prayer authorisation certificate to Surau Irtifa’, Menara Affin, and the launch of the UsimMasjidPro application at Menara Affin, Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), today.
Also present were Affin Bank chairman Datuk Agil Natt, USIM Board of Directors member Datuk Dr Hasan Baharom and USIM Holdings chairman Mohd Khair Ngadiron.
Zulkifli said among the locations being upgraded to enable Friday prayers are several shopping malls, including Alamanda, as well as selected highway R&Rs.
He added that Malaysia currently has more than 6,784 registered mosques, over 1,000 Friday suraus and more than 18,000 suraus nationwide.
Meanwhile, Mohd Khair said 500 mosques across the country have registered as users of the UsimMasjidPro application since its launch, reflecting strong acceptance of efforts to digitalise mosque management.
“This is not merely an application, but a smart ecosystem designed to facilitate digital management of mosques and the kariah community.
“Our main objective is to encourage and simplify a culture of giving, where donations can now be made at one’s fingertips, anytime and anywhere,” he said.
He said the application was developed through collaboration between USIM Holdings and local technology firm HPCS Sdn Bhd, in line with efforts to promote high-tech solutions in the management of Islamic institutions.
The system incorporates a Virtual Account feature managed in strategic collaboration with Affin Bank Berhad as the coordinating bank, ensuring that every infaq transaction is recorded systematically, transparently and securely.
Among the key modules offered are online kariah and death khairat management, mosque activity calendars, prayer times, Quran and tafsir access, as well as live broadcasts from Makkah.
The app also includes a digital infaq module via a payment gateway or QRPay, alongside financial transparency features that enable periodic transfers of infaq proceeds directly to mosque accounts, complete with transaction records.
Mohd Khair described the registration of 500 mosques as only the beginning, noting the strong potential for thousands more mosques and suraus to adopt the system.
“We see significant potential to expand the use of this application to empower the ummah’s economy and drive the digital transformation of mosque institutions in Malaysia,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Perlis declares first day of Ramadan a Special Public Holiday
13 Feb 2026
KANGAR, Feb 13 — The Perlis state government has declared the first day of Ramadan 1447H as a Special Public Holiday for the state, with the consent of the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.
Menteri Besar Abu Bakar Hamzah said that if the first day of Ramadan fell on February 18, which coincided with the Chinese New Year public holiday, the Special Public Holiday for Perlis would be deferred to the following day.
“Meanwhile, if Ramadan 1, 1447H, falls on February 19, 2026 (Thursday), that day will be declared a Special Public Holiday. The declaration of this Special Public Holiday is intended to provide an opportunity for Muslims in the state to welcome and reflect on the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan more meaningfully.
“It is also aimed at encouraging the strengthening of family values as well as early preparations to observe the fasting month,” he said in a statement today.
In addition, Abu Bakar said the state government had also decided that the working hours for Perlis civil servants every Friday throughout Ramadan would be from 8am to 12.30pm.
He said that with the implementation of Flexible Working Hours (FWH) during Ramadan, all heads of department at the state level were responsible for ensuring that service delivery, including counter services, continued smoothly without disruption.
Abu Bakar said all heads of departments must also issue notifications regarding counter service hours throughout Ramadan to avoid any confusion among the public.
“As for staff at federal departments, the implementation of FWH is subject to the discretion of their respective heads of department.
“In this regard, it is my sincere hope that the privilege of leaving early on Fridays will be put to good use to enhance acts of worship and piety throughout the blessed month of Ramadan in seeking the pleasure of Allah,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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PKR at its strongest but must keep forging ahead, says Anwar
13 Feb 2026
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says PKR is at its strongest but must continue building strength and unity to face heavier challenges and secure victory.
ALOR SETAR: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is now at its strongest level and its strength must continue to be built to ensure the party remains solid, said its president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said although PKR faces heavier challenges compared with other parties, teamwork could mobilise strength and in turn secure victory for the party.
“Focus on how to build strength so that ‘the ship can dock with style and stability’,” he said when speaking at the Kedah PKR Convention here today.
However, he said all parties must not assume that everything within the party is perfect.
“I acknowledge that over the past three years, since I assumed the post of prime minister, I have paid less attention to the party because I wanted to fix the economy and put the government in order.
“People can say whatever they want; our duty is to work and know what our choices are. If there are issues, we must answer each one raised with the truth, not fabrication,” he said.
Anwar explained that the party’s struggle must also be grounded in facts and that no country in the world has progressed by sowing the seeds of hatred.
He added that views driven by hatred need not be entertained, instead, one should carry out duties with full trustworthiness and responsibility.
“The opposition parties can say they want to uphold Islam, but Islam is not merely in its proclamation; it is in its practice, its principles of justice and the implementation of its teachings,” he said.
Anwar said PKR takes matters concerning Islam very seriously as it is the religion of the Federation, but the party’s task is to refine the situation and not be evasive.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/politics/pkr-strongest-forging-anwar/#google_vignette
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National pig farming blueprint underway to guide industry, says deputy agriculture minister
14 Feb 2026
SEBERANG PERAI, Feb 14 — The Agriculture and Food Security Ministry is developing a pig farming industry blueprint to provide comprehensive guidelines for the sector, deputy minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said today.
Chan said the blueprint will include the use of waste-to-energy biogas facilities similar to the Kampung Valdor Centralised Biogas Facility in South Seberang Perai, Penang.
“I thank Penang for taking the lead to show us the way on how to manage livestock waste in a responsible manner because, as Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow mentioned, this is basically an environmental issue,” he said at a press conference after attending the launch of the Kampung Valdor Centralised Biogas Facility here.
He said if the issue is not properly managed, it could escalate into broader social problems and, in the worst-case scenario, trigger racial and religious tensions.
“So it is very important for other pig farmers and industry players to learn from the Penang experience on how to manage it,” he said.
Chan said the country’s pork self-sufficiency level (SSL) currently stands at about 65 per cent.
He said the total ban on pig farms in Selangor may affect the SSL, but the impact would not be severe as Malaysia can supplement supply with imported pork for the time being.
In the long term, he said the ministry will ensure that the non-Muslim community in Malaysia continues to have access to pork as a major protein source.
“I believe that eventually, we still need to manage it well,” he said.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/02/14/national-pig-farming-blueprint-underway-to-guide-industry-says-deputy-agriculture-minister/209213
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Five more Bersatu leaders expelled following Hamzah Zainudin’s sacking, including previously suspended Wan Ahmad Fayhsal
By Muhammad Yusry
13 Feb 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 — Five more Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia leaders have been expelled from the party following the sacking of its former deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin earlier today, including Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal who had previously been suspended.
In notices issued to the individuals, the party’s Disciplinary Board said it convened yesterday and resolved to terminate their membership rights under Clause 22.5 of the Bersatu constitution for breaching Clause 9.1.4.
Clause 9.1.4 requires members to comply with the party’s constitution as well as its Code of Ethics and Conduct.
Those expelled are Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, Gerik MP Fathul Huzir Ayob, Padang Rengas MP Azahari Hasan, Sabah Bersatu secretary Yunus Nurdin, and Mohd Hassundi Hamzah of the Larut division in Perak.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal was previously suspended from Bersatu for one term beginning in October last year before the latest disciplinary action.
Yunus had also previously called on party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to step down.
The Disciplinary Board, chaired by Datuk Mohd Radzi Manan, said the expulsions take effect immediately, although the affected members may appeal to the party’s Appeals Board within 14 days from the date of the notice.
Hamzah was earlier sacked for breaching the party constitution, the same grounds cited in the expulsions of the five others.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/02/13/five-more-bersatu-leaders-expelled-following-hamzah-zainudins-sacking-including-previously-suspended-wan-ahmad-fayhsal/209126
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South Asia
Trump Slams Biden Over “Humiliating” Afghanistan Withdrawal
By Fidel Rahmati
February 14, 2026
Trump criticizes US withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it humiliating, pledging stronger military leadership and vowing similar exits will never happen again.
Speaking to military families at Fort Bragg, Trump said the Biden administration handled the withdrawal from Afghanistan poorly, describing it as a damaging moment for America’s global image.
Trump argued that US forces should have withdrawn with dignity and strength rather than leaving behind military equipment, which he said weakened American credibility.
He also criticized decisions to leave aircraft and military assets behind, saying they could have easily been flown out instead of being abandoned.
The US president added he would not allow such a withdrawal again and claimed his leadership has rebuilt America’s military strength since returning to office.
The chaotic US withdrawal in 2021 ended two decades of military presence in Afghanistan and led to the rapid takeover of the country by the Taliban.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid previously said the group considers abandoned US military equipment as war gains and would not return them.
Meanwhile, debates over the withdrawal remain politically sensitive in the United States, with the issue continuing to shape domestic and foreign policy discussions.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/trump-slams-biden-over-humiliating-afghanistan-withdrawal/
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18 Afghan Migrants Detained in Border Operation in Turkey
By Fidel Rahmati
February 13, 2026
Authorities in Turkey arrested 18 Afghan migrants trying to cross illegally into Europe near Edirne, transferring them later for deportation processing procedures.
Border forces said the migrants were detained during an operation targeting people attempting irregular crossings toward European countries through land routes.
Officials confirmed that, after administrative procedures were completed, the detainees were transferred to migration centers for deportation processing.
Police stated that operations against irregular migration and human smuggling networks continue without interruption across key border areas.
Recent detentions reflect tighter border controls as authorities step up efforts to limit unauthorized migration movements toward Europe.
Edirne remains one of the main transit points for migrants attempting to reach Europe, with thousands trying to pass through the region annually.
According to Directorate General of Migration Management data, more than 152,000 undocumented migrants, including over 42,000 Afghans, were detained across the country in the past year.
Continued migration pressure highlights ongoing humanitarian and security challenges facing regional authorities managing irregular migration routes toward Europe.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/18-afghan-migrants-detained-in-border-operation-in-turkey/
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Afghan Restaurant Owner Killed in Hamburg Stabbing Attack
By Fidel Rahmati
February 13, 2026
German police say Afghan restaurant owner Morteza Sadeqi was fatally stabbed in Hamburg, prompting investigation and community shock across city late Thursday.
Police said the 43-year-old victim died from multiple stab wounds after a dispute with another man that began inside his restaurant and later moved outside.
Sadeqi, originally from Afghanistan, had lived in Germany for more than three decades and was a well-known figure within the local Afghan community.
He owned Restaurant Sepida, considered one of the city’s long-standing Afghan and Iranian dining venues, popular among both locals and migrants.
German media reported that relatives rushed him to hospital following the attack, but he later died from his injuries despite emergency treatment.
Authorities, including Hamburg Police, deployed large forces around the hospital after family members gathered, seeking to prevent tensions or public disorder.
Police confirmed the suspect fled the scene, and investigators have not yet released details regarding the attacker’s identity or possible motive.
Community members say Sadeqi was known for supporting newcomers and running one of the few Afghan-owned restaurants serving migrants and long-time residents alike.
Investigators continue searching for the suspect as community leaders urge calm while authorities work to clarify circumstances surrounding the deadly attack.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/afghan-restaurant-owner-killed-in-hamburg-stabbing-attack/
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Radio Adei Launches in Kabul on World Radio Day
By Fidel Rahmati
February 13, 2026
On World Radio Day, new private broadcaster Radio Adei launched in Kabul, expanding news access while Afghanistan’s radio sector faces mounting pressure.
The newly launched station broadcasts 19 hours daily on FM in Kabul and provides round-the-clock programming via satellite and online platforms.
Radio officials say the station aims to become a reliable and responsible voice, delivering trusted information and reflecting public concerns and community needs.
Management says programming will include national and international news, analysis, talk shows, and educational content serving diverse audiences across the country.
Officials added that special attention will be given to programs addressing women, youth, children, culture, religion, and public awareness issues.
The station also provides digital access through its website and social media channels, allowing audiences to follow programs live beyond traditional radio broadcasting.
Earlier, Afghanistan Journalists Center warned that restrictions on radio activities have increased sharply, with some stations reportedly threatened or temporarily shut down.
The group also said media regulations introduced in recent years by the Taliban have directly affected radio operations, while some journalists faced detention or pressure.
Despite regulatory and financial challenges, the launch of new stations shows radio remains a crucial and widely accessible source of news and public information nationwide.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/radio-edei-launches-in-kabul-on-world-radio-day/
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World Radio Day: Journalist Support Groups Warn of Growing Media Restrictions in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
February 13, 2026
Media support groups warn radio freedoms shrinking as authorities tighten controls, raising concerns over journalism, access to information, and broadcaster survival across Afghanistan.
Several journalist-support organizations marked World Radio Day on Friday, Febraury 13 by expressing concern over increasing media restrictions, while authorities urged outlets to strictly follow official broadcasting policies.
A spokesperson for Ministry of Information and Culture said 228 radio stations currently operate nationwide, with licenses issued to about 40 new stations in recent years.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center reported that more than two dozen directives imposed in recent years have limited media operations, including restrictions affecting radio programming and newsroom practices.
The group added that journalists and media managers have faced arrests and threats for failing to comply, while some women-focused radio stations were also pressured or warned to halt operations.
Media advocacy organizations say restrictions include limits on women working in media, gender segregation in workplaces, and curbs on female journalists’ participation in interviews and press events.
Meanwhile, the Free Journalists Union of Afghanistan warned that financial pressures threaten radio stations, with many employees reportedly receiving irregular or unpaid salaries.
Media advocates say sustained financial and regulatory pressure risks weakening Afghanistan’s radio sector, potentially reducing public access to independent news and local information services.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/world-radio-day-journalist-support-groups-warn-of-growing-media-restrictions-in-afghanistan/
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Berlin International Film Festival Opens with Shahrbanoo Sadat Film from Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
February 13, 2026
The film Good Men Don’t Exist has been selected as the opening feature of this year’s Berlin festival, telling the story of a Kabul journalist who rediscovers trust and love after personal betrayal.
The story follows Naro, a television reporter whose failed marriage shapes her belief about relationships until meeting fellow journalist Qudrat changes her perspective on life.
Sadat herself plays the lead role, while Afghan actor and writer Anwar Hashimi appears as Qudrat, bringing humor and realism to the romantic comedy set partly in Germany.
Festival director Tricia Tuttle praised Sadat’s bold filmmaking, saying the project demonstrates creative risk-taking rarely seen in contemporary international cinema.
Sadat previously gained international attention with films showcased at global festivals, earning recognition for portraying everyday Afghan life beyond conflict-centered narratives often seen abroad.
In an interview with The Guardian, Sadat said Afghan society also contains humor, affection, and resilience, and her film aims to reflect those overlooked realities.
The opening selection marks a milestone for Afghanistan cinema, highlighting growing global interest in diverse stories portraying modern Afghanistan’s experiences beyond war and crisis narratives.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/berlin-international-film-festival-opens-with-shahrbanoo-sadat-film-from-afghanistan/
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Towards Constructive Engagement with Afghanistan
February 14, 2026
The recent decision by the United Nations Security Council to extend the mandate of the Monitoring Team supporting the 1988 Afghanistan Sanctions Committee for another year once again draws international attention to Afghanistan’s situation. While the resolution reflects ongoing global interest in the country’s security and political developments, it also highlights the need for a balanced and realistic approach grounded in engagement rather than pressure.
Afghanistan today is under the authority of the Islamic Emirate, which has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the establishment of comprehensive security across the country. Since the restoration of the Islamic system, nationwide security has significantly improved, corruption has been curtailed, and efforts are ongoing to strengthen institutions and provide public services within available resources. In this context, continued sanctions and monitoring mechanisms should be evaluated in light of present realities rather than past assumptions.
The discussions within the Council reveal differing priorities among major powers such as the United States, Russia, and China. While there is consensus on the importance of counterterrorism and regional stability, varying views persist regarding the scope of the Monitoring Team’s assessments. For Afghanistan, the central issue remains clear. Any international mechanism should focus on genuine security concerns and avoid politicization that could complicate constructive relations.
The Islamic Emirate has consistently rejected allegations of arbitrary detention and has affirmed that all individuals are treated in accordance with the law and that reports portraying a different picture are often influenced by biased groups with political motives. Stability and justice, from the Emirate’s standpoint, are fundamental pillars of governance, and the application of law is carried out without discrimination.
At the same time, Afghanistan continues to call on the international community to lift sanctions and remove restrictions that hinder economic recovery and diplomatic engagement. Sanctions have far-reaching humanitarian and economic consequences, affecting ordinary citizens more than political structures. In a country striving for reconstruction after decades of conflict, restrictions on financial systems and official travel complicate efforts to engage with international partners and attract investment.
There is growing recognition that sustainable peace and regional stability cannot be achieved through isolation. Dialogue, mutual respect, and practical cooperation, particularly in areas such as counterterrorism and combating narcotics, offer a more promising path forward. Facilitating responsible international engagement, including easing travel limitations for officials when appropriate, could contribute to transparency and trust-building.
The renewal of the Monitoring Team’s mandate should therefore serve as an opportunity for reassessment. If the ultimate objective is a stable, secure, and self-reliant Afghanistan that contributes positively to regional security, then policies must encourage engagement rather than deepen divisions. Constructive interaction based on respect for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and Islamic values can lay the foundation for improved relations and long-term stability for both Afghanistan and the wider region.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://thekabultimes.com/towards-constructive-engagement-with-afghanistan/
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Bangladesh Election Results 2026: BNP secures landslide victory, Tarique Rahman tipped to be PM
Shubhajit Roy
Feb 14, 2026
Signalling the start of a new chapter in the country’s history, the centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, returned to power Friday after nearly two decades, securing a landslide victory in the first national elections since the August 2024 ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The Election Commission announced that the BNP had won 209 seats in the 300-seat Bangladesh parliament.
With a commanding two-thirds majority, the BNP will be able to form the government and 60-year-old Rahman, who is tipped to be the Prime Minister, will not need the support of smaller parties to push his agenda in the Jatiyo Shangsad, the country’s parliament.
There was no immediate statement from the BNP but it released photographs of Rahman in a celebratory mood — he was seen going for the Friday namaz. The last time the BNP was in power, from 2001 to 2006, Rahman’s mother Khaleda Zia was Prime Minister. She died in December 2025, days after Rahman returned to the country from the UK where he was in self-exile for 17 years.
The Jamaat-e-Islami won 68 seats, making it the second largest party and the main Opposition party in parliament. It was the BNP’s main rival this election – the Awami League of Sheikh Hasina was banned from contesting the polls after student-led street protests overthrew her government in August 2024, forcing her to flee to India.
Also Friday, the Election Commission said the ‘Yes’ vote in a referendum on constitutional reform totalled 4.8 crore votes as against 2.25 crore ‘No’ vote.
The reform is a package: a maximum of 10 years for an individual to remain Prime Minister, reinstate a caretaker government, introduce a bicameral parliament, grant more independence to the judiciary.
Of the 300 seats, polling for one seat was cancelled and was under challenge on two seats, according to the Election Commission.
The counting of votes, undertaken after polling ended late Thursday afternoon, continued through the night and it became clear that people had opted for the mainstream BNP, not the new parties.
The emergence of the Jamaat-e-Islami as the second largest party is a stunning turnaround. For a very long time, it was a political pariah, especially during the rule of Sheikh Hasina. Following her overthrow, its popularity and support swelled and in university elections last year, it won in Dhaka University and other government-run universities across the country.
Despite a high-octane campaign, it could not match the BNP because there were concerns over its policies regarding the status of women and religious conservatism. An analysis of its footprint in the seats show the Jamaat managed to gain seats in the north and south-west, along the India-Bangladesh border adjoining West Bengal. And another analysis shows it has won six out of 15 seats in Dhaka, the capital.
As the results came in, the Jamaat alleged “abnormal delays” and “tampering” and threatened a stir if the mandate was “snatched away”.
The party’s assistant secretary general Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair alleged that returning officers were intentionally delaying results to favour a “particular party” – a charge the Election Commission rejected.
But these results have not surprised many in Bangladesh. The election ban on Awami League ensured it vacated the political landscape for the BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami. The Awami League has rejected the election, calling it a farce.
Although the Jamaat tied up with the National Citizen Party (NCP), a party floated by student protesters, the arrangement did not yield much gains. The NCP managed to win only six seats, according to results announced so far.
Many attributed the NCP’s poor showing to the dismal performance of student leaders who had joined the interim government as advisors and worked in other government roles. There were also allegations of corruption, casting a shadow on its prospects in the run-up to the elections.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/world/bangladesh-election-results-2026-bnp-victory-tarique-rehman-pm-10530998/
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