After Pahalgam Attack, Global Terror Groups Intensify Online Jihad Campaigns: Indian Intelligence Agencies
New Age Islam News Bureau
27 January 2025
Representative Image Photo | ANI
----------
· After Pahalgam Attack, Global Terror Groups Intensify Online Jihad Campaigns: Indian Intelligence Agencies
· 155 Hindu Temples Receive Rm3.1 Million In First Phase Of Dharma Madani In Malaysia
· Survival In Gaza ‘On The Edge,’ Living Conditions ‘Brutal’ Despite Easing Of Hunger, Un Officials Warn
· Prince Faisal: Saudi Arabia’s Uae Relationship ‘Critically Important’ For Regional Stability
· 8 Ngos Join Saudi Arabia’s National Vegetation Drive
· Man Charged In Connection With Alleged Galway Mosque Attack Plot Released On Bail
· ‘Trump Doesn’t Want Violence On Us Streets’: White House Defends Immigration Crackdown After Alex Pretti Killing In Minneapolis
· Intolerant Christians Opposing Sharia Law, Will Be Implemented In Oyo If Demanded: Adebayo Shittu
· Commission Approves Books Conforming To Islamic And Afghan Standards
----
India
· RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat: ‘India Hindu nation, no more approval needed’
· Nair outfit drops ‘Hindu unity’ plans with Ezhava leader Natesan’s SNDP: ‘Have doubts about their political motive’
· Hammer attack on Sufi poet's shrine in Mussoorie, Hindutva outfit claims role
· Terror acts will be treated as war says J&K LG as Kishtwar operation continues
· Not normal to tolerate Pak's continued use of terror as instrument of state policy: India at UNSC
· 77th Republic Day: From Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala, a splash of celebrations
· India and EU seal landmark free trade deal after two decades of stalled negotiations
-----
Southeast Asia
· Penang Hindu group urges price crackdown as essentials soar ahead of Thaipusam, CNY
· Where can we pray?: As Muslim tourism grows, Japan rethinks public spaces to meet needs
· Lim Guan Eng presses PM for Penang Special Financial Zone to dull US tariff threat
· Anwar says Malaysia’s 2025 trade missions generated RM45.4b in export sales
· After backlash, Anwar tells Parliament ‘diagnostic test’ for Year One enrolment scrapped
· Halal certification cooperation key highlights of MAIPs’ Ziarah Mahabbah Programme
-----
Mideast
· A ceasefire holds in Syria but civilians live with fear and resentment
· US envoy calls for ceasefire deal in northeastern Syria to be maintained
· US believes Hamas disarmament comes along with some sort of amnesty, US official says
· Jihad condemns Israeli enemy assassination of Sheikh Ali Nour el-Din in Lebanon
· Syrian authorities intercept cocaine shipment originating from Brazil
· How small businesses are navigating Syria’s economic recovery
· Iran protest instigators will receive no leniency, judicial chief says
· Qatari minister reaffirms support for Lebanon, calls stability a regional priority
· Al-Sabeen district leaders visit shrine of Martyr of Qur’an in Sa'ada
· Meeting Chaired by Al-Bashiri Discusses Mechanisms for Providing Food & Consumer Needs for Ramadan
-----
Arab World
· Saudi, Omani navies launch Winds of Peace 2026 training
· What is Hag Al Laila? The Emirati tradition that marks the countdown to Ramadan
· French universities education fair in Jeddah showcases study opportunities
· Jazan governor receives ambassador of Denmark
· Saudi Arabia and Poland establish coordination council to help boost bilateral ties
· Riyadh school enters Guinness World Records with Book Bloom 500
· AI, automation creating new jobs and displacing traditional roles: Saudi HR minister
· More international cooperation needed to reduce space debris, says SSA’s chief
· Judges review innovations at Ibdaa science fair
· Sharjah Charity targets 1.2 million iftar meals during Ramadan
-------
Europe
· Killer driver's partner and mosque imam slammed for their 'nauseating' letters defending him
· TikTok account celebrating Bondi terrorist attack was active for a month before deletion
· Starmer says he won't 'choose between' the US or China
· EU moves to cut off Russian gas – Who will pay the price?
· Kremlin urges patience on trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine talks
· Fifty Labour MPs sign letter objecting to Burnham decision
-------
North America
· ‘Americans who might hate Indians…’: Social media reacts to free samosas given at anti‑ICE protests in Minnesota
· Trump threatens Iran with ‘armada’ bigger than around Venezuela
· CAIR-Florida Welcomes Arrest for Racist Attack on Lawmaker at Sundance Film Festival
· West Virginia woman arrested in alleged Trump assassination plot; sheriff says she recruit people on social media
· No endgame doctrine: What Trump is doing to the world order
· Muslim Voter Group To Endorse Greens In Gorton And Denton By-Election
· CAIR-MN, Partners to Hold Rally at State Capitol Seeking Arrest of Officers Who Killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti
· Register Today: CAIR to Host Pre-Ramadan Webinar, ‘Ramadan for Students and Parents’
· CAIR-Alabama Welcomes Birmingham Mayor’s Recognition of Muslim Heritage Month, Upcoming Eid Holidays
------
Africa
· Coup Plot: Indicted Officers Face Death Penalty Under Military Law – Retired Generals
· ‘We Will Not Allow Nigerian Parents To Be Extorted’ – Tinubu’s Govt
· Kaduna Community Cries Out As Bandits Hold 13 Captives After ₦40 Million Ransom Payment
· Two brothers jailed 2 months each for stealing cellphone from mosque
· Southern Kaduna Coalition Rejects Call For Defence Minister To Emerge As Tinubu’s Running Mate
· Failure To Arraign Accused Persons Stall ₦4.29 Billion Fraud Case Against UBA
· Tinubu May Approve Only One New State — Sources
------
South Asia
· Mawlawi Jamal Highlights Tourism’s Key Role in Driving Economic Growth
· Security Ensured Nationwide, Supporting Returnees a Religious Responsibility, Hanafi
· Norway Pledges $990,000 Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan, UN Says
· Mujahid Calls for Public Support of Afghan Athletes
· Foreign Minister Calls for Responsible Cultural Engagement to Strengthen Society
· Pen Sacred Tool for Reform, Strengthening Society, Official
· Jamaat, NCP allege election code breaches
------
----------
After Pahalgam attack, global terror groups intensify online jihad campaigns: Indian Intelligence Agencies
26 Jan 2026
Representative Image Photo | ANI
---------
NEW DELHI: Global terror groups including the Islamic State, Al-Qaeda and Hamas, are increasingly using popular social media and messaging platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp to spread propaganda and structured training material as part of an evolving strategy of digital jihad, intelligence agencies have warned.
Intelligence and security agencies have flagged this growing trend in reports submitted to the government, highlighting a sharp surge in online extremist activity in recent months.
According to sources familiar with the findings, agencies have noted an alarming nearly 50 per cent rise in online and social media content aimed at radicalising, recruiting and training sympathisers. This escalation has been particularly noticeable in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, indicating that terror outfits are quick to exploit major incidents to intensify their outreach and influence vulnerable audiences.
Officials said that these groups are rapidly shifting their operational focus to the digital domain, recognising its potential to expand networks, amplify propaganda narratives and provide step-by-step guidance to prospective recruits on operational tactics.
Encrypted communication platforms, coupled with VPN-enabled services, are being increasingly exploited to evade surveillance and complicate detection, attribution and disruption by law enforcement agencies worldwide.
“These applications, when used in combination with the Virtual Protocol Networks (VPNs,) make monitoring and tracking extremely challenging for global law enforcement,” a source noted, adding that several European security agencies have also reported a rise in the misuse of online platforms for extremist activities. The anonymity and ease of access offered by such technologies have made them an attractive tool for terror networks seeking to operate across borders.
In light of these developments, agencies have recommended stronger coordination between governments, law enforcement bodies and technology companies. Their reports suggest proactive measures such as identifying, flagging, blocking and continuously monitoring suspicious online content, along with the swift removal of material that promotes violence or aids recruitment. The emphasis, sources said, is on preventing further radicalisation and dismantling digital ecosystems that support terror operations.
Intelligence inputs further indicate that global jihadi groups, including IS, Al-Qaeda and Hamas, are circulating training manuals and “assembly” instructions for weapons and explosives through encrypted applications, primarily Telegram and WhatsApp. Such methods are not new; in previous cases, including the Delhi blast incident, perpetrators reportedly relied on Telegram for communication and received bomb-making instructions and operational guidance online.
Mapping of these digital activities has revealed that much of the content originates from overseas locations, notably Pakistan, Canada, one European country, two countries in the Middle East and one Asian nation. Recent investigations by federal anti-terror agencies have reinforced these concerns.
In one major case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at 32 locations across Jammu and Kashmir, uncovering evidence that Pakistan-based operatives were using social media and online platforms to radicalise local youth, mobilise overground workers and coordinate logistics.
Several digital devices seized during the raids are currently undergoing forensic analysis, with authorities expecting further insights into the expanding digital infrastructure behind terror-linked conspiracies.
Source: newindianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Jan/26/after-pahalgam-attack-global-terror-groups-intensify-online-jihad-campaigns-agencies-2
------
155 Hindu temples receive RM3.1 million in first phase of Dharma MADANI in Malaysia
27 Jan 2026
The government allocates RM3.1 million to 155 Hindu temples under the Dharma MADANI programme’s first phase, with RM20 million total aid planned.
PUTRAJAYA: A total of 155 Hindu temples nationwide will benefit from a RM3.1 million allocation under the first phase of the Dharma MADANI programme.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the initiative is a continuous government effort to empower places of worship as community centres.
“These community centres will serve as platforms for uniting the community, fostering positive values, and strengthening grassroots social support networks,” he said at a ceremony here.
The programme ultimately aims to involve 1,000 registered Hindu temples with a total allocation of RM20 million.
Each eligible place of worship will receive a one-off financial assistance of RM20,000.
Since registration opened, 915 applications have been received and are under review by the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (MITRA).
The remaining applications will be considered in subsequent approval phases, with official decisions communicated to the temples involved.
Ramanan urged temple chairpersons to utilise the allocated funds responsibly and adhere to good governance principles.
“I also hope that temple administrators will implement community programmes transparently and with integrity,” he added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the Dharma MADANI Programme last August.
The initiative to provide one-off aid to temples is being carried out under MITRA supervision.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/155-hindu-temples-receive-rm3-1-million/
------
Survival in Gaza ‘on the edge,’ living conditions ‘brutal’ despite easing of hunger, UN officials warn
EPHREM KOSSAIFY
January 26, 2026
Hussein Liwa, a displaced Palestinian, transports residents in his war-damaged vehicle, Gaza City, Jan. 25, 2026. (Reuters)
-------------
NEW YORK CITY: Survival in Gaza remains “on the edge” and the conditions there are “extremely brutal,” senior UN officials said on Monday, despite some easing of the situation compared with last year.
They warned that the entire population of the battered enclave is living on the brink, in what they described as an unacceptable situation. Urgent decisions are needed to ensure humanitarian access remains open, and to prevent fragile gains from being reversed they added.
“The situation remains extremely precarious, with survival at the edge,” the deputy executive director of UNICEF, Ted Chaiban, told reporters after returning from a visit to Gaza and the West Bank.
“Having an entire population living on the brink is just not acceptable.”
Carl Skau, the World Food Programme’s deputy executive director, who accompanied Chaiban on the visit, said the living conditions for hundreds of thousands of displaced people were “just brutal,” with families sheltering in flimsy tents or heavily damaged buildings in Gaza as winter storms batter the territory.
“Hundreds of thousands of people are shivering in fabric tents that don’t keep the heat in or the rain out,” Skau said.
“I met a woman, who had given birth just 10 days earlier, sitting on a wet mattress in a cold tent on the beach. It was absolutely brutal.”
Both officials said the situation had improved compared with a year ago, when Gaza was on the brink of famine, but stressed that the gains were fragile and could easily be reversed.
“The ceasefire has allowed us to rein in famine,” Skau said. “Most people I spoke to were eating at least once a day. But there is still a very long way to go. The situation is extremely fragile.”
Chaiban said that more aid and commercial goods were entering Gaza and the availability of food had improved, but he warned that the humanitarian crisis remained deadly, for children in particular.
“More than 100 children have been reported killed since the ceasefire,” he said, adding that about 100,000 youngsters are still acutely malnourished and require long-term care.
About 1.3 million people, many of them children, still lack proper shelter, Chaiban added, as families continue to live in flimsy tents or bombed-out buildings, exposed to heavy rain, strong winds and freezing temperatures.
At least 10 children reportedly have died of hypothermia since winter began.
“It really is miserable in those tents,” Chaiban said.
Skau said hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced, unable to return to homes that had been reduced to rubble, and struggling to survive with little protection from the elements.
“I spoke to a woman who had lost her husband, most of her relatives and her home,” he said. “She was left with four children and absolutely nothing.”
Both officials highlighted moments of resilience amid the devastation, including children who had returned to learning and families who were attempting to rebuild fragments of normal life, but said such signs of hope should not obscure the sheer scale of the ongoing suffering.
“The gains we’ve made can easily be reversed,” Skau said. “So much more needs to be done now.”
Both of the officials said further progress would depend on the continuation of the ceasefire agreement and predictable humanitarian access, including the opening and sustained operation of multiple border crossings, and routes into and within Gaza. Aid workers need safe conditions in which to operate at scale, they added.
Shelter remains the most urgent need as winter storms continue; Skau said the immediate priority was to “flood the strip with shelter,” while Chaiban said decisions were urgently needed to ensure access for essential supplies and to restore basic services.
The coming weeks will be critical, Chaiban said, adding: “We have a window to change the trajectory for children in Gaza. We can’t waste it.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630723/middle-east
-----
Prince Faisal: Saudi Arabia’s UAE relationship ‘critically important’ for regional stability
January 26, 2026
LONDON: The UAE’s withdrawal from Yemen is the “building block” for a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia that will help regional stability, the Kingdom’s foreign minister said on Monday.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan said there had been a “difference of view” between the two countries over Yemen but insisted their relationship was “critically important.”
“It is an important element of regional stability and therefore the Kingdom is always keen on having a strong, positive relationship with the UAE as a important partner within the GCC,” Prince Faisal told a press conference during his visit to Poland.
“Obviously, when it comes to Yemen there is a difference of view. The UAE has now decided to leave Yemen, and I think if that indeed is the case and the UAE has completely left the issue of Yemen, then the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will take responsibility.
“I think that will be the building block for making sure that the relationship with UAE continues strong and continues to serve the interest not just of both countries but the region.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630693/saudi-arabia
-----
8 NGOs join Saudi Arabia’s national vegetation drive
January 26, 2026
The center said cooperation with the nonprofit sector enhances volunteer and community initiatives and maximizes environmental and social impact across Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
-----------
RIYADH: The National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has signed memoranda of understanding with several nonprofit environmental associations to strengthen partnerships with the nonprofit sector in advancing national goals for environmental sustainability.
The MoUs were signed with eight associations: Al-Nakaa Association, Lavender Society, Darb Hiking Trails and Walking Trips Association, Hail Agriculture Development Association, Yanbu Environmental Association, Rifaq Environment Association (Hail), Aghsan Environmental Association, and Pristine Future Environment Association.
The center said cooperation with the nonprofit sector enhances volunteer and community initiatives and maximizes environmental and social impact across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The agreements are part of a broader cooperation framework covering afforestation and land rehabilitation projects, nature-based tourism support, expertise exchange, capacity building through training, and community environmental awareness.
The center continues to promote collaboration across sectors to expand environmental awareness and advance sustainability goals through knowledge exchange, coordinated community efforts, joint outreach programs, and initiatives supporting national environmental objectives.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630710/saudi-arabia
------
Man charged in connection with alleged Galway mosque attack plot released on bail
Jan 27 2026
Alan Erwin
A Co Down man charged with terrorism offences linked to alleged plans to blow up a Galway mosque is to be released from custody, a High Court judge in Belfast ruled on Monday.
Connor Pollock (38) was detained as part of a cross-border police investigation into an alleged plot by far-right extremists to attack the place of worship.
Mrs Justice Smyth granted him bail after being told there was no evidence of wider involvement with the so-called Irish Defence Army.
She ordered his mother to lodge a £5,000 cash surety as part of strict release terms.
Mr Pollock, of Croob Park in Ballynahinch, faces counts of withholding information about the preparation of a terrorist act, possessing documents or records useful to terrorists, and having a mobile phone for purposes connected to terrorism.
The charges against him relate to alleged plans by Irish Defence Army members to target the Galway mosque last year.
His 35-year-old brother, Garrett Pollock, of Kilhorne Green in Annalong, Co Down, and Lithuanian national Karolis Peckauskas (38) of Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, are currently remanded in custody in the Republic on charges connected to the alleged plot.
They were arrested on November 5th after gardaí stopped a car at Portlaoise, Co Laois. Prosecutors claimed the pair had been on their way to carry out the attack when they were detained.
With Connor Pollock not suspected of involvement in events on the night of the planned attack, the charges against him relate to alleged messages on his phone about firearms and prices.
Prosecutors contended the texts showed he was a trusted member of this terrorist organisation.
But defence lawyers insisted there was nothing to indicate a role in the plot, or any searches about bombs and mosques.
In court on Monday, Connor Pollock’s mother testified that he had been living with her and not on the run during the weeks before his arrest.
Ruling on bail application, Mrs Justice Smyth pointed out that an app allegedly used by members of the terrorist group for encrypted communication was not installed on the defendant’s mobile.
“Examination of two phones attributed to him has not revealed any evidence that he was in contact with other members of the Irish Defence Army,” she said.
“I am satisfied that any release can be managed on very strict conditions.”
Source: irishtimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2026/01/27/man-charged-in-connection-with-alleged-galway-mosque-attack-plot-released-on-bail/
-----
‘Trump doesn’t want violence on US streets’: White House defends immigration crackdown after Alex Pretti killing in Minneapolis
Jan 27, 2026
The White House on Monday addressed the second shooting by anti-immigrant agents in Minneapolis city in Minnesota, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt expressing regret while simultaneously criticising Democrats. While claiming president Donald Trump doesn't want violence, the administration quickly shifted blame to Democratic leaders for resisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in their city.
Leavitt acknowledged the death of Alex Pretti as tragic but quickly pivoted to political criticism. "Nobody in the White House, including President Trump, wants to see people getting hurt or killed in America's streets," she said. "We mourn for the parents. As a mother myself, of course, I cannot imagine the loss of life," she added.
However, the administration still targeted Minnesota's Democratic leadership. Leavitt accused Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey of creating problems through their "deliberate and hostile resistance." She demanded they work with federal agents and hand over detained immigrants.
The situation has raised questions about gun rights, a traditionally Republican cause. Pretti had a legal gun permit, but video showed he didn't draw his weapon before being shot. Leavitt backed gun ownership rights but added that carrying a weapon during police encounters increases risk.
The White House wants local officials to fully support ICE operations. Trump spoke with Governor Walz on Monday about the situation. Leavitt criticised Democrats for what she called "spreading lies about federal law enforcement officers who are risking their lives daily to remove the worst criminal illegal aliens from our streets."
The incident added to the growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local authorities who oppose their presence. Despite having legal permission to carry a firearm, Pretti became the second person killed during recent ICE operations in Minneapolis.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/trump-doesnt-want-violence-on-us-streets-white-house-defends-immigration-crackdown-after-alex-pretti-killing-in-minneapolis/articleshowprint/127589308.cms
-----
Intolerant Christians opposing Sharia law, will be implemented in Oyo if demanded: Adebayo Shittu
JANUARY 27, 2026
Adebayo Shittu, a former minister of communications and governorship aspirant, says he will introduce Sharia law in Oyo if people demand it when he becomes governor of the state.
Mr Shittu, in an interview on Sunday on SYMFOMI, a YouTube TV, said, “A lot of people oppose Sharia out of intolerance. How does Sharia affect Christians if institutionalised? If there is Sharia in any community, no Christian can be forced to go under Sharia.”
Asked if he would introduce Sharia law in Oyo if he becomes the governor, Mr Shittu said, “Well, if the people ask for it. Even the constitution said it should be established wherever it is demanded. It is open because the constitution allows it.”
When reminded that the Yoruba might not support his governorship bid because of religious views, Mr Shittu said, “You are talking like every Yoruba is a Christian. There are Yorubas who want Sharia.”
Source: gazettengr.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://gazettengr.com/intolerant-christians-opposing-sharia-law-will-be-implemented-in-oyo-if-demanded-adebayo-shittu/
------
Commission Approves Books Conforming to Islamic and Afghan Standards
January 27, 2026
KABUL: The regular meeting of the Book Evaluation Commission was held on Monday, with Mawlavi Muhajir Farahi, the Deputy Minister of Information and Culture for Publication Affairs, on the chair, approving books for publication that align with Islamic and Afghan values.
The meeting began with the commission’s secretary presenting a report on the previous session, highlighting the achievements and activities that were positively evaluated by members, the ministry said in a statement.
In addition, the commission reviewed 582 books, both locally produced and imported, and took necessary actions regarding their evaluation and approval, the statement added.
Twenty books submitted to the commission were distributed among members for further review and reporting at the next session.
The session concluded with discussions on monitoring the quality of Quranic publications and other printed materials, with decisions made to ensure that all publications maintain high standards in both content and production.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/commission-approves-books-conforming-to-islamic-and-afghan-standards/
------
India
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat: ‘India Hindu nation, no more approval needed’
Ramashankar
27 Jan 2026
PATNA: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said India was a “Hindu nation” and therefore no constitutional approval was required because it was the “truth”. Addressing a Social Harmony Seminar and Dialogue Programme in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, he said there was no need to declare the country a Hindu nation, as it was already one.
Bhagwat said, “There is diversity in society, not division. The British widened the divisions. We have to overcome that division and unite Hindu society.” Speaking on the Hindu population, he said, “No one has stopped the Hindu community from having three children. The government also advises having one child or two.”
He said there was a focus on creating conditions for the country’s growth, but challenges remained. “Some countries are not happy with India’s progress; they see a threat to their own interests, and therefore, they are trying to create obstacles in our path,” he said.
Bhagwat said that one nation would not fear another when there was interdependence, and added that harmony in the world was extremely important, as without it, people would fight and destroy each other. “No foreign power subjugated India solely through its military strength. Foreign powers achieved victory by exploiting our internal divisions,” he said. He said listing problems was not enough, and solutions must be offered. Virtuous people were trying to solve problems at their respective levels, but this effort needed to reach the grassroots.
Meanwhile, Bhagwat hoisted the tricolour at the RSS North Bihar provincial office, Madhukar Niketan, in Muzaffarpur on Republic Day. He said every soldier martyred on the border was an Indian, and society must introspect on violence. “The Constitution not only grants rights to citizens but also reminds them of their duties,” he said.
Harmony pitch
No constitutional approval needed, Bhagwat says
There is diversity in society, not division, he stresses
Foreign powers exploited internal divisions, he says
Harmony in the world is a must, the RSS chief asserts
Source: newindianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Jan/27/india-hindu-nation-no-more-approval-needed
------
Nair outfit drops ‘Hindu unity’ plans with Ezhava leader Natesan’s SNDP: ‘Have doubts about their political motive’
by Shaju Philip
January 26, 2026
The call for Hindu unity in Kerala — mooted by backward Ezhava community leader Vellappally Natesan — suffered a setback on Monday after the upper-caste Hindu outfit Nair Service Society (NSS) decided to backtrack.
The decision came a day after the Union government conferred a Padma award on Natesan, general secretary of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, who has recently been in the thick of a political storm over his anti-Muslim comments. After a meeting of its director board, NSS general secretary G Sukumaran Nair said in a release that the organisation had decided against forming a ‘Hindu unity’ front with the SNDP.
“The unity is not practical. NSS-SNDP Yogam unity had failed to take off several times in the past. The present political atmosphere indicates that the latest unity move will fail. Hence, another attempt for NSS-SNDP Yogam unity is not practical, especially considering the equidistant stand of NSS towards all political parties. NSS wants to be in harmony with the SNDP, as it is with all other communities,” he said.
Sukumaran Nair later told the media that the organisation backtracked from the unity “because we have realised that there is a political intention behind that”. “We have doubts about their approach. They (SNDP Yogam) have deputed an NDA leader to hold discussions with us,” he said.
On January 21, the SNDP Yogam general council had adopted a resolution backing the Hindu unity plan, with Natesan’s son Thushar Vellappally tasked with holding further discussions with the NSS. Sukumaran Nair had promptly welcomed the resolution and announced that he would meet Thushar to work out the nitty-gritty of the unity.
Natesan had spoken of a wider unity, saying Christians would also be part of it — a move politically construed as mobilisation of the Hindu majority against Muslims. With around 27% of the population, the Ezhava community is the single largest segment in Kerala, while the Nair community accounts for around 14%.
A unity between the NSS and SNDP Yogam was seen as politically significant as it was expected ahead of the Assembly elections. A common factor favouring the move was the opposition of both Natesan and Sukumaran Nair to Opposition leader V D Satheesan, who is leading the Congress-led UDF in the elections. Satheesan has been critical of the “divisive politics” of Natesan targeting Muslims, while Nair was unhappy with Satheesan’s view that community leaders should not call the shots in Congress affairs.
While the Hindu unity call unsettled the UDF camp, the CPI(M)-led front — in a bid to consolidate Hindu support — read political intent behind the developments. While Natesan backs the CPI(M), his son Thushar is president of the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena, an ally of the BJP in Kerala and NDA convener, making the move politically intriguing.
The Ezhava community has traditionally been pro-CPI(M), while the NSS has largely been seen as pro-Congress. At the same time, both communities have faced pressure from the BJP’s efforts to expand its Hindu vote base.
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/nair-outfit-drops-hindu-unity-plans-with-ezhava-leader-natesans-sndp-10495547/
------
Hammer attack on Sufi poet's shrine in Mussoorie, Hindutva outfit claims role
Piyush Srivastava
27.01.26
A group of hammer-wielding vandals severely damaged the mazar of 18th-century Sufi poet Baba Bulleh Shah in Mussoorie on Saturday night, with a minor Hindutva outfit claiming responsibility.
Dehradun district police have registered an FIR against three named and a half-dozen unnamed accused on a complaint from the Baba Bulleh Shah Committee, but have said action would be taken only after a probe.
Muslim community leaders in Uttarakhand capital Dehradun, about 40km from Mussoorie, have threatened to march to the mazar (shrine) if arrests aren’t made soon.
According to the complaint, “some members of a Hindutva group barged into the premises late on Saturday night and vandalised the structure, built on private land”, Mussoorie (police) circle officer Manoj Oswal said on Monday.
A video circulating on social media shows about 10 people hitting an elevated structure with an arched top, resembling the mazar, with hammers and egging each other on to destroy it completely, while chanting “Jai Shri Ram”. Some of their faces are visible in the electric lights.
A man, understood to be a mazar committee member, appears to be trying to dissuade them.
Shah, an 18th-century reformer, is considered the “Father of Punjabi Enlightenment”. His mystical and unorthodox beliefs and contempt for dogma and rituals brought him into conflict with Islamic hard-liners, forcing him to spend much of his life fleeing from one place to another.
Local Muslims said the mazar, built on a local private school’s grounds in Bala Hisar, Mussoorie, had existed at the site for the past 100 years.
Bhupendra Chaudhary aka Pinki Chaudhary, president of the Uttar Pradesh-based Hindu Raksha Dal, claimed responsibility for the attack and “thanked” his “team in Uttarakhand”.
“The team of Hindu Raksha Dal sent the 70-year-old mazar of Bulleh Shah back to Pakistan,” he wrote on social media.
Chaudhary had been arrested three weeks ago on the charge of distributing swords among Hindus in Ghaziabad. He organised a “victory march” in the city after being released on bail on January 15.
Naeem Ahmad, a member of the mazar committee, alleged police inaction.
“The criminals had released a video on Thursday declaring they would remove the mazar if the government didn’t do so within a few hours,” he said.
“Now they have done what they said they would. The police remained inactive.”
Abid Qureshi, a Dehradun resident, said: “We may march to Mussoorie any day to give a fitting reply to these criminals. They have no right to target our legal private properties.”
He added: “We want the criminals behind bars immediately. Else, we will be forced to start a massive movement in the state.”
A purported Hindu Raksha Dal member, Vikas Verma, who claimed he was part of the team of attackers, told local reporters: “Bulleh Shah was born in Multan, Pakistan. We don’t need his fake mazar here. It was built on the land of a school.”
The FIR does not name Verma.
The circle officer said: “We are verifying the veracity of the video. Further action will be initiated against the accused after the inquiry is complete.”
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/hammer-attack-on-sufi-poets-shrine-in-mussoorie-hindutva-outfit-claims-role-prnt/cid/2144496
------
Terror acts will be treated as war says J&K LG as Kishtwar operation continues
Muzaffar Raina
27.01.26
Jammu and Kashmir’s lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Monday reaffirmed the Narendra Modi government’s vow to treat every terror act as an act of war, the assertion coming against the background of the prolonged anti-militant operation in Kishtwar that entered its second week on Sunday night.
A fresh gunfight between two-three Jaish e Mohammad (JeM) militants and the security forces — the third in a week — broke out on Sunday night, prompting the forces to extend the ongoing combing operation in the area.
The militants have managed to give the slip on multiple occasions in the past week after killing an elite Special Forces commando and injuring seven more soldiers on January 18.
Officials said the encounter took place in the snow-bound Janseer-Kandiwar forest area in Chatroo around 10.20pm on Sunday after one of the security search teams comprising army and police personnel noticed the movement of terrorists.
The exchange of fire continued till the militants disappeared into the forest. Hundreds of army, police and CRPF personnel are part of the operation.
Addressing a Republic Day event in Jammu, Sinha reiterated the hard line against the militants, vowing to “decisively dismantle the terror ecosystem and isolate elements that employ double standards to justify acts of violence”.
“For sustainable development, our society must remain united, courageous, and disciplined in confronting those who promote, justify, or condone terrorism,” he said.
Sinha paid glowing tributes to soldiers whose “indomitable courage and spirit of service ignite our collective resolve to build a stronger,
safer, and more prosperous India”.
“Following the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor emerged as a defining moment in India’s national security doctrine. India made it unequivocally clear that any terrorist attack on its soil would be treated as an act of war,” he said.
“Operation Sindoor was not merely a military action; it was a declaration of India’s strategic resolve. We struck at the heart of the enemy, dismantled their terror infrastructure, exposed the hollowness of nuclear threats, and reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to protecting national sovereignty,” he added.
The LG said India conveyed to the world that “every act of terrorism and every attempt to support it will be met with a decisive response”.
“India has firmly drawn a new red line. The success of Operation Sindoor has instilled renewed confidence among citizens that our brave soldiers remain vigilant and fully committed to their protection. At the same time, it has sent a clear signal to the international community that India’s actions are rational, restrained, and rooted in its legitimate right to self-defence,” he said.
“Operation Sindoor continues, with every hostile move being closely monitored,” he added.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir-lg-warns-terror-acts-will-be-treated-as-war-amid-kishtwar-operation-prnt/cid/2144483
-----
Not normal to tolerate Pak's continued use of terror as instrument of state policy: India at UNSC
27 Jan 2026
UNITED NATIONS: In a strongly-worded retort in the UNSC, India said it is not normal to tolerate Pakistan's continued use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy, as New Delhi hit back at Islamabad's envoy for advancing a "false and self-serving" account of Operation Sindoor.
India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, delivered a sharp response to comments made by Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.
Ahmad spoke about Operation Sindoor, Jammu and Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty in his remarks at the UN Security Council open debate on Monday on 'Reaffirming International Rule of Law: Pathways to Reinvigorating Peace, Justice, and Multilateralism.'
Harish said Pakistan, an elected member of the Security Council, has a single-point agenda - to harm India and its people.
With Ahmad telling the Council that Pakistan's response to Operation Sindoor "established that there can be no 'new normal' based on coercion or impunity", Delhi slammed Islamabad, with Harish asserting that terrorism can never be normalised as Pakistan wishes to do.
"We have heard talk from the Representative of Pakistan about the new normal. Let me reiterate again that terrorism can never be normalised as Pakistan wishes to do. It is not normal to tolerate Pakistan's continued use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy," Harish said, adding that India will do whatever is required to protect and ensure the safety and security of its citizens.
"This hallowed chamber cannot become a forum for Pakistan to legitimise terrorism," Harish said.
Harish said Pakistan's envoy "advanced a false and self-serving account" of Operation Sindoor, launched by India in May last year, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.
"The facts on this matter are clear. Pakistan-sponsored terrorists killed 26 innocent civilians in a brutal attack in Pahalagam in April 2025.
This august body itself called for holding the perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and brought to justice. That is exactly what we did," Harish said.
Harish's reference was to the press statement issued by the Security Council in April last year.
In the statement in which the 15-nation body had condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and had "underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice", with the Council stressing that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable.
Harish underscored that India's actions in Operation Sindoor were measured, non-escalatory, and responsible, and focused on dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and disabling terrorists.
"Till May 9, Pakistan was threatening more attacks on India. But on May 10, the Pakistani military called our military directly and pleaded for a cessation to the fighting," he said, adding that the destruction caused to multiple Pakistani airbases by the Indian operation, including images of destroyed runways and burnt-out hangars, is in the public domain.
Hitting out strongly at Pakistan for raising the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, Harish said Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on matters that are internal to India.
"The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India," he said.
On the Indus Waters Treaty, Harish said India had entered into the agreement 65 years ago in good faith, in a spirit of goodwill and friendship.
"Throughout these six and a half decades, Pakistan has violated the spirit of the Treaty by inflicting three wars and thousands of terror attacks on India. Thousands of Indian lives have been lost in Pakistan-sponsored terror attacks," he said.
In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Harish said India was "compelled to finally announce that the Treaty will be held in abeyance until Pakistan, a global epicentre of terror, credibly and irrevocably ends its support for cross-border and all other forms of terrorism."
Further, India asserted that Pakistan is well advised to introspect about the rule of law.
"It could start by asking itself how it has let its armed forces engineer a constitutional coup through the 27th amendment and giving life-time immunity to its Chief of Defence Forces," a reference to the 27th Constitutional Amendment passed in November last year under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that gives Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir lifelong immunity from any legal prosecution.
Source: newindianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2026/Jan/27/not-normal-to-tolerate-paks-continued-use-of-terror-as-instrument-of-state-policy-india-at-unsc
------
77th Republic Day: From Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala, a splash of celebrations
January 27, 2026
From Jammu and Kashmir to Kerala and Tamil Nadu, states celebrated the 77th Republic Day across the country on Monday. While J&K L-G Manoj Sinha said that “a new dawn” has arrived in the UT, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla called for strengthening peace and upholding ideals of the Constitution.
Chief Ministers also shared their messages on the occasion. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said the citizens of India are the real guardians of the Constitution, while Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin took a veiled dig at the BJP government at the Centre, saying, “Let’s celebrate a unified India. Not a uniform India.”
Speaking at the M A Stadium in Jammu, L-G Manoj Sinha said that “decades of suppressed pain and tears are finally receiving dignity and justice”, assuring people that “every case linked to terrorism will be thoroughly examined, fresh investigations will be conducted, and the guilty will face the strictest punishment”.
He described Operation Sindoor as a “defining moment in India’s national security doctrine” that “any terrorist attack on its soil would be treated as an act of war”.
“Operation Sindoor was not merely a military action; it was a declaration of India’s strategic resolve,” he said, adding that “we struck at the heart of the enemy, dismantled their terror infrastructure, exposed the hollowness of nuclear threats, and reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to protecting national sovereignty”.
Bhalla said, “… let us resolve to uphold the ideals of our constitution, strengthen peace and harmony, and work with dedication towards inclusive development and social justice.” The state has been under the President’s Rule since February last year.
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot said disbursals under the five guarantee schemes, which have brought significant changes in the lives of women apart from increasing the purchasing power of families, have exceeded Rs 1.13 lakh crore.
Emphasising on “many-ness”, CM Stalin said, “We must remain a country where cultures enrich one another, languages coexist with pride and faith is a personal truth. Our strength has never been sameness. It has always been our many-ness. When diversity is protected, belonging feels natural.”
Taking a veiled dig at the Centre, Stalin in his message said, “Let’s celebrate a unified India. Not a uniform India.”
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan in a Facebook post called for vigilance against forces attempting to weaken the vision of “unity in diversity” and impose a monolithic ideology.
“The federal concept of a strong Centre with empowered states is facing serious challenges. We should stand together against policies that aim to weaken federalism by curtailing the financial powers of states and turning constitutional institutions into political tools,” he said.
CM Adityanath said, “The real guardian of the Constitution is India’s citizens.”
“Whenever the basic spirit of the Constitution is disrespected, it is not just an insult to the Constitution but also to those great personalities whose sacrifices ensured the country’s freedom,” Adityanath said.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the time has come for people to think and make a choice whether they want “vote bank politics” or take forward the development journey launched by his government during the last five years.
He said that people must decide whether they want to “surrender to Bangladeshi Muslims” or be part of progress and development. “We have decided not to surrender to the Bangladeshi Muslims who have encroached upon huge areas of land and threatened our identity, culture and traditions. We have started the process of reclaiming our land by evicting the encroachers,” he said.
Sarma said his government was committed to protect people’s ‘maati’ (land), ‘bheti’ (foundation), ‘sanskriti’ (culture) and ‘parichay’ (identity) to protect and secure the rights of the future generation.—PTI
Source: indianexpress.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/77th-republic-day-from-jammu-and-kashmir-to-kerala-a-splash-of-celebrations-10496126/
-------
India and EU seal landmark free trade deal after two decades of stalled negotiations
Paran Balakrishnan
27.01.26
After nearly 20 years of stop-start talks, India and the European Union are finally due to seal what Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal calls the “mother of all trade deals”.
The sprawling free trade agreement (FTA) is slated to be formally announced at the India-EU summit in New Delhi today, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was the chief guest at this year’s Republic Day celebrations.
Together, India and the EU represent a market of nearly two billion people and close to a quarter of global GDP, making this the largest trade agreement ever concluded by either side.
Late Monday, Prime Minister Modi hailed “the growing strength of the India-European Union partnership and our commitment to shared values,” adding that the visit by top EU officials “will add momentum to the deepening engagement and cooperation between India and Europe across diverse sectors”.
For India, the deal promises preferential or duty-free access for a wide swathe of exports, especially in labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, chemicals, gems and jewellery, leather, footwear and electrical machinery. At present, many of these sectors face EU tariffs of around 10 per cent, limiting their competitiveness in European markets.
For Europe, the attraction of an FTA is access to one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, including long-sought cuts in India’s notoriously high tariffs on European goods such as cars and auto parts.
“Negotiations have been successfully concluded. The deal has been finalised. It will propel trade and investment in both economies,” Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said.
He added that the agreement is “balanced and forward-looking” and will help improve India’s economic integration with the EU.
In a significant concession, the government has agreed to immediately reduce the tax on a limited number of cars from the 27-nation bloc with an import price of more than 15,000 euros (13.5 lakh rupees), according to sources briefed on the talks cited by Reuters.
“A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure, and we all benefit,” von der Leyen said, calling her invitation to the Republic Day celebrations “the honour of a lifetime”.
European Council President Antonio Costa described the agreement as a “geopolitical stabiliser”, saying it sends a “strong and important message to the world” at a time when protectionism is rising and global trade rules are under strain.
“The EU and India believe in free trade over tariffs,” he said. “It boosts the economy, creates jobs, promotes prosperity, and provides geopolitical stability. Two of the world’s largest democracies standing up for a rules-based order — that matters.”
For India, the pact also comes at a moment when access to the US market has become markedly more difficult, with Washington imposing tariffs of 50 per cent on many key Indian exports, squeezing exporters out of the market. That has made diversification urgent, underlining why Europe is now a key destination for Indian trade.
What makes this deal especially ambitious is that it goes well beyond goods and services. The agreement is also expected to deepen cooperation in security, energy transition and climate cooperation.
Negotiations on the agreement first began in 2007, stalled in 2013, and were revived only in 2022. The main sticking points included India’s protection of its agriculture and small industries, Europe’s insistence on labour and environmental standards, and tough bargaining over cars, pharmaceuticals, wines and spirits.
The text is now undergoing what officials call “legal scrubbing”, a final technical process to iron out potential hitches.
The deal is expected to be signed later this year and could come into force in early 2027, after approval by India’s cabinet and ratification by the European Parliament.
Source: telegraphindia.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/india-and-eu-seal-landmark-free-trade-deal-after-two-decades-of-stalled-negotiations/cid/2144509
------
Southeast Asia
Penang Hindu group urges price crackdown as essentials soar ahead of Thaipusam, CNY
27 Jan 2026
GEORGE TOWN, Jan 27 — The Penang Hindu Association (PHA) has expressed concern over the sudden increase in prices of essential food items ahead of Thaipusam and the Chinese New Year, following complaints from consumers preparing for the festive season.
Its president Datuk P. Murugiah said the association had received numerous reports of rising vegetable and essential goods prices, prompting a survey on Jan 26 at several retail shops and wet markets in Penang.
He said the survey found that prices for 15 key items had risen between 14 per cent and 100 per cent in just over a month.
According to the data, the price of tomatoes doubled from RM2.50 per kilogramme in December 2025 to RM5 per kg this month, while mangoes rose from RM5 to RM10 per kg.
Other items such as ginger and brinjal saw increases of 87.5 per cent and 71.4 per cent respectively, while lady’s fingers, cauliflower and long beans recorded hikes of between 40 and 50 per cent.
Murugiah noted that the price surge comes at a critical time, as devotees observing a vegetarian diet prior to Thaipusam are more affected, especially with more than 100 stalls along Western Road expected to provide free vegetarian meals to the public.
He added that devotees and organisers involved in food distribution have been financially burdened by the sharp rise in vegetable prices.
PHA also highlighted complaints from housewives regarding price differences between wet markets and retail shops, noting that many wet market stalls did not display price tags and weighing scales were often not visible to consumers.
Murugiah urged the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry as well as the Prime Minister’s Department to investigate the matter and take action against unethical practices by retailers.
He also called for stricter enforcement to ensure ceiling price policies are implemented, particularly during festive seasons, and suggested regular monitoring to prevent arbitrary price hikes aimed at higher profits.
In addition, he said authorities should address frequent shortages of subsidised one-kg packets of cooking oil, stressing the need for random checks on retailers and wholesalers. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/27/penang-hindu-group-urges-price-crackdown-as-essentials-soar-ahead-of-thaipusam-cny/206963
------
Where can we pray?: As Muslim tourism grows, Japan rethinks public spaces to meet needs
25 Jan 2026
KOCHI (Japan), Jan 25 — As Japan welcomes a growing number of Muslim visitors, a quieter but increasingly visible question is unfolding across airports, shopping malls and sightseeing hubs: where can these travellers pray?
According to Kyodo News Agency, the number of foreign visitors to Japan hit a record last year, including those from Muslim-majority regions, drawn by the country’s food, pop culture and seasonal scenery.
Between January and November last year alone, about 560,000 travellers came from Indonesia, 540,000 from Malaysia and 240,000 from the Middle East, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. For many, however, navigating daily prayer obligations in a country where dedicated facilities remain unevenly available detracts from an otherwise rich travel experience.
The issue, it seems, is less about building grand mosques than about flexibility. The Japan Tourism Agency has issued a guide for serving Muslim travellers, encouraging hotels, transport hubs and commercial facilities to designate quiet, clean spaces for prayer where possible.
In places where purpose-built rooms are not feasible, experts say that simple accommodations — temporary partitions, clear signage or staff awareness — can make a significant difference, helping Japan project an image of hospitality that extends beyond culture.
At last year’s World Exposition in Osaka, which saw many Muslim visitors and staff members, a prayer room was set up near the Forest of Tranquility, in the centre of the venue, to accommodate worshippers who are required to pray five times a day.
Availability of prayer spaces has expanded at big airports and major cities too. Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, for example, opened a prayer room at Terminal 3, which handles international flights, in 2014. It was used by almost 2,000 people per month on average in fiscal 2024, according to its operator.
Prayer rooms have also been installed at JR Tokyo and Osaka stations, while local governments and firms have set up facilities around stations in tourist destinations like Kyoto and Nara.
Still, due to factors such as space constraints and low demand, few prayer spaces are available at stations in regions like Shikoku and Kyushu in western and southwestern Japan, respectively.
Hirofumi Tanada, a Waseda University professor emeritus who specialises in Muslim affairs in Japan, said that the frequency and duration of prayers can vary greatly from person to person when travelling. He advises taking a flexible approach, even if the availability of facilities lags behind.
Akiko Komura, an adjunct lecturer at Rikkyo University, said: “It is important to involve Muslims living in the community and work together to identify accessible locations,” adding that this should serve as an opportunity to understand the realities faced by Muslims around the country. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2026/01/25/where-can-we-pray-as-muslim-tourism-grows-japan-rethinks-public-spaces-to-meet-needs/206777
------
Lim Guan Eng presses PM for Penang Special Financial Zone to dull US tariff threat
27 Jan 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 — Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng has formally appealed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to approve a Special Financial Zone (SFZ) in Penang, arguing this was crucial to protect the state’s economy from the threat of new US tariffs on the electronics sector.
In a statement, Lim disclosed that he met the Prime minister on January 16 to make the case for an SFZ in Bagan (Butterworth), on the mainland.
He stressed the “added urgency” of diversifying Penang’s economy, which is 95 per cent dependent on manufacturing and services, making it highly vulnerable to the US-China trade war.
“Despite the Agreement of Reciprocal Tariffs (ART) concluded with the United States last year fixing tariffs at 19 per cent, the electronics sector was not included as part of the ART.
“As Penang’s mainstay industry, this has caused great uncertainty,” Lim said.
He warned that if US President Donald Trump carries out his threats to impose tariffs of 200-300 per cent on these goods, it would be “disastrous” for Penang’s economy.
Lim argued that an SFZ, similar to the one in Johor, would provide a vital “economic anchor” for the state.
He proposed a 70-acre state-owned site in Ampang Jajar, Bagan, which he said would also promote balanced development between the island and the mainland.
According to Lim, the prime minister was receptive to the idea but indicated that there was “no intention to approve an SFZ in Penang for the time being,” as the Johor SFZ was still in its early stages.
However, Lim expressed strong belief that the Ampang Jajar proposal could succeed for three reasons: it is on government-owned land, it is located in Seberang Perai to improve economic balance, and it is situated within Penang’s key transport and communications hub.
The appeal marks a new application strategy after the Finance Ministry rejected a previous submission from the Penang state government, which had proposed three privately-owned sites on the island.
The new application will now include the state-owned mainland site alongside the three island locations.
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/27/lim-guan-eng-presses-pm-for-penang-special-financial-zone-to-dull-us-tariff-threat/206959
------
Anwar says Malaysia’s 2025 trade missions generated RM45.4b in export sales
27 Jan 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 — Malaysia’s trade missions and overseas visits in 2025 generated RM45.4 billion in export sales, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
The growth, stemming from the prime minister’s foreign visits and trade missions last year, covered sectors including liquefied natural gas (LNG), palm oil, and electrical and electronic products.
“Exports of RM45.4 billion were secured through trade ties with countries such as the United Kingdom, Thailand, Russia, Italy, France, Brazil, China, South Korea, Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa,” he said.
Anwar noted that growth was strongest in the semiconductor sector, aerospace products, furniture, and other materials.
He made the remarks during Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat in response to Lee Chean Chung (PH–Petaling Jaya), who asked about Malaysia’s 2025 trade performance and the impact of the prime minister’s overseas visits and trade missions on exports.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said Malaysia recorded its highest-ever trade volume, reaching RM3.06 trillion in 2025, successfully navigating uncertainties arising from US policy measures and political tensions.
“Malaysia also posted a trade surplus of RM151.8 billion, up 9.2 per cent from the previous year. New markets, including Kyrgyzstan, recorded a 225.8 per cent increase, followed by Yemen, Tanzania, Togo, Uzbekistan, Angola, Algeria, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Kenya and Morocco,” he said.
“I highlight these markets as they offer opportunities to adopt a more open approach and expand trade with new partners,” he added.
On a related note, Anwar said the government would review business and service charges levied by utility providers on investors to ensure costs remain reasonable.
“While the trade growth is encouraging, it should not come at the expense of rising costs. We must remain open to adjustments in service charges, which the ministry will closely monitor,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/27/anwar-says-malaysias-2025-trade-missions-generated-rm454b-in-export-sales/206949
------
After backlash, Anwar tells Parliament ‘diagnostic test’ for Year One enrolment scrapped
By Syed Jaymal Zahiid
27 Jan 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told Parliament this morning that the Education Ministry will scrap the proposed “diagnostic test” for six-year-olds to enrol into Year One.
The announcement came amid growing concerns that the test would be discriminatory and hinder access to education for children who may not pass the test.
Anwar said he agreed with the view, but defended the initial rationale behind the proposed examination.
“The education minister had proposed that the diagnostic test be scrapped, but I’d like to stress here that the initial proposal was good because there is an assessment system to see if the child is ready to start school,” he said in a reply to Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
“But then we thought this may be discriminative, meaning it may cause psychological impact to a child because he is perceived to be less intelligent if he cannot enrol, hence the test is scrapped.
“So I agreed with the proposal (to remove it),” Anwar added.
The prime minister also defended the proposed examination for Year Four pupils, saying the test at that stage of the education system would give policymakers two years to assess students’ “readiness” for secondary school.
“There is wisdom in… in doing examinations for Year Four. The point is there is an evaluation system that gives us a two-year window to improve whatever needs improving before they go into Form One,” he said.
“But it is normal that any policy decision will create a little controversy. If we did Year Three tests, people will criticise; Year Six tests, people will criticise.
“Even if we don’t do any tests at all, people will criticise. So we decided to do it at Year Four so we can evaluate the effectiveness,” the Tambun MP added.
Critics of the new policy, including the National Union of the Teaching Profession, said the plan could create significant logistical and infrastructure strain, particularly the risk of “double cohorts” in 2027.
By allowing six-year-olds to join seven-year-olds in Year One, concerns have been raised that schools could face overcrowded classrooms and a severe shortage of teachers trained in early childhood development.
While the Education Ministry (MOE) has suggested using Industrialised Building System (IBS) methods for rapid classroom expansion, scepticism remains over whether facilities — such as child-friendly toilets and play-based learning areas — are ready to meet the physical and emotional needs of a much younger student population.
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/01/27/after-backlash-anwar-tells-parliament-diagnostic-test-for-year-one-enrolment-scrapped/206945
------
Halal certification cooperation key highlights of MAIPs’ Ziarah Mahabbah Programme
26 Jan 2026
Perlis religious council to help six Thai Andaman provinces obtain Malaysian halal certification under new cooperation agreement.
KRABI: Expanding cooperation in halal certification between Perlis religious institutions and the Islamic Religious Council (MAI) of the Six Andaman Provinces is one of the key focus areas of the Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council’s (MAIPs) Ziarah Mahabbah Programme, which entered its 11th edition.
The Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail (pic), said discussions on expanding cooperation were held during an audience with the heads or representatives of the MAI of the six provinces: Krabi, Ranong, Phuket, Phang Nga, Trang, and Satun.
Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra, who is also the MAIPs president, said the council, through the Perlis Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAIPs), has been granted the authority to expand ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation for Malaysian Halal Certification.
“This development opens up opportunities for Perlis to assist the Andaman Provinces in obtaining recognition under Malaysian Halal Certification,” His Royal Highness said when gracing the MAIPs’ Ziarah Mahabbah Programme to the Andaman Region 2026 here.
The Raja Muda of Perlis also highlighted broad opportunities for cooperation between MAIPs and the MAI of the six provinces.
“These include Islamic education, the development of mosque and surau institutions, ummah welfare, zakat and waqf management, Islamic leadership training, the exchange of expertise, as well as the sharing of best practices in the administration of Islamic affairs,” he added.
The Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, also joined the Ziarah Mahabbah Programme, which began on Jan 23.
Source: thesun.my
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/politics/halal-certification-cooperation-key-highlights-of-maips-ziarah-mahabbah-programme/
-----
Mideast
A ceasefire holds in Syria but civilians live with fear and resentment
January 27, 2026
QAMISHLI: Fighting this month between Syria’s government and Kurdish-led forces left civilians on either side of the frontline fearing for their future or harboring resentment as the country’s new leaders push forward with transition after years of civil war.
The fighting ended with government forces capturing most of the territory previously held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the country’s northeast, and a fragile ceasefire is holding. SDF fighters will be absorbed into Syria’s army and police, ending months of disputes.
The Arab-majority population in the areas that changed hands, Raqqa and Deir Ezzor, have celebrated the SDF’s withdrawal after largely resenting its rule.
But thousands of Kurdish residents of those areas fled, and non-Kurdish residents remain in Kurdish-majority enclaves still controlled by the SDF. The International Organization for Migration has registered more than 173,000 people displaced.
Fleeing again and again
Subhi Hannan is among them, sleeping in a chilly schoolroom in the SDF-controlled city of Qamishli with his wife, three children and his mother after fleeing Raqqa.
The family is familiar with displacement after the years of civil war under former President Bashar Assad. They were first displaced from their hometown of Afrin in 2018, in an offensive by Turkish-backed rebels. Five years later, Hannan stepped on a land mine and lost his legs.
During the insurgent offensive that ousted Assad in December 2024, the family fled again, landing in Raqqa.
In the family’s latest flight this month, Hannan said their convoy was stopped by government fighters, who arrested most of their escort of SDF fighters and killed one. Hannan said fighters also took his money and cell phone and confiscated the car the family was riding in.
“I’m 42 years old and I’ve never seen something like this,” Hannan said. “I have two amputated legs, and they were hitting me.”
Now, he said, “I just want security and stability, whether it’s here or somewhere else.”
The father of another family in the convoy, Khalil Ebo, confirmed the confrontation and thefts by government forces, and said two of his sons were wounded in the crossfire.
Syria’s defense ministry in a statement acknowledged “a number of violations of established laws and disciplinary regulations” by its forces during this month’s offensive and said it is taking legal action against perpetrators.
A change from previous violence
The level of reported violence against civilians in the clashes between government and SDF fighters has been far lower than in fighting last year on Syria’s coast and in the southern province of Sweida. Hundreds of civilians from the Alawite and Druze religious minorities were killed in revenge attacks, many of them carried out by government-affiliated fighters.
This time, government forces opened “humanitarian corridors” in several areas for Kurdish and other civilians to flee. Areas captured by government forces, meanwhile, were largely Arab-majority with populations that welcomed their advance.
One term of the ceasefire says government forces should not enter Kurdish-majority cities and towns. But residents of Kurdish enclaves remain fearful.
The city of Kobani, surrounded by government-controlled territory, has been effectively besieged, with residents reporting cuts to electricity and water and shortages of essential supplies. A UN aid convoy entered the enclave for the first time Sunday.
On the streets of SDF-controlled Qamishli, armed civilians volunteered for overnight patrols to watch for any attack.
“We left and closed our businesses to defend our people and city,” said one volunteer, Suheil Ali. “Because we saw what happened in the coast and in Sweida and we don’t want that to be repeated here.”
Resentment remains
On the other side of the frontline in Raqqa, dozens of Arab families waited outside Al-Aqtan prison and the local courthouse over the weekend to see if loved ones would be released after SDF fighters evacuated the facilities.
Many residents of the region believe Arabs were unfairly targeted by the SDF and often imprisoned on trumped-up charges.
At least 126 boys under the age of 18 were released from the prison Saturday after government forces took it over.
Issa Mayouf from the village of Al-Hamrat, was waiting with his wife outside the courthouse Sunday for word about their 18-year-old son, who was arrested four months ago. Mayouf said he was accused of supporting a terrorist organization after SDF forces found Islamic chants as well as images on his phone mocking SDF commander Mazloum Abdi.
“SDF was a failure as a government,” Mayouf said “And there were no services. Look at the streets, the infrastructure, the education. It was all zero.”
Northeast Syria has oil and gas reserves and some of the country’s most fertile agricultural land. The SDF “had all the wealth of the country and they did nothing with it for the country,” Mayouf said.
Mona Yacoubian, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Kurdish civilians in besieged areas are terrified of “an onslaught and even atrocities” by government forces or allied groups.
But Arabs living in formerly SDF-controlled areas “also harbor deep fears and resentment toward the Kurds based on accusations of discrimination, intimidation, forced recruitment and even torture while imprisoned,” she said.
“The experience of both sides underscores the deep distrust and resentment across Syria’s diverse society that threatens to derail the country’s transition,” Yacoubian said.
She added it’s now on the government of interim Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa to strike a balance between demonstrating its power and creating space for the country’s anxious minorities to have a say in their destiny.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630745/middle-east
------
US envoy calls for ceasefire deal in northeastern Syria to be maintained
January 27, 2026
LONDON: Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkiye and special envoy for Syria, on Monday reiterated Washington’s desire to ensure the ceasefire agreement in northeastern Syria between Syria’s government and the Syrian Democratic Forces continues.
In a message posted on social media platform X, he wrote: “Productive phone call this evening with his excellency Masoud Barzani to discuss the situation in Syria and the importance of maintaining the ceasefire and ensuring humanitarian assistance to those in need, especially in Kobani.”
Barzani has been the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party since 1979, and served as president of Kurdistan region between 2005 and 2017.
The current present, Nechirvan Barzani, previously welcomed a recent decree by the Syrian president, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, officially recognizing the Kurdish population as an integral part of the country.
Barrack reiterated Washington’s support for efforts to advance the Jan. 18 agreement between Syria’s government and the SDF to integrate the latter into state institutions. The SDF is a Kurdish-led faction led by Mazloum Abdi that operates in northeastern Syria and recently clashed with government forces.
On Saturday, the Syrian Arab News Agency reported that the Syrian Ministry of Defense had announced a 15-day extension of the ceasefire deal.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630730/middle-east
-----
US believes Hamas disarmament comes along with some sort of amnesty, US official says
January 27, 2026
WASHINGTON: The United States believes disarmament by Hamas militants in Gaza comes along with some sort of amnesty for the Palestinian group, a US official said on Monday.
The official, speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, spoke to mark the return of the remains of the last Israeli hostage held by Hamas. Israel and the United States are pressuring Hamas to disarm as part of a plan in which Gaza will be redeveloped.
The official said there is confidence among US officials that Hamas will disarm.
“We are listening to many of their people talk about disarming. We think they’re going to. If they don’t disarm, then they’ve breached the deal. We think disarmament comes along with some sort of amnesty and candidly we think we have a very, very good program to disarm,” the official said.
The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a question on whether Israel would agree to amnesty for Hamas members if they give up their weapons.
Under President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza plan, once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries, under the plan.
The Israeli military said on Monday that the remains of the last remaining hostage held in Gaza, police officer Ran Gvili who was held hostage for more than 840 days — have been identified and will be returned for burial.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630729/middle-east
-----
Jihad condemns Israeli enemy assassination of Sheikh Ali Nour el-Din in Lebanon
26 Jan 2026
The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine condemned the assassination carried out by the Israeli enemy army on Monday afternoon in Lebanon, targeting Sheikh Ali Nour El-Din, a journalist with Al-Manar TV.
In a statement obtained by the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), the movement affirmed that "this criminal act represents a dangerous escalation and a blatant attack on media freedom, as well as systematic terrorism targeting every free voice."
It considered that "this assassination exposes the falsehood of the enemy's claims that it is targeting infrastructure, and reveals that it will not hesitate to commit the same crimes it perpetrated in the Gaza Strip against Lebanon and its people."
It stated that "this continuous and systematic targeting of journalists and media professionals is part of the enemy's efforts to silence the truth and muzzle the voices that expose its crimes and violations."
She added, "The assassination of Sheikh Ali Nour El-Din, who combined the roles of media and religious outreach as a producer and presenter on Al-Manar TV and the imam of the town of Al-Housh, is a blatant attack on the message defended by every free and honorable person."
The Islamic Jihad Movement also affirmed that "the blood of the martyred journalists will remain a torch illuminating the path of resistance and freedom, and will not deter our people from demanding their right to liberation and dignity."
Source: saba.ye
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3635513.htm
------
Syrian authorities intercept cocaine shipment originating from Brazil
January 26, 2026
LONDON: The Anti-Narcotics Directorate in the Syrian Arab Republic seized a large shipment of liquid cocaine at Lattakia on the Mediterranean Sea, intended for distribution in the region.
The Ministry of Interior announced on Monday that the cocaine shipment originated from Brazil and that it was hidden inside vegetable oil containers.
Authorities intercepted the drugs, which were planned to be smuggled to a neighboring country, before the load left the port, following precise intelligence, the ministry added.
Specialized security teams are investigating the case to identify those involved. Officials noted that the operation reflects the Narcotics Directorate's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and protect public security, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630722/middle-east
------
How small businesses are navigating Syria’s economic recovery
ANAN TELLO
January 26, 2026
LONDON: After more than a decade in crisis mode, Syria’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises are beginning to shift their gaze from survival to possibility, as the gradual lifting of sanctions following Bashar Assad’s removal in December 2024 sparks cautious economic optimism.
That shift is especially visible among parts of the private sector, which has endured years of shortages, isolation, and a lack of investment over the course of Syria’s grinding, 14-year civil war.
For Amira Saradar, a Damascus-based dentistry student who launched a home-based bakery called Maple in 2021, the change has meant easier access to basic supplies that were once difficult to source.
Before Assad was toppled, sourcing and paying for ingredients for her Western-style desserts — including creme brulee cream puffs, lemon swirl biscuits and tiramisu cookies — was a constant struggle.
“When Maple started, Assad was still president and sanctions hadn’t been lifted, so everything was harder to get,” Saradar told Arab News. “Prices were much higher than they should have been, and the profit margin was very low.”
At times, she turned to suppliers in neighboring Lebanon — a costly workaround that ultimately proved unsustainable. “That was a big reason Maple had to close,” she said.
After shutting down for nearly two years, sanctions relief offered Saradar an opportunity to relaunch.
“I restarted in the summer of 2025, and (my business) truly thrived this time,” she said. She now hopes to expand the business beyond her kitchen and open a shop where she can display and sell her baked creations.
“Everything is easier to find now, and prices are much better,” she said. “Maple can finally be profitable and, hopefully, grow into a very successful online bakery.”
Similar improvements have been felt by microbusinesses in other sectors, though affordability remains a concern for many producers and their customers.
Lynn Aboul Fadel, an architect who runs a small glass, wood, and fabrics painting business called Leeko Art, said her main challenge remains “the lack of raw materials at prices that match people’s purchasing power.”
Pricing is critical to sustaining demand and growth.
“The products I sell are considered non-essential goods,” Aboul Fadel told Arab News. “Prices need to be reasonable to convince more customers to buy each month, and that is often difficult.”
Those constraints reflect a broader economic reality. Nine out of 10 people in Syria live in poverty, three out of four depend on humanitarian aid, and one in four is jobless, according to a February report by the UN Development Programme.
The poverty rate has nearly tripled from 33 percent before the conflict to about 90 percent today, while extreme poverty has surged sixfold, from 11 percent to 66 percent.
“Beyond immediate humanitarian aid, Syria’s recovery requires long-term investment in development to build economic and social stability for its people,” said UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner.
“Restoring productivity for jobs and poverty relief, revitalizing agriculture for food security, and rebuilding infrastructure for essential services such as healthcare, education and energy are key to a self-sustaining future, prosperity, and peace.”
Nevertheless, UNDP estimates Syria’s economy could return to its pre-war size within a decade if robust growth is maintained.
Aboul Fadel shares that guarded optimism. She hopes Leeko Art will benefit as the broader economic outlook improves.
“The lifting of sanctions has greatly raised hopes. It is the beginning of positive change for everyone,” she said. “Improved business conditions overall will certainly help me on an individual level.”
One immediate benefit, she said, has been access to paid advertising on social media. “My ability to pay social media platforms for marketing is a major factor, and this has been excellent and immediately tangible,” she said.
Since Dec. 8, 2024, when a rebel coalition led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham seized control, Western governments have moved to ease or lift several layers of sanctions imposed on the Assad government.
The most significant step came on Dec. 17, 2025, when the US permanently suspended the Caesar Act — the strictest set of measures imposed on the regime in 2019. But the damage from more than 14 years of war and isolation cannot be undone at a stroke.
Syria’s economy has shrunk by roughly two-thirds since 2011, according to World Bank estimates, and rebuilding is projected to cost about $216 billion — nearly 10 times the country’s gross domestic product in 2024.
Before the war, MSMEs accounted for about 95 percent of businesses and roughly 60 percent of GDP, according to UNDP. By 2023, their contribution had fallen to about 40 percent, though they still employed roughly 70 percent of the workforce.
One such enterprise is the Damascus-based Syrian International Academy, a vocational training institution specializing in diplomacy, public relations, and media.
It lost many international partners after the war began in 2011. But now, its founder and president, Dr. Nezar Mihoub, sees room for growth.
“As an educational institution focused on training national and Arab cadres, we are now able to restore and expand international cooperation,” Mihoub told Arab News.
He said reduced bureaucracy and renewed Arab engagement, particularly from Saudi Arabia, could play a meaningful role in economic recovery.
That regional interest is already taking shape. A recent analysis by New Zealand-based Karam Shaar Advisory found that companies from the Gulf are leading the reshaping of Syria’s investment landscape.
Of 40 memorandums of understanding signed during the Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum in July, Saudi Arabia led in number and ranked second by value, with $6.4 billion in preliminary agreements. Additional energy deals followed in August.
But even before that, in May, Saudi Arabia and Qatar jointly paid off Syria’s $15.5 million debt to the World Bank.
“Attracting international financing and support could launch infrastructure reconstruction projects, creating job opportunities and revitalizing the construction and service sectors,” Mihoub said.
“A stable environment would also encourage the return of part of the expatriate Syrian talent and capital. Traditional sectors such as agriculture, industry, and oil could begin to recover as security conditions improve.”
For freelancers and professionals who depend on international connectivity, sanctions relief has brought partial but uneven gains.
Alexandra Hammoud, an independent English-language teacher based in the coastal city of Tartous, said access to previously blocked online platforms has improved — a critical shift for her work.
“I have been able to enhance and develop my skills through enrolling in online courses on various platforms, such as FutureLearn and Coursera,” she told Arab News.
“I am also able to deliver courses in a virtual environment using Google Meet, manage resources on Google Drive and maintain communication with learners via social media platforms.”
Hammoud has also been able to publish educational content online.
Yet obstacles persist.
“Internet connection is not always stable, which causes disruption while delivering courses and thus having to terminate or postpone (teaching) sessions,” Hammoud said.
She also noted that some platforms, such as Coursera and Kahoot, still require the use of virtual private networks.
Online payment systems and some business email services remain difficult to access in Syria, especially for international use, she added.
Internet access in Syria remained unstable throughout 2025 due to a combination of infrastructure failures, power shortages and government-ordered shutdowns, including during exam periods and in localized provincial blackouts.
A Cloudflare report for the second quarter of 2025 said some outages stemmed from electricity and infrastructure issues, in addition to deliberate disruptions.
Similar frustrations are shared by Damascus-based graphic designer Salma Saleh. “Undoubtedly, the lifting of the Caesar Act is a promising development,” she told Arab News. “However, we have yet to feel the impact.”
She said many services, including creative software and payment systems, remain inaccessible without workarounds, while electricity and internet outages continue to disrupt work.
“To this day, I cannot use Gemini without a VPN, and the same applies to most online services,” she said. “Even Adobe, a company we pay subscription fees to, has not lifted the ban, and so we must use a VPN tool while using Adobe’s creative products.”
Although EU, UK and US sanctions were largely lifted in 2025, Saleh said the practical effects have lagged.
“The lifting of restrictions remains partial and incomplete despite the removal of sanctions,” she said. “The question remains: What are global companies and banks waiting for?”
Power outages in Syria remain severe, with most areas, including the capital, receiving only a few hours of electricity a day, despite limited improvements and new imports.
Years of war have damaged power plants and transmission networks. Even after sanctions relief, financial constraints and underinvestment continue to slow repairs.
Nevertheless, new startups are emerging and global services like Samsung and GitHub are starting to return — even as major platforms and shipping companies, including Amazon and DHL, remain absent.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630721/middle-east
----
Iran protest instigators will receive no leniency, judicial chief says
January 26, 2026
TEHRAN: The head of Iran’s judiciary warned that those behind a recent wave of anti-government protests could expect punishment “without the slightest leniency.”
What began earlier this month as demonstrations against the high cost of living boiled over into a broader protest movement that represented the gravest challenge to the leadership in years.
The protests have abated under an internet blackout that left the country largely cut off from the outside world.
“The people rightly demand that the accused and the main instigators of the riots and the acts of terrorism and violence be tried as quickly as possible and punished if found guilty,” judicial chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei was quoted as saying by the official Mizan online news portal.
He went on to say “the greatest rigor must be applied in the investigations,” but insisted that “justice entails judging and punishing without the slightest leniency the criminals who took up arms and killed people, or committed arson, destruction, and massacres.”
The Iranian government has put the death toll from the protests at 3,117, including 2,427 people it has labeled “martyrs” — a term used to distinguish members of the security forces and innocent bystanders from those described by authorities as “rioters” incited by the US and Israel.
Rights groups have accused authorities of repeatedly using live ammunition on protesters, but Col. Mehdi Sharif Kazemi, commander of Iran’s special police, maintained authorities had used only non-lethal measures such as water cannon to quell the unrest.
“The use of weapons (by the police) during this operation has sparked some criticism, but in fact, the police did not resort to using any firearms,” he was quoted as saying by the Mehr news agency.
“We used non-lethal means in order to guarantee the safety of the population and avoid any killings.”
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani urged the EU to list Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps as a “terrorist organization” following the crackdown on protests.
Tajani said he would propose the idea “in coordination with other partners” at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Thursday.
“The losses suffered by the civilian population during the protests demand a clear response,” he wrote on X.
He also called for the EU to levy individual sanctions against those responsible.
The EU has already sanctioned several hundred Iranian officials over crackdowns on previous protest movements and over Tehran’s support for Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The bloc has also banned the export to Iran of a raft of components that could be used in the country’s drone and missile manufacturing.
Last week, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen announced plans to ban additional exports of critical drone and missile technologies.
An EU official on Friday confirmed that the proposal to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization was on the table for this week’s meeting, but said it requires unanimity for approval and that “we are not yet there.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630708/middle-east
------
Qatari minister reaffirms support for Lebanon, calls stability a regional priority
NAJIA HOUSSARI
January 26, 2026
BEIRUT: Qatar’s Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi on Monday reaffirmed Doha’s support for Lebanon during a meeting with President Joseph Aoun.
In a press conference he said that “Lebanon’s stability is a fundamental pillar for the stability of the entire region” and announced a package of economic, development and humanitarian measures.
The Qatari minister’s visit to Beirut coincided with Israeli military escalation in southern Lebanon, including the assassination of Hezbollah members by drones, incursions into the border area, and the demolition of more residences.
While the date for the meeting of the Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (Mechanism) agreement has yet to be confirmed, the US Embassy in Lebanon said in a press release on Monday that Washingt’s ambassadors to Beirut and Israel met in Jordan to discuss peace efforts through diplomacy and dialogue.
The meeting, hosted by the US Embassy in Amman last weekend, focused on the steps needed to achieve a more peaceful and prosperous region.
The visit by Qatar’s minister to Lebanon was made “upon the instructions of Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani,” according to Aoun’s media office.
“It is crucial to involve Lebanon in regional discussions, and Qatar is keen on this matter, as well as on following the situation in the country, especially the internal developments, Israeli attacks, the work of the committee, the dialogue, and efforts to find the necessary solutions,” Al-Khulaifi said.
Aoun expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Qatari minister for the visit and initiatives.
He said that the Lebanese military is carrying out its duties south of the Litani River in full, while Israeli attacks on southern villages and towns continue, destroying residential areas and displacing residents, at times extending to villages in the Bekaa Valley.
“Israel has not responded to repeated calls to abide by the agreement announced in November 2024 and implement Resolution 1701. This Israeli stance prevents the return of security and safety to the south, in addition to its repercussions on all levels,” he stated.
Aoun revealed that “contacts are ongoing before the meeting of the Mechanism committee scheduled for next month to reach practical results that will expedite the restoration of stability to the south, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the return of prisoners, and enable the army to deploy to the internationally recognized southern border.”
He stressed that “pressuring Israel to facilitate the work of the Mechanism committee is essential to achieving the full implementation of Resolution 1701 in all its aspects.”
Aoun also spoke about the Lebanese military’s “need for equipment, vehicles, and supplies that would enable it to carry out its required tasks not only in the south but throughout all Lebanese territory.”
Regarding relations with Syria, Aoun affirmed that the situation on the Lebanese-Syrian border is better than before, and that negotiations are ongoing between the two countries to address several issues, particularly the return of Syrian refugees.
He added that Lebanon welcomes any Arab support in general, and Qatari support in particular, to help facilitate this return.
Al-Khulaifi also met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and in a joint press conference stressed “the necessity for all parties to adhere to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and respect the full sovereignty of the Lebanese Republic over its territory.
“We reiterate our complete condemnation of the Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory, which constitute an infringement on the sovereignty of our sister nation, Lebanon, and we emphasize the need for the Security Council to assume its responsibilities to stop these violations and to preserve Lebanon’s stability,” he said.
The minister announced a Qatar Fund for Development package — coordinated with Lebanese authorities within legal frameworks — including a $40 million grant and $360 million economic project to bolster Lebanon’s electricity sector, benefiting 1.5 million people nationwide.
Other measures include 185 scholarships over three years for Lebanese youth, the Sports for Development and Peace initiative to protect 4,400 children and young people in conflict areas, and reconstruction of Beirut’s Karantina Hospital, destroyed in the port explosion, with further health projects under review.
Qatar will also fund a $20 million first phase, in partnership with the International Organization for Migration, to support the voluntary return of 100,000 Syrian refugees. It guarantees housing upon return, plus three months of food and medicine to ensure stability and social reintegration.
“We thank the Syrian government for its constructive cooperation in facilitating the implementation of this humanitarian and development project,” the minister said.
Elsewhere on Monday, the Syrian Internal Security Directorate said it thwarted an attempt to smuggle missiles and ammunition through the Syrian town of Breij into Lebanon, according to SANA.
Breij, located east of Talkalakh on the border with Lebanon’s Akkar region, is considered a smuggling hub, according to a Lebanese security source.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630694/middle-east
------
Al-Sabeen district leaders visit shrine of Martyr of Qur’an in Sa'ada
26 Jan 2026
Leaders of the local authority and executive offices in al-Sabeen district of the Capital Sana'a on Monday visited the shrine of the Martyr of the Qur’an, Sayyed Hussein Badr al-Din al-Houthi in Marran district of Sa'ada governorate.
During the visit, the delegation recited al-Fatiha for the soul of the martyr leader, praising his role and stances in confronting forces of arrogance and domination, and renewing their pledge to follow the path of the martyrs and the Qur’anic march.
The visit also included a tour of Imam al-Hadi Mosque in Sa'ada and an overview of its sections and landmarks.
Source: saba.ye
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3635468.htm
------
Meeting Chaired by Al-Bashiri Discusses Mechanisms for Providing Food & Consumer Needs for Ramadan
26 Jan 2026
A meeting chaired by the Acting Minister of Economy, Industry, and Investment, Sam Al-Bashiri, discussed today mechanisms for providing market needs for food and consumer goods, and the needs of the Ramadan table.
During the meeting, attended by the Deputy Minister for Policies, Studies, and Planning, Fouad Al-Junaid, and food producers and importers, the Acting Minister of Economy appreciated the important role played by the private sector in the economic aspect.
He noted that this role is valued and of concern to the government, which is keen to preserve national capital and provide facilities for all private sector activities.
Al-Bashiri emphasized the importance of cooperation in providing Ramadan needs, taking the initiative to offer multiple options of high quality and acceptable prices whose positive impact is felt by citizens, as well as participating in the Ramadan consumer exhibitions in the governorates and providing appropriate offers.
He stressed the necessity of adhering to the price declaration mechanism and not raising any commodity prices.
Source: saba.ye
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.saba.ye/en/news3635431.htm
-----
Arab World
Saudi, Omani navies launch Winds of Peace 2026 training
January 26, 2026
LONDON: The Royal Saudi Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman on Monday launched their Winds of Peace 2026 naval training as part of efforts to strengthen military cooperation.
Brig. Gen. Mohammed bin Ayed Al-Otaibi said that the drills aimed to enhance maritime security by exchanging experiences, unifying concepts, and improving the navies’ roles in monitoring and protecting maritime navigation lines.
Al-Otaibi, the Saudi exercise commander, added that the naval drills featured advanced maritime operational scenarios involving 10 combat ships, helicopters, two platoons of special maritime security units, and the Royal Air Force of Oman.
Saudi warships, including HMS Al-Diriyah, are participating in naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman, while forces will conduct special maritime maneuvers at the Said bin Sultan Naval Base. Forces are to conduct vertical maritime flight exercises, along with rocket and live ammunition shooting exercises, Al-Otaibi said.
The naval forces of Saudi Arabia and Oman conducted maritime exercises in April 2025 at King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah, located on the Red Sea, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630707/saudi-arabia
-----
What is Hag Al Laila? The Emirati tradition that marks the countdown to Ramadan
January 26, 2026
Dubai: As Ramadan approaches, you may notice a joyful sight in neighbourhoods, schools and even popular public attractions across the UAE. Emirati children, dressed in traditional clothing and carrying colourful woven bags, go door to door asking for sweets and treats.
This cheerful celebration is known as Hag Al Laila, a long-standing Emirati tradition that takes place in the weeks leading up to Ramadan.
While Hag Al Laila is deeply rooted in Emirati culture, similar celebrations are observed across the Gulf. In Qatar, it is known as Garangao in Bahrain, Gergaoon in Oman, Garangesho and in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, it is called Gargean.
What is Hag Al Laila?
Hag Al Laila is a traditional children’s celebration that marks the spiritual and social preparation for Ramadan. According to Sara Yousef, a cultural presenter at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU), the occasion holds deep cultural meaning.
“Hag Al Laila is a traditional Emirati children’s celebration that happens before the holy month of Ramadan, and it is a happy occasion that reflects values of generosity, community, and preparing spiritually and socially for Ramadan,” she explained.
The celebration places children at the centre, reinforcing lessons of sharing, gratitude and social connection from an early age.
When is Hag Al Laila celebrated?
“Hag Al Laila is celebrated on the eve of the 15th of Sha‘ban, the eighth month in the Islamic calendar, which usually falls two weeks before Ramadan begins. Hag Al Laila is one of the events in the Season of Wulfa, a time associated with closeness, kindness, and strengthening social bonds,” Yousef said.
The Season of Wulfa is a cultural period rooted in Emirati and Islamic values. It focuses on connection, generosity and togetherness through shared traditions that extend from Hag Al Laila through Ramadan and into Eid Al Fitr.
How is Hag Al Laila celebrated in the UAE?
The phrase Hag Al Laila translates to 'for the night', reflecting the evening-based nature of the celebrations, which traditionally takes place after the Maghrib prayer in the middle of Sha‘ban.
“Children are at the heart of Hag Al Laila. Dressed in traditional clothing, they go door to door in their neighbourhoods singing special songs and receiving sweets, nuts, and small treats that they collect in cloth bags,” Yousef said.
Children often stand outside homes chanting “Atoona Hag Al Laila”, which means “Give us sweets for tonight”. Their brightly coloured woven bags gradually fill with candies and nuts as neighbours participate in the tradition.
Families also mark the occasion by preparing special foods, particularly luqaimaat, fried dumplings soaked in date honey which are usually reserved for major celebrations such as Eid or weddings.
“Hag Al Laila was a simple, neighbourhood-based celebration, with whatever sweets were available to be shared,” Yousef explained.
Historically, the celebration took place within the fareej, or traditional Emirati neighbourhood, where children gathered dressed in traditional attire and visited nearby homes together.
Today, while Hag Al Laila has become more organised and elaborate, its essence remains unchanged. Schools, cultural centres, offices and shopping malls now host structured activities and events, expanding the celebration beyond residential areas.
“While the setting has evolved, the heart of the tradition remains the same: joy, giving, and togetherness,” Yousef noted.
“Hag Al Laila is a reminder that Emirati culture has always placed children, community, and generosity at its centre. Even as the country has modernised, these moments of shared joy continue to connect generations and keep cultural memory alive.”
Where to celebrate Hag Al Laila in Dubai
Global Village
Dates: Saturday, 31 January to Tuesday, 3 February
Activities include arts and crafts workshops, games and meet-and-greet sessions with The Wonderers, who will interact with children, take photos and distribute Hag Al Laila gift pouches.
The Heritage Village will feature a traditional setting with Emirati clothing and accessories, candy-collection baskets, classic snacks and decorative items for family gatherings.
A special Hag Al Laila drone show is scheduled for Sunday, 1 February at 7.35pm, following the Isha prayer break.
Tickets: Dh25 for weekday entry (Sunday to Thursday), Dh30 for any-day tickets. Children under three enter free, with complimentary entry for seniors over 65 and people of determination.
Expo City Dubai – Al Wasl Plaza
Children can dress in colourful outfits, sing traditional songs, collect treats and take part in hands-on workshops, Emirati-inspired games and races.
Additional attractions include a bouncy castle, camel parade, henna, traditional Emirati cuisine and a local produce market supporting Emirati farms.
Source: gulfnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://gulfnews.com/living-in-uae/ask-us/what-is-hag-al-laila-the-emirati-tradition-that-marks-the-countdown-to-ramadan-1.500421158
-------
French universities education fair in Jeddah showcases study opportunities
AFSHAN AZIZ
January 26, 2026
JEDDAH: An event was held on Monday at the University of Business and Technology in Jeddah to highlight academic and study opportunities in France available to Saudi students.
The Choose France Higher Education Fair offered prospective students and parents access to representatives from 15 leading French institutions.
It was inaugurated by Mohammed Nehad, consul general of France in Jeddah, in the presence of Dr. Weam Husni Tunsi, president of UBT, alongside officials from the French Consulate and a delegation from Campus France.
Beatrice Khaiat, deputy director general of Campus France, spoke about the importance of the initiative, saying: “Given the strong relationship between France and Saudi Arabia, it is very important to strengthen our cooperation with Saudi universities and schools.
“That is why we have brought a large delegation of nearly 15 French universities and schools, covering disciplines such as engineering, business, hospitality and tourism and French language programs.”
She added that France is keen to welcome more Saudi students, particularly women.
“Currently, there are around 600 Saudi students in France, one-third of whom are women, but we want to see more students, and more women, coming from Saudi Arabia,” Khaiat said.
Nehad highlighted the need to raise awareness of French higher education among Saudi students.
“The main aim is to make French universities better known in Saudi Arabia, as there is currently limited awareness about them.
“France has some of the best universities in Europe and the world, particularly in fields such as management, medicine, law and other areas,” he said.
Nehad noted that around 1,000 Saudi students study in France each year, adding: “We would like to expand this number. Saudi students are always welcome in France, and we have the capacity to host them and provide the best of French education, particularly in fields such as medicine, management, and tourism.”
He also underlined the value of the multicultural experience France offers. “When you study in France, you will be part of a diverse international community and gain a truly unique experience at the heart of Europe.”
Tunsi added: “France is one of our top destinations. Currently, 25 of our tourism and hospitality students are studying in France for a full semester at Ecole Ferrieres. Last summer, we also sent students to Paris and Toulouse Business School.”
The fair also featured participation from leading French institutions, including Sciences Po.
Lea Albrieux, international affairs manager for the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan, Turkiye and the Gulf at Sciences Po, explained the financial support available to Saudi students.
“We do have a scholarship under the name of the founder of Sciences Po,” Albrieux said.
“It’s a scholarship for non-European citizens, so Saudi citizens can apply for it when they are applying for our university.”
Another participant, Fabrice Tessier, professional ambassador at INNTO France, spoke about opportunities in hospitality, tourism and culture, saying: “We would be very happy to welcome Saudi students and also to make partnerships with Saudi universities.”
Through strong institutional partnerships, direct student engagement and expanding academic cooperation, the French Consulate seeks to strengthen educational ties and create new opportunities for future generations of Saudi and French students.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630698/saudi-arabia
------
Jazan governor receives ambassador of Denmark
January 26, 2026
RIYADH: Prince Nasser bin Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, deputy governor of Jazan, received Liselotte Plesner, ambassador of Denmark to the Kingdom, at his offices on Monday.
During the meeting, they discussed various topics of common interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Prince Nasser wished the officials a good stay in Jazan.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630709/saudi-arabia
-----
Saudi Arabia and Poland establish coordination council to help boost bilateral ties
LAMA ALHAMAWI
January 26, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, and his Polish counterpart, Radoslaw Sikorski, on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of a Saudi-Polish Coordination Council.
The aim of the council is to strengthen bilateral cooperation and political coordination, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The agreement was signed during talks between the ministers in Warsaw, at which they also affirmed the importance of supporting stability in Palestine, Yemen and Sudan. Sikorski condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and said Poland supported international efforts, led by Saudi Arabia, to promote stability in Palestine, TV news channel Al Arabiya reported.
The newly established coordination council will be chaired by the two foreign ministers, and the participants will include other senior officials, sources said, reflecting the commitment of the leaderships of both countries to the expansion of cooperation in various sectors.
The ministers also officially announced that holders of diplomatic, service and other special passports in each country will be exempt from visa requirements for visiting the other nation.
Robert Rostek, the Polish ambassador to the Kingdom, told Arab News: “The visa exemption, this is mostly, or let’s say purely, an agreement between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries.”
He added: “But the coordination council is completely different and it is beautiful in terms of cooperation between the two countries.
“Saudi Arabia is ready to take cooperation with Poland to a different level. They decided to sign this agreement to establish the coordination council in order to create more possibilities for the business sector in both countries.”
Plans for the visa exemptions had been underway for some time, Rostek said.
“We decided (in 2024), with approval from both sides, to inaugurate and open direct flights between Saudi Arabia and Poland by Polish Airlines,” he added.
“It was, you know, a symbolic step and also we decided to open a bridge to connect the two countries. This is why this agreement is very important, because it provides visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports.
“To be honest, it will be almost with immediate effect because (in about) 10 days we are expecting a very important visit of our minister of finance and economy, Andrzej Domanski, who is going to meet with the minister of investment, minister of trade, and minister of economy and planning in Riyadh.
“He will be arriving in Riyadh with almost 100 people from the business team, some of whom will use diplomatic and special passports. So we can say that almost immediately we can see some pragmatic effect” of the exemptions.
The visit by the Polish delegation to the Kingdom is scheduled to take place from Feb. 7 to 9.
“As you know, the role of an ambassador is to bring the two countries as close as possible in different areas,” Rostek said of his own role in the relationship between the two countries.
“Of course, like Saudi Arabia, we are very eager to have business cooperation, which is the engine for bilateral relations.”
Later on Monday, Prince Faisal held talks with Polish President Karol Nawrocki. During their meeting they reviewed relations between their countries and discussed the latest regional and international developments.
Rostek said of the meeting that “there was an absolutely brilliant atmosphere and an excellent exchange of views between the minister and our president.”
The visit is the first by Prince Faisal to Poland for five years, the ambassador added, “and now we are expecting an official visit of our president to Saudi Arabia in autumn this year. So we can say that the dynamic between two countries is really so active and so important for both sides.”
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630670/saudi-arabia
------
Riyadh school enters Guinness World Records with Book Bloom 500
RASHID HASSAN
January 26, 2026
RIYADH: Hundreds of schoolchildren in Riyadh have made history after reaffirming that books still matter in an age of disruptive technologies and fleeting distractions.
The Saudi capital recently witnessed the simultaneous launch of 500 works authored by students of Alif International School, a collective record for the highest number of student-authored books launched in a single, collaborative effort.
The achievement has earned the students a place in the Guinness World Records, a milestone marked by an impressive ceremony titled Book Bloom 500.
“This remarkable literary milestone that captured our attention was held as part of the largest creative writing lesson,” said Pravin Patel, the official adjudicator for Guinness World Records.
He praised the Book Bloom 500 initiative and said the successful project fulfilled all the specifications required for the record.
Veteran Saudi media doyen Khaled Almaeena was the chief guest at the Book Bloom 500 ceremony, which was attended by prominent members of the Saudi and expatriate communities, along with parents and teachers.
Addressing the gathering, the former editor-in-chief of Arab News congratulated the young authors and expressed the hope that many of them would grow into great writers contributing meaningfully to shaping the world and advancing the betterment of humanity.
He also reminded parents and teachers of their vital responsibility in nurturing children to achieve holistic development.
The little authors were delighted as dignitaries unveiled their books. Their radiant smiles reflected the joy and pride of setting a world record through their journey as published authors.
Sheikh Ali Abdurahman, the chairman of the Alif Group of Schools, praised the teamwork that had made the historic accomplishment possible.
Luqman Ahmed, the CEO of the Alif Group of Schools, talked about the year-long efforts undertaken by school authorities, teachers, and parents to realize the feat.
He said: “Our dedicated teamwork has been instrumental in nurturing new writers and authors, and followed relentless efforts to instill a reading habit among all 1,300 students of the school without exception, eventually guiding more than one-third of them into the world of authorship.”
He added that this had resulted in the publication of books across diverse subjects in English, Arabic, and five other languages.
Mohammed Mustafa, Alif International School’s principal, highlighted the school’s project of introducing students to the world of reading while pursuing its mission of transforming education into a joyful journey with the motto “A School With a Smile.”
He said: “We introduced the Read and Rejoice program as part of co-curricular activities to bring students closer to stories and help them embrace books as companions in sharpening their thinking, enriching their language, calming their minds, and enhancing their emotional intelligence.”
The ceremony also included captivating performances from young children.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630685/saudi-arabia
------
AI, automation creating new jobs and displacing traditional roles: Saudi HR minister
HAJAR ALQUSAYER
January 26, 2026
RIYADH: Artificial intelligence, robotics and automation are creating new opportunities while displacing traditional roles, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad Al-Rajhi said in his opening remarks at a conference in Riyadh on Monday.
Al-Rajhi was speaking during the opening of the third Global Labor Market Conference, which is being held under the theme “Future in Progress” and brings together decision-makers, thought leaders and experts from around the world.
“Expect significant growth in tech-centric jobs like AI specialists and data analysts, while roles such as data entry and administrative assistants may decline,” he said.
Al-Rajhi added that the green transition is driving demand for renewable energy engineers and environmental specialists.
“We will see a surge in green jobs as industries adapt to climate goals,” he said.
The minister also pointed to broader economic and geopolitical pressures shaping labor markets globally, including rising living costs and slowing growth.
“Rising living costs and economic slowdowns will shape which skills are most valued, like resilience, flexibility and creative thinking,” he said.
Al-Rajhi added that demographic shifts, including aging populations in some regions and expanding working-age populations in others, will continue to influence labor supply and demand, increasing the need for healthcare, training and inclusive job creation.
Turning to the global youth employment challenge, he said international trends highlight the urgency of coordinated action.
“More than 262 million young people worldwide are not in employment, education or training in many regions, and job creation is not keeping pace with population growth, while other countries are facing the pressure of aging workforces and rising dependency ratios,” Al-Rajhi said, citing international estimates.
He added that rapid technological change is outpacing education and training systems, making continuous upskilling essential across both advanced and emerging economies.
“These pressures differ by region, but they are too complex for countries to address in isolation,” he said.
Highlighting Saudi Arabia’s domestic workforce transformation, Al-Rajhi said more than 2.5 million Saudis have joined the private sector since 2020, describing young men and women as a growing national asset driving new fields and skills development.
“These indicators, among others, show an economy movement for people who are investing in themselves, learning, competing and shaping the future with confidence,” he said.
During the event, Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef announced the launch of an occupations and skills framework for the mining and industrial sectors, aimed at clarifying job roles and workforce requirements.
He said the framework will cover more than 500 occupations and outline the skills, job descriptions and titles needed across the sectors, helping private companies, educators and training providers to align workforce development with industry demand.
“This is an important framework to allow different players in the ecosystem, from private sector who will actually need (those) kinds of jobs, but it will allow, I think, most importantly, training and the training ecosystem,” Al-Khorayef said
Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb added global travel is expected to continue rising over the next decade, driving demand for tourism workers as the Kingdom expands new destinations and cities.
He said the global tourism sector is expected to create 91 million jobs by 2035, while facing a projected shortfall of 43 million workers.
“(This is) good news for the job market in Saudi Arabia. We’re projecting to create an additional 400,000 jobs to 600,000 jobs in the next five to six years, just to fill the new destinations, the new cities that we are building today.”
Al-Khateeb added that tourism does not require highly specialized skills in the same way as sectors such as engineering or medicine, but instead builds soft skills that can deliver positive outcomes.
He said that employment in the tourism sector has risen sharply since the Kingdom launched its tourism strategy in 2019, contributing to job creation and lower unemployment, and underscoring the importance of training and workforce development.
“When we launched tourism back in 2019, we used to have 750,000 people working in the sector. Last year, we surpassed 1 million,” he said.
He added that tourism has become one of the most impactful sectors for reducing unemployment and creating jobs, with an emphasis on ensuring that workers entering the industry are well trained.
Muhammad Al-Jasser, chairman of the Islamic Development Bank Group, said infrastructure investment plays a key role in driving economic growth, development and job creation, citing its strong multiplier effect across sectors.
Al-Jasser also cited a recent World Bank statement at the World Economic Forum in Davos on the scale of the labor market challenge ahead.
“There would be 1.2 billion (entering) the labor market in the next 10 years … but only 400 million jobs will be opening up,” he said.
He added that the growing global focus on job creation will be decisive in determining whether development succeeds or falls short in the years ahead.
The event will run from Jan. 26–27 and will focus on six key pillars: trade changes and employment; informal economies; the new global skills landscape; the real impact of artificial intelligence on jobs and productivity; building resilient labor markets in times of crisis; and improving job quality, with particular attention to youth as the foundation of the future economy.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630682/saudi-arabia
-------
More international cooperation needed to reduce space debris, says SSA’s chief
January 26, 2026
RIYADH: Reducing the amount of debris orbiting Earth in space requires more international cooperation, the acting CEO of the Saudi Space Agency said at a Riyadh event on Monday.
Speaking at the opening address of the Space Debris Conference 2026, Dr. Mohammed Al-Tamimi highlighted the importance of tackling waste orbiting the planet.
Al-Tamimi said: “Addressing space debris challenges requires strengthened international cooperation and the development of innovative, effective solutions that reduce risks and ensure the sustainability of the space environment.”
Near-Earth space was experiencing a rapid increase in the number of orbiting objects that posed growing challenges to the safety of space operations and long-term sustainability of orbital activities, Al-Tamimi added.
Up to $42 billion of economic losses could be caused by space debris by 2035, according to a paper published by the Centre for Space Futures in collaboration with the World Economic Forum during Monday’s conference.
The two-day event in Riyadh brings together experts, decision-makers, and representatives from 75 countries, including governments, international organizations and specialized space companies.
It aims to protect space activities and orbital infrastructure while supporting the growth of the global space economy, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Held with the support of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs and in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union, the conference highlights the importance of international cooperation and effective governance frameworks to mitigate space debris risks and ensure a safe, sustainable space environment.
The first edition, held in Riyadh in 2024, attracted participants from more than 50 countries, along with international organizations and global companies.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630678/saudi-arabia
------
Judges review innovations at Ibdaa science fair
January 26, 2026
RIYADH: Judging began on Monday at the Ibdaa Science and Engineering Fair, with panels starting to review 200 student innovations to select 68 winners.
The fifth stage of the 16th National Olympiad for Scientific Creativity, known as Ibdaa, features 84 independent judges from over 40 public and private universities, as well as government and private research institutions.
Each project is evaluated by five judges using strict scientific standards to measure criteria including measure originality, research methodology and outcomes, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
The King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is hosting the competition at Riyadh’s Princess Nouf bint Abdulaziz International Convention Center until Jan. 29.
The 200 finalist projects were selected from an initial pool of more than 34,000 submissions from earlier Olympiad stages. Entries were categorized across 22 scientific disciplines into four strategic tracks — leadership in energy and industry, environmental sustainability and basic needs, future economies, and human health.
Winners will have the opportunity to represent Saudi Arabia at major international and regional competitions, including the International Science and Engineering Fair in the US and exhibitions such as Malaysia’s ITEX and the Taiwan International Science Fair.
The exhibition goes beyond judging, featuring workshops, scientific presentations, educational sessions and informational pavilions hosted by knowledge partners.
The activities aim to enhance visitor engagement, raise awareness of research and innovation, and highlight national programs advancing talent development and creativity.
Source: arabnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630677/saudi-arabia
------
Sharjah Charity targets 1.2 million iftar meals during Ramadan
January 27, 2026
Sharjah Charity International is stepping up preparations for the holy month of Ramadan, aiming to distribute 1.2 million iftar meals as part of its annual Ramadan campaign Jood.
The initiative includes 900,000 meals across cities and areas of Sharjah, along with 300,000 meals in 51 countries abroad, reflecting the organisation’s expanding humanitarian outreach.
Abdullah Sultan bin Khadem, Executive Director of Sharjah Charity International, said the Iftar for Fasting Persons programme has evolved beyond providing meals at sunset to become a symbol of social solidarity and compassion.
He noted that thousands of families, workers, and low-income individuals rely on the daily meals, which help ease living pressures during the fasting month.
The charity has identified strategic distribution points across the emirate to maximise reach, while international deliveries are being coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support communities facing food insecurity and difficult living conditions.
Bin Khadem urged donors to support the initiative through multiple channels, including the charity’s website, SMS donations, call centre, smart donation screens, mobile application, and digital payment options such as Apple Pay and Samsung Pay.
He added that every contribution, regardless of value, helps expand the campaign’s impact and enables donors to take part in feeding hundreds of fasting people throughout Ramadan.
Source: gulfnews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://gulfnews.com/uae/ramadan/sharjah-charity-targets-12-million-iftar-meals-during-ramadan-1.500421530
------
Europe
Killer driver's partner and mosque imam slammed for their 'nauseating' letters defending him
Carl Jackson
27 Jan 2026
A judge slammed a killer driver's partner and a mosque imam for writing 'nauseating' letters trying to defend him.
Saqlane Zafar was jailed for causing the death of Ryan Sandhu in a smash on the Aston Expressway.
After drinking alcohol and inhaling nitrous oxide he pelted down the A38(M) and crashed into the back of the 21-year-old student's Fiesta at 91mph.
He then cowardly fled the scene with the help of friend Muhammad Hamza, who picked him up nearby and then tried to evade police in a dangerous high-speed chase.
Zafar, aged 28, from Saltley, admitted causing death by dangerous driving on the first day of his trial last August, more than a year after the incident.
Hamza, aged 29, from Sparkbrook, maintained his innocence only to be found guilty of perverting the course of justice and dangerous driving.
As they were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, January 23, Judge Peter Cooke criticised 'nauseating' character testimonials submitted on their behalf.
Firstly he made reference to a letter from a mosque imam who claimed Zafar had been 'burdened by guilt'. He then took aim at a reference from Zafar's partner which said he had felt 'deeply remorseful' since the day of the incident.
Judge Cooke dismissed the letters, pointing out that if Zafar was truly regretful he would not have protested his innocence for months only to plead guilty at the beginning of his trial in the face of overwhelming evidence.
Similarly, he highlighted a letter by Hamza's wife which had claimed the incident had 'weighed heavy on him', adding he was someone who 'cares deeply for others'.
It further stated he had 'remained cooperative' and 'demonstrated integrity'.
"Really?" questioned Judge Cooke, who reminded them that Hamza had 'told a pack of lies' to a jury.
The collision took place shortly after midnight on June 2, 2024. Mr Sandhu, a Staffordshire University student, had been out celebrating a friend's birthday and was travelling back to his family ahead of a funeral for his late uncle the following day.
Judge Cooke concluded Zafar rented the high-powered Audi SQ7 deliberately to put it 'through its paces' and 'race the clock'.
CCTV captured him narrowly miss a road worker and then barely avoid hitting another vehicle head-on before the fatal collision.
Zafar wrote a grovelling letter of his own to Mr Sandhu's family saying he was 'deeply sorry'.
Judge Cooke said his remorse had come 'very late'. He sentenced him to 15 years and banned him from driving for the same length of time.
Hamza also wrote a letter to the court pleading for 'leniency'. Judge Cooke acknowledged he was a 'hard-working' family man but added he had 'demons' with alcohol and violence.
Hamza was sentenced to four-and-a-half years as well as banned from driving for five years and three months.
Source: birminghammail.co.uk
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/killer-drivers-partner-mosque-imam-33302837
------
TikTok account celebrating Bondi terrorist attack was active for a month before deletion
27 Jan 2026
By Emily Baker
A TikTok account that celebrated the Bondi terrorist attack and claimed to recruit for Islamic State was online for at least one month before being removed by the platform.
The social media giant deleted the account, and a host of other profiles promoting Islamic State and violent ideology, only after questioning by the ABC last week.
In relation to the first account, a TikTok spokesperson said: "The account in question has been permanently banned for breaching our strict community guidelines."
The platform did not respond to additional questions.
One day after the attack, the account that celebrated the Bondi killings posted then deleted a recording of a violent video game with the caption: "Sydney don't know what's next."
About a week later, the account uploaded a series of posts referencing Islamic State, including an image of a blood-splattered gun with "Recruiting. Msg me for more info".
The account followed, and was followed by, non-Islamic State accounts based in Sydney — as well as accounts glorifying the terror group and the Hamas attack on Israel.
TikTok's community guidelines prohibit accounts from promoting or supporting violent and hateful groups.
Extremist groups 'have very little to lose' in the digital space
Deakin University terrorism expert Greg Barton said social media platforms were widely used by extremist groups for radicalisation and recruitment.
"It shouldn't be the case in 2026 that Facebook, X or Instagram could be so flagrantly used like this," Professor Barton said.
"There's very little to lose and a lot to gain."
In 2024, Australia's eSafety commissioner sought answers from Google, Meta, WhatsApp, Reddit, Telegram and X on how each company was detecting and preventing the spread of terrorist and violent extremist material on their platforms.
A report published last year found "although these service providers did have measures in place to detect and address [terrorist and violent extremist material] on their services, they were not always applied consistently or comprehensively".
The eSafety commissioner did not respond to questions on why TikTok was not included in the report.
Islamic state expanding to online recruitment
In the absence of a physical caliphate, Islamic State has been intent on expanding its digital footprint, Professor Barton said.
He said the terror group had long seen the value in spreading its message on social media and using platforms like TikTok for radicalisation and recruitment.
"These [posts] are put out as a way of attracting attention," Professor Barton said.
"It may be a kid [posting] in a bedroom, but the way Islamic State tries to leverage this is to reach the kid in their bedroom, groom them and get them to do something."
Source: abc.net.au
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-27/nsw-tiktok-account-celebrates-bondi-attack-banned/106269032
---
Starmer says he won't 'choose between' the US or China
27 Jan 2026
James Chater
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he will not be forced to "choose between" relations with the US or China, ahead of the first visit of a British leader to Beijing in eight years.
Sir Keir said the UK would maintain "close ties" with the US on business, security and defence, but added that "sticking your head in the sand and ignoring China... wouldn't be sensible".
In the interview with Bloomberg News, he said the visit to the world's second-largest economy could bring "significant opportunities" for British companies. Dozens of UK business leaders are expected to travel with him.
The trip comes days after the UK approved controversial plans for a vast new Chinese embassy in London.
The long-delayed decision was made despite opponents warning it could be used as a base for Chinese spying.
"I'm often invited to simply choose between countries. I don't do that," Sir Keir said in the interview.
"I remember when I was doing the US trade deal, and everybody put to me that I'd have to make a choice between the US and Europe, and I said, 'I'm not making that choice.'"
"We've got very close relations with the US – of course, we want to – and we will maintain that business, alongside security and defence," he said.
"Equally, just sticking your head in the sand and ignoring China, when it's the second-biggest economy in the world and there are business opportunities wouldn't be sensible."
Of the delegation travelling with him to China, Sir Keir added: "They understand the opportunities that there are... That does not mean compromising on national security – quite the opposite."
The trip, which includes stops in Beijing and Shanghai, comes after a turbulent few weeks in relations between the US and its allies.
In recent weeks, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on allies for opposing his demand to take control of Greenland, and later provoked a backlash in the UK by saying Nato troops had stayed "a little back" from the front line in Afghanistan.
Trump also threatened to slap a 100% tariff on Canadian goods if the country struck a trade deal with China.
Sir Keir has previously said that failing to navigate a relationship with China would be a "dereliction of duty", rejecting the "isolationism" put forward by opponents of the Chinese government in the UK.
"For years we have blown hot and cold," he said. "We had the golden age, which then flipped to an Ice Age. We reject that binary choice."
In the interview with Bloomberg, Sir Keir suggested he would bring up disagreements with Beijing on human rights, including the fate of Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon who was found guilty of colluding with foreign forces in December.
Lord Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, told the Press Association that Sir Keir would be "pathetic" if he did not raise the case of Lai who is a British citizen.
British policy toward China, Lord Patten continued, had rested on a "falsehood" that "in order to do business with them, we must avoid saying anything they don't like or doing anything that they don't like".
He added: "What will not persuade them is if it becomes the 'oh, by the way' issue in meetings where you don't actually raise something until the end as you're going out, just so you can tell the press you did it."
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3zp58wqlno
------
EU moves to cut off Russian gas – Who will pay the price?
26 Jan, 2026
The EU has just voted to cut itself off from Russian gas by 2027 – at the very moment its gas prices are surging again and storage sites are being drained faster than usual.
What began as a political pledge to “de‑risk” from Moscow is now a legal commitment, backed by heavy penalties for those who break the rules. Some experts warn the bloc is locking itself into a more expensive dependence on American LNG and putting its industry at risk.
What exactly did the EU just approve?
On Monday, EU member states gave final approval to a regulation that will eliminate Russian gas imports in stages. The plan will apply to LNG from the start of 2027 and to pipeline gas from September 30, 2027.
The law requires member states to “verify” the origin of gas before authorizing imports. Failure to comply can lead to fines of €2.5 million ($2.96 million) for individuals and €40 million for companies, or penalties of up to 3.5% of a company’s global annual turnover, or up to 300% of the estimated value of the transaction.
The regulation contains a safety valve: in the event of a declared fuel emergency, the ban can be temporarily suspended. Critics argue that by the time such a clause is triggered, infrastructure and contracts will already have shifted away from Russia, making any reversal difficult in practice.
Crucially, the measure was framed as a ‘trade regulation’, allowing it to pass by reinforced majority rather than requiring unanimous member approval and thereby overriding the objections of heavily dependent states.
Why are Hungary and Slovakia suing?
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto posted on X that Budapest would use “every legal means” to have the ban annulled, calling it “against our national interest” and warning that it would “significantly increase energy costs for Hungarian families.” He accused Brussels of using a “legal trick” by classifying it as a trade measure rather than sanctions.
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar likewise announced that Bratislava will challenge the regulation at the EU Court of Justice, saying, “We cannot accept solutions that fail to reflect the real capacities and specific circumstances of individual countries.” Both countries remain heavily reliant on Russian pipeline gas and insist that there are no easy or cheap alternatives in the short term.
How dependent was the EU on Russian gas?
The EU imported 45% of its gas from Russia before the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022, with Russia being the bloc’s largest foreign supplier since the end of the Cold War, mostly via pipelines such as the now damaged Nord Stream 1 and routes through Ukraine. Russian pipeline gas was typically 30-50% cheaper than imported LNG, which must be liquefied, shipped and regasified.
Since then, Western sanctions and sabotage of key infrastructure have slashed Russian flows. Imports dropped to about 11% of EU gas supplies by 2024, while Moscow’s transit deal with Kiev – which Vladimir Zelensky refused to extend – expired at the start of 2025, further curbing pipeline deliveries.
Nevertheless, EU purchases of Russian LNG remained significant. According to Russian estimates, the bloc bought around €7.2 billion ($8.6 billion) worth of LNG in 2025, nearly €1 billion more than in 2024. At the same time, Russian exporters have redirected flows to Asia – mainly China, where LNG deliveries rose from 9.6 to 10.5 billion cubic meters in 2025.
Moscow insists it remains a reliable supplier, denouncing Western sanctions as illegal and saying it has successfully shifted its energy exports to ‘friendly’ markets.
What is replacing Russian gas – and at what cost?
To plug the gap, the EU has turned heavily to US-sourced LNG and other suppliers. The Ohio‑based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) estimated this month that the US could provide up to 80% of the bloc’s LNG imports by 2030. A trade deal announced last July commits the EU to buy $750 billion in US energy products by 2028.
However, LNG is generally more expensive than pipeline gas and tied to volatile spot prices. As of January 2026, European gas prices have risen by around 40% since the start of the year, driven by colder weather and geopolitical uncertainty, with storage sites only about 45% full, compared to a long‑term seasonal average of roughly 60%.
According to Bloomberg, the EU has been drawing gas from storage at the fastest rate in five years, because imports – particularly LNG – have not fully covered winter demand. Storage levels have nosedived, and benchmark prices have jumped by more than 30% this month alone, the outlet reported, warning that refilling facilities for next winter may require state support.
Industrial gas and electricity prices in the EU are estimated to remain two to four times higher than in key trading partner countries, raising fears about the bloc’s industrial competitiveness.
The loss of cheap Russian gas and reliance on far more costly LNG from the US has been pushing energy prices beyond what many industrial enterprises can afford, triggering a wave of shutdowns and bankruptcies, particularly in Germany, long considered the EU’s industrial powerhouse.
What do experts say?
A complete rejection of Russian pipeline gas and LNG would create a fuel shortage and push prices even higher, analysts warn. Russian energy expert Igor Yushkov, from Financial University and the National Energy Security Fund, has said the move could lead to further de‑industrialization in the bloc. He also pointed to threats by Qatar – the EU’s third leading LNG supplier – to curb gas exports in response to Brussels’ climate regulation, saying the EU risks “creating problems for itself” by narrowing its supplier base while at the same time tightening rules on producers.
Is there any way back for the EU?
The new law aims to phase out the remaining Russian flows (via TurkStream and some LNG cargoes) entirely by 2027. Once the ban is in full force, a return to Russian pipeline supplies would require changing EU law, not just political will.
Opponents counter that Brussels has simply swapped one form of dependence for another – this time for more expensive US LNG – and that in any future crisis, Washington will put American consumers first.
As storage levels fall and prices soar, Hungary, Slovakia and other opposing member states insist that the EU may discover the limits of its new policy the hard way – when the next winter bill arrives.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.rt.com/news/631542-eu-russian-gas-ban/
------
Kremlin urges patience on trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine talks
26 Jan, 2026
It is too early to expect a breakthrough from the trilateral talks between Russia, the US, and Ukraine, considering how “very complex” the issues under discussion are, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Monday.
The meeting took place on Friday and Saturday in Abu Dhabi, marking the first trilateral round of negotiations in the US-backed diplomatic push to settle the Ukraine conflict.
“It would be a mistake to expect any significant results from the initial contacts,” Peskov told reporters.
“The very fact that these contacts have begun in a constructive manner can be considered a positive,” he said. “However, there is still significant work ahead.”
Expert groups are currently leading the negotiations. The next round of talks is pending in the coming days, but no exact date has been scheduled, according to Peskov.
“The territorial issue, which is part of the ‘Anchorage formula’, is of fundamental importance,” the spokesman said.
Moscow has stayed tight-lipped on the exact points agreed upon in Alaska, but has said that it made certain compromises insisted on by Trump. However, one of Russia’s key demands remains that Ukrainian forces leave Donbass entirely, according to Peskov.
Shortly after the first round of the trilateral talks concluded, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky announced that Kiev would not make territorial concessions “under any circumstances,” despite mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump to “make a deal.”
Russia maintains that it would prefer to settle the Ukraine conflict diplomatically, but will push towards its goals militarily if Kiev stalls negotiations.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.rt.com/russia/631554-kremlin-patience-russia-us-ukraine-talks/
-------
Fifty Labour MPs sign letter objecting to Burnham decision
27 Jan 2026
Richard Wheeler
Around 50 Labour MPs have signed a letter objecting to the decision to block Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing in a forthcoming parliamentary by-election, BBC News understands.
They have written to Sir Keir Starmer to warn the decision is a "real gift" to Reform UK, as polling suggests Burnham may be Labour's "very best chance at winning" the vacant Gorton and Denton seat.
The signatories said there was "no legitimate reason" to block Burnham and asked for Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) to "re-evaluate".
Defending the move, Sir Keir said allowing Burnham to contest the seat would have diverted Labour's resources away from other important elections.
"Resources, whether that's money or people, need to be focused on the elections that we must have, not elections that we don't have to have," he said earlier.
"And that was the basis of the NEC decision."
The NEC, which includes Sir Keir, said blocking Burham would "avoid an unnecessary mayoral election" to replace him should he be successful in the by-election.
The previous mayoral election in Greater Manchester costs taxpayers about £4.7m.
Burnham has been seen as a potential leadership rival to Sir Keir but would have to return to Parliament in order to mount a challenge.
The letter was addressed to Sir Keir, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood in her role as chair of the NEC, and Labour Party General Secretary Hollie Ridley.
It said the decision to block Burnham had caused a "huge amount of anxiety and anger" amongst colleagues in the Parliamentary Labour Party and party members across the country.
Around half a dozen Labour peers also signed the letter, the BBC has been told.
Members of the NEC voted on Sunday morning to deny Burnham permission to stand in the contest.
NEC sources told the BBC eight members of its 10 members had voted to block Burnham from running.
Only Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell supported his push to run in the by-election, while Mahmood abstained.
Burnham refused to comment when asked for a response to the NEC's decision.
"I've said what I needed to say and here I am back in my job. A full focus on my job as mayor of Greater Manchester," he told the BBC.
When asked if he thought Sir Keir was scared of him, Burham held to his line.
"I'm not making any further comment," he said.
He had said earlier he was "disappointed" by the move to block him and took a swipe at the Labour Party over how it was made public.
Labour won Gorton and Denton in 2024 with a 13,000 majority.
Reform UK and the Greens are both expected to pose a greater challenge this time round.
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, former Labour cabinet minister Harriet Harman said her parliamentary colleagues should move on and focus on winning the by-election, instead of discussing the decision to block Burnham.
Burnham was elected as mayor of Greater Manchester in May 2024.
His term runs until May 2028.
The Gorton and Denton by-election is likely to be held on 26 February.
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3e53e34klo
-----
North America
‘Americans who might hate Indians…’: Social media reacts to free samosas given at anti‑ICE protests in Minnesota
Jan 26, 2026
After videos of an Indian restaurant distributing free samosas to protesters in an anti-ICE rally in Minnesota went viral, social media had a mixed reaction about the gesture. Some users claimed that such activities promote the anti-India rhetoric among Americans, while some said that this hospitality is clearly a part of Indians and their culture.
The footage comes as protests continue across Minnesota against operations by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Demonstrations escalated mainly due to the death of two US citizens at the hands of federal agents: Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti last week, and Minnesota mother Renee Nicole Good earlier this month.
The restaurant that served the fried snack is called "Curry Corner." It is a small Indian eatery in Northeast Minneapolis. Owners announced on Instagram that they were temporarily closing their dining room due to safety concerns amid the Trump administration's crackdown.
Instead of simply closing up and waiting, the restaurant’s staff decided to step outside and help people on the streets. Videos shared online show employees handing out freshly prepared samosas and warm meals to anti‑ICE demonstrators.
Here is what social media users said:
An Indian restaurant distributing Samosas to anti ICE protest. Such things will only bring more hate towards already anti Indian hate in US.
They are americans. Let them do what they want and which political spectrum they want to tilt towards.
Americans who might hate Indians more for this, they hate Indians already anyway, and no amount of boot licking will change that fact
I have a lot of issues with how Indian-American and Indian culture has evolved in recent year but is the most beautiful thing i’ve seen in a while.
I am an Indian and am against this. When you are in someone else’s country then live by their rules, don’t dictate yours. This person should be deported ASAP.
Minneapolis, USA . An Indian restaurant distributing Samosas to anti ICE protest
The restaurant also shared its message on social media: “We are closed but we are still gonna go out and support our community,” they posted.
It added: “Today we took Curry Corner into downtown Minneapolis to support our community. We went out to share warm samosas and meals with those protesting and standing up for what they believe in.”
Curry Corner’s closure put financial strain on the family‑run business. In an Instagram post, the owners shared that they had started a GoFundMe campaign to support their staff during the shutdown. The fundraiser had raised more than $25,000.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/americans-who-might-hate-indians-social-media-reacts-to-free-samosas-given-at-antiice-protests-in-minnesota/articleshowprint/127560872.cms
------
Trump threatens Iran with ‘armada’ bigger than around Venezuela
26 Jan, 2026
The US Department of War has deployed a “big armada” of warships and other military assets near Iran, US President Donald Trump has stated, while insisting that diplomacy remains an option.
Earlier this month, Trump reportedly came close to ordering strikes on Iranian targets in response to a violent crackdown on anti-government protests that left thousands dead, according to a number of human rights groups. While he delayed that decision, military assets have continued to flow to the region.
In an interview with Axios on Monday, Trump stated the situation with Iran remains “in flux.”
“We have a big armada next to Iran. Bigger than Venezuela,” he said, referencing a US naval buildup near the South American nation that led to the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
At the same time, Trump suggested that Tehran genuinely wants to negotiate a deal, claiming: “They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk.”
The centerpiece of the buildup is the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, which US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed is now operating in the Middle East. An additional F-15 and F-35 fighter jets, refueling tankers, and air defense systems have also been deployed. CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper visited Israel on Saturday to discuss joint military plans.
In response, General Mohammad Pakpour of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stern warning over the weekend. He stated that the IRGC is “more ready than ever, finger on the trigger” to defend the country and promised “painful” consequences for any aggression from the US or Israel.
Tehran warned Washington against “any miscalculations,” blaming the US and Israel for instigating the severe internal unrest in Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchirecently said that over 3,000 people were killed during violent protests that began in late December.
The Trump administration appears divided regarding how to proceed forward. Some officials have reportedly advocated for enforcing the president’s “red line” to punish Tehran, while others have questioned what strategic goal bombing would achieve.
Washington has long pushed for a deal that would require Iran to get rid of all of its enriched uranium, cap its missile stockpile, cease support for regional proxies, and abandon independent uranium enrichment – terms Iran has shown no willingness to accept.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.rt.com/news/631560-trump-bigger-armada-iran/
-----
CAIR-Florida Welcomes Arrest for Racist Attack on Lawmaker at Sundance Film Festival
January 26, 2026
The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization, today welcomed the arrest of the individual accused of carrying out a racist attack against a member of Congress representing that state during the Sundance Film Festival.
According to media reports, the Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) was physically assaulted and subjected to hateful rhetoric in an incident that authorities are investigating as a bias-motivated attack. The alleged assailant reportedly punched Frost the face and told him that President Donald Trump was going to deport him.
In a statement, Hiba Rahim, CAIR-Florida Deputy Executive Director, said:
“This disturbing attack is a reminder that hateful rhetoric and bigotry have real-world consequences. Violence allegedly motivated by anti-immigrant racism threatens not only individual safety, but the foundations of our democracy. We commend law enforcement for taking swift action and urge prosecutors to fully hold the perpetrator accountable.”
She said CAIR-Florida and the American Muslim community stand in solidarity with all those challenging antisemitism, systemic anti-Black racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, white supremacy, and all other forms of bigotry.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-florida-welcomes-arrest-for-racist-attack-on-lawmaker-at-sundance-film-festival/
-----
West Virginia woman arrested in alleged Trump assassination plot; sheriff says she recruit people on social media
Jan 27, 2026
A woman in West Virginia was arrested after she allegedly tried to recruit people to assassinate President Donald Trump, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said.
The woman has been identified as Morgan Morrow, 39, and was charged with one count of terroristic threats.
Deputies said Morrow was recruiting individuals to "pursue and assassinate" Trump, and said further details will be released as the investigation continued, KCBD reported.
How Deputies caught woman?
The complaint said that on January 25, 2026, deputies learned of an alleged threat of violence “directed toward an unknown individual, which was believed to be a public official”.
According to the complaint, deputies said they learned that the reported threat originated from a public TikTok account allegedly belonging to Morrow, DC News Now reported.
The complaint said the TikTok post included the sentence “Surely a sn!per [sniper] with a terminal illness can’t be a big ask out of 343 million.” Authorities reviewed the content, context and wording of the post and interpreted the statement as a message to encourage and advocate for the assassination of U.S. President Donald Trump, the complaint said.
According to the complaint, Jackson County deputies, the Jackson County Bureau of Investigations and the Ravenswood Police Department responded to Morrow’s home, where she was detained and taken to the sheriff’s department for further investigation.
The complaint stated that after Morrow was read her Miranda rights, she admitted in an interview with police that she had written and posted the statement on TikTok and claimed it was “intended as a threat directed toward President Donald J. Trump.” The complaint said Morrow told authorities her “personal reasons for wishing harm upon the President,” but it did not disclose those reasons.
In the complaint, deputies said that while Morrow claimed she had no intention to personally carry out a threat, statements such as the one made on TikTok are “designed to encourage, inspire or entice others to carry out the threatened act, regardless of whether the speaker publicly intends to personally do so.”
Sheriff Mellinger said on Sunday in a Facebook post that Morrow’s arrest was not a political statement, as making threatening statements about any public official is illegal according to West Virginia State code.
“This is not meant to be a political – oriented statement. This is an active criminal investigation with documented and troubling concerns,” Sheriff Mellinger said.
Following the announcement of Morrow’s arrest, the Jackson County Public Library released a statement on social media saying that Morrow was one of their employees and they were addressing the matter internally.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/west-virginia-woman-arrested-in-alleged-trump-assassination-plot-sheriff-says-she-recruit-people-on-social-media/articleshowprint/127575630.cms
-----
No endgame doctrine: What Trump is doing to the world order
26 Jan, 2026
January 2026 marks a year since Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. Few national leaders can compete with Trump when it comes to public engagement and the range of global issues tackled. He is undoubtedly the most quoted head of state. However, the high level of media attention to America’s domestic and foreign policies is a double-edged sword for the current US administration. It forces the leadership to handle an endless stream of diverse challenges in real time and under constant pressure. This dynamic has shaped the Trump administration’s recognizable diplomatic style, which is characterized by inconsistency, haste, and half-hearted measures.
Consequently, many issues that have been taken up by President Trump and his loyal aides – US Vice President J.D. Vance, US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner – remain largely unresolved. This undermines Trump’s image as that of a formidable leader who can force anyone to comply with his wishes. The US president’s tendency to reverse his policies accounts for the popularity of the TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out) meme.
Meanwhile, the political calendar for 2026 promises new challenges. If they are addressed in an ineffective manner, the Democrats could gain control of the US Congress in the November midterm elections, potentially derailing Trump’s agenda until the next presidential election in 2028. The looming threat of another government shutdown, the need to resolve the Ukraine crisis, preventing escalation in the eight wars stopped by Trump in 2025, preparations for the 250th-anniversary celebrations of US independence, hosting the G20 summit and the World Cup – these will be the key factors shaping the power dynamics in the US for the coming years.
True to form, Donald Trump has kicked off 2026 by significantly amplifying points of tension in global politics. We must note that despite the apparent illogic of Trump’s statements, all his actions align with the logic laid out by his team in the revised National Security Strategy released in December. If we were to reduce this document to a few key points, the current US administration aims to reshape global governance institutions through aggressive rhetoric bordering on brute force, secure the Western Hemisphere as a zone of exclusive American interests, contain China, and shift the burden of responsibility for the strategic landscape in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa onto junior allies.
Remarkably, everything that has unfolded in 2026 aligns perfectly with what can already be called the Trump Doctrine. On January 3, right after New Year, the US captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in the course of a dramatic operation worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster.
The plan involved taking out part of Maduro’s personal guard made up of Cuban troops, while neutralizing Russian air defense systems installed in the country. The US hoped that betrayal within Maduro’s inner circle would make the nation an easy target, as Venezuela is crucial for American interests in its “soft underbelly,” serving as a vast oil reservoir that China actively exploits for its own economic needs.
Furthermore, Maduro’s public humiliation allows the US to revert to its traditional “big stick” approach, instilling fear in Cuba, Mexico, Panama, and other nations in the region. However, it would be premature to credit Trump for this; the abducted Venezuelan president is set to stand trial in a New York court, where Democrats hold significant sway, while Venezuela remains under the control of the old elites led by former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez.
In the early weeks of January, unexpected events unfolded on the other side of the globe as mass protests erupted in Iran. With large-scale civil disobedience erupting in over 200 cities, it seemed that the Islamic Republic established in 1979, under the leadership of the Rahbar, was on the brink of collapse, potentially paving the way for the exiled son of the ousted Shah from the Pahlavi dynasty to return to power. Such a shift would allow the US to regain control over one of the world’s leading gas producers and disrupt nearly all transport and logistics corridors across Greater Eurasia.
Yet, just when military action appeared imminent, Trump unexpectedly decided to retreat, apparently heeding the advice of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who learned from the bitter experience of the Twelve-Day War in June 2025.
Eager to visibly distance himself from the situation in the Middle East, Trump shifted back to discussing the potential acquisition of Greenland. He claimed that Greenland was unjustly colonized by Denmark, which is unable to secure the island and the entire Western Hemisphere from threats posed by China and Russia. By ritualistically using Moscow and Beijing as verbal scapegoats, Trump’s real aim in asserting control over Greenland is to bolster US positions in the Arctic region and, in the long run, block the Northern Sea Route, which is gradually emerging as a more viable alternative to existing trade routes between China and the EU that pass through the geopolitically turbulent regions of the southern seas.
Panic gripped Europe as it prepared for the worst: a potential US military operation against its junior NATO ally and the possible disintegration of the entire bloc. However, speaking at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Trump was quick to assure everyone that he seeks a mutually beneficial deal that could merely imply US sovereignty over areas where its military bases are located, similar to the status of British bases in Cyprus.
As Greenland temporarily overshadowed Ukraine in the news, one couldn’t help but consider the interconnectedness of these two issues, situated at opposite ends of the European security spectrum. Meanwhile, Donald Trump unexpectedly summoned Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky to Switzerland, while simultaneously sending Witkoff and Kushner to Moscow. The next day, discussions resumed in a trilateral format (Russia-US-Ukraine), featuring two working groups focused on security and economics. Alongside familiar faces from the American delegation, there was also Josh Gruenbaum, the Commissioner of the US Federal Acquisition Service. This clearly meant that this round of negotiations wasn’t solely about territorial disputes in Ukraine, but would also touch on the fate of $5 billion in Russian sovereign assets frozen by the Biden administration.
Ahead of the talks, President Putin proposed using $1 billion as a contribution to the Board of Peace initiated by Trump, with the funds directed at humanitarian efforts related to the reconstruction of Gaza.
Regarding Russia’s potential role in this newly formed structure, Putin instructed the Foreign Ministry and other relevant agencies to explore all details concerning how this multilateral diplomatic institution would operate. Thus, Russia has taken the initiative to study the nature of Trump’s proposal (which global media have hastily dubbed a “UN substitute”).
Trump’s project raises numerous questions:
1) Which countries will join the Board of Peace?
2) What principles will guide decision-making?
3) Is the $1 billion contribution mandatory for formal participation?
4) Will discussions be limited to the situation in Gaza or will they encompass other regional conflicts?
Ultimately, observing the US president’s behavior teaches us that anything is possible with Donald Trump. What Trump considers a key issue today may be overshadowed by some new problem tomorrow, one that will become paramount for the president and his team. However, any actions undertaken by Trump doesn’t guarantee an unequivocal victory for the US or a predetermined outcome. The hallmark of mature diplomacy lies not just in launching bold initiatives or addressing immediate problems but in seeing every endeavor through to its logical conclusion.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.rt.com/news/631536-no-endgame-doctrine-trump/
------
Muslim Voter Group To Endorse Greens In Gorton And Denton By-Election
26 Jan, 2026
Exclusive: A pressure group focused on who Muslims should support in elections will endorse the Green Party in Gorton and Denton.
The Muslim Vote, set up in late 2023, endorsed the four independent candidates who were elected at the 2024 general election on campaigns centred on the war in Gaza. They were Shockat Adam, Adnan Hussain, Ayoub Khan and Iqbal Mohammed.
The group has told PoliticsHome that it will support the Green candidate in the upcoming contest to replace Andrew Gwynne, who has resigned as a Labour MP for health reasons. The party is yet to select its candidate, but the New Statesman reported over the weekend that it will not be leader Zack Polanski. The Greater Manchester seat has a significant Muslim population.
This will remain the case even if George Galloway’s Workers’ Party decides to contest the seat, the group said. The party came fourth in Gorton and Denton in 2024, and Galloway has historically enjoyed high levels of support among Muslim voters.
PoliticsHome understands that the Muslim Vote was open to supporting the candidacy of Andy Burnham in the event of the Greater Manchester Mayor being the Labour candidate.
However, on Sunday, Burnham’s desire to stand was rejected by members of Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC), including Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
In a statement shared with PoliticsHome on Monday, the group said Muslim voters in the Greater Manchester constituency would play a “decisive role” in the by-election. Its internal data estimates that around one in four people in the seat is a Muslim.
“On this occasion, we believe the Green Party offers the strongest opportunity to win, and we urge them to work swiftly with local communities, while calling on all other progressive and independent alternatives to stand aside to give the best chance of delivering a clear break from politics as usual and putting the community first,” it said.
The group said blocking Burnham was “yet another example of a Labour Party fearful of even the most basic democratic challenge.” The former health secretary was one of the first senior Labour politicians to call for a ceasefire in Gaza after the 7 October 2023 attack.
The Greens voted to recognise Israeli military operations in Gaza as a genocide in 2024. Party leader Polanski has been a vocal critic of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, and accused the Labour government of having been “active participants in genocide” by arming Israel.
Labour won in Gorton and Denton over 50 per cent of the vote at the last general election. However, the contest is expected to be much closer this time around, with both the Greens and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK seen as serious threats to Starmer’s party.
According to Rob Ford, author and politics professor at the University of Manchester, the Muslim population is not large enough to win the constituency on its own. However, it is large enough to “swing the outcome if the vote coalesces around one candidate”.
“The Greens’ campaign is going to be quite like Plaid’s in Caerphilly,” he told PoliticsHome.
“They will argue Labour is a busted flush and that you can have your cake and eat it: if you want to protest against a Labour government and stop Reform, you can back us.
“This is not a part of the country where they have deep organisational strength. But the demographics are certainly in their favour, with large parts of the seat having been gentrified.”
Independent candidates in seats with significant Muslim populations continue to represent one of the several electoral threats to Labour.
It is a headache for Labour in parts of east London, like Tower Hamlets and Redbridge, which are holding council elections in May. The latter is home to the parliamentary constituency of Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who was hundreds of votes away from losing his seat at the last general election.
Outside of the capital, parts of Birmingham, Leicester and Bradford are seen as vulnerabilities for Labour.
Source: politicshome.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/muslim-voter-group-to-endorse-greens-in-gorton-and-denton-by-election
-----
CAIR-MN, Partners to Hold Rally at State Capitol Seeking Arrest of Officers Who Killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti
January 26, 2026
On Tuesday, January 27, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) and Communities United Against Police Brutality will hold a peaceful rally at the State Capitol in St. Paul to demand the arrest of federal officers who killed Alex Pretti and Renee Good.
CONTACT: Jaylani Hussein, Executive Director, CAIR-MN, 612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com; Suleiman Adan, Deputy Executive Director, CAIR-MN — 612-408-7183, sadan@cair.com
Today, CAIR-MN, along with community organizations and leaders, held a news conference at the Hennepin County Government Center in Minneapolis to demand that state and local law enforcement authorities investigate the killing of Alex Pretti by federal officers.
Yesterday, CAIR’s national office and CAIR-MN demanded that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey order local law enforcement authorities to investigate the shooting and called for the removal of all Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) forces from the state.
Earlier this month, CAIR-MN similarly called for an independent and transparent investigation of the ICE-involved fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
CAIR-MN is the state’s leading Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its 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/cair-mn-partners-to-hold-rally-at-state-capitol-seeking-arrest-of-officers-who-killed-renee-good-and-alex-pretti/
-----
Register Today: CAIR to Host Pre-Ramadan Webinar, ‘Ramadan for Students and Parents’
January 26, 2026
On Wednesday, January 28 (7:30 p.m. ET), the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, will host a pre-Ramadan webinar, “Ramadan for Students and Parents,” to offer practical tips and guidance for supporting students during Ramadan at home and in school.
This webinar, led by Veronica Laizure, CAIR LDF; Nora Elmubarak, CAIR-NC, and Bismah Jaffer, CAIR-SFBA, will focus on empowering students and families to advocate for their needs during the month of Ramadan and beyond. It will cover students’ rights in and out of the classroom, common accommodations for fasting, and best practices to advocate for yourself and your needs.
CAIR also offers a booklet, called “An Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/register-today-cair-to-host-pre-ramadan-webinar-ramadan-for-students-and-parents/
-----
CAIR-Alabama Welcomes Birmingham Mayor’s Recognition of Muslim Heritage Month, Upcoming Eid Holidays
January 26, 2026
The Alabama chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AL), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin’s proclamation of January as Muslim American Heritage Month and his recognition Muslim holidays of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha.
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Birmingham City Council, Mayor Woodfin asked the Council to endorse his proclamation recognizing Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha in Birmingham. The mayor also proclaimed the month of January 2026 as Muslim American Heritage Month in Birmingham.
[NOTE: Eid ul-Fitr (EED-al-FITTER), or “feast of fast-breaking,” is the first of the two major Muslim holidays after the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. Many communities hold multicultural bazaars and other family activities following the prayers. The second holiday, Eid ul-Adha (EED-al-ODD-ha), comes near the end of the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.]
In a statement, CAIR-Alabama Staff Attorney Britton O’Shields said:
“We thank Mayor Woodfin and the Birmingham City Council for this important proclamation recognizing Muslim American Heritage Month and the two Eids in the city. We encourage lawmakers across our state and the nation to follow suit and ensure the religious holidays and contributions of American Muslims and other faith communities are recognized.”
She noted that CAIR’s Maryland office recently congratulated Frederick County communities on the official proclamation of January as “Muslim American Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations were made in other states.
The City of Austin, Texas, also honored CAIR-Austin through an official proclamation.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-alabama-welcomes-birmingham-mayors-recognition-of-muslim-heritage-month-upcoming-eid-holidays/
------
Africa
Coup Plot: Indicted Officers Face Death Penalty Under Military Law – Retired Generals
January 27, 2026
The 16 officers indicted for plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu are reportedly facing capital punishment ranging from imprisonment to death penalty.
Recall that the military high command admitted that the officers who have been in detention since October 2025 were found guilty of the offence.
The panel, which probed the arrested officers, had submitted its findings to the president.
Retired military officers, who spoke to Daily Trust said Nigeria’s military law prescribes death penalty for attempted coup.
Gen. Bashir Adewinbi (Rtd) and Major Bashir Galma (Rtd), explained that the punishment for attempted coup is death in line with the Armed Forces Act of Nigeria.
The duo said that, except the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Tinubu, temper justice with mercy, there is no way the indicted officers can come out freely from the offence.
Gen. Adewinbi said, “The coup is a criminal offence in the military, and there are penalties for it. The military high command might have denied it for the first time for them to ascertain and conclude their investigations.
“Is it real? Is it not real? Who are the people involved? Who are the actors? Now that they have concluded and submitted their report and the report has indicated that there was a coup attempt, that means, if there was a coup, everybody must be ready to face consequences for his or her actions.
“There is no two ways about it. A coup in the military attracts the death penalty.
“When you’re caught for a coup, the consequence is the death penalty. We have witnessed it so many times in Nigeria.
“However, the President can use his prerogative to take action on the type of punishment to give them, but the normal thing is death penalty to serve as a deterrence to others who are planning to truncate the democracy we are enjoying in Nigeria, because there is no need for any coup in Nigeria today.
“It is the duty of the military to protect the present democracy. We should not truncate democracy. Whoever has planned the coup should be made to pay for it. Not only the coup, but also all of these offenders like terrorists, bandits and other criminals.
“There must be a special court to try these people. That is the only way we can reduce terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria. Let’s take the bull by the horns. Let’s give them the right punishment because they see it as a way of making money.”
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/27/coup-plot-indicted-officers-face-death-penalty-under-military-law-retired-generals/
------
‘We Will Not Allow Nigerian Parents To Be Extorted’ – Tinubu’s Govt
January 26, 2026
The President Bola Tinubu‘s government, through the Ministry of Education, has vowed that Nigerian parents will no longer be exploited in any form.
Naija News reports that the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, made this known during an interview on Arise News.
Alausa noted that the activities of some schools, including the extortions from parents through the sale of textbooks and nursery school graduation ceremonies, have been banned.
He said, “And now let me talk about the nursery school graduation. It might be fun for you, but sheer extortion of parents, it’s not acceptable.
“Why would you do graduation for one or two children? It’s just sheer extortion. We want to encourage these kids, but let’s give them proper milestones.
“When you finish primary school, do your graduation, when you finish JSS do your graduation, SSS, do your graduation. We give them something that leads to milestones, something that is more cogent, more tangible, not the way everything is being turned into extorting the parent.
“And part of all this extortion of the parents that we’ve stopped is that when I was growing up, I used my sister’s textbook. Our parents will tell us, please keep that book very well, your younger brother will use it. So it’s a way to save costs.
“Now they manipulated the entire process, you put the workbook as part of the textbook, so the student will now write on those books and they become useless. And next year, you tell the parents to buy another book.
“And also what publishers were doing was that they would not even change anything in the book. There won’t be any major content change. It might just be pagination or just a print of the new cover.
“They say, ‘Come and buy a new textbook’. We will not allow Nigerian parents to be extorted and that’s why we moved to stop that. And now we said the workbook must be completely separated from the core textbook itself.”
Alausa also announced the return of history to the curriculum, stating that there is no explaination to how people with their right minds would ban history from being taught in schools.
Recall that history was officially removed from the curricula of primary and junior secondary schools in 2007, with the government citing various reasons for the decision.
However, Alausa said the government of President Tinubu considered this wrong and instructed that the subject be reintegrated into the curricula.
He added, “Nigerian history is back in the curriculum. We did not ban it, but we felt it was wrong, and we moved swiftly to bring Nigerian history back.
“History wasn’t banned by this government. It was banned about 12 to 13 years ago, and you look at it now, our kids are so delinked with the history of the country. I don’t know who in their right mind banned history, and that’s why this President mandated us to do a pure curriculum review.
“Nigerian history is back as part of our curriculum. We instituted it. We started it so Nigerian history is back. We did not ban it, but we felt it was wrong, and we moved swiftly to bring Nigerian history back.”
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/26/we-will-not-allow-nigerian-parents-to-be-extorted-tinubus-govt/
-------
Kaduna Community Cries Out As Bandits Hold 13 Captives After ₦40 Million Ransom Payment
January 27, 2026
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
Residents of Gidan Waya, a rural settlement in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have accused armed bandits of refusing to release 13 abducted villagers despite receiving a ₦40 million ransom, throwing the community into hunger and despair.
The disturbing development was disclosed on Monday by the Chairman of the Gidan Waya Elders Forum, Mallam Rabo Sambo, during a press briefing in Kaduna.
Sambo recounted that the victims were kidnapped on November 11, 2025, during a midnight raid by heavily armed men who stormed the community, shooting indiscriminately and causing panic among residents.
“We heard gunshots, and before we knew what was happening, the bandits had surrounded the settlement,” he said.
According to him, four people were killed, while five others sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to medical facilities for treatment.
He said the attackers abducted 13 villagers – comprising five men and eight women – and took them to an undisclosed location.
“This is the first time we are experiencing such an attack. We have always lived in peace here. There has never been any crisis among us,” he noted.
Sambo revealed that the bandits demanded a ₦40 million ransom in January 2026. To meet the demand, residents were forced to sell over 3,000 bags of maize, which represented the community’s entire food reserve.
He said, “When the trailers came to load the maize, everyone in the community was crying.
“After selling our food to pay ransom, we are now going hungry. We can no longer feed our families.”
Despite delivering the money immediately after it was raised, Sambo said none of the abducted villagers has been released, nearly two months after the payment.
“Even today, as I speak to you, none of them has returned,” he lamented.
We’re Living In Fear And Hunger — Elders Forum
Concerned that the Kaduna State Government and Lere Local Government Council may not be fully aware of the situation, Sambo said the elders resorted to addressing the media to seek urgent intervention.
He said, “We don’t know if His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, is aware of what happened to us. That is why we are appealing through the media.”
He acknowledged the efforts of the Divisional Police Officer in Lere, who had visited the community several times, but emphasised that more concrete action was urgently needed.
“Our people are still in captivity, and those at home are suffering. Everybody shed tears. We are living in fear, hunger and uncertainty,” he said.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/27/kaduna-community-cries-out-as-bandits-hold-13-captives-after-%e2%82%a640-million-ransom-payment/
------
Two brothers jailed 2 months each for stealing cellphone from mosque
JANUARY 26, 2026
A Wuse Magistrates’ Court in Abuja, sentenced two brothers, Adamu and Rabiu Ibrahim to two months imprisonment each for stealing a cellphone in a mosque.
The Magistrate, Olumide Bamisile convicted and sentenced them with an option of N30,000 fine each.
He however warned the convicts to desist from committing crime and be of good behaviour.
The police charged the brothers with joint act and theft which they pleaded guilty to.
Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Donatus Abah told the court that the complainant, Yusuf Aliyu reported the matter to the FCT Police Commissioner on Jan.2.
Abah said that the complainant went to Annur Mosque in Maitama, Abuja to pray and while praying, Adamu and Rabiu jointly stole his Galaxy Fold 4 from his pocket.
The offence, he said contravened the provisions of sections 79 and 287 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution added that during police investigations, the cellphone was recovered from Adamu and Rabiu and returned to the owner.
Following their guilty plea, the convicts told the court that they intended to sell the cellphone before they were caught.
They however prayed for leniency and begged the court to temper justice with mercy.
Source: authorityngr.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://authorityngr.com/2026/01/26/two-brothers-jailed-2-months-each-for-stealing-cellphone-from-mosque/
-----
Southern Kaduna Coalition Rejects Call For Defence Minister To Emerge As Tinubu’s Running Mate
January 27, 2026
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
A coalition of socio‑cultural and professional organisations from Southern Kaduna has distanced the region from recent calls that Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd) be considered as a running mate to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 general elections.
The clarification followed comments by the president of the Southern Kaduna United People’s Association (SOKAPU), Samuel Tabara Kato, who praised Tinubu for appointing General Musa as Minister of Defence and suggested that Southern Kaduna supports him for the vice‑presidency.
But representatives of the coalition, including Dr Simon Majimre of the Southern Kaduna Community Development Associations, Edward John Auta of Southern Kaduna Patriots for Good Governance, and leaders of the Southern Kaduna Professionals Forum and SOKAPU Youths, stressed that Tabara’s remarks reflect only his personal view.
They emphasised that there was no broad consultation with stakeholders in the region before the suggestion was made.
“The timing of this call is equally troubling,” one representative said, noting that Southern Kaduna is still grappling with the recent abduction of over 170 persons in Kurmin Wali.
The coalition argued that no responsible leadership should prioritise discussions about a presidential running mate while families and communities continue to endure ongoing anguish.
While acknowledging that General Musa is an astute and credible Army General, the group stressed that his immediate responsibility remains the nation’s security, working closely with the President and Vice President.
“Southern Kaduna is united in supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and Governor Uba Sani against the unwarranted statement made by Mr. Tabara.
“We stand firmly behind the Minister of Defence to deliver on his mandate of fighting insecurity as entrusted to him by the President and the Nigerian people,” the coalition said in a statement.
The coalition also commended Governor Uba Sani for his swift response to the Kurmin Wali crisis, highlighting his actions to reinforce security personnel and mobilise workers and equipment to construct a road that improved access for security agencies.
They noted that those efforts helped the affected community resume Sunday worship barely a week after the abduction, an outcome they described as positive amid the crisis.
The group called on Nigerians to reject divisive narratives that could distract the Defence Minister or undermine national unity.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/27/southern-kaduna-coalition-rejects-call-for-defence-minister-to-emerge-as-tinubus-running-mate/
------
Failure To Arraign Accused Persons Stall ₦4.29 Billion Fraud Case Against UBA
January 27, 2026
The legal proceedings in the alleged ₦4.29 billion fraud, foreign exchange racketeering, and money laundering case involving United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) and four other defendants were stalled on Monday at the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, due to the accused persons’ failure to appear for arraignment.
The defendants in the charge are United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), Muyiwa Akinyemi, Amangbo Eziashi Stephen, Gesos Global Service Limited, and Fedat Global Limited.
Naija News learnt that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had instituted the case before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Criminal Division of the High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division.
According to the charge, the defendants are facing multiple counts bordering on fraudulent conversion, retention of proceeds of crime, foreign exchange malpractice and money laundering involving the sum of ₦4,290,112,796.72, allegedly belonging to Energy Shield Petrochemical Limited.
The EFCC alleged that, between September 14, 2022, and March 20, 2023, in Lagos and within the court’s jurisdiction, the defendants conspired to sell foreign exchange at rates above those stipulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The anti-graft agency further alleged that the proceeds from the purported illegal transactions were subsequently retained and laundered, stressing that the offences contravene relevant provisions of the EFCC (Establishment) Act and the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
The counsel to the EFCC, T. J. Banjo, after announcing his appearance at the resumed hearing on Monday, informed the court that he was taken by surprise by the defendants’ absence, despite having been duly served with the charge and other relevant court processes.
Banjo told the court that the second and third defendants, Muyiwa Akinyemi and Amangbo Eziashi Stephen, were fully aware of the proceedings but had failed to present themselves in court.
He added that the two individuals were currently on the run, stressing that their non-appearance was not due to any lack of notice or service.
Following the development, the EFCC counsel applied for an adjournment to enable the commission to file the necessary applications to formally establish proof of service on all the defendants ahead of their arraignment.
After hearing the prosecution’s submission, Justice Oshodi granted the application, adjourned the case to April 21, 2026, for arraignment and directed that proceedings on the next adjourned date would commence at 9:00 a.m.
The court is expected to take the defendants’ plea when they are produced for arraignment on the next adjourned date.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/26/failure-to-arraign-accused-persons-stall-%e2%82%a64-29-billion-fraud-case-against-uba/
------
Tinubu May Approve Only One New State — Sources
January 27, 2026
There are strong indications that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may approve the creation of only one new state once the National Assembly and State Assemblies complete the required legislative steps.
It was gathered in Abuja on Friday that Anioma State, a proposed state whose advocates say would help address feelings of marginalisation among South‑Easterners, is likely to be the sole creation to emerge from the current process.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed to Vanguard that consultations among key interest groups are at an advanced stage, particularly between those supporting and opposing the inclusion of Anioma within the South‑East geopolitical zone.
This conversation has intensified amid renewed calls by Senator Ned Nwoko for a unified Igbo front backing the creation of Anioma State as the sixth state in the South‑East.
The South‑East currently has only five states, making it the zone with the fewest states in the federation.
However, some groups in Delta State have opposed the idea of placing Anioma in the South‑East. They argue that the proposed state should instead be carved out of the South‑South geopolitical zone, increasing the region’s number of states to seven.
Despite these competing views, sources close to the Presidency said that only Anioma State is being seriously considered for creation at this time.
“Anioma State would be created to compensate the South‑East region and Ndigbo in general,” one presidential source said.
The source explained that President Tinubu is mindful of arguments on both sides but considers Anioma the most viable option among several requests for state creation.
“He is also keen on achieving geopolitical balance, equity, fair representation, and justice, particularly to assuage the feelings of marginalisation expressed by Ndigbo, whose region currently has the fewest states,” the source added.
The Presidency source also dismissed ongoing agitation by some stakeholders for an alternative “Anim‑Oma State”, a proposal that would combine parts of Anioma in Delta State, the old Orlu Zone in Imo State, and Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, with Orlu as the proposed capital.
Under the current plan reportedly favoured in Abuja, the new Anioma State would be created with Asaba as its capital, although officials say details could still change before final approval.
Timing Of Presidency‑Stakeholder Meeting Unclear
While it remains unclear when President Tinubu will meet with stakeholders on the matter, sources said such a meeting is expected after consultations with the leadership of the National Assembly, which is said to be broadly supportive of the idea.
Reacting to the latest developments, Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District and has championed the Anioma cause, expressed confidence that the agitation will soon bear fruit.
“This is a historic clamour that has never enjoyed this level of national attention and support. It is a golden opportunity for the Igbo people to reunite with their kith and kin across the Niger,” he said.
Nwoko also referenced support within the Senate for the proposal.
“The Ohanaeze constitution recognises Anioma as the sixth Igbo state and Ikwerre as the seventh. It is therefore not a coincidence that over 90 senators have declared their total support for the creation of Anioma State,” he added.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/01/26/tinubu-may-approve-only-one-new-state-sources/
----
South Asia
Mawlawi Jamal Highlights Tourism’s Key Role in Driving Economic Growth
January 27, 2026
KABUL: Mawlavi Qudratullah Jamal, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Finance, and Administration at the Ministry of Information and Culture, has emphasized that tourism plays a vital role in boosting Afghanistan’s economy, stressing that coordinated efforts among relevant institutions can help the sector achieve significant growth.
Speaking at a meeting focused on enhancing tourist services, ensuring visitor security, and streamlining visa procedures, Mawlavi Jamal added that the Ministry of Information and Culture is actively working to standardize travel companies and improve the quality of services offered to tourists.
The meeting brought together officials from departments related to tourism to discuss ways to enhance the travel experience for both domestic and international visitors, the ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Key topics included improving tourist services, ensuring safety, streamlining visa procedures, and providing better support for individuals planning Hajj and Umrah trips, the statement added.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/mawlawi-jamal-highlights-tourisms-key-role-in-driving-economic-growth/
------
Security Ensured Nationwide, Supporting Returnees a Religious Responsibility, Hanafi
January 27, 2026
KABUL: Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs of the Islamic Emirate, said that security has been ensured across the country and described supporting migrants and returnees as a religious responsibility.
Speaking at the launch of a wheat and cash assistance distribution program for migrant and returnee families in Jawzjan province, Hanafi said the aid is being provided in accordance with the order of the Amir-ul-Momineen and aims to ease the hardships faced by displaced families, according to a statement from Arg on Monday.
He noted that the assistance is being distributed nationwide by the High Commission for Migrant Affairs to thousands of migrant and returnee families as a gesture of solidarity.
According to the statement, on the first day of distribution, 150 migrant families each received five 50-kilogram bags of wheat and 5,000 Afghanis in cash.
The assistance is expected to reach a total of 2,200 migrant and returnee families across Jawzjan province, with the goal of reducing economic difficulties and supporting vulnerable households.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/security-ensured-nationwide-supporting-returnees-a-religious-responsibility-hanafi/
------
Norway Pledges $990,000 Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan, UN Says
By Fidel Rahmati
January 27, 2026
The UN’s humanitarian office reports Norway has donated $990,000 to Afghanistan, strengthening emergency response efforts amid ongoing humanitarian challenges across the country.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced on Tuesday, January 27, that Norway contributed $990,000 to Afghanistan’s Special Trust Fund.
OCHA stated, “Your continued support enables frontline partners to respond rapidly and effectively to sudden emergencies, saving lives and addressing urgent humanitarian needs.”
Earlier, Sweden and Italy also provided financial assistance to Afghanistan, highlighting ongoing international commitment to aid a country facing widespread poverty, displacement, and conflict.
According to OCHA, nearly 22 million people in Afghanistan will rely on humanitarian aid in 2026, underscoring the scale of ongoing crises across the nation.
OCHA has requested $1.71 billion to address humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, covering food, healthcare, shelter, and emergency relief for vulnerable populations.
The contribution from Norway is expected to help strengthen local capacity, improve coordination, and ensure timely delivery of aid in areas with urgent needs.
Humanitarian agencies stress that sustained international funding is critical to support Afghanistan’s most vulnerable populations and to prevent worsening crises across the country.
Source: khaama.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.khaama.com/norway-pledges-990000-humanitarian-aid-to-afghanistan-un-says/
------
Mujahid Calls for Public Support of Afghan Athletes
January 27, 2026
KABUL: The spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, has called on the public to support national athletes and the country’s sports institutions.
Zabihullah Mujahid made the remarks during a ceremony honoring medal-winning Afghan athletes who competed in international tournaments.
He also urged the media to encourage and promote Afghan athletes, highlighting the importance of public and institutional support for the development of sports in the country.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/mujahid-calls-for-public-support-of-afghan-athletes/
------
Foreign Minister Calls for Responsible Cultural Engagement to Strengthen Society
January 27, 2026
KABUL: The country’s Foreign Minister, Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi, has called on cultural and literary figures to engage responsibly in their work, highlighting the role of ethical cultural efforts in strengthening society.
Speaking at a ceremony honoring literary and cultural contributors, Muttaqi said the other day that Afghanistan’s cultural struggle, which began with limited resources, has now produced significant results.
“Writers, journalists, and cultural activists carry a crucial responsibility in shaping public awareness and fostering unity,” he said, stressing that maintaining public trust, practicing ethical conduct, and adhering to Islamic principles are essential for the success of literary and cultural work.
Muttaqi urged cultural figures to continue their efforts with sincerity and integrity, noting that such contributions are vital for promoting national values, enlightening the public, and countering misinformation.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/foreign-minister-calls-for-responsible-cultural-engagement-to-strengthen-society/
-----
Pen Sacred Tool for Reform, Strengthening Society, Official
January 27, 2026
KABUL: Mullah Abdul Wasi, Head of the Administrative Office of the Prime Minister, said that the pen is a sacred and powerful tool for reforming society and strengthening the system, stressing that its impact depends on responsible and principled use.
He made the remarks in a ceremony honoring literary and cultural activists of the Islamic Emirate, Arg said in a statement in a statement the other day.
Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Abdul Wasi stressed that pen should not be misused for personal or harmful purposes contrary to Islamic principles and social values.
He highlighted the role of literary activists during the past jihad and in preserving the current system, urging them to clearly present the priorities, achievements, and progress of the Islamic Emirate.
Source: thekabultimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://thekabultimes.com/pen-sacred-tool-for-reform-strengthening-society-official/
-----
Jamaat, NCP allege election code breaches
January 27, 2026
Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party yesterday alleged widespread violations of the electoral code of conduct ahead of the 13th national election and referendum scheduled for February 12.
Jamaat leaders claimed their female activists have faced harassment and targeted attacks in several areas, including incidents of veil removal, phone snatching, and alleged inaction by law enforcers.
“Assaults have been deliberately carried out on our activists over the past few days. They [female Jamaat activists] are being harassed, humiliated, and in some places, asked to remove their veils. Many have had their mobile phones snatched,” Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Ehsanul Mahboob Zubair told reporters following a meeting between a Jamaat delegation and the chief election commissioner at the Election Commission headquarters in Agargaon.
Such incidents are repeatedly occurring in the Dhaka-15, as well as in other constituencies in the capital and across the country, he added.
Zubair, also head of the party’s publicity and media wing, said, “In the past four days, we have observed with concern and anxiety that if these issues are not controlled, the situation may worsen further before the election.”
Criticising law enforcement agencies, Zubair said complaints were lodged immediately in affected areas, but no visible action was taken.
Jamaat leaders also demanded the installation of CCTV cameras at all polling centres and urged the EC and administration to play a stronger role in ensuring a level playing field.
Meanwhile, NCP leaders also claimed that opposition groups in several constituencies are flouting regulations with little administrative intervention.
They said their Dhaka-18 candidate’s campaign came under attack and warned that such incidents send a “negative signal” to the electoral process.
Following a meeting with the CEC, NCP Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah said such assaults challenge the EC’s ability to ensure a level playing field until polling day.
Meanwhile, NCP leader Ayman Raha voiced concern over security risks, saying that attacks occurring “even in the presence of candidates were deeply troubling”.
He alleged that they are complying with electoral codes while their opponents are flouting the rules and that the administration remains inactive.
Ayman accused BNP’s Dhaka-8 candidate of using government vehicles, saying, “When such things happen openly and no action is taken, the public becomes fearful… we realise we are not getting a true level playing field.”
Earlier, in the afternoon, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said a “level playing field” is in place ahead of the votes.
During a press briefing at the EC, Akhtar, when asked about a level playing field in the election, replied, “Of course it does. The very fact that candidates can lodge complaints and run campaigns shows that a level playing field exists. If it didn’t, what would have happened?”
Source: thedailystar.net
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/politics/news/jamaat-ncp-allege-election-code-breaches-4091336
------