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  • Inside RAK’s first aid ship to Gaza to send 4,000 tonnes of supplies before Ramadan

    Inside RAK’s first aid ship to Gaza to send 4,000 tonnes of supplies before Ramadan

    In a significant expansion of its humanitarian operations, Ras Al Khaimah has launched its inaugural maritime aid mission to Gaza, deploying a vessel carrying 4,000 tonnes of critical supplies destined for displaced Palestinian families ahead of Ramadan. The Saqr Humanitarian Ship departed from Ras Al Khaimah Port on January 22, embarking on a strategic journey to Egypt’s Port of Al Arish with an anticipated arrival date of February 5.

    The comprehensive cargo aboard represents a meticulously coordinated response to urgent needs in Gaza, containing food provisions for bakeries and communal kitchens, specialized Ramadan food parcels, clothing, blankets, shelter materials, and essential medical supplies to reinforce overwhelmed healthcare facilities. This shipment marks the 23rd humanitarian vessel dispatched under the UAE’s coordinated Gaza relief efforts.

    Hamoud Saeed Al Afari, Relief Operations Coordinator for Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, emphasized the strategic nature of this assistance: ‘This vessel carries essential supplies carefully selected based on urgent humanitarian needs, particularly in preparation for Ramadan. Our goal is to ensure aid reaches families, hospitals, and relief centers as quickly and efficiently as possible.’

    The UAE’s humanitarian infrastructure extends beyond maritime deliveries, encompassing a field hospital in Gaza, an operational eye hospital in Al Arish, and six constructed water desalination plants. These efforts are supplemented by daily water deliveries, sustained support for food production facilities, and comprehensive medical assistance that has facilitated treatment for 1,000 Palestinian children and 1,000 cancer patients within UAE facilities.

    Notably, this mission represents Ras Al Khaimah Port’s inaugural participation in humanitarian maritime operations, joining other UAE ports including Fujairah, Al Hamriyah in Dubai, and Khalifa Port in this coordinated effort. To date, the UAE has delivered more than 737 humanitarian flights and over 10,000 aid trucks into Gaza, accounting for more than 46% of total international assistance.

    The Saqr Mohammed Al Qasimi Foundation for Charity and Humanitarian Work fully funded and loaded this historic shipment, marking the foundation’s first complete humanitarian ship contribution. Mohammed Al Shareef, official spokesperson for Operation Chivalrous Knight 3, confirmed that aid selection was based on real-time assessments by UAE field teams to ensure alignment with the most pressing civilian needs.

    With total aid volume under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 reaching 110,000 tonnes valued at over $2.6 billion, the UAE continues to dominate international relief efforts for Gaza. A subsequent humanitarian vessel carrying more than 7,000 tonnes of aid is already scheduled for loading and dispatch in early February, reinforcing the sustained pipeline of assistance.

  • ‘Blood was all over’ – victim of Nigeria church abduction describes escape

    ‘Blood was all over’ – victim of Nigeria church abduction describes escape

    A 60-year-old Nigerian woman identified as Sarah Peter has described her miraculous escape from armed kidnappers who attacked her church in Kurmin Wali village, approximately 135km north of Abuja. The assault occurred during Sunday morning worship services when gunmen stormed multiple churches in the region.

    Sarah, whose name has been changed for security reasons, sustained a severe head injury when attackers struck her with a rifle butt to force compliance. ‘Blood was all over,’ she recounted, visibly traumatized days after the incident. Despite her injuries and physical limitations, she managed to hide from her captors during the forced march and crawled back to safety.

    The coordinated attacks targeted branches of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church and two other congregations, resulting in what local Christian Association of Nigeria officials describe as over 160 missing persons. While 11 worshippers including Sarah successfully escaped, the majority remain unaccounted for three days after the incident.

    Kurmin Wali’s proximity to Rijana forest in Kaduna state presents particular security challenges, as the area serves as a known hideout for criminal gangs locally referred to as ‘bandits.’ These groups have increasingly engaged in ransom-driven abductions across Nigeria’s northwestern region, creating a widespread security crisis.

    Authorities initially denied the attacks occurred despite eyewitness accounts, only confirming the incidents after 48 hours of confusion. Local residents have accused officials of attempting to suppress information about the kidnappings, with reports of journalists being blocked from accessing the village.

    Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani eventually visited the traumatized community, promising to establish a military base between the village and Rijana forest, construct a hospital and road infrastructure, and provide medical support to affected residents. ‘We cannot relocate them because they have to farm… but to ensure that we protect them going forward, we need to have a military base,’ Governor Sani told the BBC.

    The attack reflects Nigeria’s escalating security challenges, with kidnapping for ransom becoming increasingly commonplace despite official prohibitions on payments to captors. While international attention has grown regarding religious targeting in Nigeria, officials maintain that Muslims, Christians, and non-religious individuals have all been affected by the insecurity.

    Survivor Christopher Yohanna, who escaped with his two-year-old daughter but lost two wives and other children, encapsulated the community’s despair: ‘If my family is not with me then my life is worthless and free of any joy.’ As families await news of their missing relatives, they hope the governor’s security promises will materialize before further attacks occur.

  • Anthony Albanese to deliver letter to Tim Picton’s daughter after alleged one-punch attack

    Anthony Albanese to deliver letter to Tim Picton’s daughter after alleged one-punch attack

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has traveled to Perth to attend the funeral of Tim Picton, a prominent Labor strategist who died following an alleged one-punch assault. The 36-year-old political operative was attacked outside a Northbridge nightclub on December 27 and passed away this Monday surrounded by family members.

    Mr. Picton played instrumental roles in both Western Australia Labor’s 2021 state election campaign, which resulted in a landslide victory, and subsequently in Prime Minister Albanese’s 2022 federal election strategy that heavily focused on Western Australia.

    The Prime Minister revealed he would personally deliver a heartfelt letter to Mr. Picton’s young daughter Charlotte during the funeral service held at Perth’s Optus Stadium. “I have a letter today that I’ll give to Priya, Tim’s wife, for Charlotte so that when she grows up she has what are some of my personal reflections on her dad,” Mr. Albanese stated, adding that “for Tim, Charlotte was the apple of his eye.”

    Western Australian Premier Roger Cook expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, noting that Charlotte would “now be left wondering what happened to her father” while offering condolences to the entire family.

    Brodie Jake Dewar, 20, has been charged with grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident. The case continues to develop as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr. Picton’s tragic death.

  • Last Palestine Action-linked hunger striker to launch ‘thirst strike’

    Last Palestine Action-linked hunger striker to launch ‘thirst strike’

    A British prisoner with muscular dystrophy has declared he will initiate a thirst strike on Saturday if authorities fail to address his demands for immediate bail and improved detention conditions. Muhammad Umer Khalid, 22, represents the final remaining hunger striker among seven individuals associated with the proscribed organization Palestine Action.

    The collective hunger strike originally protested both the group’s official banning and what participants characterize as unjust detention protocols. While three strikers concluded their food refusal campaign in mid-January following the government’s termination of a substantial contract with Elbit Systems’ UK subsidiary, Khalid has resumed and now escalated his protest.

    Currently held on remand at HMP Wormwood Scrubs concerning alleged activist activities at RAF Brize Norton, Khalid asserts that prison authorities have imposed severe restrictions on his communications. Through an intermediary, he reported receiving merely one visit, a single postcard, and two emails over a three-week period, despite friends claiming to have sent numerous correspondences.

    Khalid stated: ‘Witnessing the government’s indifference to our deteriorating health demonstrates they place no value on our lives.’ His friend Danyal Osman confirmed these communications restrictions have additionally impeded Khalid’s legal consultations, causing procedural delays.

    The Ministry of Justice refuted these allegations, emphasizing that all prisoners adhere to standardized national regulations regarding correspondence. Officials noted that legally privileged communications remain protected under policy, with vetting procedures applied proportionally to terrorism-related cases.

    Medical expert James Smith expressed particular concern regarding Khalid’s planned thirst strike, highlighting that ‘deprivation of water precipitates rapid dehydration leading to multi-organ failure.’ Khalid’s muscular dystrophy condition compounds these health risks, as evidenced during his previous 12-day hunger strike which necessitated termination due to severe health deterioration.

    The situation carries profound personal dimensions: Khalid previously served as primary caregiver for his mother, Shabana Khalid, who is battling cancer and depression. She described her rapid physical and emotional decline since her son’s imprisonment, noting the practical challenges of traveling from Manchester to London for limited visits.

    Despite the grave health implications, supporters emphasize Khalid’s action stems not from suicidal tendencies but from profound commitment to his cause. Osman noted: ‘He loves life—this extremity demonstrates his conviction, not death wishes.’

  • 10 Indian soldiers killed as army vehicle plunges into deep gorge in Jammu & Kashmir

    10 Indian soldiers killed as army vehicle plunges into deep gorge in Jammu & Kashmir

    In a devastating military accident on Thursday, ten Indian soldiers lost their lives when their armored vehicle plummeted into a 200-foot ravine in the mountainous Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. The tragedy occurred approximately at noon near Khanni Top, situated at an elevation of 9,000 feet along the treacherous Bhaderwah-Chamba interstate route.

    According to official reports, the bulletproof military transport was en route to a high-altitude outpost when the driver reportedly lost control on the precarious mountain road. The vehicle careened off the roadway and descended into the deep gorge below, resulting in catastrophic damage to the armored carrier.

    Emergency response teams comprising Indian Army personnel and local administration officials immediately launched a complex rescue operation despite challenging terrain conditions and unfavorable weather. Initial recovery efforts confirmed four fatalities at the accident site, while eleven injured personnel were extracted from the wreckage. Tragically, six of the wounded soldiers subsequently succumbed to their injuries during medical evacuation.

    The injured personnel received immediate first aid at the location before being airlifted via military aircraft to specialized medical facilities in Udhampur for advanced treatment.

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the incident through an official statement on social media platform X: ‘Deeply anguished by the mishap in Doda, in which we have lost our brave army personnel. Their service to the nation will be remembered forever. May the injured recover at the earliest. All possible support is being provided to those affected.’

    The incident highlights the inherent dangers faced by military personnel operating in the challenging terrain of the Himalayan region, where difficult road conditions and extreme altitudes present constant operational hazards.

  • Japan PM Takaichi set to dissolve parliament for snap election

    Japan PM Takaichi set to dissolve parliament for snap election

    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has initiated a strategic political maneuver by announcing the dissolution of parliament on Friday, setting the stage for a snap national election scheduled for February 8. The country’s first female leader is banking on her cabinet’s substantial public approval ratings to overcome her ruling party’s declining popularity and secure a stronger governing mandate.

    The decision comes amid mounting economic challenges, with the government facing intense public pressure to address soaring living costs. Prime Minister Takaichi emphasized that the election would seek public endorsement for her administration’s measures to cushion households from inflation spikes and bolster national defense spending. Her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), in coalition with the Japan Innovation Party (JIP), currently maintains a fragile majority in the powerful lower chamber.

    Recent economic indicators reveal a complex financial landscape. December data showed Japan’s core inflation rate moderating to 2.4 percent year-on-year, down from November’s 3 percent, primarily due to government subsidies on utilities. However, this figure remains above the central bank’s 2 percent target, with specific commodities like rice experiencing dramatic price surges—rising over 34 percent in December compared to the previous year.

    The Takaichi administration has responded with ambitious fiscal measures, approving a record ¥122.3 trillion ($770 billion) budget for the 2026 fiscal year. The centerpiece of her economic platform involves a proposed two-year sales tax reduction on food items, a policy that opposition parties have also embraced. Yet this approach has raised concerns about exacerbating Japan’s substantial public debt, which is projected to exceed 230 percent of GDP by 2026.

    Financial markets have reacted nervously to the proposed stimulus, with government bond yields climbing significantly this week amid investor anxiety about fiscal discipline. The Bank of Japan’s upcoming policy announcement is being closely monitored for signals about how monetary authorities will navigate these turbulent economic conditions.

    Politically, the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party has formed a new Centrist Reform Alliance with Komeito, hoping to capitalize on voter discontent. Despite this development, political analysts suggest the opposition faces steep challenges in unseating the long-dominant LDP, particularly given Takaichi’s remarkable 90 percent approval rating among voters under 30, according to recent polling data.

  • ‘The Secret Agent’ earns 4 Oscar nominations, boosting Brazilian cinema

    ‘The Secret Agent’ earns 4 Oscar nominations, boosting Brazilian cinema

    Brazil’s cinematic landscape is experiencing a monumental resurgence, evidenced by the remarkable Oscar recognition for Kleber Mendonça Filho’s political drama ‘The Secret Agent.’ The film secured four Academy Award nominations, matching the record set by the iconic 2002 film ‘City of God.’ Its nominations span the prestigious categories of Best Picture, Best Actor for Wagner Moura, Best International Feature, and the newly introduced Achievement in Casting.

    The film’s narrative centers on a widowed father who becomes a target of Brazil’s 1970s military dictatorship after confronting a business owner with regime connections. This nomination streak follows last year’s triumph when another Brazilian production, ‘I’m Still Here,’ won the Oscar for Best International Feature, marking the country’s first Academy Award in that category.

    President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has hailed this moment as one of the finest in Brazilian cinematic history, noting that these achievements represent ‘recognition of our culture and of Brazil’s ability to tell stories that move the world.’ Both critically acclaimed films are set during the nation’s military dictatorship (1964-1985) and have sparked nationwide conversations about this dark historical period characterized by disappearances and torture.

    Director Mendonça Filho revealed the film has attracted over one million viewers and serves as a artistic response to Brazil’s recent political turmoil, including the far-right administration of former President Jair Bolsonaro. While deeply Brazilian in context, the director emphasized the film’s universal themes of power oppression resonate globally.

    The nominations have ignited national pride among Brazilians, with casting director Gabriel Domingues describing the industry’s current state as ‘a moment of intense emotion.’ Cinema expert Ana Paula Sousa from ESPM University noted these successes are transforming Brazilians’ relationship with domestic cinema in a country where movie attendance has historically been low, creating newfound cultural excitement around locally produced films.

  • Arada triples home sales to Dh17.3b as UAE property boom powers record year

    Arada triples home sales to Dh17.3b as UAE property boom powers record year

    Dubai-based master developer Arada has achieved unprecedented growth in 2025, capitalizing on the United Arab Emirates’ thriving real estate market with home sales reaching Dh17.3 billion—triple its previous year’s performance. The company reported selling 5,140 residential units throughout the year, representing a remarkable 199% year-on-year increase from the 2,171 units sold in 2024.

    This extraordinary sales performance generated substantial financial gains, with total revenue surging 170% to Dh6.7 billion. Earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) experienced even stronger growth, climbing 174% to Dh1.6 billion. This financial upswing reflects intensified project activity, accelerated absorption rates, and expanding contributions from the company’s diversified portfolio including hospitality, retail, wellness, and entertainment sectors.

    Arada’s success stemmed from several strategic initiatives, including the high-profile launch of Akala in Dubai—promoted as the world’s inaugural precision wellness destination—and the rapid sales of Masaar 2 and Masaar 3 residential communities in Sharjah. The company accelerated its construction pipeline, awarding contracts worth Dh12.7 billion for developments including Madar Mall in Aljada, Armani Beach Residences on Palm Jumeirah, and the Anantara Sharjah Resort and Residences.

    The developer’s record-breaking year mirrors the broader UAE property sector expansion. Dubai Land Department data indicates property sales increased 29% in 2025, exceeding Dh680 billion—the highest annual total recorded. Sharjah demonstrated even more dramatic growth, with transaction values rising 64% year-on-year to Dh65.6 billion according to the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department. Market analysts attribute this sustained growth to population expansion, business-friendly regulatory reforms, long-term visa programs, infrastructure investments, and continued economic diversification efforts.

    Concurrently, Arada pursued aggressive international expansion, committing Dh2.5 billion to acquire a 75% stake in British developer Regal (rebranded as Arada London) and securing an 80% holding in Thameside West, a mixed-use development in the UK capital. The company also advanced plans for its inaugural Sydney projects following its 2024 Australian market entry.

    Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, Arada’s Executive Vice Chairman, stated that the company’s performance demonstrates strong buyer confidence in its long-term vision. Group CEO Ahmed Alkhoshaibi confirmed the company exceeded its Dh15 billion sales target by over 15% and is preparing for another active year with planned project launches across the UAE, UK, and Australian markets.

    Since its establishment in 2017, Arada has launched 11 projects in the UAE and delivered more than 10,000 homes. With a global development pipeline valued at approximately Dh130 billion, the company is currently developing around 55,000 units internationally, positioning itself to benefit from both the UAE’s ongoing real estate expansion and its growing global footprint.

  • How Australian politics descended into ugliness after Bondi shooting

    How Australian politics descended into ugliness after Bondi shooting

    Australia’s political landscape has fractured dramatically as the national day of mourning for the Bondi shooting victims became overshadowed by the collapse of the opposition coalition. The political crisis emerged from deeply divisive debates surrounding gun reform and antisemitism legislation following last month’s antisemitic attack that claimed 15 lives at Bondi Beach.

    The Liberal-National coalition disintegrated on Thursday when the National Party refused to support hate speech laws that opposition leader Sussan Ley had previously demanded from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Nationals leader David Littleproud issued an ultimatum that his party would only consider returning to the coalition if Ley was removed from leadership, throwing the opposition into complete disarray.

    This political implosion contrasts starkly with Australia’s unified response to the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, when then-Prime Minister John Howard worked collaboratively with opposition leaders to implement landmark gun control reforms. Political analysts note that contemporary Australian society has become significantly more polarized, with the Bondi tragedy immediately becoming politicized amid existing tensions over Israel-Gaza conflicts and antisemitism debates.

    Prime Minister Albanese faced substantial criticism throughout the crisis, being heckled at memorial events and accused by Jewish communities of insufficient action against antisemitism. His initial resistance to calls for a royal commission into antisemitism ultimately backfired, forcing a reversal that further weakened his position. Meanwhile, opposition leader Ley’s temporary political gains evaporated when she failed to maintain coalition unity on the very legislation she had championed.

    The political fallout has been severe, with Albanese’s approval ratings plummeting to -11 and Ley’s remaining at -28. Veteran political commentator Malcolm Farr noted that the timing of the political crisis during a national day of mourning demonstrated ‘unfortunate timing and shows a certain amount of self-indulgence’ that has reinforced public cynicism toward politicians of all parties.

  • Winter Olympics 2026: Australia has named its 53-strong team for the Milano Cortina Games

    Winter Olympics 2026: Australia has named its 53-strong team for the Milano Cortina Games

    Australia is poised to make a significant impact at the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, having announced a powerhouse 53-athlete team that officials are calling one of the nation’s strongest winter contingents ever assembled.

    Chef de mission and Olympic gold medalist Alisa Camplin has boldly declared the end of Australia’s ‘sunburnt underdog’ status in winter sports, asserting that this team has earned the right to be considered genuine medal contenders on the world stage. The squad represents Australia’s second-largest Winter Olympics delegation, featuring a notable two-thirds female composition and including five teenage athletes who will make their Olympic debut.

    The team arrives in Italy riding an extraordinary wave of success from the World Cup circuit, having secured an impressive 26 medals during the recent season. This remarkable achievement underscores the dramatic evolution of Australia’s winter sports program since Camplin’s own Olympic appearance in Torino 2006, when the team hoped for perhaps a single medal.

    “The depth of this team is phenomenal,” Camplin stated, expressing visible excitement. “I literally get goosebumps thinking about how the next few weeks have the potential to change their lives. One in five athletes—20 percent of the team—has already medaled on the World Cup circuit.”

    While carefully avoiding specific medal predictions, Camplin emphasized that the Australians are prepared to “mix it with the best in the world” across multiple disciplines. The team builds upon the success of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where Australia achieved a nation-record four medals (one gold, two silver, one bronze).

    Notable team members include five-time Olympian and snowboard half-pipe specialist Scotty James, who continues his pursuit of an elusive gold medal. The squad also features veterans like aerial skier Laura Peel (competing in her fourth Olympics) and emerging talents such as 16-year-old freeskier Indra Brown.

    Despite the overwhelming confidence, Camplin added a note of caution regarding the competitive nature of the Games, acknowledging that “it’s not going to be easy” while affirming the team’s commitment to “giving it a red-hot shot.”

    The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics commence on February 6, with Australian athletes competing across multiple disciplines including aerials, moguls, snowboard, skeleton, and the newly added ski mountaineering event.