Month: January 2026

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has called on the United Kingdom government and Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reconsider its decision to approve the construction of a new Chinese embassy complex in London, warning that the move could pose serious security and human rights concerns.

On January 20, the UK government approved the development of what is expected to become the largest Chinese diplomatic complex in Europe. The decision has drawn criticism from members of Parliament, security experts, and human rights organisations, who have raised concerns about potential Chinese government interference on British soil.

According to the WUC, British MPs and members of the intelligence community have warned of significant security risks linked to the project, including the threat of espionage, the site’s proximity to critical communication cables serving the City of London, and the Chinese government’s refusal to disclose the internal layout of the proposed complex to UK authorities.

“This comes as a shock to our community, given how Chinese embassies and consulates have facilitated the repression of Uyghurs since 2016, by denying passports or official documents, and by intimidating Uyghurs abroad,” said WUC President Turgunjan Alawdun. He added that the United Kingdom has historically been “a strong and vocal ally to the Uyghur people” and said the new government must demonstrate that it can protect Uyghurs and other vulnerable communities living in the UK.

The WUC also pointed to previous instances of alleged Chinese interference in British institutions. In 2025, Sheffield Hallam University terminated a research project on Uyghur forced labour after staff involved in the project were interrogated by Chinese state security officers in Beijing. The university was later sued by a Chinese company. Academics in the UK researching China-related or politically sensitive issues have reported repeated intimidation and harassment linked to the Chinese state.

Members of the Uyghur community in the UK have expressed fears that approving the embassy complex could increase the risk of transnational repression, particularly against activists and human rights defenders. The WUC described the proposed facility as a “diplomatic and surveillance complex,” warning that it could intensify monitoring and intimidation of Uyghurs living in Britain.

The organisation noted that the UK has played a leading role internationally in highlighting China’s treatment of Uyghurs. A UK government assessment published in July 2025 concluded that Uyghurs are “likely to face a real risk of persecution or serious harm from the state” both in East Turkistan and abroad. British MPs have also voted to recognise that China is committing genocide against the Uyghur people. In 2021, an independent tribunal based in the UK concluded beyond reasonable doubt that the Chinese government is committing genocide against Uyghurs.

Despite this record, the WUC expressed concern that the embassy approval may be linked to a proposed visit by Prime Minister Starmer to China later this month. The organisation stressed that millions of Uyghurs remain detained in camps or prisons, while others face forced labour, sterilisation, family separations, restrictions on language and religion, and widespread destruction of mosques, graveyards, and cultural sites. The group accused the Chinese Communist Party of attempting to eradicate Uyghur identity and forcibly assimilate the population.

The WUC further alleged that the Chinese government has intensified efforts to disrupt Uyghur diaspora communities abroad through intimidation and threats, particularly targeting human rights activists.

Calling the situation “horrific atrocities,” the World Uyghur Congress urged the UK and the international community to adopt a stronger and more coordinated response. The organisation said the UK now has an opportunity to take a principled stance and enact meaningful change.

In a formal appeal, the WUC called on Prime Minister Starmer and the UK government to reconsider the decision to allow the construction of the new Chinese embassy complex in London; to substantively raise the issue of the Uyghur genocide and other serious human rights violations during official discussions in China and in all future bilateral engagements, including individual cases; to push for a binding resolution prohibiting the commerce and import of goods produced through forced labour; and to press the Chinese government to end its policies of repression in East Turkistan and fully implement international labour rights conventions, including ILO Convention No. 29 on Forced Labour and ILO Convention No. 105 on the Abolition of Forced Labour. (ANI)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday said he accepted the invitation of US President Donald Trump to be a part of the Gaza Board of Peace.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office said that the board will comprise several world leaders.

“Prime Minister’s Office announcement: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that he accepts the invitation of US President Donald Trump and will become a member of the Board of Peace, which is to be comprised of world leaders,” as per the post.

The “Board of Peace” was unveiled as part of phase two of the fragile ceasefire agreement with Hamas to end the Israel-Gaza conflict, Al Jazeera reported.

The Trump administration sent invites to several world leaders to join the body, which Trump envisages would oversee “governance capacity-building, regional relations, reconstruction, investment attraction, large-scale funding, and capital mobilisation” in the region.

However, the participation of Netanyahu will add to concerns over the objectivity of the board, which Trump will lead and control the lineup. Netanyahu’s acceptance of a place on the board comes despite his office having earlier criticised the makeup of the executive committee, which includes Israel’s regional rival, Turkiye.

Earlier in the day, Trump came down heavily on the United Nations, arguing that its lack of competence led to his decision to establish the “Board of Peace” for Gaza to implement the 20-Point Peace Plan to end conflict in the Middle East.

Addressing the press, Trump said, “We just created the Board of Peace, which I think is going to be amazing. I wish the United Nations could do more. I wish we didn’t need a Board of Peace. With all the wars they settled, the United Nations never helped me in one war.”

When asked whether he wants the Board of Peace to replace the United Nations, Trump said they “haven’t been very helpful,” but believed in the organisation’s potential. (ANI)

Bakers in Peshawar have announced plans to stage a protest over curbs on the movement of flour from Punjab, warning that the restrictions have caused flour prices to surge even as bread continues to be sold at officially fixed rates.

The announcement followed an emergency session of the Peshawar district chapter of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nanbai Association, where participants sharply criticised the Punjab government’s decision to suspend the supply of flour to the province, as reported by The Express Tribune.

According to The Express Tribune, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nanbai Association (Peshawar district) Chairman Khishta Gul Mohmand and Joint Secretary Jehanzeb termed Punjab’s restriction on flour supply “illegal” and unjustified. They said the move had led to an unprecedented surge in flour prices, with increases reaching up to PKR 1,700, severely disrupting the already fragile local market.

The association leaders stated that a combination of steep inflation, chronic power outages and what they described as arbitrary actions by the local administration has made routine business operations increasingly unsustainable for tandoor owners. Many bakeries, they said, are unable to absorb the rising costs, leaving owners struggling to sustain their livelihoods.

The officials noted that soaring flour prices in recent months, without any regulatory intervention, have pushed the sector into crisis. They further criticised the district administration for repeatedly delaying the issuance of a new rate list.

Without updated pricing guidelines, bakers said they are frequently penalised during raids, facing fines and even arrests. This, they argued, has created a climate of uncertainty and harassment at a time when the industry is already under immense financial pressure, as cited by The Express Tribune.

The Nanbai Association demanded three immediate steps: lifting the flour supply ban imposed by Punjab, issuing a revised price notification without further delay, and halting the ongoing crackdown on tandoor owners.

They warned that if the government fails to address these issues promptly, the economic toll on bakeries across the province will worsen. (ANI)

BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Wednesday said Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin should be removed from his post and legal action should be initiated against him over his 2023 remarks on Sanatana Dharma.

He said that instead of acting against Udhayanidhi Stalin for his comments, the DMK government and the state machinery pursued action against Malviya, who had only highlighted the issue.

Poonawalla’s remarks come a day after the Madras High Court quashed a case against BJP IT chief Amit Malviya, who had termed Udhayanidhi’s remarks a call for genocide.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Poonawalla said, “Not only has the Madras High Court quashed DMK’s FIR against Amit Malviya, but also said that this statement is coming from a legacy of anti-Hindu and anti-Constitutional DNA of DMK.”

“Udhayanidhi Stalin must be removed from his post, and a case should be filed against him for what has been called hate speech against 80% of the population of this country, the Hindu community,” he further said.

Poonawalla said the Madras High Court had not only quashed the FIR against Malviya but also observed that the remarks made by Udhayanidhi Stalin amounted to hate speech.

He alleged that the FIR reflected what he described as the DMK’s “anti-Hindu and anti-Constitutional” approach.

“Satyameva Jayate. Truth always prevails… The Madras High Court has quashed an FIR filed with a vendetta mindset, only to punish and penalise our leader, IT Cell Chief, and co-incharge for West Bengal, Amit Malviya, for speaking the truth… In 2023, Udhayanidhi Stalin attended a conference that discussed not resistance or trying to fight Sanatan, but the complete eradication and abolition of Sanatan. Udhayanidhi Stalin not only attended the conference but also made comments against the religion. He compared Sanatan to dengue, malaria, and in a sense, it was a chilling call to genocide of Hindus… Rather than acting against Udhayanidhi Stalin, the entire DMK and the state government machinery went after Amit Malviya, who just raised the issue,” he said.

The Madras High Court noted that the minister’s 2023 remarks, which Malviya had labelled as a call for genocide, amounted to hate speech, leading to the FIR against him.

Back in 2023, Malviya posted on X, “Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of Tamilnadu CM MK Stalin, and a minister in the DMK Govt, has linked Sanatana Dharma to malaria and dengue… He is of the opinion that it must be eradicated and not merely opposed. In short, he is calling for the genocide of 80% population of Bharat, who follow Sanatan Dharma.”

His remarks come after Udhayanidhi said at a conference in Chennai previously that ‘Sanatana’ (Sanatan Dharma) is like malaria and dengue, which should not be merely opposed but eradicated.

“A few things cannot be opposed but should only be abolished. We can’t merely oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or coronavirus. They have to be eradicated. Rather than opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated,” he said. (ANI)

The second couple of the US, Usha and JD Vance on Tuesday (local time) announced that Usha was pregnant with their fourth child, a boy, to be delivered in late July.

The couple thanked military doctors and staff members who are working tirelessly so they can juggle work and family time.

In a post on X, the Second Lady said, “We’re very excited to share the news that Usha is pregnant with our fourth child, a boy. Usha and the baby are doing well, and we are all looking forward to welcoming him in late July. During this exciting and hectic time, we are particularly grateful for the military doctors who take excellent care of our family and for the staff members who do so much to ensure that we can serve the country while enjoying a wonderful life with our children.”

JD Vance, 41, and Usha, 40, have been married since 2014. They have three other children, Ewan, 8; Vivek, 5 and Mirabel, 3.

Mirabel became something of an Inauguration Day viral sensation for sporting colourful bandages featuring cartoon characters Bluey and Scooby-Doo on her fingers as her mother held her while her father took the oath of office, as per New York Post.

And Vivek’s obsession with last year’s viral “six-seven” craze, which bubbled up during a Bible reading while the family was at church, prompted Vance to joke about banning the numbers.

“Yesterday at church, the Bible readings started on page 66-67 of the missal, and my 5-year-old went absolutely nuts repeating ‘six seven’ like 10 times,” Vance wrote on X.

The second couple has dealt with gossip over the state of their marriage since October, after the veep warmly embraced late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, as per New York Post.

Then in November and December, the rumour mill ginned up when Usha was photographed without her wedding ring during a pair of events with first lady Melania Trump, as per New York Post. (ANI)

Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) General Secretary TTV Dhinakaran met Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tamil Nadu election in-charge Piyush Goyal on Wednesday.

The meeting comes after the announcement that the AMMK would join the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the state, ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Earlier in the day, Dhinakaran said old differences should not be allowed to come in the way of the party’s larger interests, as his party prepares to rejoin the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Dhinakaran said internal disputes should be resolved for the welfare of Tamil Nadu.

Addressing the press conference in Chennai, Dinakaran said, “With the larger objective in mind, we should not allow old issues to overshadow the party’s interests, the welfare of Tamil Nadu, or push them aside. Making compromises for the common good does not weaken us.”

“Likewise, as Amma’s cadres, who serve as a unifying force, we will come together as one and stand firmly to ensure that Amma’s rule returns to Tamil Nadu, that people’s governance is restored, and that good governance prevails. That is our clear stand,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a public meeting at Maduranthakam in Tamil Nadu’s Chengalpattu district on January 23, as the BJP intensifies efforts ahead of the State assembly elections.

The public meeting will mark the clarion call for the National Democratic Alliance for the Assembly polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver a special address, and AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, GK Vasan, John Pandian, and other leaders of alliance parties will also attend the event.

The NDA led by AIADMK and the BJP in Tamil Nadu will look to defeat the ruling DMK-Congress alliance. The election will feature a triangular contest after actor-turned-politician Vijay has launched his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and is eyeing the top spot.

Tamil Nadu is scheduled to hold Assembly elections in the first half of 2026, and political activity in the state is intensifying as parties roll out their campaign strategies and manifestos. (ANI)

Cold wave conditions continued to grip Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, as temperatures in the valley dipped below the freezing mark. Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus 1 degrees Celsius, with a thick blanket of fog covering the picturesque Dal Lake.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted light rain for the city over the next two days.

However, Srinagar’s Dal Lake remains a draw even in the dead of winter. Layered in heavy winter wear, tourists braved the freezing temperatures at the Lake to experience the morning’s frosty beauty. Despite the intense cold wave, many visitors noted that the season offers a distinct, captivating allure.

Vikas Yadav, who travelled to Srinagar on a work trip from Delhi, appreciated the city’s cleanliness and security and stated he is enjoying it despite the cold weather.

“It is bitterly cold here. We went to Dal Lake and enjoyed the scenic beauty of the valley. This city is quite clean. It is absolutely safe to travel to Jammu and Kashmir. We see army personnel patrolling all the time. The police authorities are also supportive. There is no need to be scared,” he said.

Gulshan Kumar, who also came to Srinagar on an official visit, expressed his disappointment at not witnessing snowfall but praised Srinagar’s maintained roads. He also emphasised the need for attention to Dal Lake, given its significance to local livelihoods.

“I am on a work trip here. I knew that it snows during this time of winter in the valley, but we couldn’t witness it. Maybe that’s due to global warming. The roads are quite clean here as compared to other places. However, Dal Lake needs urgent cleaning, given the fact that it is a source of livelihood for many people here,” he stated.

Earlier on Sunday, Srinagar recorded a minimum of minus 4.7 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Meanwhile, visibility across the city remained poor due to the ongoing cold wave. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported dense fog in the morning hours, with moderate fog at several locations and dense fog at isolated spots. The temperature around 7 am was recorded at approximately 8.2 degrees Celsius.

With severe pollution, cold wave and dense fog persisting, authorities have urged citizens to limit outdoor activities, follow health advisories, and take precautions against the hazardous air quality. (ANI)

Actor Varun Dhawan has finally spoken about the trolling he has been facing ahead of the release of his much-awaited film ‘Border 2.’

The ‘Bhediya’ actor, while speaking to the media at the ‘Braves of the Soil’ tribute trailer launch of ‘Border 2,’ shared how he deals with online noise and stays focused on his work.

While speaking at the event, Varun made it clear that he does not let social media comments affect him. He went on to add that he, in fact, prefers to “shut down the noise” and let his work speak for itself.

“I believe that you shut down the noise and just let your work do the talking.Yeh sab cheezein chalti rehti hain (All these things keep happening).It doesn’t really matter. Main iske liye kaam nahin karta hoon. Main jis cheez ke liye kaam karta hoon woh iss Friday ko pata chalega (I don’t work for this. What I work for, you will find out this Friday),”Varun said.

Adding that he trusts the film, he continued,“Mujhe film pe bharosa hai. Ek achi film banana bohot zaroori hai.Obviously, numbers and all these things don’t concern me. But I believe ki humne ek achi film banayi hai (I believe in the film. It’s very important to make a good film. I’m not concerned with numbers. I believe we made a good film). That’s the most important thing.”

The second instalment of the iconic film brings back Sunny Deol as the lead, with Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty joining him to fight the enemies.

Border 2 is produced by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in association with JP Dutta’s JP Films. The movie will hit the big screens ahead of Republic Day on January 23. (ANI)

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on January 20 quashed the FIR registered in 2023 by the Tiruchi city police against BJP leader Amit Malviya for allegedly “distorting the comments” made by Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sanatana Dharma.

Justice S Srimathy, while allowing the petition, observed that the remarks made by Udhayanidhi amounted to “hate speech.”

Elaborating on the issue, the judge said the minister’s speech must be examined in its entirety.

“He stated that Sanatana Dharma should not merely be resisted or opposed, but should be abolished or eradicated. In Tamil, the expression used was not Sanatana ethirppu (opposition to Sanatana), but Sanatana ozhippu (eradication of Sanatana),” Justice Srimathy noted.

In the year 2023, Malviya posted on X, “Udhayanidhi Stalin, son of Tamilnadu CM MK Stalin, and a minister in the DMK Govt, has linked Sanatana Dharma to malaria and dengue… He is of the opinion that it must be eradicated and not merely opposed. In short, he is calling for genocide of 80% population of Bharat, who follow Sanatan Dharma.”

His remark came after Udhayanidhi had while speaking at a conference in Chennai said ‘Sanatana’ (Sanatan Dharma) is like malaria and dengue, which should not be merely opposed but eradicated.

“A few things cannot be opposed but should only be abolished. We can’t merely oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or corona. They have to be eradicated. Rather than opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated.” (ANI)

Former BRS Minister and Siddipet MLA T. Harish Rao underwent nearly eight hours of questioning before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday in connection with the alleged phone tapping case. Heavy police deployment was made in and around the Jubilee Hills ACP office ahead of his appearance.

Before entering the office, Harish Rao told the media that the notice summoning him was politically motivated. He alleged it was issued after the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) exposed alleged irregularities involving Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and his relatives. He said the notice was served late on Monday night at his residence, while he was campaigning in Siddipet, and directed him to appear before the SIT at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

Harish Rao said he was not afraid of any inquiry and would cooperate fully. He alleged that the government was misusing police machinery to intimidate opposition leaders and divert attention from alleged corruption.

He arrived at the ACP office around 11 a.m., and sources said advocates accompanying him were not allowed inside during the inquiry.

After completing the 8-hour SIT questioning, Harish Rao addressed a press conference at Telangana Bhavan, reiterating that the notice was baseless and politically motivated. He thanked BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao, Opposition Leader in the Legislative Council Madhusudana Chari, party leaders, and workers for their support.

He said the inquiry involved no new questions and consisted only of repeated queries. He alleged that officers frequently stepped out after receiving phone calls during the questioning, raising doubts about external interference. He challenged the government to order an inquiry by a sitting High Court judge if it had nothing to hide, adding that the BRS was ready to submit all evidence.

Maintaining that he respects the judiciary, Harish Rao said both the High Court and Supreme Court had earlier dismissed cases against him in the phone tapping matter. He described the current probe as an attempt to revive a politically driven narrative and said the party would continue to raise public issues without fear.

The Telangana government had constituted a 10-member SIT headed by Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar nearly 21 months after the case was registered. The probe concerns allegations that phones were illegally intercepted by the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB). (ANI)