World News Today & Global Affairs

Clashes erupt over partial demolition of 600-year-old Ujjain mosque in India

September 28, 2026 by World Desk

UJJAIN, India: Clashes erupted Monday between police and people protesting the removal of part of Ujjain’s historic Shahi Masjid as part of a road-widening project ahead of the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh festival.

Police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowd after stone-throwing was reported during the confrontation, Indian media reported.

The Shahi Masjid, believed to be about 600 years old, is among structures marked for partial removal as authorities widen a road in the Madhya Pradesh city. Reports said 272 structures have been identified for removal as part of the project.

Members of the Muslim community had gathered at the mosque for several days to oppose the proposed demolition. On Monday morning, tensions escalated as authorities moved ahead with the removal work.

According to Indian media reports, the mosque committee and local administration had reached an understanding Sunday night under which a roughly 3-foot section of the mosque, where prayers are not performed, would be removed for the road project.

However, residents gathered again after authorities arrived at the site around 8 a.m. following morning prayers and moved to proceed with the demolition, according to the reports.

The dispute also involves the mosque’s minaret. Local residents reportedly proposed building a new minaret behind the existing one before its removal, but the administration rejected the proposal.

Ujjain Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma said the Muslim community and mosque committee were cooperating with authorities to remove the portion falling within the road-widening zone.

The road project is linked to preparations for the 2028 Simhastha Kumbh, a major Hindu religious gathering held every 12 years.

More than 2,500 police personnel were deployed in Ujjain as tensions continued around the mosque, according to Indian media reports.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday disposed of appeals related to the dispute after representatives of the mosque informed the court that a settlement had been reached with the Ujjain Municipal Corporation.

Pakistan thrash Oman 7-2, set up Asian Games semifinal against India

September 28, 2026 by Sports Desk

NAGOYA: Pakistan thrashed Oman 7-2 in the Asian Games hockey quarterfinals Monday to book a place in the semifinals, where it will face archrival India.

Pakistan dominated from the opening whistle and led 2-1 at halftime.

Rana Waheed scored a hat trick for Pakistan, while Sufyan Khan netted twice. Ghazanfar Ali and Mohammad Imad scored one goal each.

Pakistan finished second in Pool B with 12 points, behind Malaysia, which topped the group with 15 points.

Pakistan won four of its five pool matches, with its only defeat coming against Malaysia. The team scored 28 goals during the group stage and conceded eight.

The semifinal lineup was completed after the final pool matches. Pakistan will face India on Oct. 1, while Malaysia will take on South Korea in the other semifinal on the same day.

In the final Pool A match, South Korea defeated Japan 3-2. India was playing Bangladesh in the other match and would finish atop the group even with a defeat because of its superior goal difference, according to the tournament standings.

Asian Games: Pakistan’s Noor Zaman reaches squash semifinals

September 25, 2026 by Sports Desk

NAGOYA, Japan: Pakistan’s Noor Zaman reached the men’s squash semifinals at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan on Friday after defeating Hong Kong’s Chi Him Leung 3-1 in the quarterfinals.

Noor won the match 11-7, 11-6, 3-11, 11-4 to secure his place in the semifinals.

His victory came after fellow Pakistani player Asif Irfan also advanced to the semifinals by defeating India’s Veer Chotrani in his quarterfinal.

Pakistan is therefore assured of at least two squash medals at the Asian Games, with both players having secured semifinal berths.

Amitabh Bachchan praises Shah Rukh Khan’s resilience

September 25, 2026 by Entertainment Desk

MUMBAI: Bollywood veteran Amitabh Bachchan has praised Shah Rukh Khan for his ability to face difficult situations and keep moving forward.

The comments came during a recent episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18, while Bachchan was speaking with actor Rajkummar Rao.

Rao recalled his early years in Mumbai and spoke about how Shah Rukh Khan’s journey from Delhi’s middle class to Bollywood inspired him. He said he had admired Shah Rukh Khan’s career, having seen him make his way into the film industry through theater and television.

Rao also recalled that he used to stand outside Shah Rukh Khan’s Mumbai residence, Mannat, as a fan.

Responding to Rao’s remarks, Bachchan spoke about his experience of working with Shah Rukh Khan and highlighted his resilience.

According to Bachchan, Shah Rukh is among those who do not easily accept defeat when faced with difficult circumstances.

Bachchan also praised Shah Rukh’s ability to encourage people around him and help restore their confidence during challenging times.

He said Shah Rukh tends to speak to people facing problems and encourages them, turning the conversation on the show from Rao’s early memories into a discussion about Shah Rukh’s perseverance and influence on fellow actors.

Italy adopts new school rules on face coverings, Italian language

September 25, 2026 by World Desk

ROME: Italy’s government has approved a decree banning the wearing of burqas and niqabs in schools and limiting to 30% the proportion of students in a class who do not have adequate Italian-language skills.

The Council of Ministers approved the measures Thursday as part of a broader package aimed at improving integration in schools. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the measures on social media.

The decree prohibits face coverings that prevent identification during curricular and extracurricular school activities and school-family meetings, with exceptions for specific health or security reasons. Violations can result in fines of up to 1,000 euros, according to Italian media reports.

The new rules also seek to limit the concentration of students with insufficient Italian-language skills in individual classes. The government says schools will receive additional resources to help students learn Italian.

Students born in Italy or those who attended kindergarten there can be exempt from the 30% limit, while other exemptions can apply in cases such as family circumstances or a student’s place of residence.

Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said insufficient knowledge of Italian can hinder students’ academic progress and integration. The government also plans to provide free Italian-language courses for some parents whose children face integration difficulties.

The measures have drawn criticism from opposition parties and education groups. Democratic Party leader Elly Schlein accused the government of targeting children, while teachers’ unions and school principals questioned aspects of the policy and its implementation.

The decree is subject to Italy’s parliamentary process before becoming permanent law.

80 countries demand reopening of Strait of Hormuz at UN

September 24, 2026 by World Desk

UNITED NATIONS: About 80 countries on Thursday called for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and condemned Iran and its Houthi allies over attacks in the region and disruptions to international trade and energy security.
Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani read out the joint statement at the United Nations, saying Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz continued to threaten international security and freedom of navigation.
The statement was backed by Gulf Arab states and major Western powers, according to Reuters.
The countries also expressed concern over the situation in Yemen and strongly condemned what they described as the Houthis’ decision to resume the conflict, their continued attacks on Saudi Arabia and their operations in the Red Sea.
The statement warned that any further Houthi advance toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait would increase risks to international shipping, maritime security and global trade.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key global shipping route, particularly for energy supplies, while the Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is also vital to international maritime trade.

Bollywood actor Mushtaq Khan dies at 56

September 24, 2026 by Entertainment Desk

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Mushtaq Khan has died at the age of 56 after battling liver cancer, Indian media reported Thursday.

Khan had been undergoing treatment for liver cancer and was hospitalized at a Mumbai hospital about two weeks ago after his condition deteriorated.

Several Bollywood personalities expressed grief over his death.

Khan was known for his supporting and comic roles in films including “Welcome,” “Aashiqui,” “Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke,” “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi,” “Hera Pheri” and “Jodi No. 1.”

He began his acting career in 1980 with the film “Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai?” and went on to appear in numerous Hindi films, primarily in supporting and comedic roles.

According to his son, Khan’s health had worsened significantly in recent days. He had been in good health before his hospitalization and was working on the debut film of the son of Salman Khan’s bodyguard, Shera.

Pakistan beat China 3-0 to claim third Asian Games hockey win

September 24, 2026 by Sports Desk

Pakistan hockey team defeated China 3-0 on Thursday to secure their third victory at the Asian Games hockey tournament.

Captain Abu Bakr Sufyan Khan and Hannan Shahid scored for Pakistan, with all three goals coming in the second quarter.

The victory lifted Pakistan to second place in the group with nine points. Malaysia also has nine points but leads the standings on goal difference.

Pakistan had earlier defeated Thailand 9-0 and Uzbekistan 5-1 in the tournament.

Pakistan were without forward Rana Waheed Ashraf, who was suspended for the China match by the tournament organizers and the Asian Hockey Federation.

Ashraf was suspended for one match after his hockey stick struck an Uzbekistan player in the head during Pakistan’s previous match, according to reports. He is considered a key player in Pakistan’s forward line.

Trump, Xi seek stronger US-China cooperation in White House talks

September 24, 2026 by World Desk

WASHINGTON: Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived at the White House on Thursday, where U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed him for talks focused on bilateral relations, trade, security and artificial intelligence.

Trump said the United States and China had made significant progress in their relationship and were working toward a more balanced trading relationship.

Trump also highlighted his friendship with Xi, saying the relationship between the two countries was based on mutual respect and the interests of their people.

The U.S. president said the two leaders would also discuss security, technology and artificial intelligence, adding that decisions made during the meeting could have implications for peace and prosperity in the coming decades.

Trump said it was an honor for the United States to host Xi and his delegation and that Washington would continue working with Beijing toward a better future.

Xi said China was willing to work with the United States and expressed his desire to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation.

The Chinese president said the interests of the world’s two largest economies were closely intertwined and called for greater cooperation and communication between Washington and Beijing. Recent reporting also identified trade, AI safeguards and broader geopolitical issues as key subjects of the summit.

Ashley Noffke decides to step down as Pakistan bowling coach

September 23, 2026 by Sports Desk

LAHORE: Pakistan national cricket team bowling coach Ashley Noffke has decided to leave the Pakistan Cricket Board, according to sources cited by local media.

Noffke has informed the PCB that he does not wish to continue in the role, the sources said. He will remain with the national team until the Asian Games.

Noffke was previously given responsibility for red-ball coaching after former bowling coach Umar Gul was removed from the position.

Meanwhile, the PCB has begun the process of appointing a new bowling coach for the national team and has advertised the position.

According to the board, candidates must hold a Level 3 coaching qualification to apply. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 8.