World

The session highlighted Sharjah's scientific and cultural initiatives to enrich Arabic studies and research at international universities

Swiss lawmakers from the Swiss Parliamentary Group for Tibet have urged China to immediately release the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, and condemned his 30-year enforced disappearance. In a strongly worded joint statement, they criticised China's interference in Tibetan religious succession and called it a violation of fundamental religious freedoms.

In a statement shared on the Telegram messaging app, the Sumy regional administration said, "This is another war crime by Russia -- a deliberate strike on civilian transport that posed no threat."

Chairman Xi Jinping caused shockwaves by arresting the highest military leader inChina - General Zhang Youxia - it was announced on 24 January. Simultaneously, General Liu Zhenli, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department, had been detained.

The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, in an official message, said, " I extend my warm greetings to Your Excellency and to the people of India on the auspicious occasion of the 77th Republic Day of India."

Imaan Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Chattha were arrested on Friday while reportedly on their way to the Islamabad district courts. Multiple cases have been registered against them under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), anti-terrorism laws, and legislation regulating public assembly. The arrests, Dawn noted, demonstrate how legal instruments are increasingly being weaponised to silence dissent, exposing a state that appears to be at war with opposition voices.