In a significant diplomatic development, Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow — the first such meeting since the fall of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad ten months ago. The visit marks a critical moment in Syria's attempt to redefine its foreign relations and restore national stability following years of devastating conflict.

President Putin emphasized the "special relationship" between Russia and Syria, built over decades of strategic cooperation. Despite their countries once being on opposite sides of the Syrian conflict, both leaders appeared ready to move past old hostilities. Putin highlighted that several "interesting and useful undertakings" were on the meeting's agenda and reaffirmed Russia's readiness to support Syria's rebuilding process.

Sharaa, whose Islamist-backed forces led the offensive that toppled Assad, expressed his intention to maintain strong ties with Russia while asserting Syria's independence. He assured that his administration would honor previous agreements, including Russia's access to military bases in Tartous and Hmeimim. "We aim to restore relations with all nations, but primarily with Russia," he said, emphasizing Syria's commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Russia, in turn, pledged humanitarian and economic aid to help Syria recover from years of war. Russian ministers offered to supply food, medicine, and energy support while assisting in rebuilding critical infrastructure such as power and transport systems. Moscow sees these efforts as a way to maintain its influence in the Middle East while fostering regional stability.

Yet, beneath the cordial atmosphere, lingering tensions persist. Sharaa is reportedly seeking the extradition of Assad, now living in Moscow under Russian asylum, to face war crimes charges. However, analysts believe Russia is unlikely to comply, given its historical protection of the former leader.

The meeting symbolizes a pragmatic turning point for both nations — a cautious alliance rooted in mutual necessity. While Syria seeks reconstruction and legitimacy, Russia aims to preserve its geopolitical foothold, making this renewed partnership one of calculated coexistence rather than pure friendship.

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The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has introduced a significant change for the 2026 Hajj season. Unlike previous years, Hajj slots will no longer be allocated to states automatically. Instead, pilgrims' access will depend on a first-come, first-served system, with priority given to early payment of fares. This move aims to streamline the registration process and ensure fair access for all Nigerian pilgrims.

Hajiya Fatima Sanda Usara, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at NAHCON, emphasized that states will secure Hajj slots only after the full remittance of pilgrims' fares. She noted that early payments guarantee allocations, while delayed submissions could result in losing a state's quota entirely. This approach encourages timely compliance and financial responsibility at both state and individual levels.

Alhaji Idris Almakura, Chairman of the Forum of States' Pilgrims Welfare Boards, urged state officials to act promptly. Returning from Saudi Arabia, he emphasized the need for immediate registration and fee remittance. According to Almakura, adhering to these timelines is essential to meet the stringent deadlines set by Saudi authorities.

NAHCON has also highlighted the final payment deadline of December 5, 2026, cautioning that missing this date could jeopardize Nigeria's participation in the Hajj. Authorities warn that delays may disrupt the carefully coordinated arrangements between the two countries, affecting both pilgrims and state administrations.

This policy change reflects a broader commitment to transparency, efficiency, and fairness in Nigeria's Hajj operations. By moving to a first-come, first-served system, NAHCON seeks to eliminate bottlenecks and ensure that all willing pilgrims have a clear, predictable path to performing the Hajj.

Pilgrims and state officials are encouraged to plan early, prioritize payments, and stay informed about deadlines. Early action not only secures participation but also helps in organizing travel logistics, accommodation, and other essential arrangements, ultimately enhancing the overall Hajj experience for Nigerian pilgrims.

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Abuja, November 10, 2025 – The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has firmly dismissed claims of a "Christian genocide" in Nigeria, highlighting that recent bandit attacks have disproportionately affected Muslim communities. According to CNG, from January to August 2025, dozens of Muslims, including worshippers in mosques, lost their lives to violent assaults.

At a press briefing in Abuja, CNG National Coordinator Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks suggesting military action against Nigeria. He described the statements as "reckless, arrogant, and dangerous," arguing that they undermine Nigeria's sovereignty. Charanchi explained that Trump's perspective relied on a "manipulated petition" amplified by Amnesty International, reflecting a selective Western narrative.

The coalition stressed that Nigeria is grappling with a national security crisis impacting all citizens, not a religious conflict. Using data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), CNG noted that Muslims constitute the majority of victims in Northern Nigeria. Between 2020 and September 2025, over 20,400 civilians were killed nationwide, with verified reports showing 417 Muslim deaths compared to 317 Christian deaths.

CNG highlighted several major attacks overlooked by international media, including the January 11, 2025, Baure attack that killed 21 people and the August 19, 2025, Malumfashi mosque attack where over 50 worshippers were slain. Additionally, multiple violent incidents occurred across Zamfara State between March and October 2025, further underscoring the broad impact of insecurity.

Charanchi also referenced the 2015 Zaria massacre, in which over 340 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) were killed, noting the absence of international condemnation. He emphasized that the selective focus on Christian victims misrepresents Nigeria's reality and fuels foreign intervention narratives.

CNG concluded by urging the Nigerian government to enhance security measures and combat corruption. "Our fight is not against each other; it is against those who steal our future," Charanchi stated, calling for unity and vigilance in addressing the nation's security challenges.

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The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has firmly rejected claims of a "Christian genocide" in Nigeria, urging former U.S. President Donald Trump to retract his statement labeling the country as "disgraced." The Council stressed that Nigeria's challenges are not religiously motivated but stem from poor governance, climate crises, and criminal activity affecting communities nationwide.

In a statement signed by Secretary-General Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, NSCIA called on U.S. leaders to provide constructive support through intelligence sharing, logistics, and human capacity development. The Council highlighted that inflammatory statements only risk deepening divisions and undermining national cohesion.

NSCIA also described genocide claims as fabricated narratives driven by foreign interests, separatists, and local profiteers. Prof. Oloyede noted that some terrorist groups mistakenly labeled as "Islamic" were in fact funded or orchestrated by non-Muslim actors, citing allegations that organizations like Boko Haram received external backing.

The Council criticized the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for amplifying misleading claims, calling such actions "dangerous" while praising patriotic members who reject false narratives. Reports from Amnesty International and independent researchers were cited to show that the majority of violent incidents lack religious motivation, instead linked to poverty, banditry, and failed governance.

NSCIA also condemned the U.S. re-designation of Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern (CPC)", describing the move as politically motivated and influenced by lobbyists and evangelicals. The Council linked heightened foreign criticism to Nigeria's solidarity with Palestine and reaffirmation of the two-state solution, framing it as a geopolitical attempt to destabilize the nation.

Concluding, NSCIA reaffirmed national unity, stating: "There is no Christian genocide. There is no Muslim genocide. The Nigerian tragedy lies in poverty, climate change, and armed criminality." The Council urged the government to protect all citizens, fight terrorism, and counter divisive narratives, emphasizing that foreign misinformation will not define Nigeria's reality.

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United States Congressman Riley Moore has reiterated claims of a growing wave of violence against Christians in Nigeria, calling the nation "the world's most dangerous place to be a Christian." His statement, posted Monday on X (formerly Twitter), alleged that between 50,000 and 100,000 Christians have been killed since 2009, including 7,000 deaths in 2025 alone. Moore's remarks renewed global attention on religious persecution in Africa's most populous nation.

The lawmaker expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for re-designating Nigeria as a "Country of Particular Concern" and for commissioning him to lead a congressional probe into the reported killings. According to Moore, the investigation aims to determine whether the violence constitutes religious genocide and to recommend policy measures for U.S. intervention.

Catholic-based news outlet Catholic Arena supported Moore's allegations, referencing the Open Doors 2025 World Watch List, which ranks Nigeria among the deadliest nations for Christians. The report noted that 3,100 Christians were murdered in the last monitoring year, representing nearly 70% of all faith-based killings worldwide. The violence, according to the group, is mainly driven by Boko Haram and ISWAP militants seeking to impose Sharia law across northern Nigeria.

The outlet cited several high-profile tragedies, including the 2022 lynching of Deborah Samuel, the killing of Fr. Isaac Achi, and the murder of seminarian Na'aman Danlami. It also highlighted the ongoing captivity of Leah Sharibu, who was reportedly abducted in 2018 after refusing to renounce Christianity.

Critics, however, accuse the Nigerian government of negligence and inaction. Catholic Arena suggested that state authorities are "either ineffective or complicit" in the violence, noting that 12 northern states enforce Sharia law, leaving Christian minorities exposed to recurring attacks.

Nigeria's government maintains that its security challenges are not faith-based, insisting that terrorism, banditry, and communal clashes affect both Muslim and Christian citizens across the country.

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In a development that has stunned international observers, United States President Donald Trump on Monday welcomed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa—a former al-Qaeda commander—to the White House. The visit marks the first official appearance of a Syrian head of state at the American seat of power, symbolizing a remarkable shift in Washington's Middle East diplomacy.

The meeting was held behind closed doors, with no media access, in what insiders described as an "extraordinary departure from normal White House protocol." Reports suggest that discussions focused on regional security, counterterrorism cooperation, and prospects for peace in Syria after more than a decade of civil conflict.

Al-Sharaa's journey to political legitimacy has been controversial. Once one of the world's most wanted fugitives, he led al-Qaeda, the organization responsible for multiple global terror attacks. He reportedly carried a $10 million U.S. bounty until late 2024, when his name was quietly removed from Washington's wanted list. Before rising to power, he was detained for years in Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison, where several high-profile insurgents were held.

The Syrian leader's recent appearance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York laid the groundwork for this visit, signaling his growing international rehabilitation. Following the meeting, President Trump hinted at "major announcements regarding Syria," suggesting an evolving partnership between the two nations.

"We want to see Syria become a strong and successful country," Trump stated. "President al-Sharaa has the potential to bring lasting stability and regional cooperation." He also cited ongoing discussions with Turkey and Israel, emphasizing a broader diplomatic realignment in the Middle East.

According to Syria's Foreign Ministry, the talks included plans to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the national army and to strengthen security coordination between Syria, the U.S., and Israel—a move described as a step toward national unification and regional peace.

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Serious investigations have been launched by the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division (MPCID) over reports linking Israeli soldiers to possible crimes against Palestinians during military missions. These investigations, still ongoing, follow disturbing accounts from witnesses and humanitarian workers operating in Gaza's aid zones.

A contractor identified only as Sam, who worked at food distribution sites run by the Global Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), described shocking incidents he allegedly witnessed. In one episode, two young men ran toward an aid truck, and Israeli soldiers reportedly pursued and shot them at close range. "They dropped to their knees, fired twice, and the two men just fell," he said, recalling the chilling scene.

Sam also recounted another tragedy involving an Israeli tank that destroyed a civilian car carrying four unarmed people near one of the aid sites. According to United Nations reports, at least 944 Palestinian civilians have died while seeking food or assistance close to GHF aid points, intensifying global concern about military conduct in the area.

Both GHF and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have denied deliberately targeting civilians. The IDF maintains that it operates strictly within international law and makes efforts to minimize civilian harm in its operations against Hamas. However, observers note that internal investigations have rarely led to any meaningful disciplinary or legal accountability.

The documentary Breaking Ranks highlights not only the suffering of civilians but also the psychological toll on soldiers involved in the Gaza conflict. Several soldiers express guilt and disillusionment over what they have witnessed and done.

One soldier, Daniel, voiced deep remorse: "I feel like they've destroyed all my pride in being an Israeli, in being an IDF officer. All that's left is shame." His words echo the growing moral and emotional burden borne by those entangled in the conflict.

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