Millat Times English

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered a nationwide ground stop at airports across the country, citing “extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.” The directive has disrupted flight operations, with airlines and airport authorities responding to the order. Passengers are being advised to check with their airlines for the latest flight information as authorities work to address the situation. A ground stop generally restricts departing flights; it does not necessarily mean all aircraft, including those already airborne, are grounded.

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has identified Indian activist Sharjeel Imam as a prisoner detained for his religious freedom advocacy, saying he was arrested after participating in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Imam has remained in pre-trial detention since January 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots conspiracy case. The commission describes his detention as linked to his peaceful advocacy for religious freedom.

Israeli opposition leader and Yashar Party chief Gadi Eisenkot has criticised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies over what he described as a racist campaign against Arab citizens of Israel. Eisenkot said Arab citizens are an integral part of the country and condemned attempts to marginalise or collectively smear the community for political gain. He stressed that Israel’s prime minister represents all citizens, including those who oppose him, and said targeting an entire community is unacceptable and contradicts the principles of democracy and equality.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has described the bulldozer as a “brand” of Uttar Pradesh, suggesting that manufacturers should produce the machinery in the state for domestic and international markets. He made the remarks while addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of CNH Industrial’s tractor manufacturing plant in the YEIDA region on Thursday. The statement has renewed criticism of the state government's controversial demolition campaigns, widely associated with the term “bulldozer justice”. Muslim families, marginalised communities and people linked to political dissent have faced demolitions that critics describe as selective and punitive. In November 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that authorities cannot demolish properties merely because their owners or occupants are accused of criminal offences, stressing that due legal process must be followed.

Iran’s pavilion at the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye, is paying tribute to children killed in the February 28 attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab, southern Iran. The exhibition recreates a destroyed classroom, displaying photographs of the victims alongside school bags, desks and a damaged blackboard.

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has met Palestinian children evacuated from Gaza to Egypt for medical treatment, psychological support and education. During his visit, he spent time with children at schools, hospitals and a mental health clinic, and also visited families in their homes to hear their experiences of injury, trauma, displacement and separation from loved ones. Hamilton said the meeting “broke my heart” and praised the children for holding on to hope despite the suffering they have endured. Some children had suffered gunshot wounds and severe burns. He said many still dreamed of becoming doctors and teachers so they could help others. Hamilton thanked humanitarian organisation INARA for supporting the children and urged people not to forget those still living in Gaza.

India’s capital, Delhi, overtook Pakistan’s Lahore on Friday, November 13, to become the world’s most polluted major city as hazardous air quality and dense smog reduced visibility across the city. According to Swiss air-quality monitoring group IQAir, Delhi recorded an AQI of 334, categorised as hazardous. India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an even higher reading of 403, placing the city in the severe category. The difference reflects the two agencies’ different measurement scales and methodologies. The worsening pollution has been linked to a combination of vehicle emissions, construction dust, agricultural burning and seasonal weather conditions that trap pollutants close to the ground.

Expedia Group has confirmed that attackers accessed its systems through a compromised third-party data platform provider in a supply-chain cyberattack affecting multiple companies. The company said it took steps to contain the incident and launched an investigation with external cybersecurity experts. A Russian-linked extortion group known as n0n claims to have stolen nearly one billion records, including loyalty programme data, traveller profiles and consumer account information. However, the exact volume and contents of the allegedly stolen data remain unverified. Expedia has not independently confirmed the hackers’ figures and says its platforms remain safe to use.

Türkiye and Qatar have signed five agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation across trade, education, diplomacy and defence. The agreements were signed during the 12th session of the Türkiye-Qatar Supreme Strategic Committee in Istanbul on November 13, co-chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The meeting reflects efforts by both countries to deepen their strategic partnership and expand cooperation amid regional and international challenges. The two leaders also discussed defence industry collaboration, energy partnerships, economic ties and regional stability.

US President Donald Trump has resisted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push to resume military attacks on Iran, according to a US official cited in an Axios report published on November 13. The two leaders discussed the Iran conflict during a phone call on November 5. While Netanyahu is pressing for renewed military action, Trump is favouring continued economic pressure and a naval blockade, while keeping open the possibility of a diplomatic agreement with Tehran.

India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has extended the compliance deadline for mandatory Halal certification of specified meat and meat products exported to Egypt by three months. With this extension, the transition period has increased from nine to 12 months, giving exporters and Egyptian Halal certification bodies additional time to meet the requirements under India’s i-CAS-Halal framework.

Hyderabad hosted the Bharat Summit 2026 on November 13, bringing together more than 1,000 delegates from around 70 countries, including political leaders, policymakers, parliamentarians, intellectuals and representatives of progressive movements. Held under the theme “Forging a New World,” the two-day summit aims to create a platform for dialogue on global challenges and international cooperation. Discussions are focusing on democracy, artificial intelligence, climate change, social justice, gender equality, economic inequality and reforms in global institutions. The summit also seeks to strengthen cooperation between countries of the Global South and North, encouraging participants to exchange ideas and explore collective solutions to shared challenges.

Protesters gathered in Bangladesh to condemn attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement on Saudi Arabia, expressing solidarity with the kingdom. The demonstration comes amid escalating regional tensions following Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure. Bangladesh has also officially condemned the attacks and called for an end to hostilities through diplomacy.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has alleged that his phone is being tapped by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that it contains evidence supporting his allegations against the government. The remarks came as Gandhi renewed his challenge to Modi for a public debate. The phone-tapping claim remains an allegation made by the Congress leader and has not been independently established.

Around 1,000 men and women who memorised the Holy Quran were honoured at a special ceremony in Gaza, even as Palestinians continue to endure the devastation of war. The event celebrated their dedication to the Quran and the continuation of religious education amid widespread destruction, displacement and hardship.

A family in Khatamari village, Cooch Behar district, West Bengal, says it has been unable to obtain a birth certificate for its newborn daughter more than two months after her birth. The child’s father, Abdul Habib, alleges that his name was omitted from the electoral roll during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), preventing him from obtaining a residential certificate that the family says is required for the birth registration process. Habib’s wife, Amina Khatun, gave birth at Dinhata Sub-Divisional Hospital on September 8. Despite repeated visits to administrative offices and appeals to local representatives, the family says the issue remains unresolved as of November 13.

Nine-month-old Kinan Ahmed Raqiq died of hypothermia inside his family’s displacement tent in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on November 12, according to a doctor who spoke to AFP. Gaza Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal also confirmed the infant’s death. The tragedy follows days of heavy rain, flooding and falling temperatures across Gaza, where thousands of displaced families are living in tents with inadequate protection from harsh weather. The UN reported that around 26,000 households were affected by storms as of November 8.

Around 1,000 men and women who memorised the Holy Quran were honoured at a ceremony in Gaza. The event celebrated their achievement as Palestinians continue to preserve their faith and religious traditions despite the devastation, displacement and hardship caused by the war.

India extends ban on Zakir Naik’s organisation for another five years. Read: millattimes.com/india-extend…

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on November 13 declared Zakir Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for another five years. This is the third extension of the ban on the organisation, which was first prohibited in 2016.