Iraq

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney passed away last night at the age of 84, his family announced in a statement this morning. The cause of death was complications arising from pneumonia as well as cardiac and vascular disease.

Cheney, who served as vice president under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, was one of the most influential and controversial figures in modern American politics. Known for his staunch defence of U.S. national security policies following the September 11 attacks, Cheney played a central role in shaping the Bush administration’s foreign and defence strategies, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1941, Cheney held numerous key government positions throughout his career, including White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford and Secretary of Defence under President George H.W. Bush.

In recent years, Cheney had battled various health challenges, including multiple heart-related issues. His family said funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.

“Dick Cheney was a patriot who devoted his life to serving his country,” the family’s statement said. “He will be remembered for his leadership, his resolve, and his unwavering commitment to the United States.”

By Maryam Ahmad

A groundbreaking congressional investigation has forced lawmakers to acknowledge a long history of U.S. government involvement in financing extremist organisations, including Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, the Taliban, and ISIS.

The findings, revealed in a classified report leaked to the press, outline decades of covert operations, indirect funding, and intelligence blunders that have inadvertently empowered terrorist groups worldwide.

The report details how U.S. aid, weapons, and financial resources intended for allied forces or opposition groups often ended up in the hands of militants.

It cites instances where American-made arms supplied to anti-Soviet fighters in the 1980s ultimately bolstered the Taliban and where funding to Syrian opposition forces found its way to ISIS affiliates.

Lawmakers from both parties have responded with shock and calls for greater oversight. “This is a sobering moment,” said Senator James Holloway (R-TX). “We must rethink our foreign policy strategy to ensure that American resources are never again used to fuel extremism.”

The White House has yet to issue a formal response, but officials insist that past mistakes should not overshadow ongoing counterterrorism efforts. Meanwhile, critics argue that these revelations confirm long-held suspicions about U.S. interventionist policies and their unintended consequences.

The investigation’s full findings are expected to be declassified in the coming months, raising further questions about accountability and the future of American foreign aid.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

Salwan Momika, the Iraqi refugee known for organizing Quran-burning demonstrations in Sweden, was shot and killed on Wednesday night in Södertälje, near Stockholm.

According to Swedish authorities, police responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment building, where they found Momika with multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the shooting as investigations continue.

Momika gained international notoriety in 2023 for desecrating copies of the Quran, sparking widespread protests and condemnation from Muslim-majority countries. He moved to Sweden in 2018 and had been granted a three-year residence permit.

At the time of his death, he was facing trial for incitement to hatred, with a verdict scheduled for Thursday morning. The court has since postponed the ruling.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that the country’s security service is involved in the investigation, citing possible foreign links to the killing.

Authorities are yet to disclose a motive, but the killing has raised concerns over tensions surrounding Momika’s controversial actions.