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Norway parliament probes Epstein links to politicians, diplomats

Norway's parliament began public hearings on Wednesday over ties between late United States sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Norwegian diplomats and politicians in a scandal that has shaken the nation's elite. US President Donald Trump's Department of Justice in January released millions of Epstein-related documents, revealing connections to politicians, royals and the ultra-rich around the world. Norway, home of the Nobel Peace Prize and often a fulcrum of international diplomacy, has seen major fallout, triggering parliamentary inquiries and police investigations. The government must explain what it is doing to restore trust in the foreign service, said Jonas Andersen Sayed, the leader of the hearing at parliament's Committee on Scrutiny and Constitutional Affairs. "There are many people who have demonstrated very poor judgement," Andersen Sayed told Reuters of those who had friendships with Epstein. Read: Epstein claimed Trump in...

California recognises Eidul Fitr, Eidul Azha as official holidays

A bill proposing the recognition of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha as official holidays in California was signed into law, allowing workers to use existing paid leaves to observe the religious occasions. The bill, AB 2017, formally recognises Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha as Islamic holidays as of September 10. With the partnership of Muslim communities and organisations, AB 2017 was introduced to California Governor Gavin Newsom by Assembly member Matt Haney in March this year. With the passage of the bill, schools and public workplaces will be granted the necessary tools to help Muslims in the US state to practice their faith without the burden of career obligations or academic barriers, according to US media. California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2017, formally recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in state law. The law allows state and school employees to use existing leave to observe Eid and permits K-12 schools and community colleges to close for the holidays through local… pic.twitter.com/dLDDD6GXal — Clash Report (@clashreport) September 29, 2026 According to the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), the bill was authored by Haney and co-sponsored by CAIR-CA, the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, and the Muslim Impact Council. CAIR-CA stated in a press release that AB 2017 "permits state and school employees to observe Eid using existing personal holiday credit or leave time." It added that the bill "also authorises K-12 schools and community colleges to close in observance of Eid through locally negotiated agreements." Read: Republicans are making Muslims a campaign issue in the 2026 US midterms The council welcomed the passage of the bill, saying that it "addrssed a long-standing challenge for the state's more than one million Muslim residents who are often forced to choose between practicing their faith and showing up to school or work." As per the statement by CAIR-CA, "AB 2017's passage comes at a critical time for the American-Muslim community." The council noted that officially recognising the Eid holidays "sends the necessary and powerful message that California values and protects its Muslim community in the face of growing hostility." Eidul Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramazan while Eidul Azha falls in the last month of the Islamic calendar, Zil Hajj. Both occasions are observed by Muslims globally with religious fervor and devotion.

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At least 32 miners dead after bridge fails at cobalt site in southeast DR Congo

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