DUBAI: Dubai Police have arrested a man accused of performing hair transplant procedures without a licence inside his residential apartment, luring clients with “easy and attractive offers.”

According to Dubai Police, the suspect was apprehended “red-handed” while conducting the unlicensed procedures. The arrest followed a raid carried out in cooperation with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

Investigations revealed that the man was living in a three-bedroom flat, two of which were used for family purposes, while the third had been converted into a makeshift clinic. Police officers discovered medical instruments, drugs, anaesthetics, and disinfectants on site, all of which were confiscated.

In a statement, Dubai Police said: “The suspect was endangering lives by performing medical procedures without the required licence or compliance with health and safety standards. Such practices are a clear violation of UAE law.”

Dubai Police urged members of the public to avoid unlicensed or misleading offers. “We strongly advise community members to seek services only at registered and licensed clinics. Falling for illegal or suspicious offers can put lives at serious risk,” the statement added.

• Discussions would centre around bilateral ties, trade: ministry.
• Indian FM spox says already speaking to Afghan administration.
• Analyst says India visit highly significant for Taliban govt.

The UN Security Council Committee has temporarily lifted a travel ban on the Afghan Taliban foreign minister, which would allow him to visit India between October 9 and 16, India’s foreign ministry said on Friday.

If confirmed, it would be the first visit to India by a senior leader of the Taliban-run Afghan administration since it seized power in 2021 after 20 years of US military presence.

Delhi and Kabul have traditionally enjoyed close ties when the Taliban were not in power.

Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi is among Afghan Taliban members who are under UN sanctions, including a travel ban and asset freeze. Temporary exemptions are sometimes granted for diplomacy.

India’s foreign ministry spokesperson told reporters that New Delhi had already been speaking to the Afghan administration, and noted that it had provided support after an earthquake on August 31. He did not specifically confirm that the visit would take place.

Discussions during Muttaqi’s trip would centre around bilateral cooperation, trade exchanges, exports of dry fruit, facilities in the health sector, consular services and various ports, said Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesperson of the Afghan Taliban’s foreign ministry.

He did not, however, mention the dates of the visit.

Indian and Afghan media have reported that Muttaqi would travel to Russia before visiting New Delhi.

In Moscow, he was expected to discuss the situation in Afghanistan with representatives from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, India, and Central Asian countries, the reports said.

Hekmatullah Hekmat, an Afghan political analyst, said the visit to India was highly significant for the Taliban government.

“Afghanistan is in dire need of establishing relations with regional countries, especially its neighbours. It needs to build political, economic, and trade ties and to gain recognition,” he said.

Only Russia has so far recognised the Taliban government. India closed its embassy in Kabul in 2021, but a year later opened a technical mission to coordinate humanitarian assistance.

Sarah Mullally was named on Friday as the first female head of the Church of England, but her appointment as Archbishop of Canterbury immediately drew criticism from conservative Anglicans, mainly based in Africa, who oppose women bishops.

Mullally will also become the ceremonial head of 85 million Anglicans worldwide and, like her predecessors, faces a tough challenge in bridging the divide between conservatives and generally more liberal Christians in the West.

Making her first address in Canterbury Cathedral, the 63-year-old former career nurse condemned the sexual abuse scandals and safeguarding issues that have dogged the Church and also antisemitism following an attack on a synagogue in Manchester on Thursday, which killed two men.

New archbishop has supported liberal causes

GAFCON, a grouping of conservative Anglican churches globally, immediately criticised Mullally’s appointment, saying it showed that the English arm of the Church had “relinquished its authority to lead”.

Addressing those who might object to her appointment, Mullally said: “I intend to be a shepherd who enables everyone’s ministry and vocation to flourish, whatever our tradition.”

Reforms introduced 11 years ago have made it possible for a woman to become Archbishop of Canterbury, an office that dates back more than 1,400 years. It is also one of the last British institutions to have been run until now only by men.

Bishop of London since 2018, she has previously championed several liberal causes within the Church.

In her address, Mullally spoke of the difficulties of an age which “craves certainty and tribalism” and a country which is wrestling with complex moral and political questions around migration and communities feeling overlooked.

“Mindful of the horrific violence of yesterday’s attack on a synagogue in Manchester, we are witnessing hatred that rises up through fractures across our communities,” she said, adding that it was her Christian faith that gave her hope in a world which often feels “on the brink”.

Safeguarding improvements needed

The Church of England has been without a leader since last November when Justin Welby resigned over a child abuse cover-up scandal, and Mullally said she would focus on improvements in that area.

“My commitment will be to ensure that we continue to listen to survivors, care for the vulnerable, and foster a culture of safety and well-being for all,” she said.

Linda Woodhead, professor of theology and religious studies at King’s College London, said Mullally’s strong management skills were needed to help address safeguarding issues.

“Her emphasis on unity, gentleness and strength is exactly what the church, and nation, needs right now,” she said.

‘It’s all about people’

Mullally is a former cancer nurse who worked as England’s Chief Nursing Officer in the early 2000s, while also being ordained as a priest in 2002. She became one of the first women to be consecrated as a bishop in the Church of England in 2015.

“There are great commonalities between nursing and being a priest. It’s all about people, and sitting with people during the most difficult times in their lives,” she once told a magazine.

She has advocated for creating an open and transparent culture in churches which allows for difference and disagreement, and has spoken on issues including the cost-of-living crisis, healthcare, and social justice.

Mullally is married to Eamonn and has two adult children.

PM Starmer wishes her ‘every success’

Reflecting the Church of England’s status as England’s established church, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office announced Mullally’s appointment on Friday with the formal consent of King Charles.

“The Archbishop of Canterbury will play a key role in our national life. I wish her every success and look forward to working together,” Starmer said in a statement.

As monarch, Charles is the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, a role established in the 16th century when King Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church.