• Starmer vows to ensure communities live without fear.
• Says: “I know this will be worrying for Muslim communities.”
• Police say incident not being treated as terror-related.

LONDON: Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed concern after the arrest of a man for entering a mosque in Manchester during Ramadan prayers carrying multiple weapons, including an axe and threatening to kill the Imam.

The prime minister said he understood the incident would be worrying for Muslim communities.

The suspect, a white man in his 40s, was with another man, a black male, who entered Manchester Central Mosque in the Victoria Park area of south Manchester at around 8:40pm on Tuesday.

The first suspect was subsequently arrested by police on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon and possession of class B drugs.

He remains in custody for questioning.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said they are not treating the incident as terror-related.

Keir said: “I am concerned to hear of the incident at Manchester Central Mosque last night. I know this will be worrying for Muslim communities, especially during Ramadan, a time of peace and reflection.”

“My thanks go to the volunteers and emergency services for their quick response,” he added.  

“We have provided up to £40 million funding for additional security at mosques, Muslim schools and community centres, and will continue to act to ensure communities are able to live without fear.”

In a statement, the mosque said a “serious security incident” had occurred during prayers.

The statement added: “A white male entered the mosque wearing a hi-vis jacket carrying a large bag. He was accompanied by a black male, both entering the mosque at the same time. The mosque volunteers spotted the suspicious bag containing an axe, which was placed into the main hall of the mosque by the assailant.”

“The white male was escorted to a separate room by volunteers and was found to have been carrying multiple weapons, including a hammer and a knife. He was eventually arrested by the police,” it added. 

“The black male left the mosque shortly before police arrived, after it became apparent that the situation had been contained. To our knowledge, he has not yet been arrested by Greater Manchester Police,” read the statement. 

“All relevant information and CCTV footage have been passed on to the police, who are continuing their investigation.”

The statement further said: “The Muslim community in the UK has experienced a notable rise in threats and hostility over recent years. The increase in Islamophobic incidents is a serious concern, and greater resources are urgently needed to address this growing and real risk.”

“We will continue to cooperate fully with the police and urge all mosque attendees to remain vigilant. Congregants are advised to travel in groups where possible and to ensure that children are not left unattended.”

“The swift and responsible actions of our volunteers played a crucial role in containing the situation. Without their intervention, the consequences could have been far more serious,” it added. 

Superintendent Simon Nasim of GMP said: “Yesterday evening, officers attended a local mosque after it was reported that two men were acting suspiciously and carrying an offensive weapon while people were worshipping during the holy month of Ramadan.

“We have swiftly arrested one individual and officers are working to locate the second man. No threats were made and thankfully, no one was injured. You may notice an increased presence of patrols in the area while our inquiries continue. Please feel free to chat with our officers and let them know your concerns,” said the superintendent.

The official said: “There’s no place for weapons on our streets and we are committed to ensure all our communities feel safe to worship in peace and go about their daily lives without fear.”

“Anyone committing such offences will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” the superintendent added. 

Afzal Khan, the local MP for Rusholme, said: “I am deeply concerned about the incident that occurred at Manchester Central Mosque last night, whereby two individuals entered the mosque with weapons.

“Thankfully, everyone is safe, no one is hurt, and Greater Manchester Police have arrested one of the suspects. I’m in touch with the mosque leadership, the mayor of Greater Manchester, and the prime minister about this incident,” Afzal added. 

“Just this week, the Chancellor and Home Secretary announced more funding for protecting mosques, and this incident demonstrates once again why this funding is so vital,” he added. 

The lawmaker said: “This is the consequence of far-right politicians scapegoating Muslims. This is Islamophobia, plain and simple.”

Officers are appealing for witnesses to help with inquiries.

Anyone with information is urged to contact GMP on 101 or through the LiveChat function on the force’s website. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ISTANBUL: A Turkish fighter jet crashed shortly after takeoff early Wednesday, killing the pilot, state media reported, citing the defence ministry.

Radio and tracking information with the aircraft, which took off from Balikesir at 12:56am (2156 GMT Tuesday), was lost soon after departure, the ministry said, according to the official Anadolu Agency.

A search and rescue operation was launched, and the wreckage was located.

“Our pilot was martyred. The cause of the accident will be determined following an investigation by the crash examination team,” the ministry said, offering condolences to the pilot’s family.

In November, Turkiye suspended flights by its C-130 cargo planes after one crashed in neighbouring Georgia while returning from Azerbaijan, killing all 20 people aboard.

Other F-16s, manufactured by US firm Lockheed Martin, have crashed in recent months.

In January, a Taiwanese F-16 crashed into the sea during a routine mission. Its pilot, who ejected offshore, was reported missing.

In Poland, an F-16 crashed in August while rehearsing for an air show, killing its pilot.

• Modi was first Indian PM to visit Israel in 2017.
• Indian PM expected to address Israel’s Knesset.
• Meeting taking place amid US-Iran tensions.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Israel on Wednesday for a two-day visit that both countries have cast as a chance to deepen relations, as regional concerns mount over the risk of military conflict between the United States and Iran.

Modi, a Hindu nationalist, became the first prime minister in India’s history to visit Israel in 2017, during which he and right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took a barefoot stroll on a beach in the northern port city of Haifa.

Both still in power nearly nine years later, the two leaders, who describe one another as friends, are expected to hold talks on artificial intelligence as well as defence at a time when Israel is seeking to increase its military exports.

An Israeli government official said the visit would “pave the way for new partnerships and collaborations across many fields.” Bilateral ties were on the cusp of a significant upgrade, an Israeli foreign ministry official said.

Modi is expected to deliver remarks to Israel’s Knesset, or parliament, and lay a wreath at Yad Vashem, Israel’s official Holocaust memorial.

US military buildup near Iran

Modi’s visit comes as the US deploys a vast naval force near Iran’s coast ahead of possible strikes on the Islamic Republic, with the two countries at an impasse in talks over Tehran’s nuclear programme. The Pentagon has also deployed an aircraft carrier to the Mediterranean, bound for Israel’s coast.

A US attack on Iran could draw Iranian retaliation targeting Israel as well as US military facilities in Gulf Arab countries, where millions of Indians live and work and send home billions of dollars of remittances each year.

Kabir Taneja, of the Observer Research Foundation, an Indian think-tank, said that New Delhi did not want to see conflict in the region.

“I’m sure those kind of messages have been delivered in the past and will be delivered during this visit as well,” he said.

The Israeli foreign ministry official said discussions with a “regional aspect” would likely take place during the visit.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting this week, Netanyahu described India as being part of a future “axis” of like-minded nations.

“(Our) cooperation can yield great results and, of course, ensure our resilience and our future,” Netanyahu said.

Taneja said that, while India was interested in buying Israeli military equipment, New Delhi would hesitate at joining any formal alliance given its history of non-alignment in international affairs.