Students walk on the Cornell University campus on September 30, 2026, a day after New York’s attorney general announced a review of the university’s initial response to allegations by a former student that she was drugged and raped by multiple men at a campus fraternity in 2024.
Summary
Cornell University faculty members passed a non-binding no-confidence resolution against the university's leadership for its handling of an alleged gang rape case involving a female student and seven male students at a fraternity house.
This symbolic rebuke reflects criticism over perceived leniency in addressing sexual assault, leading to protests demanding accountability.
In response, Cornell has suspended fraternity parties and initiated an independent probe, while its Board of Trustees supports President Laurence Kotlikoff to lead efforts against sexual assault.
Simultaneously, New York state prosecutors have reopened a criminal investigation into the incident.
First Published: Saturday, 07 Nov 2026 9:06 AM MYT
NEW YORK, Nov 7 — Faculty members at Cornell University on Friday passed a no-confidence resolution against the elite college’s leadership over its handling of an alleged gang rape that has sparked outcry in the United States.
The vote is not binding but marks a strong symbolic rebuke of administrators at Ivy League college in New York state.
According to a lawsuit, a female student was assaulted by seven male students at a fraternity house on campus. Following her initial allegations in 2024, Cornell shut down the fraternity – a male social club – and temporarily suspended the accused students, two of whom were later expelled.
But critics say the college was too lenient, and protests in several US cities last month demanded accountability.
Friday’s resolution states that the faculty “has no confidence in the ability of the central administration to effectively address the ongoing crisis of sexual assault at Cornell University.”
It passed by a vote of 75-50, with five abstentions.
The alleged gang rape has piled scrutiny on Cornell, which has commissioned an independent probe into its handling of the case.
Cornell’s president in October suspended fraternity parties on campus for the remaining academic year as part of several preliminary measures aiming to address sexual assault.
Meanwhile, New York state prosecutors have reopened a criminal investigation into the incident after local authorities said they declined to pursue the case in 2024 over an apparent lack of evidence.
Cornell’s Board of Trustees, which is the college’s top governing body, on Friday voiced support for university President Laurence Kotlikoff.
“Today’s Faculty Senate vote reflects the deep anger across our campus and sends a clear signal that what happened to Jane Doe is unacceptable,” Board Chair Anne Smalling said in a statement, referring to the female student who brought the gang rape allegation.
“The Board of Trustees remains confident that President Kotlikoff and his administration are the right leaders to thoughtfully and comprehensively address the serious problem of sexual assault on our campus.” — AFP
Do we need to keep investors happy or is there more to it?
It appears that the dust has settled, at least for now as the judicial process takes over, on the Tabung Haji (TH) “mismanagement” issue.
It was widely commented upon following the release of the full royal commission of inquiry (RCI) report just before a state election.
There were allegations of embezzlement (sakau) and unadulterated corruption at this investment institution.
Presumably the intention was to throw dirt on the past administration.
Mind you the full RCI report had been on the back burner for almost three years before its release.
Some say, tactically speaking as in urban guerrilla political warfare, it was kept under wraps for an opportune time such that its release could inflict the highest degree of damage to the political opposition.
Sadly, that was not to be as the state election results stand testimony.
To add a degree of altruistic intent, the reason offered was that it could not be released earlier as the flagship, TH, was being given time to keep its policies and practices in order.
It was vehemently argued that releasing the RCI findings earlier might have affected TH’s credibility as an institution set up specifically to enable investors to finance their trips to the holy land (through consistent savings).
Worse still, it was rationalised that its depositors, largely from the country’s heartland, may have withdrawn their deposits en masse. This desperate action would have resulted in financial chaos with spillover effects on other financial institutions in the country.
To the naïve, uninformed and politically ignorant, this justification had a degree of credence.
A lawmaker had highlighted possible offences (crimes which include financial deception, falsification of accounting records, the unlawful distribution of ‘hibah’ dividends), as the Tabung Haji Act 1995 forbids declaring or paying profits when liabilities exceed assets.
To top it off, as a safe measure, criminal breach of trust is included. That is indeed a mouthful but then politicians are known for rhetoric, most times self-serving, and in certain instances illogical.
To date two ex-ministers have been charged. At the crux is the Attorney-General’s Chambers’s decision to charge the ex-CEO and ex-chief financial officer with “misleading the board” under Section 417 of the Penal Code.
The legal system only looks at the charge and decides on guilt or innocence. The reasons for such a criminal act, altruistic or not, are inconsequential.
In TH’s case it is common knowledge that the beneficiaries of this “misleading” were the investors who were paid handsome dividends. This state of affairs should not have been so as the provisions of an Act were breached.
It is obvious that the persons involved at TH accrued no gains. It is neither embezzlement nor corruption — if so, the charges would be completely different and fall under the MACC Act 2009 or Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.
Nonetheless, this episode was milked for what it is worth to cast aspersions reflecting on the integrity and level of corruption of the government of the day.
The inquiry examined TH’s management and operations between 2014 and 2020. It concluded that the combination of high hibah commitments, governance weaknesses and accounting shortcomings affected its long-term financial sustainability.
For context, the RCI found that pressure to maintain high hibah payouts contributed to the deterioration of the fund’s financial position and pushed it towards riskier investment decisions. Unfortunately, these led to certain investments turning sour.
In its report, the RCI said LTH continued declaring attractive hibah between 2014 and 2017 despite its weakening financial position, presumably increasing pressure on management to generate higher returns.
“The attractive returns encouraged more deposits from savers, increasing TH’s financial obligations while creating expectations that similar levels of hibah would continue”.
It is obvious here who benefitted from the higher returns – the investors. Surely there is a moral justification here as the interests of the investors was paramount – Where is the “sakau”, or embezzlement as alleged by certain quarters.
How it was done, through revaluations of assets or flouting global accounting standards and whether or not there was criminal intent, is left for the courts to decide.
This expectation on higher investment returns cannot be denied. An element of greed entered the equation and no one questioned it, notwithstanding the audited accounts.
By law, no crime can be justified by the circumstances leading to it or supporting it within the ecosystem.
In an unrelated incident to provide perspective, on Nov 2, a 43-year-old unemployed father of five was sentenced to six months’ jail for stealing RM394 worth of baby formula and groceries from a supermarket in Kelantan.
It was commented that an accused’s financial hardship and family responsibilities did not automatically warrant a lighter sentence.
A proverb from the Tirukkural, an ancient Tamil literary work written by philosopher Tiruvalluvar, was quoted by the magistrate.
This only reinforces the point that the reason is inconsequential, heart breaking as it is.
In the case of TH, where is the moral ground? The investors received dividends which they were not entitled to as the Act specifically provides the stipulation on the relationship between the assets and liabilities before dividends can be declared.
In brief, investors have no good title to the dividends as it was a result of a criminal act purportedly committed by the ex-CEO and ex-CFO in misleading the board – who themselves are held to account on their fiduciary duties (healthy, professional scepticism).
This has resulted in a burden to the government in relation to the special purpose vehicle created to prevent the pilgrim fund from insolvency (circa RM10 billion).
Who will take the high road to return the dividends for the affected years. Now that TH is in a healthy state perhaps future dividends should be channelled not to the investors but to fund the special purpose vehicle.
This is food for thought in the years where “sakau” is being freely thrown about to show fellow politicians in a bad light — just to score points.
The word “sakau” has deep negative connotations. It should be used judiciously and not crowed about at any half opportunity. This action is in itself unethical
As the man fed his hungry children, does the end justify the means? Do we need to keep investors happy or is there more to it – what are their obligations?
US President Donald Trump holds hands and speaks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, in Jerusalem on October 13, 2025. — AFP pic
Summary
The article discusses the potential shift in Israel's relationship with the United States following recent elections in both countries.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's close alignment with former President Donald Trump may lead to challenges as the new US Congress, led by Democrats advocating for a tougher stance on Israel, takes office.
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot seeks to repair bilateral relations by emphasizing a cooperative approach with the US.
Experts suggest that Israel must adapt its policies to navigate changing international dynamics and growing criticism, particularly concerning issues in Gaza and the West Bank.
First Published: Friday, 06 Nov 2026 9:00 PM MYT
JERUSALEM, Nov 6 — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s brash campaign posters are still up on Israeli public buses — images of him, US President Donald Trump and soaring warjets that laud the two leaders attacking Iran together.
Neither is now advertising the state of the two countries’ alliance.
A week after an inconclusive election for Netanyahu, Americans overwhelmingly rejected Trump and chose a Congress led by Democrats who want a tougher approach to Israel, whether on Iran, Gaza or settler violence in the occupied West Bank.
The back-to-back elections look to many observers like a turning point, with Israel no longer able to take for granted the cover of the world’s most powerful country.
“This is a new era. The confluence of the Gaza war and the war with Iran have really changed how mainstream Americans — not people particularly concerned with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — see Israel,” said Yael Sternhell, an expert on the United States at Tel Aviv University.
Vice President JD Vance, assessing why his Republicans fared poorly, listed four ways to bring voters back, including ending the Iran war and changing “our relationship with Israel”.
Trump did not disagree. Just as voting was underway Tuesday, Trump said he had agreed with Netanyahu to end the US$3.8 billion in annual US military aid to Israel by the end of this year, explicitly tying the decision to the US political mood.
Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister who has served on and off for nearly two decades, had eagerly sought Trump’s endorsement but also acknowledged his country’s growing isolation.
In the final days of the campaign, he suggested Israel turn to cryptocurrencies to circumvent international sanctions he expected would intensify.
Netanyahu has not commented on the US election or Trump’s aid remarks.
Amit Segal, a journalist known for his proximity to Netanyahu, posted that the political situation in the United States marked a “catastrophe” for Israel.
Can Eisenkot restore the alliance?
Opposition contender Gadi Eisenkot, who is trying to cobble together a coalition to oust Netanyahu, has cast himself as capable of repairing relations.
In an English-language statement, the former military chief said he believed in “liberal values” and also wanted to work “closely and constructively” with Trump.
Yair Golan, the main left-wing leader inside Eisenkot’s bloc, called for Israel to restore a bipartisan approach destroyed by Netanyahu who he said promoted a “destructive Israeli narrative of eternal war and authoritarian rule”.
Netanyahu boasted in his campaign about standing up to Democratic presidents including Barack Obama, who remains a hero for many Democrats. Netanyahu openly aligned with Republicans a decade ago to attack Obama’s diplomacy on Iran.
“Netanyahu certainly rubs Democrats the wrong way and has made every effort to alienate them,” Sternhell said.
“But Eisenkot can’t just be a nicer man to receive a softer approach from this new Congress,” she added. “He’s going to need new policies.”
She said Eisenkot would likely enjoy Israeli public support for cracking down on extremist settlers, who have attacked Palestinians in the West Bank with virtual impunity.
But Israel has shifted to the right, with wide initial support for the Gaza war.
Broadening criticism of Israel
The new Congress will include progressive Democrats such as Abdul El-Sayed, the first Muslim elected to the Senate, who describe the devastation in Gaza as genocide, an assertion rejected by Israel.
Netanyahu “made a bet not only on the Republicans but almost personally on Trump”, said Eli Kowaz, senior policy director of the Economic Cooperation Foundation, an Israeli think tank that backs a two-state solution with the Palestinians.
“These results show that bet had an expiry date,” Kowaz said. “Also, for the first time, really, I think there’s a realisation that it isn’t only about the Democrats. It’s a problem with the relationship with America.”
Without US assistance, Israel still has its own major arms industry and retains a clear edge fighting non-state actors such as Hamas and Hezbollah, said Ehud Eilam, a former researcher for the Israeli defence ministry.
But he said Israel would need to rely more on cheaper artillery or non-sophisticated bombs, further increasing risks of civilian casualties that have enraged international opinion.
“Israel can adjust to a new strategic reality of losing much and even all US military aid, but it will be tough for Israel. It will require Israel to consider hard choices such as taking huge loans or raising taxes,” Eilam said.
Kowaz said that Eisenkot, aware of politics in Washington, was trying to show he is interested in regional stability and strategic agreements and not just “an indefinite state of war”.
“He is definitely laying out a different vision for Israel’s relationship with the United States.” — AFP
The Selangor government has ordered immediate enforcement action against unlicensed poultry slaughterhouses amid concerns over halal compliance. — Picture by Choo Choy May
Summary
The Selangor State Executive Council has mandated immediate action against unlicensed poultry slaughterhouses to prevent non-halal chicken from entering the supply chain, addressing concerns among Muslims in the state.
State Islamic Religious Affairs and Innovation Committee chairman, Mohammad Fahmi Ngah, emphasized adherence to existing laws to shut down and possibly demolish such premises.
He advised the public to buy chicken from establishments with valid Malaysian Halal Certification and encouraged reporting unlicensed operations.
The state remains committed to ensuring affordable halal chicken supply for its residents.
First Published: Saturday, 07 Nov 2026 9:28 AM MYT
SHAH ALAM, Nov 7 — The Selangor State Executive Council has directed all local authorities in the state to take immediate enforcement action against unlicensed poultry slaughterhouses.
State Islamic Religious Affairs and Innovation Committee chairman Mohammad Fahmi Ngah said the action would target premises operating without licences from local authorities and those without certified slaughterers.
“Enforcement action must be carried out in accordance with existing laws to ensure that these premises are closed and, where appropriate, demolished.
“This is to prevent non-halal chicken from entering the state’s supply chain, an issue that has raised concerns among Muslims in Selangor,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Mohammad Fahmi also advised the public, particularly Muslims, to purchase raw or cooked chicken only from premises with valid Malaysian Halal Certification (SPHM) issued by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
He said the public could check the list of halal-certified premises through the Halal Malaysia Portal at www.halal.gov.my and report any suspected unlicensed poultry slaughterhouses to the local authorities or the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).
“The Selangor government remains committed to ensuring a steady supply of halal chicken at affordable prices for the people of the state,” he said. — Bernama
***
WTF! WHY SHOULD THERE BE A NECESSITY TO DEMOLISH THE PREMISE?
Iran war: Qatar says US, Iran should not wait to reach a peace deal
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani urges the US and Iran to reach a peace deal to end the war, warning during an interview at Oxford University that they cannot afford to wait for a “perfect moment”.
Iran’s official news agency IRNA reports two missiles have struck Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, while semi-official outlets report there were no casualties.
US President Donald Trump says the US is talking to Tehran’s representatives after he held a phone call with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
2m ago
(03:20 GMT)
US Senator calls for incoming Congress to defund Iran war
US Senator Bernie Sanders has said Democrats in the incoming Congress should “defund” the US war against Iran.
“We stop that war not just by passing resolutions, but by defunding the war – that’s what you do,” Sanders told CNN on Friday.
“This war is illegal; it is unconstitutional. It has resulted in the deaths of 19 American service members; thousands of men, women and children in Iran and neighbouring countries are dead. It has cost us hundreds of billions of dollars,” he added.
The independent senator from Vermont, who caucuses with Democrats in the Senate, said in a social media post that American voters in the midterms sent a “clear message” to end the war.
US Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speaks during a “Fighting Oligarchy” rally in Denver, Colorado, US March 21, 2025. [File: Kevin Mohatt/Reuters]
22m ago
(03:00 GMT)
How Houthi rule is shaping a generation of Yemen’s children
A generation of Yemeni children has grown up under Houthi rule, with some now being recruited to fight instead of attending school, raising concerns about the long-term consequences of the conflict.
Schools and summer camps have been used for indoctrination and military training, according to UN findings, while years of disrupted education have affected children’s development and prospects for the future.
But the consequences extend beyond Houthi-controlled territory.
Recent attacks on airports and military facilities in Aden, Hadramout and Shabwa, as well as deadly strikes in Saudi Arabia, have demonstrated how the conflict threatens civilians and infrastructure across the region.
Despite years of diplomatic engagement, the Houthis have continued recruiting children, according to rights groups, even after signing a UN action plan in 2022 to end such practices.
An opinion piece for Al Jazeera examines why international efforts have failed to contain the group’s military capabilities and argues that stronger action against weapons supplies and financing must be accompanied by measures to protect civilians.
It also calls for investment in education, psychological support and the reintegration of children recruited by armed groups.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, including young boys, march during a mobilisation campaign in Sanaa, Yemen, Thursday, September 10, 2026 [AP]
52m ago
(02:30 GMT)
Iranians want to see if midterms ‘changed American behaviour’, says Qatari official
Qatari official Ali al-Thawadi has said Iranian leaders want to see the effect of the midterm elections on the US stance towards Iran.
“Iranian leaders are waiting to see whether this election has really changed American behavior,” al-Thawadi, the Qatari foreign minister’s adviser for strategic affairs, told The Washington Post.
“They saw [US Vice President JD] Vance’s letter as a gesture of respect, and they appreciated that Vance said the war was a mistake. Now they would like the United States to follow through on an issue that seemingly brings Democrats and Republicans together,” he added, according to a Washington Post column.
1h ago
(02:15 GMT)
Iran’s army vows to block US from rebuilding regional bases
Iran’s army says it will not allow US military bases in the region to be rebuilt, claiming American forces have suffered extensive damage during the conflict.
Army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said more than 228 locations or facilities at US bases across the region had been severely damaged or destroyed, according to Iran’s Fars news agency.
He claimed that no US bases in the region remain capable of operational missions, forcing US forces to bring in fuel for their vessels and supplies for personnel from outside the region.
“We will never allow the enemy’s bases in the region to be rebuilt,” Akraminia said.
