AIMPLB To Launch Nationwide Movement Against ‘Social, Political Marginalisation’ Of Muslims
New Age Islam News Bureau
23 June 2026
AIMPLB spokesperson SQR Ilyas. (Photo: Facebook/@Dr.SQRIlyas)
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· AIMPLB to launch nationwide movement against ‘social, political marginalisation’ of Muslims
· Iran chief negotiator says Hormuz will be administered by Tehran: state media
· Saudi Masam project clears 1,779 explosive devices in Yemen
· Alleged anti-Muslim attacks are 'intolerance wake-up call' - Swinney
· CAIR Expresses Support for Muslims in Scotland After Stabbing Attacks Motivated by ‘Anti-Muslim Hatred’
· ‘Messi is the enemy of Allah’: World Cup hoax falsely blames Algerian fans for chant
· Singapore sentences Indian passenger to jail for molesting and cornering SIA flight attendant
· UNICEF Warns Climate Change Increasing Child Malnutrition Risks in Afghanistan
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India
· Day 4 of CJP protest: Cockroaches voice for 'sadda haq' amid Delhi Police fiasco as demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation continues
· Mourners walk barefoot over embers as they perform Aag Ka Matam at Bada Imambara
· BRICS security meet in Delhi: Ajit Doval discusses ties with China FM, Middle East war with Iranian official
· ‘If we are Kafirs, don’t use roads built by us’: Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya sparks row
· Rs 370 biryani remark row: Comedian Pranit More, Himanshu Jangra appear before NCW
· US clears $482.2 million support package for India’s Apache helicopters, M777 howitzers
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Mideast
· Arab Group at UN urges US to remove Syria from terrorism sponsors list, calls for
· Israeli forces to withdraw
· Syria has made no progress on Sweida reintegration plan, UN says
· What will rid Lebanon of Hezbollah’s influence — the US-Iran MoU or negotiations with Israel?
· Israel the main obstacle to stability in Syria, envoy warns as Security Council reviews transition
· Four Yemeni children killed by war remnants: official
· Syrian president calls for creative solutions to end Lebanon crisis
· Jordanian army chief, Pakistani drone commander discuss military cooperation
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Arab World
· Saudi FM attends Arab League, GCC consultative meetings in Amman
· Saudi FM meets Mauritanian counterpart on sidelines of Arab League session
· Saudi Arabia expresses solidarity with Qatar after gas plant explosion
· Riyadh rolls out urban design guidelines
· SFDA grants marketing authorization for AI-powered medical app
· Arabic program launched for Saudia cabin crew
· Jeddah community welcomes new monthly drumming circle initiative at Hayy Jameel
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Europe
· Banbury Islamic community hub invites local residents to watch England games
· Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker to attend Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s farewell ceremony
· First day of 20th Session of Conference of Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States wraps up in Baku
· Deputy principal at school at Dublin mosque which closed suddenly awarded €40,000
· Azerbaijan’s top Muslim cleric to attend “Religions for Peace” event in Mauritius
· Starmer’s resignation: A view from Russia
· Labour MPs mull leadership challenge to prevent Burnham 'coronation'
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North America
· CAIR-MA Stands with Newton’s Muslim Community, Islamic Centre of Boston, Wayland, and Rejects Anti-Muslim Hate Campaign
· Hope After Hate: New CAIR Podcast Episode Features Imam Taha of the Islamic Center of San Diego
· ‘I will forgive him’: Islamic leader’s jaw fractured in reported attack in Victoria
· Durham Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Provide Support to ISIS Terrorists
· Did Iran agree to IAEA inspections for 'nuclear honesty'? Trump, Vance say so
· Anti-ICE protester waving upside-down US flag hit by car in New Jersey, video shows her being thrown to the ground
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Africa
· Kenya labour minister accused over Russian forced recruitment
· Court remands Islamic cleric over alleged defamatory social media posts
· ‘Tinubu Is A Thief’ – VDM, Kanu Reacts As Court Remands Sowore In Prison
· Troops Repel Sokoto Attack, Rescue Abductees, Kill Two In Katsina
· Protesters Barricade Ibadan Road, Demand Release Of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers
· Resign Like Keir Starmer – Peter Obi Challenges President Tinubu
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Southeast Asia
· Indonesia Needs to Keep Eye on Fragile US-Iran Talks, Ex-FM Says
· Gombak police tracking man in military-style uniform, suspected replica firearm
· Malaysia to address US-Iran MoU in parliament today
· Loke: Malaysia must modernise ports, secure shipping routes amid global uncertainty
· Perikatan approves Pejuang and PCM as new members, seat talks commence
· ‘Know our limits’: Keep royal institution out of Johor election contest, says PM Anwar
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South Asia
· Citizens Bank organises shariah supervisory committee meeting
· Iran Yet to Recognize Islamic Emirate Despite Earlier Signals
· Aid Workers Given One Month to Comply With Beard Rules at Islam Qala Border Center
· At Least 12 Afghans Executed in Iran This Year, Rights Monitors Report
· CAG asks full rollout of online pension tracking system to ensure transparency
· Viral albino buffalo ‘Donald Trump’ moved to BLRI for genetic research
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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AIMPLB to launch nationwide movement against ‘social, political marginalisation’ of Muslims
Lalmani Verma
Jun 23, 2026
AIMPLB spokesperson SQR Ilyas. (Photo: Facebook/@Dr.SQRIlyas)
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THE EXECUTIVE committee of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) said on Monday it would soon come out with a comprehensive document on the “deteriorating condition” of Muslims in the country and launch a nationwide movement against the “social and political marginalisation” of the community.
The Board made the announcement a day after a meeting of its executive committee, presided over by AIMPLB president Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in New Delhi.
Sharing details of decisions taken in the meeting, AIMPLB spokesperson SQR Ilyas said, “These decisions relate in particular to the growing incidents of mob violence or lynching against Muslims in BJP-ruled states; demolition drives targeting Muslim homes and localities, against mosques and madrasas; bulldozer action; attempts to make Vande Mataram compulsory in government functions, schools and government-aided madarsas; developments concerning the implementation of a Uniform Civil Code in various states; and the recent judgment of the Madhya Pradesh High Court regarding the Kamal Maula/Bhojshala Mosque.”
Ilyas said the Executive Committee regretted that despite the “planned attacks on the life, property, dignity, religion and faith of the Muslim community, secular political parties continue to maintain a criminal silence and their leaders do not take stands on these issues, as though Muslims have been reduced to nothing more than a vote bank”.
“We are unhappy with all parties, including the Congress. None of them raises issues of Muslims strongly,” he said, when asked about Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s reported remarks that if the issue pertains to Muslims, the community be specifically mentioned and not a generalised reference to minorities be made.
The Executive Committee decided that a comprehensive document would be prepared and published on the “deteriorating condition of the Muslim community, communal tensions and violations of fundamental rights, so as to awaken the conscience of the people,” he said.
On the MP High Court’s Bhojshala case judgment, he said, “It is contrary to historical evidence, revenue records, colonial-era official documents, and the centuries-old Muslim tradition of worship at the site”. “Furthermore, the judgment is also inconsistent with the spirit of the Places of Worship Act, 1991.”
The Executive Committee welcomed the fact that the Kamal Maula Mosque Committee has challenged the judgment in the Supreme Court, he said.
Declaring that attempts to make Vande Mataram compulsory are contrary to Article 25 of the Constitution of India, the Executive Committee appealed to Muslims not to compromise on their faith.
The Executive Committee also expressed serious concern over the ongoing legislative efforts in BJP-ruled states in the name of the UCC, Ilyas said.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/lucknow/aimplb-nationwide-movement-social-political-marginalisation-muslims-10752873/
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Iran chief negotiator says Hormuz will be administered by Tehran: state media
June 23, 2026
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is pictured after meeting his Lebanese counterpart in Beirut on October 12, 2024. (AFP file photo)
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TEHRAN: Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that the Strait of Hormuz will be administered by Tehran, state media reported on Tuesday, following talks pushing to end the US-Israeli war on the Islamic republic.
Iran and the United States agreed on Monday to set up communication lines to keep the vital shipping route open and end fighting in Lebanon, mediators said, after their first round of talks in Switzerland toward ending the conflict that has engulfed the Middle East.
“The Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war conditions and will be administered by the Islamic Republic of Iran, in accordance with international law,” Ghalibaf said on his return from the talks, according to IRNA.
In a video posted to Ghalibaf’s Telegram account, he said the talks at the luxury Swiss resort of Burgenstock produced “good achievements.”
“In my view, this trip had good achievements, especially regarding the discussion of the Strait, the Lebanon discussions, the question of oil waiver, and the matter of releasing the frozen funds,” he said.
The United States temporarily suspended sanctions on Iranian oil on Monday after Vice President JD Vance said Tehran would allow UN nuclear inspectors to return to the country, following the talks.
As part of the deal, Tehran is also set to get some form of sanctions relief from Washington, as well as the unfreezing of assets.
“Of course, we believe we are still at the beginning of this work and must continue our efforts,” Ghalibaf added in the video.
Iranian state media reported that Ghalibaf made a stop in Oman, which shares the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway, which Iran closed at the start of the war, reopened last week, after Washington and Tehran reached an agreement.
But Tehran announced on Saturday it had closed the strait again in response to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
Since then, Tehran and Washington have agreed to establish a line of communication “to avoid incidents and miscommunication with the aim of safe passage for commercial vessels” through the waterway, according to Qatari and Pakistani mediators.
Maritime traffic in the strait continued to flow on Monday at a faster pace than before the US-Iranian agreement on talks to end the war, according to tracking firms.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648197/middle-east
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Saudi Masam project clears 1,779 explosive devices in Yemen
June 22, 2026
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads, and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid. (Supplied/Masam)
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RIYADH: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Masam project removed 1,779 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
These include 1,292 unexploded ordnances, 151 anti-personnel mines, 257 anti-tank mines, and 79 improvised explosive devices, according to a recent report.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately across the country, posing a threat to civilians, including children, women, and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale, and Saada.
This brings the total number of mines cleared since the launch of the Masam project in 2018 to 568,961.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads, and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The project trains local demining engineers, provides them with modern equipment, and supports Yemenis injured by the devices.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648141/saudi-arabia
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Alleged anti-Muslim attacks are 'intolerance wake-up call' - Swinney
23 June 2026
James Delaney
The first minister met members of the Muslim community on Monday
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The first minister has said a series of alleged anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh should be a "wake-up call" to Scotland over intolerance towards others.
John Swinney said he was "terrified" the incidents, which left five men injured in the north and west of the city on Friday, were the product of intolerance being "legitimised".
He accused Reform MSPs at the Scottish Parliament of using language which had caused "division" among communities. Reform said the attacks should not be "conflated" with a "genuine debate around mass migration".
A 36-year-old man was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in connection with the attacks on Monday.
Two men were taken to hospital after being stabbed "multiple times" following Asr prayers at Broomhouse Mosque on Friday evening.
A further three people were attacked on Leith Walk, while a taxi and a petrol station were also targeted.
Police Scotland said an investigation led by counter-terror officers was ongoing.
Swinney said two of the alleged victims of the attacks had been left "deeply traumatised" and "seriously injured" after meeting them in private at the mosque on Monday afternoon.
He described the incidents as "isolated" and insisted communities across Scotland could feel safe.
However, he said there was a link between language used by some at Holyrood and growing division in Scottish society.
"I have been calling out some of the language that has been used politically, most recently by the new Reform MSPs that have come into the Scottish Parliament," he said.
"I make no apology for doing so because I have been terrified that this is the type of stuff that comes from the legitimising of intolerance and division in our society and that's what I've been calling out.
"If parliament is hearing voices talking about intolerance and division within our communities, don't be surprised if that then manifests itself in our communities."
Reform's deputy leader, Thomas Kerr, described the attacks as "disgraceful" adding there was no place for "racism and violence".
However, he accused Swinney of treating the Scottish public with "contempt" by linking the incidents with the party's rise.
He said: "Conflating the acts of a madman with a genuine debate around mass migration is treating the public in a shocking and contemptuous manner."
"I and Reform will not apologise for standing up for working-class communities who feel they have been ignored by the entire political establishment."
Police Scotland said they had spoken to more than 90 multi-faith organisations across Edinburgh in the wake of the incidents.
Affected businesses have also been contacted by officers.
Supt Neil Wilson, of Police Scotland's Edinburgh division, said he understood concern among some communities had been "heightened" by the attacks.
He added: "We recognise the concerns felt within all communities, including those who experienced and witnessed these horrific attacks.
"It is important that all communities across Scotland feel supported, protected and able to go about their daily lives without fear of hatred or intimidation.
"I would urge everyone to continue to work together and ensure no person or group in Scotland feels marginalised or isolated. Our message is clear - there is no place for violence, hatred, or intimidation in our communities."
How did the attacks in Edinburgh unfold?
The attacks began near Broomhouse Mosque in the west of Edinburgh at about 20:30 on Friday.
Two 22-year-old men, understood to have recently left Asr prayer, were stabbed multiple times at Sighthill Park and taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.
A taxi was then vandalised at a Shell garage on Telford Road, about five miles away, at 21:15, leaving it with broken windows.
An image from the scene appered to show a hatchet with a yellow and black handle lying among a shower of broken glass in the back seat.
CCTV footage showing a man standing beside a black vehicle with its window smashed at a BP garage on Ferry Road was recorded at 21:28.
The video shows the man entering the kiosk before overturning shelves and leaving products scattered across the floor.
Further footage, obtained by BBC Scotland, shows a bare-chested man carrying two large weapons parking partially across a bike lane on Leith Walk a few minutes later.
In that instance, he leaves the vehicle before chasing a man on an e-bike.
He then returns to the car but quickly emerges again and runs towards a man who has stepped off a tram before repeatedly striking him with two large knives.
The man runs away, at which point the bare-chested man stops chasing him and instead turns towards a pizzeria, striking the door several times before the restaurant brings down electronic shutters.
The man then walks back onto Leith Walk and attacks a delivery driver on an e-bike, who falls off his vehicle.
Police arrive on scene shortly afterwards and detain a man about five minutes after he first pulled up in the street.
Police Scotland said they had responded to a "fast-moving sequence of events" after being contacted at about 20:50 on Friday.
In one video, an officer can be seen holding the man on the ground, who then swears and shouts that he was "protecting the country".
Police said none of the injuries sustained was life-threatening.
The other injured men were aged 24, 27 and 39.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75y44e9w9do
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CAIR Expresses Support for Muslims in Scotland After Stabbing Attacks Motivated by ‘Anti-Muslim Hatred’
June 22, 2026
Muslim civil rights group urges leaders to reject anti-Muslim rhetoric and take concrete action against Islamophobia
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with Scotland’s Muslim community following stabbing attacks in Edinburgh that authorities say appear to have been motivated by anti-Muslim hatred and left five people injured.
Reports indicate that several of the victims were targeted near a mosque and that counter-terrorism officers are assisting in the investigation.
According to media reports, a 36-year-old man has been charged in connection with multiple attacks across Edinburgh. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other officials have stated that the suspect appears to have been motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred.”
In a statement, Washington, D.C.-based CAIR said:
“We stand in solidarity with Scotland’s Muslim community and all those affected by these disturbing attacks. No one should fear violence because of their faith or ethnicity. Political leaders, media professionals, and public officials must reject anti-Muslim rhetoric and conspiracy theories that dehumanize Muslims and contribute to a climate in which hate crimes can occur. We welcome the ongoing investigation and urge authorities to ensure that all aspects of this apparent anti-Muslim attack are fully examined and prosecuted.”
CAIR noted that anti-Muslim incidents have increased in a number of Western nations in recent years and reiterated its call for government leaders to take concrete steps to address Islamophobia and other forms of hatred before they escalate into violence.
Earlier this month, CAIR expressed solidarity with the British Muslim community after an imam’s (Islamic religious leader) house was firebombed in Bolton.
CAIR also condemned racist riots in Northern Ireland and expressed support for calls by Dutch Muslim organizations seeking increased protection for mosques following a series of vandalism attacks, hate letters, and other anti-Muslim incidents targeting Islamic houses of worship in the Netherlands.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-expresses-support-for-muslims-in-scotland-after-stabbing-attacks-motivated-by-anti-muslim-hatred/
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‘Messi is the enemy of Allah’: World Cup hoax falsely blames Algerian fans for chant
22/06/2026
Lionel Messi is now the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, after scoring twice Monday against Austria in the 2026 World Cup. His first match, where he scored a hat-trick against Algeria, saw some online controversy. According to internet users, Algerian fans allegedly targeted him with an aggressive chant, calling Messi the "enemy of Allah" and threatening Argentina. But the audio is manipulated, and an old Arab protest chant against al-Sisi.
A viral video viewed millions of times online falsely claims to show Algerian football fans chanting against Lionel Messi ahead of Argentina and Algeria's opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City.
Social media posts alleged that supporters were chanting: "Messi is the enemy of Allah, Allah is on our side, and Algeria will destroy the infidel nation of Argentina" before last week's game. The video was even shared by French far-right politician Jean Messiha.
While an Arabic chant can be heard over footage showing large crowds of Algerian fans, the lyrics have nothing to do with Messi, Argentina, or football. In reality, the chant refers to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and has been widely known across the Arab world for more than a decade.
The original lyrics translate as: "There is no God but Allah, Mohammed is his messenger, Sisi is the enemy of God." There is no mention of Lionel Messi, Argentina, or any threat to "annihilate" the South American nation.
The chant is political in nature and predates the 2026 World Cup by many years. It is believed to have emerged in Egypt following the 2013 military coup that ousted former president Mohammed Morsi before spreading throughout North Africa and the Arab world as an anti-oppression chant.
The misinformation appears to exploit the phonetic similarity between "Sisi" and "Messi" to falsely suggest Algerian fans were targeting the Argentine captain.
Further investigation shows the audio used in the viral clip was not recorded at the World Cup at all. The soundtrack matches audio from a protest in Algeria that was uploaded to YouTube six years ago, demonstrating the chant's long-standing use across the region.
The video circulating online is therefore a misleading montage, created by combining unrelated footage and audio.
The footage itself was also not filmed before Algeria's World Cup match against Argentina in Kansas City, despite widespread claims online. At around the 12-second mark, two prominent retail stores - Zara and H&M - are visible in the background. Using those landmarks, the FRANCE 24 Observers found the footage can be geolocated to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
The video was in fact recorded on June 3, when Algeria played a friendly match against the Netherlands, not during the World Cup and not in the presence of Argentina.
Overall, neither the footage nor the audio is connected to Lionel Messi or Argentina. Instead, an old political chant and unrelated fan footage were stitched together to create a misleading narrative across social media to target Messi and Algerian fans.
Source: france24.com
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https://www.france24.com/en/fact-checking-claims-algerian-fans-branded-messi-an-enemy-of-allah
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Singapore sentences Indian passenger to jail for molesting and cornering SIA flight attendant
23 Jun 2026
SINGAPORE, June 23 — A man has been sentenced to six months in jail after molesting a Singapore Airlines flight attendant and later harassing her by cornering her in the aircraft's galley.
Akash Tiwari, 35, was also ordered on June 22 to pay S$1,270.95 (RM4,000) in compensation. The Indian national, who pleaded guilty to one count each of molestation and harassment, faces an additional five days behind bars should he fail to make the payment, The Straits Times reported.
The incident occurred on February 9 during a Singapore-bound flight from Thailand. Court documents reveal that Tiwari was travelling with four friends who became rowdy during the journey, waving frantically and laughing whenever a female crew member passed by.
The harassment began before takeoff in Bangkok. While the victim was confirming meal orders, Tiwari stretched out his arm to brush against her left upper thigh and laughed, while his friends joined in.
The victim immediately reported the incident to the chief stewardess and was moved to a different aisle to avoid the offender. Despite this, Tiwari struck again, using his left elbow to nudge the victim's buttock as she collected meal trays.
“She was very upset and told the accused not to touch her. Instead of apologising, he smirked,” Deputy Public Prosecutor Lynda Lee told the court. The victim, increasingly distressed, repeated her demand for him to stay away.
When the victim and the chief stewardess confronted Tiwari, he remained unapologetic and insisted he had done nothing wrong.
As the captain announced the plane's descent, the victim retreated to the galley. Tiwari followed her, standing extremely close and ignoring her pleas for him to stay away.
“Instead of moving away, the accused persisted with the same threatening behaviour by coming even closer and cornered the victim in the galley,” the DPP said.
The victim shouted for him to stop following her and attempted to leave the galley, but Tiwari continued to pursue her. Passengers in the aisle witnessed the encounter. Tiwari only ceased his harassment when the victim sought help from the chief stewardess. By then, the victim was in tears, visibly frightened, and shaking.
Tiwari was arrested immediately after the plane landed in Singapore.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2026/06/23/singapore-sentences-indian-passenger-to-jail-for-molesting-and-cornering-sia-flight-attendant/224812
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UNICEF Warns Climate Change Increasing Child Malnutrition Risks in Afghanistan
By Fidel Rahmati
June 22, 2026
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that worsening climate-related shocks in Afghanistan are making living conditions increasingly difficult for children and heightening the risk of malnutrition across the country.
UNICEF said prolonged droughts, water shortages, extreme heat and severe weather events are reducing families’ ability to secure adequate food and clean water, placing additional pressure on vulnerable communities. The agency also warned that limited healthcare access and insufficient vaccination coverage are increasing the risks of disease and nutrition-related illnesses among children.
The warning comes as humanitarian agencies continue to report growing climate-related challenges across Afghanistan. Years of recurring drought, destructive floods and rising temperatures have damaged livelihoods, reduced agricultural production and weakened food security for millions of people.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recently estimated that around 16 million people across Afghanistan could require access to safe drinking water and sanitation services in 2026. OCHA has warned that worsening water scarcity is increasing health risks, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups.
International aid organizations have repeatedly identified Afghanistan as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental shocks have compounded the effects of poverty, economic hardship and humanitarian needs throughout the country.
Humanitarian agencies say children are among the hardest hit by the crisis, facing increased risks of malnutrition, waterborne diseases and disrupted access to education and healthcare. UNICEF called for greater investment in climate resilience, health services and nutrition programs to protect vulnerable families and reduce the long-term impact of climate-related emergencies on Afghanistan’s children.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/unicef-warns-climate-change-increasing-child-malnutrition-risks-in-afghanistan/
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India
Day 4 of CJP protest: Cockroaches voice for 'sadda haq' amid Delhi Police fiasco as demand for Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation continues
Jun 23, 2026
NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janata Party's overnight protest entered its fourth day at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, with demonstrators continuing to demand Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation. Amid chants of Sadda haq and renditions of Sandeshe aate hain, the group also alleged that Delhi Police attempted to disrupt the protest by shifting barricades and bringing in a truck to "squeeze" the demonstration site.
In one video posted around 1 am, the group alleged that Delhi Police attempted to reduce the size of the protest site by shifting barricades under the cover of darkness. "Delhi Police, in the dead of night, began to move the barricades to squeeze the protest site into a smaller area," the CJP claimed, adding that protesters rushed to the barricades after getting "whiff" of the move and prevented the plan from being carried out.
In another post, the group alleged that police made a failed attempt to bring a truck inside Jantar Mantar to further restrict the demonstration area. Sharing a video of protesters singing Sandeshe Aate Hain, the CJP wrote: "Cockroaches are awake & fighting the system." Delhi Police had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of writing.
Dipke steps up attack over NEET row
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke stepped the attack on Centre over examination irregularities and NEET paper-leak controversy.
"You cannot tolerate four minutes of delay, but how can we tolerate the continuation of the education minister after the deaths of students?" he said, referring to their demand for Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
"Mentally, I am not in a good space as we had to prepare for and give the exam again. After the exam, you tend to relax, but they leaked the paper and cancelled the NEET," PTI quoted a student from Bihar saying.
Dipke has called for Pradhan's resignation, financial assistance for the families of students who allegedly died by suicide in the aftermath of the paper-leak controversy, and the scrapping of the examination.
The protest is being conducted under tight security, with police personnel deployed around Jantar Mantar and barricades erected at the site.
This marks the CJP's second demonstration at Jantar Mantar over alleged examination paper leaks, with protesters seeking accountability from the Centre and education authorities.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/day-4-of-cjp-protest-cockroaches-voice-for-sadda-haq-amid-delhi-police-fiasco-as-demand-for-dharmendra-pradhans-resignation-continues/articleshowprint/131923120.cms
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Mourners walk barefoot over embers as they perform Aag Ka Matam at Bada Imambara
Jun 23, 2026
Lucknow: A deeply emotional and solemn atmosphere prevailed at the Bada Imambara on Monday as hundreds of devotees gathered for Aag Ka Matam on the sixth day of Muharram.
The historic complex echoed with chants of “Ya Hussain, Ya Hussain” as Shia Muslims, dressed in black kurta-pyjamas and suits, took part in mourning rites to commemorate the martyrs of Karbala. Many participants walked barefoot over burning embers, while large numbers of visitors assembled to witness the ritual, one of the most intense expressions of grief associated with Muharram observances in the city.
Mehmood Abidi, an exponent of oral history and culture, said the tradition was introduced in Lucknow by Burmese migrants who arrived in the 1930s. He said the ritual symbolises the suffering endured by Imam Hussain and the families of his 72 companions who were martyred in the Battle of Karbala. “Aag Ka Matam symbolises the pain endured by women and children who were forced to run across burning embers after their camps were set ablaze in Karbala. The tradition reflects solidarity with the martyrs of Karbala and keeps their sacrifice alive in collective memory,” Abidi said.
At the Bada Imambara, Hussain Imam of Anjuman Soghware Mein Hussaini described the preparations undertaken ahead of the ritual. He said a 14-foot-long and 3-foot-wide lehed, or pit, about 5 inches deep, is readied for the ceremony. The pit is filled with wood and lit using candles, with the fire allowed to burn for nearly four hours until it reduces to embers, after which mourners walk across it barefoot.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/mourners-walk-barefoot-over-embers-as-they-perform-aag-ka-matam-at-bada-imambara/articleshowprint/131920098.cms
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BRICS security meet in Delhi: Ajit Doval discusses ties with China FM, Middle East war with Iranian official
Jun 22, 2026
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Monday held a series of high-level bilateral meetings, including talks with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi and senior Iranian security official Ghadir Nezamipour, as New Delhi hosted the BRICS National Security Advisers' conclave amid growing geopolitical tensions and shifting regional dynamics.
India is hosting the two-day security meeting in its capacity as the current chair of BRICS, bringing together top security officials from the expanded grouping for discussions on regional and global security challenges.
In one of the most closely watched engagements, Doval met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the conclave. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two sides reviewed recent developments in bilateral ties and noted progress towards the gradual normalisation of relations.
Sharing details of the meeting on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The two sides reviewed recent developments in bilateral relations and noted progress towards gradual normalisation. NSA underlined that stable, predictable and constructive bilateral relations contribute to building trust and better understanding between the two sides. The discussions were constructive and forward-looking."
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Ambassador Vikram Doraiswami and Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai were among the Indian officials present during the talks.
The meeting comes as India and China continue efforts to rebuild ties following years of tension triggered by the 2020 border clashes. Since 2024, both sides have gradually moved towards de-escalation and increased diplomatic engagement. The latest interaction follows a series of meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of international summits, including the SCO Summit in Tianjin last year.
The two leaders had then welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral ties and reiterated that India and China should remain development partners rather than rivals, while ensuring that differences do not turn into disputes.
Separately, Doval also held wide-ranging discussions with Ghadir Nezamipour, Deputy Secretary for Defence Affairs at Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), focusing on the evolving security situation in West Asia.
"Both sides reviewed the ongoing situation in West Asia. They also discussed cooperation under the BRICS platform and India-Iran bilateral ties," Jaiswal said.
The visit marks the first trip to India by a senior Iranian official since Tehran reached a peace agreement with Washington, adding significance to the discussions amid continuing regional uncertainty.
The BRICS security conclave, which formally began on Monday, is expected to focus extensively on the security situation in West Asia, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, terrorism and other emerging geopolitical challenges. Besides Wang Yi, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and senior security officials from other BRICS nations are participating in the deliberations.
India is also expected to raise concerns relating to terrorism, including cross-border terror activities targeting Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan-based groups. The situation in Afghanistan and tensions involving Pakistan are also likely to feature in the discussions, according to people familiar with the matter.
The meeting takes place against the backdrop of growing complexity within the expanded BRICS grouping. Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the bloc expanded in 2024 to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, with Indonesia joining in 2025.
Today, BRICS represents around 49.5 per cent of the world's population, nearly 40 per cent of global GDP and approximately 26 per cent of global trade, making it one of the most influential platforms for emerging economies.
However, differing geopolitical priorities among members continue to pose challenges. At the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in May, member states failed to agree on a joint statement after differences emerged, particularly between Iran and the UAE over developments in West Asia. As BRICS operates on the basis of consensus, India had instead issued a chair's statement and outcome document reflecting areas of agreement while noting issues on which unanimity could not be reached.
Source: indiatimes.com
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‘If we are Kafirs, don’t use roads built by us’: Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya sparks row
Anand Mohan J
Jun 23, 2026
Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has sparked a controversy after saying that those who consider representatives as “Kafirs” should not use roads built by them or avail benefits under government welfare schemes.
The BJP leader made the remarks Sunday while inaugurating development works worth around Rs 2.4 crore in his Indore constituency, including road cementing and drainage projects. Referring to members of the Muslim community, Vijayvargiya said such people should refrain from using public infrastructure and welfare benefits provided by governments led by those representatives.
“This road is being built here. I saw that both Hindu and Muslim brothers live here. Many Muslim brothers call us ‘Kafirs’. If we are Kafirs and we have built the road, then don’t walk on it, brother,” Vijayvargiya said.
The Urban Development and Housing Minister also referred to the state’s flagship welfare programmes for women.
“If we are Kafirs and if money from the Ladli Behna and Ladli Laxmi schemes is coming to your house, then don’t take it,” the minister added.
Vijayvargiya said the state government had never discriminated against any community and reiterated the BJP’s stated governance approach.
He also said, “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas” remained the guiding principle of the government.
“Whether you vote for us or not, our job is to serve the people,” he said.
Source: indianexpress.com
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Rs 370 biryani remark row: Comedian Pranit More, Himanshu Jangra appear before NCW
Kavita Bajeli-Datt
22 Jun 2026
NEW DELHI: Stand-up comedian Pranit More, Gurugram-based web developer Himanshu Jangra, and comedian Madhur Virli appeared before the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Monday in connection with remarks allegedly detrimental to women's dignity.
The NCW had taken suo motu cognisance of a video shared by Pranit More featuring a crowd-work interaction in which 22-year-old Himanshu Jangra allegedly made a remark equating a woman's dignity with a "Rs 370 biryani."
The statement sparked widespread outrage on social media and raised concerns about misogynistic narratives and the portrayal of women in an objectionable and derogatory manner.
More and Jangra appeared at the NCW office in Okhla for a hearing in connection with the remarks.
Following the backlash on social media, both More and Jangra apologised for the incident. Jangra also deactivated his Instagram account. A Gurugram-based firm where he worked terminated his employment over the "Rs 370 biryani" remark.
In a statement issued on June 11, the NCW said it had taken suo motu cognisance of the viral video footage from a stand-up comedy show held in Gurugram, Haryana, where remarks allegedly glorifying sexual coercion and non-consensual conduct towards a woman were publicly made and subsequently applauded.
The Commission expressed serious concern over the content of the viral video and the manner in which the alleged conduct was trivialised and presented as entertainment before an audience.
"The Commission observed that the normalisation or glorification of behaviour that undermines a woman's consent, dignity, and bodily autonomy has far-reaching consequences for women's safety and social attitudes towards gender-based violence," the NCW said.
NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar also wrote to the Director General of Police, Haryana, seeking immediate, stringent, and time-bound action. The Commission also sought a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR).
Further, the Commission sought information on measures proposed by the state police to ensure that public entertainment platforms and digital spaces do not become vehicles for promoting, encouraging, or normalising sexual harassment, coercion, or conduct that violates the dignity of women.
"The National Commission for Women has strongly condemned the incident and reiterated that consent is non-negotiable. Any attempt to portray sexual coercion, entitlement, or disrespect towards a woman's autonomy as humour or entertainment is unacceptable and contrary to the principles of equality, dignity, and safety guaranteed to women under the Constitution and laws of India," the Commission said.
The Commission had also summoned comedian Madhur Virli in a separate matter over his derogatory remarks about women during a stand-up act. A 2024 video of the comedian resurfaced in which he made a rape joke. He later apologised.
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US clears $482.2 million support package for India’s Apache helicopters, M777 howitzers
22 Jun 2026
NEW DELHI: The United States has notified Congress of a proposed Foreign Military Sale (FMS) worth an estimated USD 482.2 million to provide sustainment support services and related equipment for India’s AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers.
The notification was issued by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in the Federal Register on June 17, following the Department of State’s notification to Congress on May 18 regarding the potential sale.
According to the notification, India has requested long-term sustainment support for its fleet of M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers, which were acquired through the FMS route and are extensively deployed in high-altitude and mountainous regions.
“The following non-major defence equipment items will be included: ancillary items; spares; repair and return; training; technical assistance; field service representative; depot capability; and other related elements of logistics and programme support. The estimated total cost is USD 230 million,” the notification said.
In a separate notification, the US Department of Defence said India had also sought sustainment support services for its AH-64E Apache helicopters, including engineering, technical and logistics support, technical data and publications, personnel training, and related programme support. The Apache package is valued at USD 198.2 million.
The Indian Army operates the AH-64E Apache, among the world’s most advanced attack helicopters, for precision strike and battlefield support missions. The M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzer, known for its mobility and suitability for difficult terrain, forms a key part of India’s artillery capabilities.
The principal contractors for the Apache package will be Boeing and Lockheed Martin, while BAE Systems will serve as the principal contractor for the M777 sustainment programme.
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Mideast
Arab Group at UN urges US to remove Syria from terrorism sponsors list, calls for Israeli forces to withdraw
Ephrem Kossaify
June 22, 2026
NEW YORK CITY: The Arab Group at the UN has called on the US to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
It argued that the designation, imposed in 1979 while the former Assad regime ruled the country, no longer reflected the realities of the new Syrian state and was hindering its economic recovery.
Speaking on behalf of the group’s member states during a meeting of the Security Council on Monday to discuss the political and humanitarian situation in Syria, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, Abdulaziz Alwasil, said the group “reaffirms its support for the unity of Syria, its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” and backs the efforts of the Syrian state to extend its authority over all its territories.
He noted that since US President Donald Trump lifted most economic sanctions on Syria in June last year, the country “has witnessed a major economic shift in various vital areas” and attracted investment from around the world a short period of time. This reflected the international confidence in the reforms undertaken by the new Syrian government that was established after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, he added
“We call on the United States to delist Syria from the list of countries co-sponsoring terrorism, knowing that Syria was added to that list decades ago because of the previous regime,” Alwasil said. Such a move would help encourage the flow of foreign investment into the country, he added.
The Arab Group urged all countries to increase their investments and contribute to “building a new, secure and prosperous Syria.” It also encouraged the UN to play a greater role in the development of the nation in line with the Syrian government’s vision and national priorities.
Regarding the issue of security, Alwasil said Syria “has witnessed several terrorist activities in past years” but the new government was sparing no effort to combat terrorism in the country. He called on the international community to support those efforts, including the fight against Daesh.
The group also pressed the UN and its specialized agencies to provide all possible support to the Syrian government to help complete its transitional period and advance early recovery and reconstruction efforts. Alwasil described this as essential to enable Syrian state institutions create the conditions required for the voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of refugees driven from the country during the civil war that began in 2011.
He praised host countries for their role in sheltering those refugees and called on the international community to expand the support it provides for them, warning that “it is not allowed to leave these countries to bear alone this major economic and humanitarian responsibility.”
Alwasil also raised the issue of landmines and other explosive remnants of war left behind after 13 years of conflict. He called on the international community and the UN to unite in support of efforts by the Syrian government to clear the country of these deadly devices and improve living conditions for the Syrian people.
The Arab Group strongly condemned Israeli authorities for what it described as repeated incursions and aggressions against Syrian territory, describing such activity as a blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, a breach of the UN Charter and international law, and a threat to regional peace and security.
The group urged the international community to compel Israel to fully respect the 1974 disengagement agreement, and demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territory they entered recently, and from the occupied Syrian Golan.
“We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to stand by the brotherly Syrian people in their endeavors to build a safe, stable and prosperous state based on justice, equality and the rule of law in a way that would protect the rights of all Syrians,” Alwasil said.
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Syria has made no progress on Sweida reintegration plan, UN says
June 23, 2026
WASHINGTON: A United Nations official warned on Monday that efforts to repair divisions and stabilise southern Syria have stalled nearly a year after deadly sectarian violence in a Druze-majority province shook the country. A U.N. investigation in March found more than 1,700 people, most civilian members of the Druze religious sect and some members of the Bedouin community, were killed in southern Sweida province in July 2025. It said Syrian government forces, tribal fighters and Druze armed groups may have committed war crimes.
A government-led, internationally backed roadmap launched in September 2025 was intended to restore order and repair relations among Druze factions, Bedouins and the government.
U.N. Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone told the Security Council on Monday: “There has been no progress on the implementation of the September 2025 roadmap of confidence-building and reintegration in Sweida.”
Cordone said underlying issues remained unresolved while calls from some Druze for the province to secede have threatened Syria’s unity and territorial integrity. While they make up the vast majority of Sweida's population, the Druze are a minority in Syria as a whole.
Kidnappings, counter-kidnappings and rivalries among Druze factions continued to undermine security in the province, he added.
The envoy said 13,500 students in Sweida were unable to sit national examinations this month after U.N.-supported mediation failed to resolve disagreements over location and security. Most students in the province have now missed exams for two consecutive years, according to the U.N.
The remarks underscored the challenges facing Syria’s transitional authorities in Sweida, which has been a political and security flashpoint since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in 2024. Syrian officials including Sweida Governor Mustafa al-Bakour, an appointee of the Damascus government, argue Druze armed groups have hindered progress. He told Qatari-owned Syria TV in April that these factions obstructed efforts to restore state institutions, improve services and rebuild trust. Bakour said the government continued to fund public salaries, support healthcare and education and restore infrastructure in Sweida despite security challenges. He said Damascus remained committed to dialogue and rejected Druze factions' accusations that the central government has restricted food and other supplies to the province.
Druze leaders, who do not speak with a unified voice, have pushed back, saying they are safeguarding their community after last year’s violence and accusing Damascus of eroding trust through its conduct during the clashes.
Cordone also cited concerns about the country's political transition, noting Syria’s transitional parliament has not been constituted more than eight months after elections. President Ahmed al-Sharaa must still appoint a third of the its members.
“The delay is generating anxiety,” Cordone told the Security Council. Syria’s Ministry of Information did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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What will rid Lebanon of Hezbollah’s influence — the US-Iran MoU or negotiations with Israel?
NAJIA HOUSSARI
June 22, 2026
BEIRUT: US-Iran talks in Switzerland produced what mediators described as “encouraging progress” on Monday, with both sides agreeing to a 60-day roadmap toward a broader deal aimed at ending the regional war.
Key early steps include establishing direct communication channels to prevent escalation in the Strait of Hormuz and continuing technical negotiations. Despite a tense start — marked by Iranian threats to walk out over US warnings about Hezbollah — the talks have held.
Lebanon has emerged as an immediate test of whether diplomacy can translate into stability on the ground.
Mediators confirmed the creation of a “de-confliction cell” involving Iran, the US and Lebanese authorities to prevent renewed clashes between Israel and Hezbollah after repeated violations of a provisional ceasefire.
Although no strikes were reported by Sunday evening and some displaced residents have begun returning home, the situation remains fragile. Previous flare-ups have repeatedly derailed negotiations.
The success or failure of the Lebanon mechanism is widely viewed as the first concrete indicator of whether the broader US-Iran diplomatic track can endure.
Lebanon has been bracing for the repercussions of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding on its future. Yet the day after the MoU was signed, Israel and Hezbollah resumed armed exchanges.
Many Lebanese are now wondering whether the hopes revived by the MoU will materialize — including the prospect of a new political era and an end to the dominance of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Lebanese affairs.
The MoU, however, remains only a transitional framework, with the details of any final settlement to be negotiated in the coming weeks.
Fares Boueiz, a former Lebanese foreign minister, described the agreement as one “with neither victor nor vanquished, and with an ambiguous text. The US did not achieve its goals of nuclear disarmament, preventing Iran from supporting its proxies in Lebanon and the region, nor did it achieve regime change.
“Iran suffered painful blows at the leadership and nuclear facility levels but remained steadfast. The agreement did not change the balance of powers but rather kept the fuse burning and created a sterile equilibrium.”
The first clause of the MoU states that the US, Iran and their allies “declare the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon,” and guarantee “the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Lebanon.”
It further states that “the final deal will confirm the permanent termination of the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”
Israel, however, continues to insist that any future security arrangement must be based on ending Hezbollah’s military presence and preventing its redeployment near the border.
Lebanese observers fear the country could become the first obstacle to the agreement, given that Israel rejects the MoU because it did not take part in drafting it.
They also note that Israel shows no willingness to withdraw or relinquish the buffer zone or its freedom of action, and remains unwilling to give up what it considers its strategic gains.
Some Lebanese observers fear the country could become a compensation arena between Israel and Iran. In that scenario, they argue, Israel could transform its military presence in southern Lebanon into a permanent occupation while Hezbollah could use Iran’s leverage to reassert political influence at home.
Academic researcher Harith Sleiman said that “the US-Iran war practically achieved none of its objectives. The Americans did not put an end to Iran’s nuclear program, and the Iranians did not achieve the lifting of sanctions.
“Iran managed to gain leverage by using the Strait of Hormuz to threaten global interests and, through tactical negotiations, sidelined discussions on the nuclear program and the issue of Iranian proxies.
“Iran incurred high costs as a result of this war. However, it also inflicted significant costs on Gulf states and managed to harm East Asia. Meanwhile, Iran was able to cope with its losses at the leadership level.”
For that reason, he said, “we must wait and see what will happen during the 60-day period and whether Iran’s behavior will change,” adding that the devil remains in the details.
Sleiman also noted that “Israel’s priorities differ from American objectives. The Israeli side is dissatisfied with the US-Iran agreement and has affirmed that it will remain in southern Lebanon as long as Hezbollah has not been disarmed.”
Asked what leverage Hezbollah retains, Sleiman was blunt.
“Hezbollah’s claims of victory are contradicted by developments on the ground,” he said. “The group’s rhetoric makes it sound as if it has captured Nahariya, not that Israel has advanced deep into the south. I believe the current situation will get worse.
“Hezbollah is handing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu free gifts, allowing him to destroy Lebanon. Israel does not want to have negotiations with Lebanon because the US would then compel it to withdraw from Lebanon, and ironically, Hezbollah is serving the Israeli position in this regard.”
Notably, the clause dealing with Lebanon in the MoU makes no mention of an Israeli withdrawal. However, according to information circulated by Hezbollah, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Lebanese officials that “the withdrawal will be part of the 60-day negotiations related to the nuclear file.”
Following the ceasefire with Iran on April 8, Washington sought to open a direct negotiating channel between Lebanon and Israel, aiming to separate the Lebanese and Iranian tracks.
The Lebanese state continues to support that approach. However, according to Ali Al-Amin, editor in chief of Janoubia, the first clause of the MoU “reconnected the two tracks and granted Iran an explicit veto over the Lebanese decision.”
Al-Amin argued that “the Lebanese negotiator’s position has become weak as a result of the Lebanese state’s reluctance to fulfill its obligations in terms of restricting arms in the past. The problem is not with the agreement itself, but with who signs it, because whoever signs it is the one who decides.”
He added: “All the US slogans collapsed with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran is no longer willing to relinquish its gains. It has shown an ability to adapt to pressure, absorb shocks, and cope with the blockade, while the US has proven less capable of doing so.”
Lebanon now faces another difficult period, confronting both the prospect of continued Israeli military presence and ongoing disputes over Hezbollah’s weapons.
Academic and legal expert Ali Murad believes that “the 60-day US-Iran MoU negotiations represent a pivotal moment that could reshape the situation in Lebanon. The most Iran is likely to achieve is a ceasefire, with nothing related to the Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction, the return of displaced persons, or the security arrangements in southern Lebanon.
“Hezbollah and Iran will attempt to bring Lebanon back under Iranian influence, but I believe the situation has changed. We cannot return to how things were pre-Oct. 7, 2023, especially after the fall of the Assad regime, the developments in Iran, and the events in the Gaza Strip.”
Murad stressed that Hezbollah remains “a major political force in Lebanon” with significant popular support, but argued that the real issue concerns “its military role, the question of arms control, and decisions of war and peace.
“This is Lebanon’s main issue with Hezbollah, which must take the initiative and responsibly address the challenges facing Lebanon as a result of its choices. Lebanon’s interests cannot be part of Iranian influence.”
He added that Lebanon “must be part of Arab national security, not Iranian national security,” and should participate in regional economic projects rather than remain tied to external agendas.
The Iranian narrative, amplified by Hezbollah, portraying Tehran as Lebanon’s principal negotiator, was met with a measured response from President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Both described the US-Iran MoU as “a positive factor that contributes to reducing tensions in the region and pushing toward peaceful solutions and an end to the state of war.”
The fifth round of direct Lebanese-Israeli negotiations is scheduled for June 23-25.
Ahead of the talks, Aoun told the Lebanese delegation that “the Lebanese position is based on a set of fundamental principles, particularly a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Lebanese territories, the deployment of the Lebanese army to the internationally recognized borders, the return of prisoners, and the launch of the reconstruction process.”
He stressed that “the Lebanese state is sovereign in its decisions, and no one can replace it. Any settlement will be reached through us, not at our expense.”
Murad echoed that position, saying: “Iran and any other country can help Lebanon. However, Lebanon has to separate the tracks. There is no return to the principle of ‘unity of path and destiny.’
“The Lebanese state alone is leading the negotiations, and whoever criticizes the state for not being in a position of strength should put their weapons at its disposal and consider them a leverage for the Lebanese negotiator to improve conditions.
“This is the opposite of what Hezbollah has done so far by obstructing every ceasefire reached by the Lebanese state, which the Israelis also did not respect.”
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Israel the main obstacle to stability in Syria, envoy warns as Security Council reviews transition
Ephrem Kossaify
June 22, 2026
NEW YORK CITY: The main obstacle to stability in Syria is Israel, the country’s envoy to the UN told the Security Council, as he also accused the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of undermining a US-brokered deal to end the war with Iran.
It came as senior UN officials described the political transition in Syria as caught between fragile progress and persistent risk.
Syria’s permanent representative to the UN, Ibrahim Olabi welcomed the recent memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, which aims to deescalate tensions in the region. But he noted that on the same day the agreement was announced, Netanyahu declared that Israeli forces would not withdraw from territory they had seized in Syria.
“This statement confirms that Israel is the main obstacle to stability in Syria,” Olabi said. He accused Israel of violating international law and Security Council resolutions at the same time Syria “is choosing wisdom and diplomacy.”
Speaking during a meeting of the Security Council on Monday to discuss the latest political and humanitarian developments in Syria, Olabi highlighted the case of Rania Al-Abbasi, a dentist and former Syrian national chess champion who went missing 13 years ago with her husband and six children. It was confirmed this month that all of them were killed during the civil war by gunmen loyal to the former Assad regime.
Olabi said that “the ambiguity has ended” regarding their fate “but the responsibility to uncover the truth and achieve justice has not.”
He renewed the commitment of the new authorities in Syria to uncover the fate of all those who went missing or were forcibly disappeared by the Assad regime, which was toppled by opposition forces in December 2024, and pledged to advance the process of transitional justice “without compromising.”
He added that his country stands with Lebanon’s official institutions and had become “an active partner in combating terrorism and transnational crime,” citing in particular the announcement this month that Syria was joining a global coalition against human trafficking.
Olabi set out five areas in which he said progress has been made: about 6,000 members of the former regime who are in detention, including dozens of senior officers, and will face the transitional justice process; the implementation of Presidential Decree No. 13 which provides a legal pathway to citizenship for eligible Kurds; economic initiatives, including new energy investment partnerships with international companies such as ConocoPhillips; the return of more than 3.5 million refugees and displaced persons; and continuing operations against the terrorist group Daesh and cross-border arms smugglers.
“These battles are not Syria’s alone; they are global battles, even if Syria is fighting them on your behalf on the ground,” Olabi said. He pledged that the Syrian people “are building their future with their own hands, and they await your support.”
The UN secretary-general’s deputy special envoy for Syria, Claudio Cordone, said the post-Assad transition in Syria was “at a critical phase, with opportunity and fragility existing side-by-side.”
He said Israeli forces have maintained a near-daily presence and conducted incursions in southern Syria, in violation of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, during which they have detained civilians, some of whom remain in custody.
Damascus has “exercised restraint while signaling openness to a security arrangement with Israel,” Cordone said, as he reiterated calls by the UN for Israel to respect the agreement and Syria’s sovereignty.
Indirect elections for the transitional parliament took place peacefully last month in Hasakeh and Ain Al-Arab (Kobane), he added, but more than eight months after the main election process, the People’s Assembly has still not been constituted as it awaits presidential appointment of a third of its members.
“The delay is generating anxiety,” Cordone said, as he stressed the need for all Syrians, particularly women, to feel that they are meaningfully represented.
Demonstrations took place last week in Idlib, Aleppo, Hama, Deir Ez-Zor and Damascus calling for accountability for civil war-era crimes, some of them accompanied by violence that prompted government calls for restraint, he added.
Syria’s mufti has issued a fatwa criminalizing revenge, Cordone said, and authorities have reported that 5,989 people linked to the former regime are in detention awaiting prosecution.
He called for a draft transitional justice law to cover “all perpetrators of atrocity crimes, not just those associated with the Assad regime.” He highlighted the sentencing by a Dutch court on June 15 of a former member of a regime-linked paramilitary force to 26 years for crimes against humanity.
Cordone described the confirmation of the fate of Al-Abbasi and her family as “a painful reminder of the suffering endured by countless Syrian families.” He also referenced a UN report that documented sexual violence committed by members of the former regime, Daesh and the Syrian National Army against various groups including the Alawite, Murshid, Bedouin and Druze communities.
Regarding the situation in northeastern Syria, Cordone said implementation of the Jan. 29 agreement between the government and the Syrian Democratic Forces was progressing, with four SDF brigades now integrated and paid through national security infrastructures, and about 1,300 SDF-affiliated detainees have been released.
In contrast, there has been no progress toward implementation of the September 2025 Sweida roadmap agreement between Syria, Jordan and the US, he added, as distrust in the region persists, calls for secession threaten national unity, and UN mediation efforts to allow more than 13,500 students in Sweida to sit exams failed.
Briefing the Security Council on humanitarian conditions in Syria on behalf of UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher, Indrika Ratwatte, the acting assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and deputy emergency relief coordinator, said: “A better future for Syria remains within reach,” with about 1.6 million refugees and nearly 2 million displaced people returning home since December 2024.
He added that the $2.92 billion humanitarian appeal for the country was only 20 percent funded at midyear, and he called for more predictable funding alongside investment under the government’s “No Camps, No Tents” vision.
Recent flooding along the Euphrates had affected more than 17,600 people, Ratwatte said. Conditions remain fragile in Quneitra, where nearly 80 percent of the population requires humanitarian assistance, and in Sweida, where more than 13,000 students missed exams, he added.
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Four Yemeni children killed by war remnants: official
June 22, 2026
ADEN, Yemen: Four Yemeni children were killed and eight others wounded in a blast caused by war remnants in the country’s government-controlled south, a military official told AFP on Monday.
“The preliminary toll from the tragic incident until now is four children killed, three girls and a boy, in addition to eight other children with varying wounds, some of them critical,” said the official in Al-Dali province.
He said the victims were aged between six and 14 years old.
Incidents involving deaths due to explosive remnants of war are relatively common in Yemen, which was gripped by over a decade of war between the internationally recognized government and Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The Al-Dali area was the scene of fierce battles between the warring sides as rebels sought to capture Aden about 10 years ago.
The latest deaths come less than two weeks after an explosion in a munitions depot in Aden killed at least 12 people, according to two security sources.
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Syrian president calls for creative solutions to end Lebanon crisis
June 22, 2026
DAMASCUS: Syrian Arab Republic President Ahmed Al-Sharaa said the Middle East region is going through a sensitive phase, stressing that the change in Syria represents a positive opportunity for the region and that most countries had benefited from this transformation.
In a special interview with Al-Mashhad TV, Al-Sharaa said some Lebanese parties remain bound by outdated assumptions despite the major challenges facing Lebanon, noting that the country is enduring a severe crisis and a narrowing of political solutions.
The president emphasized that Syria has presented a different approach to resolving the situation, explaining that discussions with the US focused on ending the war, addressing its negative repercussions on both Lebanon and Syria, and pursuing economic, political, and social solutions capable of supporting long-term stability.
Al-Sharaa stressed that ending the current situation in Lebanon requires innovative approaches rather than traditional solutions, adding that US President Donald Trump has expressed concern over developments in Lebanon and is seeking ways to halt the conflict.
He noted that comments regarding Syria’s role were misunderstood, leading to inaccurate interpretations about possible Syrian military involvement.
The president affirmed that Syria can contribute positively by supporting the Lebanese state, strengthening official institutions and helping build channels of communication among Lebanese political forces, including Hezbollah, warning that partial solutions could create further complications.
He stressed that Lebanon urgently needs strategic decisions and new ideas to help it overcome its current challenges, adding that the country has an opportunity to emerge from its crisis if it adopts approaches that go beyond conventional thinking.
Al-Sharaa reiterated Syria’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s security and stability, noting that developments in either country directly affect the other.
He emphasized that Syria continues to extend avenues of cooperation and positive engagement, while any meaningful progress ultimately depends on Lebanese consensus.
The president underscored his belief in dialogue as the only viable alternative to conflict, stating that Syria remains ready to engage with all parties to pursue solutions that preserve Lebanon’s stability and vitality.
He stressed that the time has come for the region to move beyond wars and conflicts and focus instead on development and reconstruction.
Syria, he said, is working to identify safe and constructive solutions that can help Lebanon while serving the interests of both countries.
Al-Sharaa highlighted the importance of economic integration between Syria and Lebanon, stating that Syria seeks economic corridors rather than military ones.
He noted the historical economic links between Damascus and Beirut, as well as between Homs and Tripoli.
The president also pointed to Syria’s growing role as a strategic link between East and West, emphasizing the increasing importance of the Mediterranean coast in global supply and logistics chains.
He stressed that Syrian-Lebanese relations should be built on areas of common interest rather than points of disagreement and affirmed that Lebanon stands to benefit from deeper cooperation with Syria.
President Al-Sharaa reiterated Syria’s support for ending conflicts across the region and emphasized that economic development remains a strategic national choice.
He expressed confidence that Syria is moving in the right direction despite the challenges of recovery and reconstruction and voiced hope that the country will meet the aspirations of its people.
Source: arabnews.com
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Jordanian army chief, Pakistani drone commander discuss military cooperation
June 22, 2026
LONDON: Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, Jordan’s Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed military cooperation with Brig. Faisal Khan, commander of Pakistan’s drone group, at General Command headquarters in Amman.
Huneiti and Khan discussed drone systems, advanced defense technologies and the prospects for training to enhance the operational capabilities of both countries’ armed forces, according to Jordan News Agency.
The Pakistani commander expressed a desire to enhance collaboration and increase the exchange of expertise with the Jordan Armed Forces, highlighting the strong Jordanian-Pakistani commitment to utilize modern defense technologies.
Senior officers of the Jordanian Armed Forces and the Pakistani military attache in Amman attended the meeting.
In November, King Abdullah visited Global Industrial and Defense Solutions, Pakistan’s largest defense manufacturer, in Rawalpindi. He met army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and other senior Pakistani officials to discuss strengthening military cooperation.
Source: arabnews.com
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Arab World
Saudi FM attends Arab League, GCC consultative meetings in Amman
June 22, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his Jordanian counterpart, Ayman Safadi, to discuss regional developments on the sidelines of the 165th ordinary session of the Arab League Council, held in Amman on Monday.
Prince Faisal also attended a separate consultative meeting of GCC foreign ministers and officials. The session welcomed the memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran last week, which brought to an end over 100 days of conflict in the Middle East.
They emphasized the importance of mediation and calming efforts to promote diplomatic solutions and ensure regional stability, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Prince Faisal arrived in Amman on Monday to hold several bilateral discussions on various regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi FM meets Mauritanian counterpart on sidelines of Arab League session
June 23, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Mauritanians Abroad, on the sidelines of the resumed 165th ordinary session of the Arab League Council at the ministerial level in Amman.
The two ministers reviewed bilateral relations between their countries and discussed several issues of mutual concern, according to a statement by Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry on X.
Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Jordan, Prince Mansour bin Khalid bin Farhan, also attended the meeting.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi Arabia expresses solidarity with Qatar after gas plant explosion
June 22, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia expressed solidarity with Qatar after an explosion at a gas plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City, about 80 km north of Doha, resulted in several casualties and injuries on Sunday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Monday the Kingdom’s sincere condolences to the families of the deceased, and wished a speedy recovery for the injured and the return of those missing, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Qatari authorities announced that 13 people died, 66 others of various nationalities were injured, and 18 individuals went missing when an explosion took place at the Barzan plant in Ras Laffan on Sunday. Investigations are currently being conducted into a technical malfunction that caused an explosion at the site.
QatarEnergy said that an incident at the start-up of operations at the Barzan plant resulted in the explosion and fire, which was completely extinguished by Monday.
The Barzan plant supplies gas to the Qatari market. It has a capacity of almost 1.4 billion standard cubic feet of sales gas per day and is operated by QatarEnergy. The Doha-based Ministry of Interior confirmed that “no leak posing a risk to public safety or the environment was detected” after the incident.
Source: arabnews.com
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Riyadh rolls out urban design guidelines
June 22, 2026
RIYADH: The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has begun implementing architectural and urban design guidelines for the area extending from Al-Urooba Road in the south to the Northern Ring Road in the north, within the capital’s central commercial axis.
The move also includes resuming the issuance of development permits within the zone, according to a recent report.
The initiative aims to regulate urban and architectural development, improve build quality, reinforce Riyadh’s urban identity, and promote a vibrant, high-quality urban environment in line with the city’s development goals.
The guidelines establish a regulatory and technical framework for development through standards and controls governing urban growth and architectural design.
They also guide building design, facades, pedestrian pathways, and public spaces, enhancing urban quality and improving integration between buildings, streets, and open areas.
The guidelines aim to create a human-centered urban environment by improving connectivity, enhancing the pedestrian experience, increasing public realm quality, and promoting mixed-use development.
They also emphasize expanding green spaces and natural elements to create a more comfortable and dynamic environment while strengthening the area’s urban identity.
In addition, the guidelines unlock greater development potential by allowing increased building ratios and floor areas under clear regulations.
This is intended to improve land-use efficiency while raising the quality of architectural and urban development in one of Riyadh’s key high-density corridors.
The measure is expected to provide a unified reference for landowners, developers, engineers, and consultants, enabling clearer compliance with development requirements.
It also aims to improve transparency, enhance regulatory efficiency, and ensure higher-quality urban outcomes across the area.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648150/saudi-arabia
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SFDA grants marketing authorization for AI-powered medical app
June 22, 2026
RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority has granted marketing authorization for an artificial intelligence-powered digital medical application capable of measuring heart rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure via smartphone cameras.
With this approval, the SFDA becomes the first regulatory authority globally to grant marketing authorization for this application.
The decision came after a comprehensive evaluation that reviewed technical documentation and clinical evidence to verify the application’s safety and performance.
The application employs remote photoplethysmography technology, utilizing advanced algorithms to analyze vital signs from a short facial video.
To ensure accuracy, the application requires an initial blood pressure calibration using a certified medical device.
It is not a standalone diagnostic tool and is not intended for emergency or critical care use.
The launch of this application is a result of a collaboration between the SFDA and the Ministry of Health, represented by the Seha Virtual Hospital.
The application underwent testing and evaluation within the SFDA’s Regulatory Sandbox.
It then transitioned to the authority’s Innovative Medical Devices pathway, completing all evaluation requirements, including a dedicated clinical trial conducted within Saudi Arabia.
This decision embodies the SFDA’s commitment to supporting digital health innovation and ensuring the safe, regulated introduction of modern technologies to the Saudi market.
It also underscores the authority’s ongoing efforts to foster innovation across the healthcare sector and promote modern medical technologies during the Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026.
This milestone reinforces the SFDA’s role in adopting advanced technological solutions in line with the objectives of the Health Sector Transformation Program, a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648143/saudi-arabia
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Arabic program launched for Saudia cabin crew
June 22, 2026
RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language has launched a two-month communicative Arabic language program for non-Arabic-speaking cabin crew at Saudia, in line with an agreement between the two parties to develop language skills in professional work environments.
The program aims to develop participants’ core language skills and enable them to use Arabic in work-related situations, enhancing communication with passengers and facilitating service delivery across various work environments.
It is part of the academy’s series of specialized language programs implemented in cooperation with various entities across different sectors, supporting Arabic language learning and expanding its use in professional settings.
Earlier this month, the academy participated in Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair, showcasing its projects and initiatives in support of the Arabic language and its global presence.
The pavilion enabled visitors to explore the academy’s programs for teaching Arabic to non-native speakers, its language qualification initiatives, and its efforts to develop Arabic digital content and computational language processing.
Source: arabnews.com
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Jeddah community welcomes new monthly drumming circle initiative at Hayy Jameel
Afshan Aziz
June 22, 2026
JEDDAH: Hayy Jameel hosted its first-ever drumming circle on Saturday, starting a new monthly program designed to bring people together through rhythm, movement and shared creative expression.
Held under the Hayy Sounds and Hayy Wellness initiatives, the session introduced participants to collective drumming as an interactive experience.
Drumming circles are widely associated with well-being benefits including relaxation, emotional release, improved focus and stronger group awareness.
The gathering welcomed people of different ages and backgrounds, encouraging them to make music even if they had not had any prior experience.
Saif Halal, drummer and facilitator of restorative sound and breathwork, said: “We had participants break into groups, and each group came up with their own unique song.
“Because the drum is so elemental, everyone was able to come together, collaborate and create a unique beat with their group.”
On the lessons from shared rhythm, he said: “The biggest lesson is the power of listening.
“In a drumming circle, to truly express your individuality, you first have to be open and willing to listen to the contributions of others.
“Participants had to listen to my guidance to start, and also learn to listen to themselves.
“Working with sound is a path that helps me discover my own individual expression. It’s a beautiful cycle that translates directly into building stronger, more balanced relationships both within and beyond.”
Speaking about the inspiration behind bringing the sessions to Hayy Jameel, he said: “The primary inspiration comes from my teacher, Alaa Abanami, who is my mentor and biggest supporter on my journey in sound healing.
“When the idea was presented to the Hayy Jameel team, they were incredibly open and graciously welcomed us.
“Today was our first session, and the response was wonderful. By the end, everyone was playing, sharing and leaving with genuine joy and excitement for the next session.”
He spoke about how the drums were the first instrument that deeply moved him.
“My hope is that participants discover that same magic, realize how easily they can tap into their own musicality and find their inner flow and for the circles to foster greater connection and joy,” he said.
Percussionist Mohamed Hassan Ali Gomaa said the session focused on “connection through rhythm,” aiming to create a space where people from different backgrounds could come together and express themselves through music.
He said: “Participants are encouraged to leave feeling energized, relaxed and more connected to both themselves and those around them.
“Rhythm has always been seen as a universal language that brings people together, which inspired the creation of community drumming circles built around unity, joy and shared experience.”
The sessions are designed to help reduce stress, build confidence and strengthen their sense of belonging within the community.
“Jeddah’s growing cultural landscape is further enriched by group drumming, which encourages participation rather than observation and helps foster stronger cultural connections through creativity and rhythm.”
Dania Jaber, public programs and events coordinator at Hayy Jameel said: “We believe public programming should be welcoming, accessible and rooted in community.
“We are always looking for ways to bring people together through shared creative experiences, whether that is music, learning, making or wellness.”
“A great example is our new Hayy Sounds x Hayy Wellness initiative, presented through the Drumming Circles project, which invites participants to connect in a fun and inclusive setting.”
The sessions are free and open to all participants.
Source: arabnews.com
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Europe
Banbury Islamic community hub invites local residents to watch England games
By Jack Ingham
22 Jun 2026
Banbury’s Umar Education and Welfare Centre has invited local men and boys to come and watch the England vs Ghana football game tomorrow (June 23) evening.
The centre, which is run in partnership with the Banbury Madni Masjid Mosque, will be screening all England's World Cup games on a big screen.
Doors will open at the centre on West Street one hour before kick off and refreshments will be made available.
The screenings are being held as part of the centre’s ‘Dads and Lads’ youth and community program for men and youngsters.
A spokesperson for the centre said: “Bring your family, friends, and fellow football fans for an exciting match-day atmosphere. Let's support England together and enjoy every moment of the action!”
The Umar Centre opened on Saturday, December 13 and hosts various educational programmes, community events and clubs.
Source: banburyguardian.co.uk
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https://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/arts-and-culture/banbury-islamic-community-hub-invites-local-residents-to-watch-england-games-8754267
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Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker to attend Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s farewell ceremony
22 June 2026
A delegation led by Speaker of the Milli Majlis (Azerbaijani Parliament) Sahiba Gafarova will attend the farewell ceremony of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, APA reports.
The farewell ceremony for Ali Khamenei will be held on July 4-5 at the Mosalla complex in Tehran, after which the funeral procession will proceed to the city of Qom.
Following the farewell ceremony in Qom, Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei will be laid to rest in Mashhad on July 9 in accordance with his will.
Recall that Sayyid Ali Khamenei was killed along with close family members during a joint US-Israeli attack on Tehran on February 28. He was subsequently succeeded by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.
Source: en.apa.az
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https://en.apa.az/foreign-policy/azerbaijani-parliament-speaker-to-attend-ayatollah-ali-khameneis-farewell-ceremony-512560
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First day of 20th Session of Conference of Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States wraps up in Baku
22.06.2026
The first day of the 20th Session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States concluded in Baku on June 22.
On the first day, the 5th Meeting of the Committee on Muslim Communities and Minorities was held on the sidelines of the session.
Addressing the meeting, Abdürrahim Dusak, member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, noted that since its inception, the committee has aimed to amplify the voices of Muslim communities on international platforms, highlight violations of rights faced by Muslim communities, and promote solution-oriented parliamentary diplomacy.
Dusak then presented the committee’s report. According to him, the document aimed to conduct on-the-ground assessments of the situation of Muslim communities and minorities living in non-OIC Parliamentary Union member states, identify the problems they face, record examples of good practices, and enhance international solidarity.
The meeting addressed the protection of the rights of Muslim communities, the security of religious and ethnic minorities, social integration, and the formation of inclusive societies.
Participants also discussed the protection of cultural and religious heritage in liberated territories, as well as cases of discrimination against Muslim communities.
The committee further discussed enhancing multiculturalism, interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding across the OIC and other regions, increasing youth and women’s participation in public life, and promoting social stability and coexistence.
Source: azertag.az
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https://azertag.az/en/xeber/first_day_of_20th_session_of_conference_of_parliamentary_union_of_oic_member_states_wraps_up_in_baku-4276187
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Deputy principal at school at Dublin mosque which closed suddenly awarded €40,000
22/06/2026
A former deputy principal of an Islamic school attached to one of the largest mosques in Dublin has been awarded €40,000 following the sudden closure of the school last year.
The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that Noureldin Abdelgawwad, the deputy principal of the Nur-ul-Huda Qur’anic School at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI) in Clonskeagh, was constructively dismissed by the centre’s operator, Al Maktoum Foundation CLG in breach of the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.
The WRC said it appeared Abdelgawward had got caught up in some power struggle at the ICCI which resulted in him being sidelined “in pursuit of an unknown objective.”
The company did not attend a hearing before the WRC in April and was not legally represented in the case.
Abdelgawwad had worked at the ICCI since 2012 and had been promoted to deputy principal in July 2022.
He told the WRC that he resigned in April 2025 due to what he claimed were severe breaches of trust, professional interference, mistreatment and a complete breakdown in the employer-employee relationship.
Abdelgawwad claimed he had never been subjected to any disciplinary hearings, verbal or written warnings or any internal grievance process.
Evidence
He gave evidence that his salary was withheld by the ICCI without justification in September-October 2024 which he later was informed was due to the school’s income being diverted elsewhere.
The deputy principal said the ICCI falsely claimed ownership of a school system he had developed independently outside working hours in January 2025.
He said the ICCI repeatedly pressured him to hand over access to student data which he maintained would breach GDPR.
The WRC heard most of the board members were resident in the United Arab Emirates.
Abdelgawwad claimed the centre’s chief executive, Ahmed Hasain, responded to him in an unprofessional tone and threatened him that there would be consequences.
He said Hasain accused him and the school’s principal of obstructing ICCI operations in March 2025.
WhatsApp messages
The complainant said he received WhatsApp messages throughout this period, despite having requested professional communications via e-mail.
The WRC heard he resigned on April 9th, 2025 due to continued mistreatment and hostile working conditions.
He claimed the ICCI locked the school office without notice on April 12, 2025 and deployed security at the school gates the following day, while distributing leaflets to parents stating the school was cancelled without any consultation with school staff.
Abdelgawwad said this caused unnecessary distress to children and their families.
He claimed access to school e-mail accounts was also revoked while the ICCI was accessing confidential data on children, parents’ complaints and sensitive staff correspondence.
As a result, he said the ICCI sent misleading communication to gardaí claiming the deputy principal had no right to be on the site.
Resignations
Abdelgawwad, who was on an annual salary of €47,000, said over 30 teachers resigned during the same period due to similar treatment.
WRC adjudication officer, Penelope McGrath, said she was aware there had been a very public rupture which came to a head at the ICCI in April 2024 without understanding the specifics of what had happened.
McGrath said Abdelgawwad explained that a new board of management had been put in place in the aftermath of the death of the founder.
She noted that he began to notice changes in the workplace in September 2024 with lengthy delays in getting paid.
McGrath said she understood that the deputy principal, who was supported by his principal, resisted sharing information about students, their parents and fee records sought by the ICCI’s chief executive.
She said the decision of Abdelgawwad to write to parents looking for consent seemingly annoyed both Hasain and the board.
The WRC official observed that the complainant felt he had become caught up in some power struggle that was happening following the death of the founder and the creation of a new board.
E-mails
McGrath said she was satisfied that Mr Abdelgawwad was justified in tendering his resignation due to a complete breakdown in trust with the board.
She said the board through its intermediary had diminished and sidelined the deputy principal “in pursuit of an unknown objective.”
“It was not reasonable to expect the complainant to continue working under these conditions after the best part of fourteen or fifteen years of service,” she added.
Although Abdelgawwad had not raised a formal grievance process, she said there could be no doubt that he had highlighted many grievances through e-mails and other communications.
She noted he was now earning €13,000 as a part-time teacher at a school in Portlaoise.
The WRC awarded the complainant €40,000 in relation to the unfair dismissal and a further €1,000 for unpaid wages.
Source: breakingnews.ie
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https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/deputy-principal-at-school-at-dublin-mosque-which-closed-suddenly-last-year-awarded-e40000-1916899.html
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Azerbaijan’s top Muslim cleric to attend “Religions for Peace” event in Mauritius
22 June 2026
Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims’ Office (CMO) Sheikh ul-Islam Allahshukur Pashazada will take part in a “Religions for Peace” event in Mauritius dedicated to the theme “Forging Pathways for Shared Sacred Flourishing.”
The visit will take place from June 23–26 at the invitation of the organisation’s Secretary-General, Francis Kuria, Caliber.Az reports via local media.
Pashazada, who was elected last year as co-chair of the World Council of “Religions for Peace,” will deliver a speech at the opening of the event and will moderate a session titled “Artificial Intelligence in Conflict Settings - Human Dignity and Multifaith Perspectives.”
The program also includes a series of bilateral meetings during the visit.
Source: caliber.az
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https://caliber.az/en/post/azerbaijan-s-top-muslim-cleric-to-attend-religions-for-peace-event-in-mauritius
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Starmer’s resignation: A view from Russia
23 Jun, 2026
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation has drawn a mix of mockery and skepticism in Moscow, with officials and experts saying that his departure is unlikely to change London's hostile stance towards Russia.
Relations at ‘zero level’
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the idea that Starmer's departure would alter bilateral ties, arguing that the former British premier had “not done anything to distinguish himself on the issue of UK-Russian relations” and had consistently favored keeping them “at a zero level.” Peskov added that there was little reason to expect any successor to take a markedly different policy.
Starmer's resignation ‘unites us all’
Russian Special Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev appeared to celebrate the news on X, writing: “We did it. Starmer's resignation unites us all,” echoing comments made earlier by US President Donald Trump.
The criticism extended to Russia's parliament, where Senator Vladimir Dzhabarov predicted Starmer would be gone by autumn, branding him “a destroyer of everything possible” who “only sets countries against each other” and “hinders any negotiation process.”
UK's course to aid Kiev and 'punish' Moscow to remain unchanged
Speaking to RT on Monday, Nikolay Topornin, director of the Center for European Information and an international observer, said Starmer's departure is unlikely to bring any major shift in British foreign policy.
“The British course to support Kiev, to punish Russia, and to provide military and financial support to Ukraine will remain unchanged,” he said.
He added that British policymakers understand Moscow’s arguments “very clearly” but pay little attention to what Russia sees as the root causes of the conflict. Moscow has long insisted that any lasting settlement must address those issues, including Ukraine’s neutrality, demilitarization, protections for Russian speakers, and recognition of territorial realities.
The UK remains bound by agreements with Germany, France, Brussels, and Washington, Topornin argued. As long as they maintain a common stance on Russia and the Ukraine conflict, there is little room for any major shift in London's policy, he said.
The analyst noted that much will depend on appointments to top foreign-policy posts, but argued that no prominent British politician currently favors a meaningful change of course on the Ukraine conflict.
Who’s next?
Topornin predicted that Labour politician Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Manchester, would succeed Starmer. Burnham “has not yet distinguished himself by some radical statements about foreign policy and changes in approaches to the conflict,” he said, adding that the rhetoric towards Moscow is unlikely to become “more pragmatic” as the new prime minister is expected to follow “the politics of the previous cabinet.”
Sergey Shein, a research fellow at the Higher School of Economics, echoed that view. He argued that Starmer is likely to oversee a managed transition rather than a sudden exit, while any successor, including Burnham, would initially be preoccupied with uniting the Labour Party. Domestically, Burnham would likely focus on economic recovery, housing, and healthcare, he added.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/641972-starmer-resignation-moscow-reaction/
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Labour MPs mull leadership challenge to prevent Burnham 'coronation'
Jack Fenwick,
23 Jun, 2026
At least two senior Labour MPs are considering launching leadership bids to prevent Andy Burnham becoming prime minister without a formal contest.
Former defence minister Al Carns has said he is weighing up whether to run, while Sir Keir Starmer's Chief Secretary, Darren Jones, has also not ruled out a challenge, BBC News understands.
Labour MPs increasingly believe Burnham could become prime minister as early as 17 July - the day after nominations for the new leader close - after Sir Keir announced his resignation on Monday.
However, a large contingent are uncomfortable with the idea of a leader whose policy ideas have not been tested in a leadership race.
Some MPs are urging Jones - a close ally of Sir Keir - to stand. It is considered unlikely but Jones is understood not to have ruled it out.
Carns - who was the armed forces minister until he resigned earlier this month over defence spending - also indicated he was interested in a tilt at the top job.
"I'm not ready to make a decision on this in any way shape or form," he told ITV's Peston on Monday night.
"What I would say is we need to move from the politics which talk through the tactics and think about the strategy and what I'm really looking for are big objective outcomes that we want to get to in 2029 and 2034/35".
Sir Keir said he had asked Labour's governing body to set out a timetable to replace him, with nominations opening on 9 July and ending by the summer recess on 16 July.
Potential candidates have until then to amass the support of at least 81 Labour MPs.
Burnham is seen by many as the frontrunner to replace Sir Keir after an emphatic victory over his Reform UK rival in last week's Makerfield by-election.
The former Greater Manchester mayor, who was formally sworn in as an MP in the House of Commons on Monday, said he would put himself forward as a candidate in the leadership contest.
Wes Streeting had been viewed as his main rival but the former health secretary was quick to offer his support to Burnham, increasing the likelihood of a "coronation".
John Slinger, the Labour MP for Rugby, voiced the feelings of many within the party who believe it is "necessary" to have a full leadership contest.
"I think the public out there would think we'd slightly lost our minds if we didn't go through a process where we subject people who aspire to the highest office in the land to completely normal scrutiny," he told the BBC's The World Tonight on Monday.
Describing Sir Keir as a "terrible prime minister", Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch attacked the Labour Party's policies, saying: "Labour MPs only want higher taxes to hand out more benefits... These are Labour's choices and their values, regardless of who is running the party."
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the British people were "sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of prime ministers while nothing really changes".
Reform leader Nigel Farage demanded a general election, saying: "If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming."
Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, said people would hope that Burnham could bring about "meaningful change" but the "jury is out".
Hoping to fill in some of the blanks currently in his policy agenda, Burnham is expected to give a speech next week promising to grow the economy if he becomes PM, while also sticking to the government's fiscal rules.
Those rules aim to restrict borrowing and pay for day-to-day spending out of tax revenues by the end of the decade.
Burnham's allies say he is yet to decide who would be his chancellor, with one source saying: "No jobs have been given and no deals made."
Sir Keir was elected leader of the Labour Party in April 2020 and became prime minister on 5 July 2024 following Labour's landslide general election victory.
His decision to step down means the UK will soon have its seventh prime minister since 2016.
On Monday evening, Sir Keir and his wife Victoria hosted No 10 staff for drinks in the No 10 garden, where they thanked those present for the support they had given.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2kqd9ver1o
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North America
CAIR-MA Stands with Newton’s Muslim Community, Islamic Center of Boston, Wayland, and Rejects Anti-Muslim Hate Campaign
June 22, 2026
The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed solidarity with the Muslim community of Newton and the Islamic Center of Boston, Wayland (ICB), following an anti-Muslim hate campaign prompted by last month’s Eid al-Adha celebration marking the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) held at Newton’s War Memorial Auditorium.
Eid al-Adha is one of the holiest days in Islam when Muslim families across Massachusetts gather to pray. That celebration became the catalyst for a coordinated campaign of anti-Muslim rhetoric that has not stopped.
[NOTE: Eid ul-Fitr (EED-al-FITTER), or “feast of fast-breaking,” is the first of the two major Muslim holidays after the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. The second holiday, Eid ul-Adha (EED-al-ODD-ha), comes near the end of the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.]
In the days leading up to the Eid al-Adha celebrations, individuals in a closed social media group circulated a petition to the mayor of Newton, raising baseless allegations against Muslims in general, ICB Wayland, which is a house of worship, CAIR, and others, through a series of guilt-by-association claims intended to cast suspicion on Muslim neighbors.
The Eid celebration was not the end of the hate campaign, which continued to pick up steam and has caused fear and concern among Muslims and other neighbors.
“We refuse to accept the premise that Muslims must continually prove their innocence and worthiness to celebrate and gather, in ways never demanded of other faith communities,” said Tahirah Amatul-Wadud, executive director of CAIR-MA. “We call on elected officials, neighbors, and interfaith partners: join us in rejecting anti-Muslim bigotry in all its forms. Dehumanizing rhetoric directed at an entire religious community is unconscionable. CAIR-MA remains committed to working with those who seek to build communities rooted in justice and shared humanity.”
She noted that attacks on the Muslim community come amid an uptick in anti-Muslim sentiment, with local Muslims experiencing a 65 percent increase in hate violence.
Last week, CAIR and its Texas chapter announced the filing of a lawsuit in federal court in Fort Worth on behalf of Shayma Alzubi, whom the Fort Worth Independent School District illegally removed from her principal position in May following an “anti-Muslim witch hunt.”
Earlier today, CAIR’s Texas chapter called for an end to incitement against Islam and Muslims after a disturbing anti-Muslim hate incident at an H-E-B store in Conroe, Texas, in which two visibly Muslim women were reportedly subjected to an unprovoked, hate-filled verbal assault.
Over the weekend, CAIR’s Arizona chapter welcomed Governor Katie Hobbs’ veto of legislation targeting so-called “Sharia law,” saying the measure was rooted in anti-Muslim misinformation and would have further stigmatized Arizona’s Muslim community.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR’s latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
Last month, CAIR commended Democratic members of Congress who defended American Muslims and constitutional religious freedom during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on “Sharia law.” CAIR also condemned Republican members and witnesses for promoting anti-Muslim fearmongering and dangerous smear tactics amid rising anti-Muslim hate incidents nationwide.
CAIR previously designated the so-called “Sharia-Free America Caucus” organizing the hearing as an anti-Muslim hate group after multiple caucus members publicly called for banning the practice of Islam, expelling Muslims from the United States, or targeting mainstream Muslim organizations and communities.
Community members who experience or witness discrimination, harassment, or bias targeting Muslims or other marginalized groups are encouraged to report incidents to CAIR at: https://www.cair.com/report/
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ma-stands-with-newtons-muslim-community-islamic-center-of-boston-wayland-and-rejects-anti-muslim-hate-campaign/
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Hope After Hate: New CAIR Podcast Episode Features Imam Taha of the Islamic Center of San Diego
June 22, 2026
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced the release of the latest episode of its weekly recorded podcast CAIR on AIR. The episode, featuring Imam Taha Hassane of the Islamic Center of San Diego and CAIR-San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, discusses the tragic shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego and its impact on the community.
WATCH THE EPISODE ON YOUTUBE, APPLE PODCASTS AND SPOTIFY
In the episode, Imam Taha reveals the heartbreaking events of the attack, the grief felt throughout the community, and the challenges of rebuilding after such a devastating loss. Tazheen also talks about the level of support received from allies, faith leaders, and elected officials in the aftermath of the tragedy. She also addresses the growing concern over anti-Muslim hate, the importance of education and civic engagement, and the work required to restore a sense of safety and trust.
The conversation also covers the connection between hateful rhetoric and violence, the importance of interfaith solidarity, mosque security, community resilience, and the role public institutions must play in combating bigotry.
Source: cair.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/hope-after-hate-new-cair-podcast-episode-features-imam-taha-of-the-islamic-center-of-san-diego/
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‘I will forgive him’: Islamic leader’s jaw fractured in reported attack in Victoria
By Anna McMillan
June 22, 2026
An Islamic leader who suffered a fractured jaw in an alleged assault in Victoria, B.C., is sharing a message of forgiveness.
Imam Ebrahim Gadou said he was attacked in downtown Victoria on June 18, around 10:30 p.m.
He said he and his wife were parked in their vehicle near Cook Street and Fort Street when a stranger opened the driver’s side door.
“He pulled me out of the car and then started hitting me with his hand and his leg,” Gadou said in an interview on Monday.
He said the confrontation happened between congregational prayers at Masjid Al-Iman, where he serves as head Imam. He was wearing a traditional white thobe at the time.
“He spat on me and said, ‘Go home,’” Gadou said.
“I’m here to help. I’m here to support. I’m not here to do something wrong. To tell me, ‘Go back home.’”
Gadou said he tried to defend himself and pushed the man away, who eventually fell and ran off. The Imam said he called 911 and followed in his car until police showed up and made an arrest.
“If I have a chance to meet him and to kiss his forehead and [ask] him why he did that, I will forgive him,” Gadou said, noting he wants to hear a commitment to non-violence.
“Even if the court will ask him for money to be released, I’m going to pay it from my pocket.”
The Victoria Police Department confirmed an arrest has been made. A Victoria Police Department spokesperson didn’t provide any other information about the reported assault, but said the department will share more details on Tuesday.
Gadou said he has a minor fracture in his jaw, but it isn’t preventing him from working.
Self-defence request
The Canadian Council of Imams (CCI) said it worries the alleged attack was motivated by hate.
It’s urging governments to fund safety awareness and self-defence programming for communities targeted by violence.
“But at the end of the day, when it comes to violence and particularly hate-motivated violence, it really comes down to people’s hearts,” CCI executive director Imam Sikander Hashmi told CTV News.
“It really comes down to what society considers to be acceptable.”
In March, Statistics Canada released new data about police-reported hate crimes across the country. It says in 2024, there was an average of 19 hate crimes targeting Muslim people each month.
Source: ctvnews.ca
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/vancouver-island/article/i-will-forgive-him-islamic-leaders-jaw-fractured-in-reported-attack-in-victoria/
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Durham Man Sentenced to 8 Years in Federal Prison for Conspiring to Provide Support to ISIS Terrorists
June 22, 2026
WILMINGTON, N.C. – A federal judge sentenced Alexander Justin White, 30, to 8 years in federal prison for conspiring to provide and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). The Court sentenced White after law enforcement officers arrested him as he attempted to fly to North Africa to join ISIS as terrorist and fight in an ISIS-controlled territory.
“The United States does not tolerate terrorism in any form,” U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle said. “Whether keyboard warriors or wannabe fighters, the Department of Justice and FBI will relentlessly bring them to justice. This sentence shows our unwavering commitment to eradicating such evil from our country and the globe.”
White made numerous posts supporting ISIS and jihad between May and October of 2024 including videos used to recruit new members and gin up passion for fighting. He also engaged in fundraising efforts while making several posts and reposts referencing well-known ISIS supporters and enablers. White made, or attempted to make, several financial transactions to support terrorist camps and other similar terrorist campaigns to funnel money to ISIS members and their supporters.
White openly discussed his desire and intention to travel overseas to join ISIS on Facebook and over other encrypted messaging applications. He indicated that he wanted to be a “Mujahid,” which means someone who commits jihad. White expressed a willingness to kill U.S. military members and citizens.
White proactively tried to join ISIS, purchasing a flight to North Africa. In preparation for his new life as a would-be terrorist, White purchased equipment to use overseas. Law enforcement arrested White as he attempted to board his flight with that equipment.
"White planned to abandon his family, betray his country, and fly to Morocco to actively fight with the terrorist group ISIS. Thankfully, the FBI Raleigh-Durham Joint Terrorism Task Force intervened and arrested him at the airport before he could board his flight. It cannot be overstated that ISIS continues to pose a threat to U.S. interests, both domestically and abroad. We must continue to be vigilant to prevent ISIS inspired terrorism" said Reid Davis, the FBI Special Agent in Charge in North Carolina.
The investigation into White is a result of the work of the FBI’s Raleigh-based Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The JTTF is a group of highly trained, locally based investigators, analysts, linguists, and other specialists from dozens of U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies that gather evidence, make arrests, provide security for special events, collect and share intelligence, and respond to threats and incidents at a moment’s notice. There are about 200 JTTFs across the country, including one in each field office, with hundreds of participating state, local and federal agencies.
Ellis Boyle, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The FBI’s JTTF investigated the case.
A copy of this press release is located on our website. Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:25-CR-9.
Source: justice.gov
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ednc/pr/durham-man-sentenced-8-years-federal-prison-conspiring-provide-support-isis-terrorists
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Did Iran agree to IAEA inspections for 'nuclear honesty'? Trump, Vance say so
Jun 23, 2026
The first full day of US-Iran talks in Switzerland ended with Washington and Tehran offering differing accounts of what had been agreed, particularly on the issue of international inspections of Iran’s nuclear programme.
Speaking after the opening round of negotiations at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland, US Vice President JD Vance said Iran had agreed to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) back into the country.
“The Iranians have agreed to invite IAEA inspectors back into their country,” Vance told reporters according to AFP.
“That is a major milestone for the American people and the first step in permanently denuclearising or permanently ending a nuclear weapons program in Iran,” he said.
Vance also struck an optimistic tone about the negotiations, saying: “We laid a very good foundation for a successful final deal.”
The talks marked the beginning of a two-month negotiating period outlined in a preliminary agreement reached last week. Mediators Pakistan and Qatar said negotiators had agreed on a “roadmap towards reaching a final deal within 60 days”, with technical discussions set to continue throughout the week.
US President Donald Trump echoed Vance’s comments, writing on Truth Social that Iran would agree to inspections aimed at ensuring 'nuclear honesty'.
Trump later told reporters: “If Iran doesn't live up to their agreement, or if they're not behaving, I will do what I have to do.”
However, Iran publicly disputed suggestions that any such commitment had been made.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told the official IRNA news agency that Iran had not yet discussed nuclear issues during the talks and had made no new commitments on the matter.
According to IRNA, Baghaei said negotiations on the nuclear issue had not yet begun, directly contradicting the US account of the discussions.
He also added that Iran’s interactions with the IAEA would continue in accordance with current procedures, subject to the approval of Iran’s parliament and the decisions of the Supreme National Security Council.
The dispute comes against the backdrop of long-running tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran has limited inspections by the IAEA since previous US and Israeli military action and suspended them entirely after the outbreak of war earlier this year. Tehran maintains that its nuclear programme is peaceful.
Iran’s parliament last year passed legislation curtailing cooperation with the IAEA and suspending routine inspections following US strikes on the Iranian nuclear facilities at Esfahan, Fordow and Natanz. However, ties with the UN nuclear watchdog were not completely severed. The law still permits inspectors to access certain 'active nuclear sites', including the Bushehr nuclear power plant, on a 'case-by-case basis'.
Under the terms of last week’s preliminary framework, released by US officials, Iran is expected to dilute its stockpile of enriched uranium, potentially through “down-blending on site under the supervision of the IAEA”.
The UN watchdog estimates that Iran possesses around 440 kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 per cent, close to weapons-grade levels.
Vance said discussions on the return of inspectors could begin almost immediately.
“I expect that will happen at the minimum this week, but we think even some of those conversations with the inspectors... and with the IAEA could happen as soon as today,” he said.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed on X that he was present at Burgenstock and had met Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/did-iran-agree-to-iaea-inspections-for-nuclear-honesty-trump-vance-say-so/articleshowprint/131923088.cms
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Anti-ICE protester waving upside-down US flag hit by car in New Jersey, video shows her being thrown to the ground
Jun 23, 2026
A protest outside a US immigration detention centre turned chaotic on Sunday after a demonstrator was struck by a car while waving an upside-down American flag, reports the New York Post.
The incident happened outside Delaney Hall in Newark, New Jersey where dozens of protesters had gathered on Father’s Day calling for detainees to be released and for the facility to be shut down.
Footage from the scene shows a woman holding an upside-down US flag as she stood in front of the building’s entrance and blocked access.
Moments later, a red Dodge Challenger drove towards the group and hit the protester before continuing forward. She fell to the ground but was later seen moving, with fellow demonstrators shouting nearby.
The protester had travelled from Minnesota and was not seriously injured, according to Visible Brigade, a New Jersey-based activist group that spoke to Pix 11. The group said she “is not yet believed to have sought medical care.”
The group also claimed the driver of the vehicle was an employee of the GEO Group, the private company that operates the 1,000-bed facility, although this has not been confirmed by authorities.
Tensions escalated further after the incident, with protesters alleging that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers used pepper spray against the crowd.
The demonstration was part of a Father’s Day vigil outside Delaney Hall, where participants held signs reading “Free the dads, close the camps” and placed neckties on a fence while confronting officers stationed at the gates.
The facility has been a repeated flashpoint in recent weeks, with ongoing protests linked to claims by detainees of poor conditions, including overcrowding, limited access to services, and concerns over case delays. Officials have denied the allegations and said detention standards are higher than those in many US prisons.
Earlier in the month, 12 protesters were arrested outside the centre on charges including alleged assaults on federal officers. Some of those detained were said to be from out of state, and investigators have also linked a few individuals to activist groups campaigning against ICE operations at the site.
Source: indiatimes.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/anti-ice-protester-waving-upside-down-us-flag-hit-by-car-in-new-jersey-video-shows-her-being-thrown-to-the-ground/articleshowprint/131918804.cms
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Africa
Kenya labour minister accused over Russian forced recruitment
Jun 23, 2026
A Kenyan family's search for opportunity has ended in tragedy and sparked serious allegations against Labour Minister Alfred Mutua. Erastus Mundia, a 38-year-old father of three, left Kenya in June 2025 under a work programme that promised well-paying civilian jobs in Russia.
Instead, according to reports, he and hundreds of other Kenyans were allegedly forced to sign contracts with the Russian military and sent to fight in Ukraine, often with little training. Mundia was killed on the battlefield.
His mother, Josephine Ngoya, says the Kenyan government and Labour Minister Alfred Mutua betrayed families who trusted the programme. In June, Mutua shared photos of himself with Mundia and around 20 others leaving for Russia, saying they were headed for a "life-changing opportunity" that would earn them $900 dollars a month in a food-packing factory.
VOCAL Africa, a Kenyan rights group, believes most of the workers in the photos are now dead. Kenya says nearly 300 citizens have been caught up in irregular military recruitment, including 19 dead and 32 missing.
Meanwhile an intelligence report reportedly suggests the number could exceed one thousand.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2026/06/22/kenya-labour-minister-accused-over-russian-forced-recruitment/
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Court remands Islamic cleric over alleged defamatory social media posts
June 22, 2026
By Francis Ezediuno
A Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo on Monday ordered the remand of an Islamic cleric, Jamiu Adeguwa, in the custody of the Zone 11 Police Command over alleged defamatory statements made on social media.
The presiding judge, Justice Suleiman Hassan, directed that the defendant remain in police custody pending the hearing and determination of a formal bail application scheduled for June 26.
Adeguwa, who was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on defamation, pleaded not guilty to the allegation preferred against him.
The police prosecutor, Mr J. Famuyin, told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offence between July 4 and July 31, 2022, within the Osogbo metropolis.
Famuyin alleged that Adeguwa transmitted verbal and photographic messages through his social media platform, identified as the Al-Madrasatu Wahabiya page.
According to the prosecutor, “the defendant knowingly published false messages that were injurious and offensive to the character and reputation of the complainant”.
He told the court that the alleged act contravened sections 24(1)(a) and (b), as well as Section 24(2)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Counsel to the defendant, Mr Oladayo Ogungbe, urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms, arguing that the cleric was entitled to enjoy his liberty pending trial.
The prosecution opposed the oral bail application and prayed the court to order that the defendant be remanded at the Ilesa Correctional Centre while awaiting the hearing of the bail request.
In his ruling, Justice Hassan declined the oral application and ordered that Adeguwa be remanded in the custody of the Zone 11 Police Command.
The matter was subsequently adjourned until June 26 for hearing of the formal bail application.
Source: dailypost.ng
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/22/court-remands-islamic-cleric-over-alleged-defamatory-social-media-posts/
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‘Tinubu Is A Thief’ – VDM, Kanu Reacts As Court Remands Sowore In Prison
June 22, 2026
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
The remand of activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, at the Kuje Correctional Centre by a Federal High Court in Abuja has attracted reactions.
Naija News had earlier reported that Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, in a ruling on Monday, ordered that Sowore be remanded pending the hearing and determination of his motion seeking a stay of execution of the order revoking his bail and issuing a bench warrant against him.
Sowore is being prosecuted over allegations that he made false claims against President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as “a criminal” in posts on his social media accounts.
Reacting to the development, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, younger brother of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, expressed confidence that Sowore would overcome the situation.
In a post on his Facebook page, Emmanuel Kanu wrote, “Know that you are not alone in this battle. Surely, from grass to grace. Oppression, suppression, and subjugation are never sustainable.
“You will always emerge victorious. The universe remains on the side of justice. Biafrans are earnestly praying for you.”
VeryDarkMan Alleges Injustice
Also reacting, social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, criticised the prosecution of Sowore and alleged that corruption had permeated the justice system.
“All I can say here is that there is corruption in the Justice system in Nigeria. They are prosecuting him for calling Tinubu a thief. I don’t know Sowore’s interpretation of ‘thief’ but in my own interpretation, Tinubu’s government has robbed us of a lot of things,” he said.
According to him, insecurity and economic hardship have worsened under the current administration.
“They robbed us of access to farmland and access to secured roads. As I speak to you today, the whole Northern region has been taken over by terrorists and bandits.
“If you ask me, I would say that Tinubu’s administration is a thief. I am not a supporter of Sowore but that doesn’t mean we will be deaf ears about what is happening,” he added.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/22/vdm-kanu-reacts-court-remands-sowore-prison/
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Troops Repel Sokoto Attack, Rescue Abductees, Kill Two In Katsina
June 22, 2026
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North-West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have repelled a terrorist attack in Sokoto State, rescued abducted victims and neutralised two suspected terrorists in Katsina State.
The operations, according to the military, were carried out on June 21 and 22 as part of ongoing efforts to tackle terrorism and banditry in the North-West.
In a statement on Monday, the Media Information Officer of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, said troops acted on credible intelligence and foiled an attempt by armed terrorists to infiltrate Tureta town in Sokoto State.
“The vigilant troops engaged the criminals, forcing them to abandon their sinister mission and flee,” Danja said.
He added that aerial surveillance later tracked the fleeing terrorists to Sulubawa Gidan Kare village, where they were seen moving with abducted civilians and rustled livestock.
Danja said troops immediately launched a pursuit and encountered an ambush mounted by the retreating terrorists.
“Acting promptly, the troops launched a hot pursuit. Despite encountering a hastily mounted ambush by the retreating terrorists, the troops displayed exceptional courage and superior firepower, fighting through the ambush and compelling the criminals to scatter,” he stated.
He said the operation led to the rescue of the abductees, recovery of rustled cattle and seizure of two motorcycles allegedly used by the terrorists.
Two Killed In Katsina Raid
In a separate operation in the early hours of June 22, troops carried out an intelligence-led raid on a suspected terrorist enclave in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
“The surprise assault completely overwhelmed the terrorists. During the ensuing firefight, two terrorists were neutralised, while several others fled the scene with varying degrees of gunshot wounds,” the statement added.
The military said troops recovered a PKT assault rifle, an AK-47 rifle with ammunition, three motorcycles, communication devices, rustled livestock and other items.
Danja said the successes showed the resolve of troops to sustain pressure on terrorist groups in the region.
“These recent victories underscore the unwavering determination, professionalism and resilience of the troops of JTF NW Operation FANSAN YAMMA in taking the fight directly to the enclaves of terrorist and criminal elements.
“We assure the public that aggressive operations will be sustained to dismantle all terrorist networks, deny them freedom of action and restore lasting peace and security across the North-West region,” he said.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/22/troops-repel-sokoto-attack/
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Protesters Barricade Ibadan Road, Demand Release Of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers
June 22, 2026
Traffic was disrupted on Monday at the popular Iwo Road area of Ibadan, Oyo State, as protesters under the aegis of the Take It Back Movement barricaded the major route in protest against rising insecurity in the country.
Naija News reports that the demonstrators, who converged on the area at about 10 a.m., called on the government to intensify efforts towards securing the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped in Oyo State.
Speaking during the protest, the National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the action was a continuation of previous campaigns by the group following the abduction of pupils and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of the state in May.
According to him, the organisation would continue to mobilise citizens until all abducted victims regain their freedom.
“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their rooms and offices while innocent 46 students and their teachers are languishing in the kidnappers’ den,” Sanyaolu said.
The activist noted that the demand of the protesters extended beyond Oyo State, stressing that all victims of kidnapping across the country should be rescued.
“We are demanding freedom for all captives in the North, South, West and East of Nigeria,” he added.
Sanyaolu also criticised political leaders for allegedly prioritising preparations for the 2027 general elections while insecurity continues to threaten lives across the country.
He said, “Politicians are busy strategising for the 2027 elections when the country is not secure.
“We will not be sitting until 2027. By that time, we won’t even know how many will be alive. So that is why we are at the heart of Ibadan in Oyo State, where the abduction took place. The state and federal governments must act or they will continue to witness mass action.”
The protest caused heavy gridlock along the Iwo Road axis, with motorists and commuters stranded as demonstrators occupied sections of the busy roadway.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/22/protesters-barricade-ibadan-road/
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Resign Like Keir Starmer – Peter Obi Challenges President Tinubu
June 22, 2026
Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has called for the resignation of President Bola Tinubu.
Obi, in a statement on Monday via his 𝕏 Account, based his call on the decision of the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, to resign from office.
According to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) 2027 presidential candidate, the developments that led to Starmer’s resignation are similar to those Nigerians are experiencing with President Tinubu; hence, the expected outcome is for Tinubu to resign from office.
Naija News reports that the former Labour Party presidential candidate said Starmer resigned from office due to mounting public frustration over a stagnant economy, a worsening cost-of-living crisis, and a perceived failure to honour key campaign pledges.
He argued that Nigerians have endured economic hardship, failed campaign promises and insecurity under Tinubu’s leadership, and the honourable thing is for him to resign as Nigeria’s president.
Obi recalled how Tinubu championed calls for former President Goodluck Jonathan to resign from office, adding that Nigerians have faced greater challenges under the current administration than during the Jonathan era.
In his view, President Tinubu has failed as Nigeria’s leader and should resign.
Below is the full statement.
“This morning, I listened to the British Prime Minister’s speech announcing his planned resignation in July. As a keen observer of global politics, my primary interest lies in examining what successful nations do right and the structural factors that cause others to lag or struggle with governance and development.
“The Prime Minister’s planned resignation comes amid mounting public frustration over a stagnant economy, a worsening cost-of-living crisis, and a perceived failure to honour key campaign pledges.
“Looking inward in our dear country, we can recall our own situation. Before 2015, our President on several occasions championed the call for the then President Goodluck Jonathan to resign over economic hardship and insecurity affecting Nigerians. During the Chibok school kidnapping incident, he demanded the immediate resignation of President Jonathan, arguing that the government had failed in its most fundamental duty of protecting lives.
“During the 2023 election campaign, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made several promises, including improved electricity supply. He also challenged the electorate not to vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on those commitments—particularly in providing stable power, fighting corruption, and improving the welfare of Nigerians.
“At present, however, these conditions have worsened. Electricity supply remains unreliable, insecurity has intensified in many areas, including kidnappings, and economic hardship has deepened rather than eased. Similar concerns are reflected across other critical sectors such as security, infrastructure, transportation, and anti-corruption efforts, all of which have regressed. We are in the worst possible condition.
“I, therefore, join Nigerians of goodwill in calling for the resignation of the President over monumental failure in governance. Such a gesture would help enthrone a political culture rooted in accountability and responsibility, rather than further entrenching impunity. It would also send a powerful message that public office is a sacred trust, not an entitlement, and help build a society in which future leaders understand that failure carries consequences. Only by ending the culture of impunity can we secure a better future for the society our children will inherit in a New Nigeria that is possible.”
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/22/resign-like-keir-starmer-peter-obi-challenges-president-tinubu/
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Southeast Asia
Indonesia Needs to Keep Eye on Fragile US-Iran Talks, Ex-FM Says
Jayanty Nada Shofa
June 22, 2026
Jakarta. Indonesia needs to keep a close watch on how the US-Iran high-stakes talks are progressing, according to ex-foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda, although the former senior diplomat feels it is unlikely for Jakarta to step in as a mediator.
The US and Iran had just had their first round of face-to-face peace talks in Switzerland. Mediators Qatar and Pakistan claimed that the meeting had ended on a positive note, while announcing that preparations for technical talks are underway. Asked whether Indonesia should step up as a mediator in the current negotiations, Hassan replied that it would be “far-fetched”, saying it’d be best for Jakarta to simply monitor the developments.
“What we need to do is to pay attention to the negotiations from up close to identify its implications on our [economy] and the world,” Hassan told reporters on the sidelines of an ASEAN-China conference on Monday.
“This includes whether they have reached an actual deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. … We [Indonesia] rely on the crude flows from the Hormuz.”
Hassan went on to talk of the dynamics in the negotiations, saying that US President Donald Trump’s aggressive threats could risk souring the mood at the negotiating table. Trump recently threatened to restart the war despite his veep JD Vance citing progress. Vance was present at the Swiss meeting.
Having “external parties” as part of the deal also set its own challenge, according to Hassan, referring to the warring Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militia. The initial 14-point MoU had covered a stop to military operations in Lebanon.
Reopening the Strait of Hormuz—which handles a quarter of the world's oil maritime trade—is central in the talks. Iran has effectively blocked the narrow waterway in retaliation against Israel-US attacks on February 28, leaving two Indonesian tankers trapped in the Persian Gulf. The closure has driven up the global crude benchmark Brent to break through $100 per barrel. Prices have fallen following the interim peace deal. As of Monday, Brent had slipped under $80 per barrel.
“Negotiations can bring down crude prices, but of course, it would take time. … Estimates suggest that it would take three months for the [maritime traffic] to return to normal,” Hassan said.
At home, Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani is upbeat that developments can spur “positive sentiment for Indonesia’s economy”. Senior economic minister Airlangga Hartarto signaled that the earlier peace agreement didn’t mean Jakarta would rush into making adjustments to its energy policies.
Indonesia’s mantra in response to the US-Iran war has been “self-restraint and dialogue”. Early on in the fighting, President Prabowo Subianto had offered to mediate between the US and Iran, even willing to head to Tehran to facilitate the discussions.
Source: jakartaglobe.id
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Gombak police tracking man in military-style uniform, suspected replica firearm
23 Jun 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — Police are tracking down a man dressed in a military-style uniform and carrying what is believed to be a replica firearm, following a video that went viral on social media.
Gombak police chief ACP Ibrahim Husin said in a statement today that the incident is believed to have occurred in the vicinity of Taman Bukit Desa, Kepong, Selangor.
He said police have opened an investigation under Section 140 of the Penal Code and Section 36 of the Arms Act 1960.
Members of the public with information related to the incident are urged to contact Insp S. Prakash at 012-294 0827, the Gombak district police headquarters opeQrations room at 03-612 6222, or visit the nearest police station.
A 15-second video circulating on social media shows a man dressed in a green military-style uniform walking through a residential area while carrying a rifle. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Malaysia to address US-Iran MoU in parliament today
23 Jun 2026
Malaysia’s role in the US-Iran MoU and MADANI Mart updates are among key topics in today’s Dewan Rakyat sitting.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s role and position regarding the announcement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United States and Iran to end the military conflict in West Asia is scheduled to be discussed at today’s Dewan Rakyat sitting.
According to the Order Paper on Parliament’s official website, Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa (BN-Tampin) will pose a question to the Foreign Minister on the matter, including the steps Malaysia will take to ensure lasting peace in the region.
He will raise the question during the Minister’s Question Time after the Dewan Rakyat sitting begins at 10 am.
During the same session, Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) will ask the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) about the latest status of the MADANI Mart implementation initiative, including the number of outlets currently operating, applications received and entrepreneurs involved.
In the question-and-answer session, Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) will ask the Home Minister to state the number of synthetic drug addiction cases recorded since 2023 and the government’s strategy to address the rising use of such drugs, including the threat of fentanyl.
Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) will ask the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry regarding the latest status of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) implementation between Malaysia and the United States.
Meanwhile, three bills are scheduled to be tabled for first reading at today’s sitting, namely the Prisons (Amendment) Bill 2026, the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Competition Commission (Amendment) Bill 2026.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/malaysia-us-iran-mou-parliament-today/
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Loke: Malaysia must modernise ports, secure shipping routes amid global uncertainty
23 Jun 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — Malaysia must build a future-ready maritime economy, anchored by resilient ports, a diversified energy architecture, innovative digital infrastructure, secure shipping corridors, and robust regional cooperation.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said this is important given the growing strategic significance of the Strait of Malacca amid evolving global development.
“With approximately one-quarter of globally traded goods and a massive share of Asia’s energy imports transiting through this corridor annually, Malaysia is strategically positioned in the centre of gravity.
“As global shipping routes recalibrate around geopolitical uncertainties, we have a significant opportunity to reinforce our standing as a premier maritime, logistics, and transhipment hub,” he said in his keynote address at the Global Maritime Economics Conference 2026, organised by the Maritime Institute of Malaysia here today.
The conference, themed ‘Advancing Resilience and Accelerating Sustainable Maritime Growth’, explores the trends influencing global maritime economic growth amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
In his speech, Loke emphasised that by accelerating port modernisation, deploying advanced automation, expanding multimodal logistics networks, and elevating maritime security, Malaysia can capture new trade opportunities while actively stabilising regional supply chains.
“This is particularly as Malaysia’s major ports already handle hundreds of millions of tonnes of cargoes annually, serving as critical links connecting Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa,” he added.
Loke also cautioned that modern economies are highly dependent on uninterrupted maritime freedoms.
“Historical milestones have shown that when maritime chokepoints are threatened, far-reaching economic shocks would follow. Shipping rates surged, insurance premiums spiked, supply chains fractured and energy markets spiralled into volatility,” he said.
Citing reports from the World Bank and the United Nations Trade and Development, Loke said that due to recent disruptions in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, the average maritime shipping routes have increased to 5,200 miles today from approximately 4,800 miles in 2018.
“When more than 80 per cent of global commerce relies on maritime transport, safeguarding freedom of commerce is not just an idealised goal but an absolute economic imperative,” he said.
As such, Loke emphasised that investment in maritime cybersecurity, digital transformation, sustainable infrastructure, and regional cooperation would ensure that international trade continues to function as a powerful engine for growth and prosperity. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Perikatan approves Pejuang and PCM as new members, seat talks commence
23 Jun 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — The Perikatan Nasional Supreme Council (PN) last night decided to approve the applications of Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) and Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) as new members of the coalition.
Apart from the announcement, PN chairman Datuk Seri Ir Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar also said PN would finalise the seat distribution for the Johor state election soon.
He said for that, a meeting on the matter would be held tomorrow, which would be chaired by Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor as the PN election director.
“God willing, it will be finalised before nomination day,” he said at a press conference here tonight.
The Election Commission (EC) has set June 27 as nomination day, while July 7 is the early voting day and July 11 is the polling day. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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‘Know our limits’: Keep royal institution out of Johor election contest, says PM Anwar
By Ben Tan
23 Jun 2026
TANGKAK, June 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the upcoming Johor election must strictly remain a contest between political parties, without involving the royal institution or the Malay rulers.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman said that in a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, each political party must understand its respective role to avoid causing any conflict.
“We need to remember our limits and this is what I, as well as my friends in Pakatan Harapan, affirm to.
“I would advise for this upcoming state election to be purely between (political) parties and to avoid linking politics to the Malay rulers,” he said in his address during the Johor state election PH candidate announcement ceremony at Bukit Gambir Extreme Park in Bukit Gambir here last night.
Also present were PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, its deputy chairman Anthony Loke and the coalition’s vice-chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
Earlier, Anwar also stressed the importance of good relations between the federal government and the country’s royal institution, especially in Johor.
He recounted his audience earlier yesterday with the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, which he described as harmonious.
“Tunku Mahkota Ismail even called out to say that PMX (Anwar’s monicker as the country’s tenth prime minister) is my friend. This reflects on the close relations between us,” he said.
Anwar went on to explain that his close ties with the Johor crown prince had helped resolve unscrupulous political campaigns by a few irresponsible parties.
He also admonished those who had fuelled tensions by using the ruler’s name in vain.
“This is the reason why I place importance that our relations with the Malay rulers must remain good,” he said.
Anwar said he later clarified to Tunku Mahkota Ismail the initiatives taken by the federal government to assist Johor’s development.
He said the discussions also touched on the state’s allocations.
“I explained to His Majesty the role of PH, where cooperation between the Malays, Chinese, Indians and even Orang Asli is important.
“I also appreciate His Majesty’s views and accept them in good faith,” he said.
Anwar’s comments came following the recent tension between the federal and Johor state governments, which was irresponsibly linked to the Johor royal palace.
The situation led to public scrutiny following differing views on Johor’s revenue contributions and financial leakages, which also sparked debate on social media.
Source: malaymail.com
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South Asia
Citizens Bank organises shariah supervisory committee meeting
22 June 2026
Citizens Bank PLC’s shariah supervisory committee (SSC) recently held its first meeting at the bank’s head office in Dhaka.
Prof Mohammad Abdus Samad, chairman of the Shariah Supervisory Committee, chaired the meeting, according to a press release.
Alamgir Hossain, managing director of the bank, attended the meeting.
Mufti Muhammad Abu Yusuf and Mufti Muinul Islam, members of the committee, were also present.
The committee reviewed and approved all guidelines, policies and PPGs prepared for Islamic banking operations, including those related to shariah compliance, service quality enhancement, investment management, and operational procedures for shariah-compliant products and services.
The committee members expressed satisfaction with the overall preparedness and strategic initiatives undertaken by Citizens Bank PLC for the launch of its Islamic banking services.
Citizens Bank Islamic Banking would make a meaningful contribution to the growth and development of the Islamic banking industry in Bangladesh and emerge as a trusted provider of shariah-compliant banking services.
Md Mostafizur Rahman and Md Abdul Latif, deputy managing directors of the bank, Md Rafiqul Islam Shikder, head of the Islamic Banking Division, along with other officials of the division, were also present.
Source: thedailystar.net
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Iran Yet to Recognize Islamic Emirate Despite Earlier Signals
23 Jun 2026
Alireza Bikdeli had insisted that there was no obstacle to Iran’s recognition of the Islamic Emirate and that Tehran would soon announce this legal decision.
Speaking on February 10, 2026, Alireza Bikdeli, the acting ambassador of Iran in Kabul, said: “At the appropriate time, we will make this legal decision and, in order to strengthen our relations, we will take our own initiative regarding recognition—an initiative that all of you will appreciate.”
However, despite the passage of time since those remarks, Iran has yet to formally recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
Janat Fahim Chakari, a university professor, said: “Iran pursues a dual-track policy toward Afghanistan. During the Republic era, we saw that it maintained relations with both the Islamic Emirate and the government of the time. Even now, despite its good relations with the Islamic Emirate, it also maintains ties with opponents of the Islamic Emirate.”
Iran has repeatedly emphasized that it seeks to expand its multifaceted relations with Afghanistan and is working to further strengthen political, economic, and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Nevertheless, issues such as water rights, security concerns, and the deportation of Afghan migrants have remained among the key factors affecting relations between the Islamic Emirate and Iran.
Source: tolonews.com
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https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-199747
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Aid Workers Given One Month to Comply With Beard Rules at Islam Qala Border Center
By Fidel Rahmati
June 22, 2026
Humanitarian aid workers at the Islam Qala reception center in Herat have been given one month to comply with newly imposed beard regulations or risk losing access to the facility.
Taliban authorities at the Islam Qala reception center in Herat have given humanitarian aid workers one month to bring their beards into compliance with the administration’s requirements.
According to information released on Monday, the directive was discussed during a meeting between officials from the Taliban’s Department of Refugees and Repatriation and representatives of humanitarian organizations. The order applies to male staff members as well as male guardians accompanying female employees.
Sources said workers who fail to meet the requirements after the one-month deadline could be barred from entering the reception center.
The measure follows a rise in the detention of aid workers by Taliban morality police for shaving or trimming their beards. Taliban officials reportedly told aid agencies that the new rule is intended to prevent further confrontations and arrests.
The move comes amid a broader tightening of social restrictions in Herat. In recent months, authorities have increased enforcement of dress and behavior rules, with reports of women and girls being detained over alleged violations of prescribed clothing requirements.
Herat serves as the main gateway for thousands of Afghan returnees arriving from Iran each week. Numerous humanitarian organizations operate at Islam Qala, providing registration, transportation and emergency assistance to returning families.
Aid agencies have repeatedly warned that expanding restrictions on humanitarian workers could disrupt relief operations and hinder assistance to vulnerable Afghans arriving through one of the country’s busiest border crossings.
Source: khaama.com
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At Least 12 Afghans Executed in Iran This Year, Rights Monitors Report
By Fidel Rahmati
June 22, 2026
Iran has executed three Afghan nationals on drug-related charges in separate prisons, according to the Kurdish human rights organization Hengaw, which says the number of Afghan citizens executed in the country this year has continued to rise.
Hengaw reported that two Afghan men were executed on Sunday in Shiraz Central Prison. The organization identified them as Khalilzadi, 55, from Jalalabad, and Ahmad Shahi, 40, from Khost. According to the group, both men had been sentenced to death in separate narcotics-related cases after being arrested one and two years ago.
The rights organization also said another Afghan citizen was executed on the same day in Zabol Central Prison in Iran’s southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan Province on similar drug-related charges. Iranian judicial authorities and state media have not publicly confirmed the executions.
With these cases, Hengaw says at least 12 Afghan nationals have been executed in Iran since the beginning of 2026. The organization has previously warned of an increase in the execution of foreign nationals, particularly Afghan migrants, in Iranian prisons.
A separate rights group, the Baloch-focused organization Hal Vash, reported that Iranian authorities executed another 25-year-old Afghan prisoner in Zahedan Prison on June 18 after he was convicted on drug-related charges. Human rights monitors say such cases often receive little public attention and limited transparency.
Iran hosts one of the world’s largest Afghan migrant and refugee populations, with millions of Afghans living in the country after decades of conflict and economic hardship in Afghanistan. Rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern about the legal protections available to foreign nationals facing capital punishment.
According to the Norway-based organization Iran Human Rights, Iranian authorities executed at least 84 Afghan citizens in 2025. The group described the figure as one of the highest annual totals recorded for Afghan nationals in recent years.
The United Nations and international rights organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about Iran’s use of capital punishment. UN data indicate that more than 2,100 executions were reported in Iran during the previous year, giving the country one of the highest execution rates in the world.
Source: khaama.com
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CAG asks full rollout of online pension tracking system to ensure transparency
22 Jun 2026
DHAKA, June 22, 2026 (BSS) – Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh Md. Nurul Islam today directed the full implementation of the Online Pension Tracking and Management System (OPTMS) to enhance transparency, efficiency and accountability in pension processing for retired government employees.
“The OPTMS is being developed as part of the government's broader digital governance agenda, building on the success of post-retirement pension automation. The system aims to digitize pre-retirement and pension processing activities across the CGA, CGDF and Railway Finance offices, reducing dependence on manual procedures and minimizing delays,” he added.
Nurul Islam made the remarks while speaking at a progress review meeting at the CAG office in the city, said a press release.
In his speech, Nurul Islam stressed the importance of providing a seamless digital service for pensioners and ensuring faster settlement of pension-related procedures.
Senior representatives from the Office of the Controller General of Accounts (CGA), the Controller General Defence Finance (CGDF) and Bangladesh Railway's finance division attended the meeting.
A technical presentation at the meeting demonstrated the platform's key features, including a self-service tracking facility that will allow pensioners to monitor the real-time status and location of their pension files online immediately after submission.
Officials said the feature is expected to improve transparency and reduce uncertainty for retirees.
To accelerate implementation, the CAG issued a series of directives to the participating agencies.
He instructed the CGA, CGDF and Bangladesh Railway finance authorities to maintain close coordination with the technical team working under the Strengthening Public Financial Management Program (SPFMS).
He also ordered the incorporation of recommendations from the CGA into the system framework and directed the CGDF and Railway Finance authorities to urgently finalize and submit their business processes for integration into the platform.
Emphasizing pensioners' welfare, Md. Nurul Islam called for maximum caution in issuing the Estimated Last Pay Certificate (ELPC) and urged officials to address complications related to service statements to prevent hardship for retirees.
Concluding the meeting, the CAG expressed optimism that coordinated efforts among all stakeholders would enable the OPTMS to become fully operational in a short time.
He described the initiative as a significant step toward a transparent, accountable and time-bound public service delivery system, ensuring that retired public servants receive efficient and responsive pension services.
Source: bssnews.net
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Viral albino buffalo ‘Donald Trump’ moved to BLRI for genetic research
22 June 2026
The rare albino buffalo known as “Donald Trump,” which attracted widespread attention in Bangladesh and abroad, has been transferred to the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) in Savar for scientific research.
Following a directive from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the animal was formally handed over to BLRI by the Mirpur National Zoo on Sunday. It is now undergoing a mandatory 14-day preliminary quarantine.
BLRI authorities have formed a 13-member committee to oversee the buffalo, headed by Chief Scientific Officer and Head of the Buffalo Production Research Division, Dr Gautam Kumar Deb. Officials said the animal will remain at the institute permanently.
Speaking to The Daily Star, Dr Gautam said the buffalo had been brought in for research on breed development.
“As this breed is highly attractive, research will mainly focus on its genetic and production potential. The animal is under quarantine for 14 days, with restricted access and ongoing observation. It is healthy and will remain here permanently,” he said.
The buffalo was originally reared by Ziauddin Mridha, owner of Rabeya Agro Farm in Narayanganj. Ahead of this year’s Eid-ul-Azha, it was purchased for Tk 3.85 lakh by Moniruzzaman of the Zindabahar area in Old Dhaka for sacrificial purposes.
However, the animal gained viral attention on social media, prompting authorities to take custody of it on security grounds. It was later handed over to Keraniganj Police Station following instructions from the authorities and subsequently transferred to the National Zoo in Mirpur.
The buffalo remained at the zoo until its recent relocation to BLRI for scientific study.
Source: thedailystar.net
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