‘Don’t Send Muslim Delivery Boy’: Jaipur Swiggy Rider Counters Bigotry with Humanity, Finds Unexpected Warmth
New Age Islam News Bureau
19 June 2026
Aftab Khan
Ribhu Chatterjee
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· ‘Don’t Send Muslim Delivery Boy’: Jaipur Swiggy Rider Counters Bigotry with Humanity, Finds Unexpected Warmth
· Saudi envoy tells UN Security Council two-state solution only path to lasting Mideast peace
· Saudi Arabia, other Muslim countries condemn escalating settler violence against Palestinians in occupied West Bank
· Hundreds protest Tommy Robinson’s Oxford Union debate on Islam
· US lifts naval blockade as Iran's supreme leader says Trump made deal 'out of desperation'
· Christian and Muslim religious leaders concerned about increasing insecurity in Nigeria
· Why Muslim marriages break down in Malaysia: Here’s what SIS Forum’s 10-year data shows
· Afghanistan Says It Struck Targets in Pakistan in Overnight Air Raids
India
· Varanasi mosque gets railways notice: ‘Will demolish if not removed by June 20’
· Muslim families plan to leave Sangli village, protest at High Court after attack by Hindu group
· 100 yrs of majlis-e-sham-e-Ghariban, a tradition Lucknow gave to world
· RSS office attack in Ranchi: Pakistan ISI-backed terror network uncovered
· Punjab Police secures deportation of two Malaysia-based KZF operatives accused in railway terror plot
· Amit Shah, US envoy discuss stronger India-US action against terror and drugs
· Maharashtra school booked over alleged Pakistani song performance; principal says it was Turkish music
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Mideast
· IRGC sets up secretive cells in Iraq to conduct drone attacks on Gulf: Reuters
· Israel says striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon
· Syria reports new Israeli incursion into Quneitra village amid ongoing border tensions
· Syria launches media code to combat hate speech, set professional standards
· Gaza ceasefire ‘failing’ as hunger, rats and rubble define daily life, UN humanitarian chief warns
· Iranian president thanks Qatari emir for mediating interim agreement with US
· Iran’s supreme leader Khamenei says approved US deal despite having ‘different view’
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Arab World
· Saudi Arabia earns global recognition for rail safety and air traffic management
· Strong Ramadan and Hajj results eased impact of Iran war, Saudi tourism minister says
· SFDA CEO participates in DIA global annual meeting
· Saudi Arabia maintains leading cybersecurity ranking for third consecutive year
· Riyadh event sheds light on creative, social responsibility sectors in Saudi Arabia
· Social enterprise can drive Kingdom’s growth, experts tell Riyadh forum
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Europe
· Man who falsely claimed to have AK-47 at Brisbane mosque escapes criminal conviction
· Germany’s co-ruling CDU files complaint against party member for saying Muslims should be gassed to death
· Ireland part of international police operation targeting terrorist network
· Baku launches global Islamic economists training programme
· Plans to build faith school next to Crawley mosque recommended for refusal for second time
· Scottish Conservatives win first Westminster by-election in more than 50 years
· Moscow honors foreigners for helping Russia’s development
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North America
· CAIR Welcomes Order for ‘Long-Overdue’ Release of Salah Sarsour from ICE Detention
· CAIR-WA Says Seattle U Provost’s Apology Does Not Address Issue of Grabbing Student, Palestinian Flag During Commencement
· CAIR-FL Calls on Village Officials to Allow Islamic Holiday Greeting in Media Outlets
· Islamic Center of San Diego focuses on healing and security one month after the mass shooting
· Obamas host star-studded opening of Chicago presidential centre
In Trump's shadow, Vance becomes face of Iran deal
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Africa
· ‘They Are Humans Like Us’ – Ex-General Urges Nigerians To Face Bandits, Terrorists
· Take Terrorists, Criminal Activities Off Your Front Pages – FG Begs Journalists
· Libya’s Fatwa House calls for rejection of Structured Dialogue outcomes
· Ethiopia: U.S. sanctions officials over Tigray tensions
· Yola court remands teenagers over alleged mosque generator theft
· ‘A Leader Must Confront Crisis’ – Umahi Speaks On Tinubu Serving Beyond 2027
· Retired Generals Make Demands After Death Of Gen. Abubakar In Bandits’ Den
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Southeast Asia
· Sultan Ibrahim, in role as police honorary commissioner, receives security briefing from top cop
· Indonesia eyes major role in US$3.56 trillion global halal market
· Collaboration key to growth of Muslim-friendly tourism, say industry leaders
· New mosque to rise in front of TRX as Bukit Bintang seeks permanent worship space
· As pigeon-munching croc settles near Kuching floating mosque, Sarawak minister urges forestry agency to act
· Anwar praises Putin, Xi for condemning Gaza, Iran attacks
· Anwar in Ashgabat for two-day official trip to boost Malaysia-Turkmenistan ties
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South Asia
· Islamic Emirate Calls for Realistic, Ground-Based Assessments of Afghanistan
· Measles outbreak: Confirmed, suspected cases cross 1 lakh
· Don’t isolate me from people in name of security
· Former state minister and BNP leader Harun Al Rashid dies at 87
· Afghan Prisoner Executed in Iran, Rights Group Says
· DABS Discusses Investment Opportunities with Iranian Companies
· EU, International Partners Inspect Samdera Irrigation Canal in Badakhshan
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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‘Don’t Send Muslim Delivery Boy’: Jaipur Swiggy Rider Counters Bigotry with Humanity, Finds Unexpected Warmth
Debayan Dutta
19.06.26
Aftab Khan
Ribhu Chatterjee
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Aftab Khan, a rider for Swiggy in Jaipur, was stunned by a delivery instruction that flashed across his smartphone screen on a recent afternoon: “Don’t send a Muslim delivery boy.”
For Khan, who is also an aspiring rapper who goes by the name Rocking Aftab, the words were a sharp, unexpected sting. He could have cancelled the order or passed it along to another rider in his local WhatsApp group.
"As a human, I was very sad to see this," Khan recalled. "But I wanted to know the person behind this. I wanted to know his opinion."
Climbing the stairs to the third-floor apartment with the order in hand, Khan felt a tremor of fear, acutely aware of the country's sensitive social climate. What happened next entirely upended his anxieties.
The customer opened the door with a warm smile. When Khan gently asked him about the discriminatory note, the man’s demeanor shifted instantly from confusion to deep embarrassment, Khan said.
The customer explained that it was an old message instruction left in a moment of anger during a different phase of his life and he didn't know how to delete that instruction.
Khan didn't argue or lecture. He took the customer's phone, navigated the app and removed the text. The interaction ended with a handshake and an offer of a glass of water.
"Everyone makes mistakes," Khan said simply. "He apologised to me, and that relieved my heart. Our aim is to spread love in the country."
The Cost of a Dream
Raised in a financially strained household, Khan’s father is a vegetable vendor. Khan was forced to leave his studies early. In his conservative neighborhood, his musical ambitions were initially mocked or dismissed as a distraction.
Yet, music remained his lifeline. Inspired by the sudden rise of Indian rap in his school days, he began writing lyrics in 2015. By 2024, he won Swiggy’s corporate talent hunt, Swiggy Viggy, performing an original track titled Swiggy's Partner.
"In the society I come from, having a dream is more expensive than fulfilling it," Khan said. "Most people just follow the herd. But I believe only my talent can bring me out of this situation."
In a snippet from his latest track, Khan’s lyrics plead for a return to common humanity:
Ram ne bola nahi, maaro Musalmaan ko,
Allah ne farmaya nahi, maaro insaan ko...
Jisne tujhe banaya, usne hi mujhe banaya,
Insaan ke aukaat ka hai mel nahi.”
[Neither Ram nor Allah asked to kill another human...
The one who made you, made me too.]*
Khan said the “delivery instruction” incident was not an indictment of his hometown. He said he encounters profound kindness on his routes, like the monsoon afternoon last July when a customer noticed him drenched to the skin and gave him a cup of hot milk.
By turning a bigoted delivery note into a quiet moment of reconciliation, Rocking Aftab proved that sometimes, the most powerful way to change a narrative isn't to shout over it, but to deliver the truth face-to-face.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/dont-send-muslim-delivery-boy-jaipur-swiggy-delivery-guy-confronts-bigotry-finds-warmth/cid/2166262
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Saudi envoy tells UN Security Council two-state solution only path to lasting Mideast peace
Ephrem Kossaify
June 19, 2026
Abdulaziz Alwasil, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN, addresses the Security Council on the escalating conflict in the Middle East. (UN)
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NEW YORK: The Saudi permanent representative to the UN told the Security Council on Thursday that the Palestinian issue remains at the heart of the Middle East conflict, warning that genuine peace cannot be achieved without ending Israel’s occupation.
Speaking on behalf of the Arab Group at a council meeting on Gaza, Abdulaziz Alwasil said lasting peace requires that Palestinians exercise their “legitimate and inalienable rights,” foremost an independent state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He voiced “extreme concern” over continuing Israeli violations in the Occupied Territories, citing the targeting of civilians, settlement expansion, land confiscation, home demolitions, displacement and annexation, warning that these threaten regional and international stability.
The Arab Group rejected all Israeli measures aimed at entrenching the occupation or imposing sovereignty over Palestinian territory, calling them “null and void” and a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter.
The group welcomed international efforts toward a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and called for building on them toward a comprehensive plan ending the conflict, protecting civilians and launching a credible political track toward a two-state solution.
The group condemned continued “massacres” against Palestinians and demanded immediate, sustained humanitarian access throughout Gaza, rejecting any use of aid as political pressure, which it called collective punishment. It urged greater international support for relief efforts and unimpeded UN agency access.
Alwasil condemned Israeli moves to annex parts of Gaza and displace residents, calling this a violation of US President Donald Trump’s plan.
The group reaffirmed Jerusalem’s status as part of the Occupied Territories since 1967, rejecting attempts to alter its demographic or legal character, and called for preserving the status quo at holy sites.
Alwasil urged the Security Council to fulfill its UN Charter responsibilities and the international community to end the occupation and uphold Palestinian rights.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2647768/middle-east
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Saudi Arabia, other Muslim countries condemn escalating settler violence against Palestinians in occupied West Bank
June 18, 2026
A man clears the rubble as writing in Hebrew on the wall reads “revenge, regards to the arrested, people, wake up,” at one of the West Bank mosques that were vandalized and partly set on fire by Israeli settlers overnight, in the village of Jiljilya, north of Ramallah, Wednesday, June 17, 2026. (AP)
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RIYADH: The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and other Muslim and Arab countries condemned continued and escalating settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Thursday.
The foreign ministers of the Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Turkiye, Indonesia, and Pakistan condemned recent attacks on the Grand Mosque in the village of Jiljiliya and Al-Farouq Mosque in the village of Mazari Al-Nubani, north of Ramallah.
Israeli settlers set fire to the mosques in the West Bank villages on Wednesday and the Grand Mosque in Jiljiliya had graffiti written on the walls in Hebrew.
The incident came during a period of increased attacks against Palestinian communities by settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank since the start of the Gaza war in 2023.
The ministers affirmed that these attacks constitute a clear violation of the sanctity of places of worship and religious sites, as well as of international law.
The Ministers affirmed their absolute rejection of the attacks committed by Israeli settlers, as well as the continuation of unilateral and illegal Israeli measures in the occupied Palestinian territory which fuel instability, violence and extremism, and undermine international efforts aimed at achieving peace.
They said that they held Israel — the occupying power — responsible for these attacks and renewed their call on the international community to oblige Israel to stop its dangerous escalation in the occupied West Bank, end its illegal practices, stop settler violence, hold the perpetrators of these crimes accountable, and ensure that they do not escape punishment.
The ministers reaffirmed their firm solidarity with the Palestinian people, and their steadfast support for fulfilling their legitimate and inalienable national rights, foremost of which is their right to self-determination, and the embodiment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state along 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
They reaffirmed their support for all efforts aimed at ending Israeli occupation and achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, based on the two-state solution, and in accordance with international law, relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2647720/saudi-arabia
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Hundreds protest Tommy Robinson’s Oxford Union debate on Islam
Pramod Thomas
Jun 18, 2026
Demonstrators take part in a protest against a speech by British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, to The Oxford Union, in Oxford, western England, on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images)
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SEVERAL hundred protesters demonstrated in central Oxford on Wednesday (17) after Britain's far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson arrived to speak at the prestigious Oxford Union society in a debate on Islam.
The activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, spoke in favour of the motion "The West is right to be suspicious of Islam".
The debate, which also features former actor and far-right activist Laurence Fox, had been due to happen in May but was postponed over security concerns.
The Oxford Union is not part of the university but leading the society or speaking at its formal debates has traditionally been a stepping-stone towards a political career. Previous speakers there include Malcolm X, the Dalai Lama and Queen Elizabeth II.
Protesters, some wearing masks, chanted "Oxford is anti-fascist" and "racist scum off our streets", carrying placards with slogans including "Don't debate racism, reject it" and "So much for Union".
Some signs referred to Robinson's recent visit to Russia, saying: "How many rubles do you cost, Tommy?" and "Putin's poster boy".
"The Oxford Union should never have invited him," said Green Party local councillor Chris Jarvis, who was taking part in the protest.
"Everyone is entitled to free speech. What they are not entitled to is a platform and the Oxford Union has chosen to platform far-right figures," Jarvis told AFP, adding that businesses had shut early due to the event and planned protest.
Susan Brown, the head of Oxford City Council, said this week that she was "deeply concerned" by the Union's decision to host Robinson.
Phoebe, 30, who works in publishing and asked that her surname not be used, said: "I think the legitimisation of these viewpoints is incredibly dangerous."
'Debate started late'
Police blocked a central shopping street to form a barrier between those protesting the debate and a much smaller group of Robinson supporters, including children, who waved Union Jack flags.
Some demonstrators linked arms to block access to the street where the Oxford Union is located to stop ticket holders attending.
Police led away two men after scuffles near one of the blocked entrances to the Union, AFP saw.
Cherwell, a student newspaper, posted a video of the chamber almost empty and reported the debate started around one-and-a-half hours late.
One of the organisers of the protest, Teige from Oxford Stand Up to Racism, who also asked that his surname be withheld, told AFP that it appeared "only a handful of people could get in".
He said he was "delighted" that protests "made it impossible for the audience to get into a racist debate".
"They've stopped people being able to enter. I would say this is a victory," he said.
In a post on X, Robinson criticised "far left degenerates blocking anyone wanting to learn or share ideas". The debate was between teams, with former Tory cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg speaking on the opposing side.
Home Office blocked US-based left-wing commentators Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker from entering the UK to speak at a festival this month.
Earlier this month, Robinson spoke at a rally that turned violent in Southampton over the death of Henry Nowak, a student wrongfully handcuffed while dying.
Source: easterneye.biz
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https://www.easterneye.biz/tommy-robinson-oxford-union-islam-debate-protests/
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US lifts naval blockade as Iran's supreme leader says Trump made deal 'out of desperation'
Jun 19, 2026
Vicky Wong
The US has dropped its naval blockade of Iran after the two countries signed a deal to end the war in the Middle East.
US Central Command confirmed the end of the blockade on X "in accordance with the President's direction", and said some US vessels would remain "in the general area".
Soon afterwards, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said he had approved the deal with the US despite having a "different view", without elaborating. He said he allowed it to go ahead after assurances from Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian that he would "protect the rights of the Iranian nation".
Khamenei said President Trump had "out of desperation, used all kinds of leverage" to bring the deal about.
The supreme leader said that while there would be "in-person negotiations in the future" between Tehran and Washington, this "will not mean acceptance of the enemy's position".
This is the first time Khamenei has responded to the agreement. He has not been seen in public since he took office in March following the killing of his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the 28 February US-Israeli strikes on Iran that sparked the regional war.
Trump did not directly respond to Khamanei's statement, but posted on Truth Social that he expects a ceasefire to take effect "on all fronts", including between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, and that he expects countries in the Middle East to "maintain their commitment to allowing our negotiations" to take place.
The US-Iran deal centres around 14 core points, including the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a requirement that Iran should never have a nuclear weapon, and a commitment to a $300bn (£227bn) fund for the "reconstruction and economic development" of the country - although the US is not required to contribute.
It also binds both sides to achieving a final deal in a "maximum" of 60 days, which could be extended with mutual consent.
The official signing ceremony had been set to take place in Switzerland on Friday. However, mediator Pakistan told the BBC it had been cancelled because the deal had already been signed remotely. US and Iranian representatives are still expected to meet in Switzerland for further talks.
A White House spokesperson said on Thursday evening that the US Vice-President JD Vance would not be departing tonight.
Speaking to reporters at a White House briefing earlier, Vance said the deal had come into effect, triggering the 60-day period of further talks, and that he would likely head to Switzerland for "technical negotiations".
He did not confirm when, adding that Iran was "not an easy country to get out of" and that they were "trying to figure out exactly when that was going to happen".
The White House spokesperson said the US was "looking forward to beginning technical talks as soon as possible".
Trump's decision to end the war with Iran has raised criticism from some in the US, including Republicans dismayed by the terms of the deal - especially the provision of a reconstruction fund for Iran.
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy described the agreement as the "worst foreign policy blunder in decades".
"Iran's nuclear ambitions were not curbed, and they have learned that threatening the Strait of Hormuz works," he said.
Vance defended the deal on Thursday, saying that Iran will not receive money or sanctions relief unless it meets obligations set out in the agreement.
He said the deal, known as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), requires Iran to destroy its stockpile of enriched uranium, and show it will not fund proxy groups in the region.
Vance also castigated members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet for criticising the Iran deal, saying they should "wake up and smell the reality".
"If I was in the cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world," the vice-president told reporters.
In an interview with the New York Times also published on Thursday, Vance named Israel's national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich as critics of the deal.
He said: "I guess my response to them would be - what is your exact proposal? You're a country of nine million people. You can't just kill your way out of solving every single national security problem that you have."
Netanyahu himself stressed the importance of maintaining Israel's close ties with the US on Thursday, saying Washington had stood "shoulder to shoulder" with the country during the war with Iran.
But both Israel and Hezbollah have carried out strikes against each other since the US-Iran agreement was announced, including strikes reported in Lebanon on Thursday that killed three people.
Israel argues its conflict against Hezbollah is separate from its war on Iran. Hezbollah has also rejected the terms of the deal between Iran and the US.
Vance told reporters that Israel would have to respect the peace process with Iran, which he said was good for them, stating that attacks in Lebanon's capital Beirut that kill civilians are "not acceptable".
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8r2eejdd35o
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Christian and Muslim religious leaders concerned about increasing insecurity in Nigeria
18 June 2026
Abuja (Fides News Agency) – “As we wake up every day, we hear news of atrocities by Boko Haram, bandits and all sorts of criminals all over the country,” said Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins of Lagos, Vice President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), referring to the ongoing kidnappings, attacks on security forces, and the displacement of entire communities in various regions of Nigeria.
During the thanksgiving Mass on June 16 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Lagos, celebrating the 90th birthday, 60th anniversary of his priesthood, and 55th anniversary of the episcopal consecration of Cardinal Anthony Okogie, Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Archbishop Martins appealed to President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action to restore peace and security to the country. “Every day we hear of people being kidnapped by so-called bandits and other criminals. We hear of soldiers being ambushed and killed, including generals; people being displaced from their homes and even traditional rulers fleeing their domains for fear of attack. It is becoming more difficult to understand what is going on in our country.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, president of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), one of the country’s most important Islamic organizations, also addressed the insecurity plaguing large parts of Nigeria. In a statement also released on June 16, the Sultan called on the faithful to offer fervent prayers for the well-being of Nigeria and the consolidation of peace and security, emphasizing that the new wave of violence and insecurity seems to be resisting all measures taken so far. The Sultan specifically requested that the Friday prayer on June 19 be dedicated to special supplications to address social ills in Nigeria, including the increasing problem of kidnappings and banditry. (L.M.) (Fides News Agency, 18/6/2026)
Source: fides.org
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https://www.fides.org/en/news/77820-AFRICA_NIGERIA_Christian_and_Muslim_religious_leaders_concerned_about_increasing_insecurity
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Why Muslim marriages break down in Malaysia: Here’s what SIS Forum’s 10-year data shows
By Ida Lim
19 Jun 2026
ARA DAMANSARA, June 18 — The top three reasons why Muslim couples’ marriages broke down in Malaysia over the past 10 years were communication problems, domestic violence and infidelity, a 10-year report by Muslim advocacy group SIS Forum (Malaysia) has shown.
Based on SIS Forum (Malaysia)’s latest report released yesterday, a total of 4,761 persons (about 90 per cent women) had approached its free legal advice service Telenisa in the past decade from 2016 to 2025, with 3,438 of those cases involving marriage breakdowns.
In the past 10 years, the top three reasons accounted for 56.6 per cent, or more than half, of those marriage breakdowns recorded by Telenisa.
What do these numbers mean?
In the report, SIS Forum said communication problems peaked at 166 cases in 2018 and remained high in subsequent years, while domestic violence and infidelity both peaked in 2021.
SIS Forum said this shows that communication failure is not just a common conflict in marriages, “but has the potential to develop into more serious issues if not addressed effectively”.
As for domestic violence and infidelity, SIS Forum said the data illustrates that marital conflict “often involves elements of emotional instability, betrayal, and power imbalance within the relationship, ultimately leading to separation”.
Citing these top three reasons from 2016 to 2025, it said this shows that marriage breakdown among Telenisa’s clients is largely driven by unhealthy and prolonged relationships.
In fact, 92.9 per cent of the 4,761 persons who used Telenisa’s free service from 2016 to 2025 had been married for more than one year, which SIS Forum said indicates that most of the issues were “not temporary or early marital conflicts” but instead problems that had “persisted and may have become more complex when not addressed promptly”.
While marriage breakdown factors such as polygamy and financial reasons had lower figures during the 10-year period, SIS Forum said this does not mean these issues are less important, as they may exist as secondary or layered factors within larger conflicts such as infidelity and communication failure.
Top reasons in 2025
In its report on Telenisa’s 2025 figures, also launched yesterday, SIS Forum’s data showed the top three reasons for marriage breakdown among its Telenisa clients that year were domestic violence, communication problems, and husbands’ failure to pay or provide maintenance.
SIS Forum said this means Malaysia needs to improve pre-marriage and post-marriage courses for couples, including teaching them skills to manage their money and communicate with each other.
“These structured interventions should be expanded comprehensively, with particular emphasis on financial literacy in family management, the development of healthy communication skills, and crisis management strategies that prioritise reconciliation without violence,” it said in the report, adding that marriage institutions will continue to weaken if these measures are not taken.
For its short-term plan within the next three years, SIS Forum’s proposal to the government includes this: “Integrate financial literacy and Syariah rights modules into both pre-marriage and post-marriage courses, ensuring couples are equipped with essential knowledge before and after entering marriage.”
SIS Forum established Telenisa in 2003, with the free service offering legal information, guidance and referrals to Muslim women who face issues such as those relating to marriage, divorce, maintenance, child custody, domestic violence and other Islamic family law matters.
It also started publishing its annual statistics on Telenisa findings in 2016, with its data aimed at helping provide evidence for legal reforms, policy-making and institutional improvements.
SIS Forum yesterday highlighted the importance of its Telenisa service as a lifeline to the community, as 66.4 per cent, or 3,160 of the 4,761 clients it assisted from 2016 to 2025, were those earning below RM1,000 per month.
Out of the 4,761 Telenisa clients over the decade, 90.9 per cent were women, and 71.5 per cent, or 3,400 of them, requested legal advice on their rights and legal protection under Islamic family law.
At the Telenisa report’s launch yesterday, Yayasan Sime Darby chief executive officer Yatela Zainal Abidin said access to justice is not only a legal issue, but closely linked to the well-being, safety and dignity of women, children and families.
“Yayasan Sime Darby is proud to have supported the Telenisa Legal Clinic since 2016, with a commitment of more than RM2.5 million to ensure free legal advice continues to reach those who need it most.
“Over the past decade, Telenisa has assisted more than 4,500 individuals, reached over 50,000 people through awareness and community outreach programmes, and trained more than 230 chambering students who will contribute to the future of Malaysia’s legal profession,” she said.
SIS Forum executive director Rozana Isa yesterday thanked the Bar Council’s Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Legal Aid Centres and chambering students for their collaboration since 2003 on Telenisa services.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/06/19/why-muslim-marriages-break-down-in-malaysia-heres-what-sis-forums-10-year-data-shows/224354
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Afghanistan Says It Struck Targets in Pakistan in Overnight Air Raids
By Fidel Rahmati
June 19, 2026
Ministry of defense in Kabul stated that it carried out airstrikes against alleged ISIS-linked targets inside Pakistan, marking a significant escalation in already strained relations between Kabul and Islamabad.
Taliban’s Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday that its forces conducted overnight airstrikes against what it described as ISIS-linked facilities in Pakistan’s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
According to the ministry, the targeted locations were allegedly being used to plan and coordinate attacks against Afghanistan. Officials claimed that some of the deadliest attacks carried out inside Afghanistan in recent years had been linked to networks operating from these areas.
In a statement, the ministry said “important and designated targets” were successfully struck during the operation. It further warned that Afghanistan would not allow any threats to its security and stability and would act decisively against groups it considers a danger to the country.
Pakistani authorities had not publicly commented on the reported strikes at the time of publication, and no independent sources had confirmed the attacks or reported possible casualties.
The development comes amid deteriorating relations between Kabul and Islamabad over security, border management, and accusations that militant groups are operating from each other’s territory. Pakistani officials have repeatedly accused Afghan-based militants of carrying out attacks inside Pakistan, while Kabul authorities have rejected those allegations and, in turn, accused Pakistan of failing to address threats originating from its soil.
Tensions have intensified in recent years following a series of cross-border incidents, airstrikes, and diplomatic disputes. Security concerns have increasingly overshadowed efforts by both sides to improve cooperation on trade, border crossings, and regional stability.
The latest claims also come as Pakistan continues to express concerns about militant violence and cross-border attacks. Earlier this year, senior Pakistani officials stated that multiple rounds of talks with Kabul had failed to produce written security guarantees regarding the activities of armed groups near the frontier.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-says-it-struck-targets-in-pakistan-in-overnight-air-raids/
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India
Varanasi mosque gets railways notice: ‘Will demolish if not removed by June 20’
Jun 19, 2026
After the Northern Railways’ Varanasi division issued a notice to remove a mosque near the Kashi railway station by June 20, the ‘Anjuman Intizamia Masajid Varanasi’, the committee managing the religious structure, has called the move “illegal”.
The committee has claimed that the mosque is not only registered with the Varanasi Municipal Corporation, but the notice does not even have any “date, signature or stamp” on it.
The railway officials, however, maintained that the mosque, located near the gate 1 of the railway station, is built on railway land. The notice, issued by order of the Railways Administration, Northern Railways, Varanasi, says the railways administration will demolish the mosque if it is not removed by June 20.
It was claimed that there was a litigation entitled Anjuman Intizamia V/S Union of India in a local court regarding the ownership of the mosque. The railways notice says the court of the civil judge (junior division), Varanasi, had dismissed the case on August 28, 2024. The Anjuman Intizamia said the case was dismissed since both sides were not present in the court.
On Thursday, office-bearers of the Anjuman Intizamia met the Varanasi District Magistrate (DM) and handed over a memorandum seeking an inquiry into the documents and details placed by them and issue an order that the Railways administration not carry out the demolition.
When contacted, Joint Secretary of Anjuman Intizamia, SM Yaseen, said, “The notice pasted outside the mosque on June 13 by railways administration is illegal since it does not have any date, signature and the stamp. We dismiss the claims by the railways in its notice in the memorandum handed over to the DM today.”
The memorandum says, 1) the mosque ‘Ganj Shaheedan’ is registered in Varanasi municipal corporation as A 36/4 building; 2) The said mosque has no connection with the railways land as it was mentioned in the counter affidavit in the court case also; 3) The court case was dismissed in the absence of both the sides (petitioner and respondents; 4) This case was not filed for the mosque, but regarding a land in the east side there; 5) The existence of the mosque is clear with the map. The Kashi Railway Station did not exist then.
When contacted, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), Northern Railways, Varanasi, BK Yadav, told The Indian Express, “Encroachments are being removed as part of the development of the Kashi railway station. The notice which was served is in a standard format and is not illegal. However, I will check about the date, signature and the stamp as raised by them. We are part of the government and do not indulge in any illegal activity.”
“The court had dismissed the case on merit,” he added.
The Anjuman Intizamia office-bearers meeting the DM today, Yadav said, “We will be initiating demolition in coordination with the district administration only. We will look into all legal aspects of the case.”
Source: indianexpress.com
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Muslim families plan to leave Sangli village, protest at High Court after attack by Hindu group
Soham Shah
Jun 18, 2026
On June 7, Muslims families from Aarla village in Sangli District, Maharashtra, packed up their belongings and made their way to the Kolhapur Bench of the Bombay High Court. They planned to sit outside the court to protest an alleged lack of police action after an attack by a mob associated with the radical Hindu organisation Shri Shivpratishthan Hindustan on their family members in April. Their march to the Bombay High Court bench was stopped by authorities who promised action within eight days. However, the family alleged that written assurances given by the police have not been met as yet, and plan to march to the High Court again.
The attack
The Dange family was attacked after a petty dispute at their chicken shop in Aarla village on April 28. A group of men from the neighbouring village of Padali had come to a spot near Aarla for a party. They bought chicken from Hussain Dange’s shop and also requested a pot, lid, and ladle to cook the food. While returning the vessels, the ladle and lid, lent free of cost, were missing.
“The boys were completely drunk while returning the vessel. They started abusing us. My brother told them to go away,” Adil Dange said. However, the accused returned to the spot and the issue escalated. A group of men from Aarla village itself — Kedar Pargavkar, Rohit Petkar, Sahil Patil, Sumit Patil — also arrived at the scene.
Pargavkar’s Instagram page mentioned he belonged to the radical Hindu organisation Shri Shivpratishthan Hindustan led by Sambhaji Bhide. The Instagram bio mentioned RSS and his page had videos of men marching with swords. “Whenever there is any issue involving Muslims, they will arrive and add fire to the matter,” Abid said.
Abid said his brother Hussain called the police, who tried to convince the group of men to not escalate the issue. However, the group attacked Hussain Dange with a knife, grievously injuring him. He was admitted to the ICU. According to the medical report by Aadhar Healthcare Centre in Islampur, he suffered a 15 cm knife cut on his left forearm, which tore his muscle and left ulnar artery. Abid said that the police personnel present on the scene were also beaten up but did not mention it in their complaint. Abid and other members of the family were also beaten up.
Following the attack, an FIR was filed and 16 accused were arrested, according to the police. However, no attempt to murder charge (BNS 109) was included in the FIR. Abid said, “The police did not record our statement according to what we were saying. We told them that the attackers are related to Hindutvawadi groups. Names of all the accused were not added and some false names have been added to make the case weak. On May 4 after the hospital report, the attempt to murder section was added. But on the day of hearing at the local court on May 18, the section was no longer present and they got bail.”
In response, Assistant Police Inspector of Kokrud Police Station Rahul Atigre told The Indian Express, “He was in the ICU initially and the doctor told us that the artery from the heart to the hand has been cut. I felt that he could die that is why we immediately added the section. When we sent the chargesheet after taking the doctor’s opinion, we removed section 109 and added section 326 (Mischief by injury, inundation, fire or explosive substance, etc). There was no attack to his vital body parts, the attack on his hands was grievous.” Atigre said he had no information about the accused being members of Shivpratishthan.
Abid further said, “After they got bail, they had a grand celebration in the village. They took out a rally, burst firecrackers, and danced to DJ music. Their pooja was conducted in the middle of the street. The one who had attacked us with the knife was bathed in milk. A Rs 12,000 goat was cut in the evening for a party. Is there any democracy left in this country? Is the Constitution still there? This question has now arisen. If culprits are given such treatment, where are we supposed to go? We have to run from pillar to post for justice but have got no response from anywhere.”
A counter-case was also filed against Abid’s nephew. Atigre said, “One of their boys drove his car extremely fast into the crowd, that 20-25 people could have died. And he reversed the car as well. It was a stunt.” Abid claims his nephew drove the car into the crowd to save Abid as he was being beaten. The accused attacked and damaged the car as well.
Atigre said the accused “are from farming families and not criminals. They are not thieves or rioters.” He added, “There is a video of the crime, we have arrested the accused and applied the sections. If there are any additional accused we will arrest them and send a chargesheet ahead.”
March interrupted
Abid said that after losing hope, the families decided to leave the village and sit down in front of the High Court to protest. “Us eight-nine families took all our luggage and left the village to go to Kolhapur on June 7. We were stopped after 10-12 kms and not allowed to go forward.”
Shakil Tamboli, an activist helping the Dange family, said district and police authorities intercepted their march and agreed to resolve the issues. They phoned the Superintendent of Police and Abid spoke to them. In order for an impartial investigation to be conducted, the family has demanded that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is formed, the IO changed, action is taken against Kokrud police, an investigation is conducted into the mastermind behind the incident, inclusion of sections like BNS 109 and 103(2), dismissing the ‘fake case’ filed against the family, and action to cancel bail of all the accused.
Atigre said that Dy SP Vipul Patil had now been assigned as the IO of the case. However when contacted, Patil said he had not gotten any official letter to that effect. Following a complaint sent by Dange, the Public Grievance Cell of the Bombay High Court at Kolhapur also wrote to the Sangli Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi to look into the matter. Doshi did not respond to calls by The Indian Express for a comment.
Now, a petition to cancel the accused’s bails has been filed at Islampur District Court by Abid.
Abid said they had not gotten any update on the case yet and will march to the High Court again next week.
Shivpratishthan Hindustan
Reacting to the case, Nilesh Awate, Secretary of Shivpratishthan Hindustan Shirala Taluka, told The Indian Express that the organisation stood with the accused. “As Shivpratishthan, we are always with them. Whenever there is any issue from the perspective of Hindu dharm or to spread our organisation, we are always with them. Kedar is an activist of Shivpratishthan,” he said.
Source: indianexpress.com
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100 yrs of majlis-e-sham-e-Ghariban, a tradition Lucknow gave to world
Jun 19, 2026
Majlis-e-Sham-e-Ghariban is difficult to translate without understanding the tragedy of Karbala in its entirety.
Word ‘majlis’ is easily understood as a congregation or meeting of people and ‘sham’ is understandably an evening. Thus it is an evening of the Ghariban.
The word ‘ghareeb’ in Arabic, Persian and Urdu does not mean only the poor, but also the deprived, oppressed, distressed and the plundered.
Annually held in the evening of 10th of Muharram, the day of martyrdom of Imam Hussain, across imambaras and households worldwide, this tradition completes a century this year.
At Imambara Ghufran-e-Maab of Lucknow, the Majlis-e-Sham-e-Ghariba carries forward the essence of the tragic story of Karbala as the first such majlis was held in this imambara in 1926.
In 680AD Imam Hussain, the younger grandson of Prophet Mohammad, and his 72 companions were massacred by the army of tyrant King Yazid in the battle of Karbala in Iraq. Yazid wanted Hussain to give his hand of allegiance to him accepting his unjust and corrupted version of Islam. Hussain preferred to give his head instead.
After suffering three days of hunger and thirst, as food and water supplies were stopped to Hussain and his camp followers who valiantly fought till the last drop of their blood, the evening which followed this afternoon of bloodbath was left with women, children and Imam Zainul Abedeen. The entire male line of Hussain perished, including his six-month-old son Ali Asghar.
Hungry and thirsty, left with nothing, the ladies and children sat that night under the open sky amid the burned camps and bodies spread across the battlefield. In 1926, this devasting description was named Sham-e-Ghariba in Lucknow (Evening of the distressed and plundered).
In Majlis-e-Sham-e-Ghariban, the faithful relive this pain of Hussain’s family. People come barefoot and sit in darkness on the plain mud floor.
Like the touching nuance of this gathering, its initiation in 1926 is equally extraordinary.
Past the evening prayer on 10th Muharram of 1926, a handful of people were sitting in Imambara-e-Ghufran-e-Maab in Chowk. Drained and exhausted by the day-long faqa and barefoot visit to local Karbalas, someone among them suggested that masaeb of the events that befell that evening in Karbala be recited.
Among the participants one Arab cleric was also present. His name was Mohammad Saleh. Senior cleric Syed Sibte Mohammad Hadi alias Kallan Sahab addressed that impromptu gathering.
The bayan invoked such giriya that Syed Dildar Ali alias Munne Agha Raaz Ijtehadi recalled in his memoirs titled “Majlis-e-Sham-e-Ghariban-ki-ibteda aur Tadriji taraqqiyan”. After the majlis, he suggested that from next year this majlis be called Majlis-e-Sham-e-Ghariban. Raaz Ijtehadi must not have realized that the coinage to the event given by him would become a worldwide tradition.
From 1927, a formal majlis with this name was organized in this imambara. Maulana Kalbe Hussain alias Kabban Sahab addressed it till 1963 followed by his elder son Maulana Kalbe Abdi and now Maulana Kalbe Jawad at the same venue. During the majlis, volume of the speakers is raised to the maximum to keep the orator audible to over a lakh people lamenting in unison.
With efforts of Maharaj Kumar Mohammad Hasan Khan of Mahmudabad and poet Fazl Naqvi in 1930s, All India Radio started airing the recording of this majlis at 10:30 on the same evening. People across the subcontinent used to remain glued to their radio sets. Gradually, majlis by this name were held in different cities and now it has become a worldwide essential for the day of Ashura.
Most poignant scene in the majlis is the small procession bearing candle lights and pots of water and trays of rotis of mota anaj which take circle in the imambara premises. A reminder of the event when Zauja-e-Hurr brought some food and water for the women and children of Hussain. Hurr was a commander in Yazid’s army who joined Hussain on the fateful day and laid his life for the principled cause of justice, freedom, honour and right to free will symbolized by Hussain.
This majlis was among the initial public gatherings, apart from political meetings of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawahar Lal Nehru, where loudspeakers was used.
After the partition in 1947, the Awadh diaspora carried little Lucknow in their hearts to Pakistan. Majlis-e-Sham-e-Ghariban was replicated in Nishtar Park of Karachi. Allama Rashid Turabi, a muhajir himself, addressed it in Lucknow style. Later on, Allama Talib Jauri also addressed this majlis. Since 1951 this majlis has been broadcast by Radio Pakistan.
Dismantled shamiana structures randomly spread across the place in pitch darkness and people sitting barefoot on uncovered mud floors strongly portray that evening of extreme distress and deprivation in Karbala on 10th Muharram 680 AD — Sham e GharibaN.
Source: indiatimes.com
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RSS office attack in Ranchi: Pakistan ISI-backed terror network uncovered
Jun 19, 2026
NEW DELHI: Days after the Ranchi RSS office attack, a police investigation into the three arrested accused has uncovered links to Pakistan’s ISI-funded Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH), according to sources cited by news agency ANI on Friday.
The alleged role of Pakistan's ISI came to light after the arrests made a day earlier.
Officials said all three arrested individuals were in constant touch with their handlers through encrypted messaging platforms, including Botim and WhatsApp. The Botim app is widely used in Dubai.
The ANI sources further claimed that the accused recorded the entire incident involving the throwing of petrol bombs on their mobile phones and later shared the footage with their handler.
Investigators also said accused Saif Ansari and Aman Ansari had travelled to Dubai, where they allegedly came into contact with Shahbaz Rana alias Bhatti, a Pakistani national. They are believed to have been radicalised during this period and later agreed to carry out activities in support of TTH’s alleged anti-India agenda.
The investigation in the matter is still under way.
Source: indiatimes.com
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Punjab Police secures deportation of two Malaysia-based KZF operatives accused in railway terror plot
Harpreet Bajwa
19 Jun 2026
CHADIGARH: In an intelligence-led operation carried out with the support of central agencies, the Punjab Police has secured the deportation from Malaysia of two wanted operatives linked to the banned Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terror module accused of targeting critical railway infrastructure, including the Dedicated Freight Corridor lines in the state.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the accused were apprehended by Punjab Police at Delhi's IGI Airport upon their arrival and were subsequently brought to Punjab for further investigation.
The two accused, identified as Gurwinder Singh of Ambala and Manjeet Singh of Patiala, were key Malaysia-based operatives of a KZF-backed terror module involved in targeting railway infrastructure in Punjab, he said.
The development follows sustained efforts by Punjab Police after it busted the terror module allegedly behind the IED blast on the Sirhind railway track on January 23 and an attempted explosion on the same track near Shambhu in Patiala on April 27 this year. Four allegedly radicalised individuals were arrested in connection with the case.
During the investigation, police recovered a cache of weapons and explosives, including a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, a metallic IED weighing 2.296 kg along with detonators and a battery, two packets of RDX weighing 1.456 kg, two hand grenades, and six high-end pistols with magazines and ammunition.
Yadav said subsequent investigations into the module's forward and backward linkages revealed the involvement of KZF handlers and financial facilitators operating from Malaysia.
According to the police chief, the deported accused played a key role in channelling terror funds through offshore accounts to KZF operatives in Punjab and facilitated plans to carry out terrorist attacks aimed at disturbing peace and public order in the state.
He said both accused were produced before a court in Patiala on Thursday and remanded to police custody for further interrogation.
Investigations are underway to uncover the wider network and identify all those involved in the conspiracy.
Meanwhile, Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence wing has established an Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC), headed by Inspector General of Police (Counter Intelligence) Ashish Choudhary, to track criminals operating from abroad and expedite their extradition to face legal proceedings in Punjab.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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Amit Shah, US envoy discuss stronger India-US action against terror and drugs
Imran Ahmed Siddiqui
19.06.26
Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday met US ambassador to India Sergio Gor and held detailed discussions on strengthening security cooperation, especially in the counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics domains.
The meeting came a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump held talks at the G7 Summit, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the India-US strategic partnership.
“Met US Ambassador to India, Mr. Sergio Gor in New Delhi today. Had a detailed discussion on further strengthening cooperation between India and the US in the area of security, particularly in counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics,” Shah said in a post on X.
India under Modi's leadership, Shah said, is firmly committed to advancing the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership and ensuring that the people of both nations benefit from the bilateral relationship.
In a post on X, Gor said: “Had an excellent meeting with Honorable Home Minister @AmitShah. We had a fruitful discussion on enhancing collaboration to combat terrorism, shield our people from narcotics and illicit drugs, secure our borders, and jointly bring criminals to justice in both nations.”
In another post, Gor said: “Back in New Delhi after a great trip to the G7 in France. Lots of positive outcomes between the United States and India!”
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Maharashtra school booked over alleged Pakistani song performance; principal says it was Turkish music
18.06.26
A case was registered against a school principal and two teachers in Jalna, Maharashtra, on Thursday over the alleged performance of a Pakistani song during a school programme, even though they claimed that it was music from a Turkish TV serial.
The Partur police registered a case against principal Wazhiyoddin Siddiqui and two others under BNS sections 152 (acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India), 196 (promoting enmity between groups), 197 (spreading misinformation affecting national integration) and 353 (circulating false information likely to cause public alarm).
Earlier, some social media posts had alleged that students of Kids World English School at Partur danced to a Pakistani song during the annual gathering in March 2025, and a photograph of Pakistani extremist "Mumtaz Qadri" was displayed during the performance.
Local BJP MLA Babanrao Lonikar demanded action against the school management, including the cancellation of the school's recognition.
The school administration strongly denied the allegations.
Principal Siddiqui stated that the music used during the program was from the popular Turkish TV serial "Ertugrul Ghazi", and it was not a Pakistani song.
"The image shown during the performance was of an actor from "Ertugrul Ghazi". Some persons tampered with the visuals and circulated misleading content on social media," he told reporters.
An investigation is underway to ascertain the facts, police officials said.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Mideast
IRGC sets up secretive cells in Iraq to conduct drone attacks on Gulf: Reuters
June 19, 2026
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has set up secretive new cells in Iraq to carry out attacks on Gulf countries that host American forces, bypassing established militia networks to avoid detection, eight Iraqi sources told Reuters.
Three or four cells, each comprising about 10 elite Iraqi Shiite Muslim fighters, launched at least seven drone attacks from desert locations near the southern cities of Basra and Samawa against sites in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates between April 20 and May 17, three of the sources said.
A number of their members were drawn from Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of hard-line Shiite factions with thousands of fighters. But the new groups operate outside its command structure, reporting directly to the IRGC, according to the sources, who include two Iraqi military officials, another security official and five local militia commanders.
The establishment of the new Iraqi cells, which has not previously been reported, reflects a shift in IRGC tactics aimed at preserving Iran’s ability to project force across the region at a time when its armed proxy groups are greatly diminished and its own military and economic resources are depleted, the five militia commanders said.
Iraq, a Shiite-majority country, has a host of militias, many of which maintain close ties to Tehran. They form a key pillar of Iran’s regional “Axis of Resistance,” stretching from Gaza and Lebanon to Yemen and Iraq.
Groups acting under the banner of Islamic Resistance in Iraq have claimed responsibility for dozens of drone and rocket attacks against American assets in the country, drawing deadly retaliatory airstrikes, since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28. But there has been no mass mobilization of Iran’s proxies inside Iraq’s borders.
Several powerful Shiite factions there have been signaling since last year that they are ready to disarm and focus on domestic politics to avert an escalating conflict with the administration of US President Donald Trump. That development may have spurred the IRGC to set up groups under its direct control, according to Jasim Al-Bahadli, a retired Iraqi army general, and two lawmakers from the Shiite governing alliance.
Two of these factions, Asaib Ahl Al-Haq and the Imam Ali Brigades, announced this month that they would begin surrendering their weapons to state authorities following repeated US warnings to Iraq’s government to disband armed groups operating on its soil.
“The newer groups established by the IRGC appear smaller, more ideologically hardened and more tightly controlled, reflecting Iran’s need to conserve resources amid economic strain,” said Bahadli, who is an expert on Shiite armed groups.
US Iran deal does not address Tehran’s support for proxies
The US and Iranian presidents signed an interim agreement on Wednesday to end the war, with negotiations to follow on difficult issues like the future of Tehran’s nuclear program. But Iranian officials have said Tehran’s support for “resistance groups” is not up for discussion, and the agreement does not address the issue.
Iran’s foreign ministry and its missions to the United Nations in New York and Geneva did not immediately respond to detailed questions for this article.
The US State Department reiterated “expectations that the Iraqi government take immediate measures to dismantle all the tools of Iran’s destabilizing activities in Iraq to include the IRGC and Iran-aligned terrorist militias in Iraq.”
At a meeting on Monday, Iraq’s new prime minister, Ali Al-Zaidi, and US envoy Tom Barrack discussed Iraqi plans to ensure “the complete disarmament and disbandment of all armed groups” operating outside Iraqi state control and to ensure “Iraqi territory cannot be used by any side to threaten regional peace,” according to a joint statement.
Zaidi’s military spokesman, Sabah Al-Numan, declined to comment for this article.
Kuwait’s information ministry, the Saudi government communications office and the UAE foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
The war in Iran has battered the world’s most important energy-producing region, disrupting supplies and sending inflation surging. Tehran responded to US-Israeli bombing runs by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s trade in oil and liquefied natural gas passes, and launching a sweeping campaign of drone and missile strikes on Gulf neighbors.
New groups that emerged in Iraq during the conflict, often operating under unfamiliar names and with minimal public profiles, carried out at least three drone attacks targeting Kuwait, two targeting Saudi Arabia and two aimed at the UAE, the three Iraqi security sources said, citing a combination of human intelligence, intercepted communications and evidence gathered from launch sites.
Targets included Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base, where US forces are deployed, and a military terminal at the country’s international airport, the sources said without elaborating. The attacks aimed at Saudi Arabia and the UAE were intercepted, according to the sources who could not confirm the intended targets.
Reuters could not independently verify their accounts.
An early test for Iraq’s new prime minister
Iraqi officials said the IRGC turned to the new cells to maintain plausible deniability, deflect blame from the country’s main Iran-backed groups and reduce US pressure on Baghdad to disarm them.
The Iraqi security forces have limited information about the groups but are working to uncover their chains of command to help prevent future attacks, the officials said. The groups include elite fighters with expertise in drone operations and communications, they added.
Tehran spent decades and billions of dollars building up its network of regional alliances, which has been severely weakened since the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israel has hammered Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, while the Houthi movement in Yemen has been targeted by US and British airstrikes. Syrian President Bashar Assad was toppled in December 2024, cutting off an important supply route for Iraqi militias and further isolating the Islamic Republic.
Rather than maintain a broad network of well-funded groups in Iraq, Iran now appears to be relying on a limited number of “more radicalized cadres willing to operate with leaner financial support, prioritising loyalty, deniability and operational impact over mass recruitment,” said Bahadli, the militia expert.
The new groups pose an early test for Iraq’s Zaidi, who took office last month following US pressure on the dominant alliance of Shiite political blocs to prevent the return of former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, who has close ties to Iran. Baghdad has long walked a tightrope between its two closest allies, Washington and Tehran, a balancing act that became more difficult during the war.
Attacks emanating from Iraq also risk unraveling Baghdad’s painstaking efforts to rebuild ties with wealthy Gulf neighbors, which have been strained since Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990 but had started to thaw in recent years.
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE summoned Iraq’s envoys in April to protest the strikes.
Iraqi authorities are investigating whether they include a May 17 drone attack that caused a fire at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, security officials said. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted three drones that entered its airspace from Iraq the same day, an attack the Iraqi officials said was carried out by a new group.
Zaidi condemned the two attacks, describing them as criminal acts, and promised a joint inquiry with both Gulf countries to verify whether Iraqi territory was used to target them. Numan, Zaidi’s spokesman, did not answer questions about the status of the investigation.
Source: arabnews.com
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Israel says striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon
June 19, 2026
JERUSALEM: Israel’s military said Friday it was striking Hezbollah targets in parts of southern Lebanon, despite a peace deal in the Middle East war that includes Lebanon.
“During the night, the army struck and continues to strike Hezbollah terrorists and infrastructure in several areas in southern Lebanon,” the military said in a statement.
“These strikes come after repeated violations of the ceasefire by the terrorist organization Hezbollah,” it added.
Earlier on Friday Hezbollah its fighters destroyed three Israeli tanks and that clashes were ongoing, a day after Lebanese state media reported that Israeli strikes in the south had killed 16 people.
The fighting comes despite the United States and Iran signing an agreement to end the Middle East war on all fronts, including in Lebanon.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group, said its fighters had targeted “three Merkava tanks with guided missiles, which led to their destruction.”
The group said Israeli forces “consisting of an armored platoon and an infantry platoon (tried) to infiltrate toward the northern side of the Ali Al-Taher hills” — a strategic site overlooking the key town of Nabatieh.
“The clashes are still ongoing,” Hezbollah said in the statement released in the early hours of Friday.
Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war in early March by attacking Israel to avenge the killing of Iran’s supreme leader at the start of the US-Israeli military campaign.
Israel retaliated with broad strikes across Lebanon and by launching a ground invasion in the south, which borders Israel and has long been under Hezbollah’s sway.
The hostilities have continued despite the US-Iran agreement.
On Thursday, Hezbollah said it had been fighting Israeli forces attempting to advance from the town of Arnoun toward the outskirts of Kfar Tibnit, near Nabatieh.
Lebanon’s official National News Agency also reported a drone strike targeting a car in the Kfar Tibnit area, killing two people.
In the neighboring village of Zebdine, another drone killed one more person, the agency said.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said that peacekeepers in Lebanon had also reported exchanges of fire on Thursday.
Source: arabnews.com
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Syria reports new Israeli incursion into Quneitra village amid ongoing border tensions
June 19, 2026
QUNEITRA, Syria: Israeli forces carried out an overnight incursion into a village in Syria’s southern Quneitra province, raiding several homes before withdrawing, Syrian state media reported on Thursday, in the latest incident highlighting ongoing tensions along the frontier.
According to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), a unit consisting of nine Israeli military vehicles entered the village of Al-Asbah in the Quneitra countryside shortly after midnight on Wednesday. The forces searched a number of homes before leaving the area.
No casualties or arrests were immediately reported.
Continuing border incursions
The reported operation comes amid what Damascus describes as repeated Israeli violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement that established a UN-monitored buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights following the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.
Syrian authorities say Israeli forces have continued to conduct military incursions into southern Syrian territory, including raids, arrests, land-clearing activities and artillery strikes.
Damascus has repeatedly demanded the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territory, maintaining that Israeli actions in the south are illegal under international law and urging the international community to intervene to halt what it describes as ongoing violations.
Growing concern over Israeli presence
The latest raid comes against the backdrop of broader concerns over Israel’s military presence in southern Syria.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and later annexed the territory, a move not recognized by most of the international community.
Following the collapse of former Syrian president Bashar Assad’s government in December 2024, Israeli forces moved into the UN-monitored buffer zone adjacent to the Golan Heights, saying the deployment was necessary to prevent attacks by armed groups and to disrupt weapons transfers from Iran to Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon.
The United Nations and several international critics have argued that the deployment violates the 1974 ceasefire arrangements. According to AP reporting, Israel currently controls approximately 235 square kilometers within the buffer zone and surrounding areas that Syria's interim government says should be vacated.
Calls for withdrawal
Syrian interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa has repeatedly called on Israel to withdraw from the territory, while residents in the affected areas have reported increased military checkpoints, restrictions on movement and occasional confrontations between Israeli troops and local villagers.
The AP reported that Israel has expanded military control in several neighboring territories since the outbreak of regional conflicts following Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel, describing the areas as security buffer zones intended to prevent future attacks.
Israeli officials have said such measures are necessary for national security, while Syria and other regional governments argue that the continued presence of Israeli forces risks further destabilizing already fragile border regions.
As tensions persist, Damascus continues to press for the full implementation of the 1974 disengagement arrangements and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas it considers occupied Syrian territory.
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Syria launches media code to combat hate speech, set professional standards
June 19, 2026
DAMASCUS: Syria is intensifying efforts to combat hate speech and promote responsible journalism, marking the UN’s International Day for Countering Hate Speech on June 18 with a series of measures anchored in a newly introduced media code of conduct.
The Professional and Ethical Code of Conduct for the media sector, introduced earlier this year, aims to raise professional standards, counter inflammatory rhetoric, and reinforce respect for diversity. Officials say implementation is already underway.
Omar Haj Ahmad, director of press affairs at Syria’s Ministry of Information, said the ministry is embedding the code’s principles into editorial policies and developing early-detection mechanisms for hate speech. He said the approach prioritizes awareness and professional guidance over punitive action.
Mahmoud Shahoud, head of Syria’s Journalists’ Union, said the union has translated the code into binding professional commitments, requiring members to pledge adherence to ethical standards — including explicit rejection of hate speech. He stressed the need for accountability and professional self-regulation within the industry.
Akram Al-Ahmad, chairman of the Syrian Charter of Honor for Media Professionals and a member of the code’s drafting committee, said the next phase will focus on implementation through newsroom policies, training programs, and complaint mechanisms.
He said promoting responsible discourse is especially critical as Syria works to rebuild trust and social cohesion after years of division, and that success will depend on professional awareness and institutional engagement.
The code was developed through a consultative process involving nearly 1,000 journalists across the country and is grounded in national and international legal frameworks on freedom of expression and professional responsibility.
The UN General Assembly established the International Day for Countering Hate Speech in 2021 to drive global efforts to prevent and address hate speech in all its forms.
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Gaza ceasefire ‘failing’ as hunger, rats and rubble define daily life, UN humanitarian chief warns
Ephrem Kossaify
June 19, 2026
NEW YORK CITY: Seven months after the Security Council adopted Resolution 2803 in support of the US peace plan for Gaza, the ceasefire in the territory remains fragile and the humanitarian recovery is dangerously incomplete, the UN’s aid chief warned council members on Thursday.
Palestinians are still being killed each day, nearly a million people lack adequate shelter, and children are awoken by rats biting their faces, said Tom Fletcher, the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.
He told the council that while Resolution 2803 — which endorsed US President Donald Trump’s 20-point “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict” in November last year, a month after the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit on the issue — had produced measurable gains, those gains simply represented “movement away from a catastrophic baseline, not the fulfillment of fundamental needs.”
Fletcher added: “Gaza is being held together by humanitarian workarounds and Palestinian perseverance. This is unsustainable.”
By the time Resolution 2803 was passed by the Security Council, more than 67,000 Palestinians had been killed during the war between Israel and Hamas that began in October 2023, and more than three quarters of buildings and roads in Gaza were damaged or destroyed.
Since the ceasefire took effect, Fletcher said, nearly another 1,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to figures from Gaza’s Ministry of Health, including, UNICEF has reported, more than 250 children.
“This is what happens when children are described as ‘collateral damage’ and ‘potential terrorists’ rather than humans and potential neighbors,” he told the council.
Fletcher acknowledged that significant humanitarian progress has been made since the ceasefire took hold. Denial rates for humanitarian missions have fallen from 31 per cent to 11 per cent. The proportion of households that report going to bed hungry has dropped from 92 per cent to 36 per cent.
Gaza is no longer classified as being in “famine” (Phase 5 of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification), though it remains in “severe crisis” at Phase 4. More than 21,000 truckloads of aid, an average of 108 per day, have been delivered by the UN and its partners, a 72 per cent increase from pre-ceasefire levels. More than 600,000 people have received shelter aid, and one hundred classrooms have been rehabilitated.
But Fletcher said that there is still no hospital in Gaza that is fully operational; for 1.1 million children, clean water remains a daily uncertainty; and sanitation conditions are deteriorating to the point where doctors report a stark increase in cases of rat bites.
“Let that sink in,” Fletcher said.
Seventy per cent of the population still requires proper shelter. Restrictions on so-called “dual-use” items that Israeli authorities say might be used for military purposes — which the World Health Organization reported has at times included prosthetic limbs — are blocking the delivery of critical supplies. Fuel shortages, lack of spare parts, and restrictions on armored vehicles for aid workers further compound an already dire picture.
“It is not enough to silence the weapons — we must restore dignity,” Fletcher said.
Gaza remains the most dangerous place on earth for aid workers, he added. Almost 600 humanitarians have been killed there in nearly three years, more than half of all those killed worldwide during that time.
Fletcher warned that less than a quarter of the 2026 humanitarian appeal target for Gaza has been funded: “Behind these numbers are meals not cooked, water not delivered and nearly 1 million people left without adequate shelter.”
He also drew the council’s attention to deteriorating conditions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where he said a decades-long decline was accelerating. More than 1,000 incidents of settler violence have been recorded in 2026 alone, an average of six a day.
Calls by Israeli officials for “voluntary migration” by Palestinians, combined with forced displacements, home demolitions, land confiscations and restrictions on movement, were “hollowing out daily life,” Fletcher said, and appeared to be designed to alter the demographic composition of the occupied territory in violation of international law.
The council also heard from Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam’s global humanitarian policy lead, and a Palestinian mother from Jerusalem living in the West Bank, whose husband’s family remains trapped in Gaza.
She told council members that the ceasefire “is failing,” that Gaza was “being carved up again,” and that highlighting only the number of aid trucks crossing the border masked a deeper failure to reach families with desperately needed assistance.
“A truck crossing a border is not the same as aid reaching a family,” she said.
She also relayed testimony from people on the ground in Gaza, including Eman, a mother of three living in a cloth tent, who described how mice and rats chew through the fabric and contaminate her family’s food.
Tahrir, a grandmother who has to walk for hours to collect water, said “every cup has become precious.”
Even when goods reach local markets, Khalidi said, high prices mean they are inaccessible to many people. Wheat is currently more than five times its prewar price, eggs are four or five times more expensive, and the cost of cooking gas has more than doubled.
Israel has banned Oxfam and many other humanitarian groups from bringing any goods into Gaza at all since March 2025, she added.
“Blocking principled humanitarians is part of a wider collective punishment,” Khalidi said.
She called on the council to hold parties accountable for their actions immediately — not after further political negotiations, not after disarmament, and not as a reward for compliance — and to use “all available political, diplomatic and legal tools to end atrocities, to end the occupation.”
She added: “We cannot allow the summit of our ambition and our will to be a world where children have sufficient calories to survive and are spared constant bombing, yet remain hungry, bitten by rats, homeless and out of school.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Iranian president thanks Qatari emir for mediating interim agreement with US
June 18, 2026
LONDON: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian thanked Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, emir of Qatar, for his country’s efforts in mediating a pivotal interim agreement with the US that brought an end to more than 100 days of conflict in the Middle East.
Pezeshkian said that he appreciated Qatar’s role in promoting de-escalation in the region and global stability, according to Qatar News Agency.
Sheikh Tamim reaffirmed Qatar’s strong support for diplomacy in resolving disputes. He expressed hope that the Iran-US interim agreement would enhance long-term regional and international peace.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on Wednesday by Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump. Its official title is “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America.”
Pakistan has also played a primary mediating role in bringing the warring parties to agree on 60 days of negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports.
The 14-point document was sent to Congress on Thursday.
Source: arabnews.com
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Iran’s supreme leader Khamenei says approved US deal despite having ‘different view’
June 18, 2026
TEHRAN: Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday that he had approved a deal with the United States to end the Middle East war despite having a “different view,” without elaborating.
“In principle, I had a different view (about the memorandum of understanding), but I issued my permission due to the commitment that the honorable (Iranian) president, as the chairman of the Supreme National Security Council, gave me on behalf of himself and other members to protect the rights of the Iranian nation and the Resistance Front,” Khamenei said in message read on state television
Khamenei has not been seen in public since he took office in March following the killing of his father and predecessor Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 that sparked the regional war.
The message was his first reaction to the Iran-US deal to end the conflict that was signed by US Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Khamenei said Trump had “used all kinds of levers” to secure the deal “out of desperation.”
In his message, Khamenei noted that he received assurances from Pezeshkian about the deal and that it would not be accepted “if the American side wants to make excessive demands.”
“It is obvious that the face-to-face negotiations that will be held in the future will not mean accepting the enemy’s point of view,” he added.
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Arab World
Saudi Arabia earns global recognition for rail safety and air traffic management
June 19, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia Railways has won two prestigious global awards for safety and risk management, and the International Air Transport Association has commended the Kingdom’s air traffic management performance during the recent geopolitical developments in the region.
The achievements highlight the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to strengthen operational excellence, safety standards, and infrastructure resilience across both rail and aviation sectors in line with international best practices, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Railways recognized for safety and risk management
The SAR reinforced its position as a leader in operational safety and risk management by securing two international awards that reflect the institutional transformation it has pursued in recent years, SPA reported.
The railway operator received the Excellence in Digital Transformation of Safety Systems Award from Safe365 and the Risk Team of the Year Award from the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management.
The Safe365 award recognized the SAR’s efforts to develop an advanced digital framework for measuring and improving institutional safety culture, while the IIRSM award honored the company’s excellence in implementing risk management practices and enhancing operational safety through an integrated institutional approach.
The awards underscore the SAR’s strategy of embedding safety as a core pillar of its operational and governance framework through a model that combines executive leadership oversight, operational intelligence, predictive analytics, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement.
As part of this transformation, the SAR has evolved its approach to safety from a compliance-focused function into a broader organizational culture centered on employee empowerment, shared responsibility, sustainability, operational quality, and performance excellence.
The company has also strengthened governance structures, expanded executive involvement in risk reviews and field inspections, adopted advanced tools to assess safety culture and operational behavior, and leveraged operational intelligence to improve readiness and risk mitigation across its railway network.
IATA commends air traffic management
In the aviation sector, IATA praised the Kingdom’s efficiency in managing air traffic during the recent regional geopolitical situation, citing the sector’s operational readiness and ability to maintain uninterrupted flow while adhering to the highest standards of safety, security, and efficiency.
The association awarded Saudi Air Navigation Services a letter of appreciation and a commemorative plaque in recognition of its efforts in accommodating a significant increase in air traffic while ensuring continuity of operations with minimal disruption.
According to IATA, SANS demonstrated exceptional professionalism in managing air traffic movements and reorganizing air routes amid challenging regional conditions.
The recognition reflects the Kingdom’s growing role as a key transportation and logistics hub connecting global air and rail networks, while underscoring the effectiveness of investments in advanced infrastructure, operational capabilities, and safety systems.
Source: arabnews.com
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Strong Ramadan and Hajj results eased impact of Iran war, Saudi tourism minister says
GABRIELE MALVISI
June 18, 2026
ROME: Stronger-than-expected results from Ramadan and Hajj visitors helped ease the impact of the disruption caused by the war in Iran, Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb said on Thursday at the FII Priority Europe summit in Rome.
Discussing the status of the country’s tourism sector, Al-Khateeb said domestic and religious tourism provided a cushion despite a “quite tough four months.”
“We are blessed because Saudi Arabia is a very large country, and people travel to (the country) for many, many different reasons. One of those reasons is religious,” he said.
“Therefore we have experienced strong Ramadan and strong Hajj pilgrimage, finish(ing) the five months with a good performance, slightly less than (the) same period last year, down by about 5 percent to 6 percent — which is a great success.”
Al-Khateeb said he expects a fast recovery driven by strong domestic performance.
“We are bouncing back very fast,” he said, noting that despite signs of operations returning to normal, it is low season in the region.
“We have seen airlines moving and recovering very, very fast, and we’re happy with the numbers — at least we experienced controllable slowdown.
Flight disruptions led many Saudis to spend Ramadan and Eid breaks in the Kingdom.
“We offer many destinations, and therefore domestic tourism is very, very strong here in Saudi Arabia, and it represents about 60 percent to 65 percent of our business.”
The war in Iran hit the region at a time when the global tourism industry had fully recovered from Covid.
The Kingdom recorded 10 percent growth in the first quarter of the year before slowing down due to regional tensions.
Al-Khateeb said that despite recent challenges, the Kingdom is committed to investing in building the sector’s infrastructure and growing a strategic sector that created 250,000 jobs in the past five years alone.
He said that as the Kingdom enters the second phase of Vision 2030, the focus will be on “open(ing) the doors and receiving guests.”
“We are entering the phase where we are operating a lot of new destinations, a lot of new assets, whether under Red Sea or Diriyah,” he said. “Therefore you will see an accelerated growth in the next three to five years.”
He noted that the launch of Riyadh Air this month is part of the broader scheme of making Saudi Arabia more accessible.
He also said that as the world rushes toward digitalization, tourism will be spared, at least in some parts.
“I expect the digitalization of other industries, maybe oil and gas manufacturing, but when it comes to tourism, tourism is all about people to give an interaction,” he said.
Discussing a recent UN meeting the minister attended in Madrid, he said: “We are trying our best in our sector to protect the humanity, the human people, and we always say we should digitalize the unnecessary and humanize the necessary.
“At the end of the day, you will remember the story told to you by the human.”
Source: arabnews.com
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SFDA CEO participates in DIA global annual meeting
June 18, 2026
PHILADELPHIA: Dr. Hisham Aljadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, participated in the Drug Information Association global annual meeting in Philadelphia this week.
Held from June 14-18, the event brought together heads of regulatory authorities, global decision-makers, and leading experts in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and regulatory sciences from across the world.
During a panel session, Dr. Aljadhey emphasized the critical importance of leveraging artificial intelligence in regulatory workflows.
He said that AI technologies could significantly enhance the evaluation of therapeutic innovations and accelerate patient access while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.
In a roundtable meeting, Dr. Aljadhey engaged with executives from global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, alongside regulatory counterparts from the US, the UK, Singapore, Japan and Brazil.
They discussed opportunities to strengthen partnerships in innovation and research, and explored mechanisms to leverage global expertise to elevate the efficiency of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and innovative treatment sectors in Saudi Arabia.
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Saudi Arabia maintains leading cybersecurity ranking for third consecutive year
June 18, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has maintained its leading position in the global ranking of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook’s cybersecurity index for 2026.
The country’s National Cybersecurity Authority, or NCA, said in a statement that this top ranking was a reflection of the support provided by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The achievement was also the result of their directives to empower the cybersecurity sector as a fundamental pillar of the national security system, it said.
NCA said that the Saudi cybersecurity sector had experienced remarkable development since the establishment of the authority and the Saudi Information Technology Company as its strategic and technical partner.
These steps propelled Saudi Arabia to achieve leading positions year after year across various international indicators, the NCA said.
This included the Kingdom’s classification as Tier 1 — “Role-modelling” in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2026, published by the UN specialized agency, the International Telecommunication Union.
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Riyadh event sheds light on creative, social responsibility sectors in Saudi Arabia
Basmah Albasrawi
June 18, 2026
RIYADH: The Kilmitain event held at Misk in Riyadh on June 16-17 gave creative industry leaders and participants a platform to exchange ideas and learn tangible skills through workshops and panels.
The intersection of the creative and social responsibility sectors in the Kingdom continues to evolve as artists, government, and nongovernmental organizations come together for mutual benefit.
Princess Noura bint Saud bin Naif Al-Saud, the founder and CEO of Rukun and co-founder of AlMashtal, highlighted the impact of creativity on cultural and social transformations, and underscored the art of storytelling as a means for incorporating culture and social causes into the creative industry.
She told Arab News: “It is an industry that is built on connection, whether it’s within the collaboration of the entities or individuals working in it, or connecting with the rest of humanity because it’s all about telling a story.”
She founded Rukun as a design studio, and it has since evolved into a cultural systems and infrastructure design platform working across research, strategy, program architecture, and sector development.
Princess Noura also shed light on the initiatives of AlMashtal, which provides craftspeople with mentorship and the platform to showcase their works.
She said: “We’ve done Saturday market, which is a weekly market. Inshallah, we are launching it again in the summer. Artisans come to share their work, they can meet with the public (and) get people interested in our local culture and crafts.
“At the same time, we do training programs, incubations, to help them understand the business side, and that’s what’s going to make them sustainable.”
AlMashtal is a creative infrastructure platform in Riyadh that supports creative practitioners through programs, production facilities, workshops, memberships, and access to knowledge, tools, and community.
Social advocate Basma Al-Tuwaijri said that creativity within the nonprofit sector should be viewed as a tool for creating lasting impact rather than one-time charitable contributions.
The example embodies the core principles that drive creativity in the nonprofit sector, with Al-Tuwaijri stressing that impact should be measured not only by immediate outcomes but also by its lasting and sustained benefits.
She further explained that the connection between creative projects and social issues were the result of connecting passion, skills, and community needs into solution-based initiatives.
Al-Tuwaijri cited the “Dakkakeen Al-Khair” exhibition, an initiative developed by Nouf Al-Sudairi during her tenure as a board member of Sanad Association. Held annually for the past 14 years, the exhibition has become a sustainable source of funding, helping cover treatment costs for hundreds of children.
She also pointed to the National Center for Non-Profit Sector Development’s documentation of more than 6,000 nonprofit organizations across the Kingdom, underscoring the growing opportunity for creative collaboration within the sector.
Speaking to Arab News on the unique positioning of the Kingdom in terms of accessible resources and opportunity for creatives looking to enter the nonprofit space, Al-Tuwaijri said: “Everyone wants to give, but people don’t understand how creative they can be and how applicable they can be, so people just go down the traditional path. Sometimes you can be more creative and generate better impact.”
She added that as the shift from traditional to innovative occurred, government backing through investments, platforms such as Ehsan for donations, volunteer programs, and enforced regulations enabled the streamlining of creativity into social impact.
Princess Noura said that the future of the creative industry in the Kingdom was a bright one filled with opportunity, and affirmed that as the infrastructure of the creative industry grew bigger, the nonprofit space would grow with it.
Source: arabnews.com
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Social enterprise can drive Kingdom’s growth, experts tell Riyadh forum
Hebshi Alshammari
June 18, 2026
RIYADH: Social entrepreneurship — the creation of businesses willing to tackle social, cultural, or environmental challenges — can play a major role in Saudi Arabia’s development, experts in the nonprofit sector told an event in Riyadh this week.
The Social Entrepreneurship Week organized by the Entrepreneurship Vision Association in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, Monsha’at, ran from June 14-18 in Riyadh.
Leaders, decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and representatives from more than 40 government, private, and nonprofit entities took part in the event.
The week featured more than 50 entrepreneurial meetings focusing on social investment, food security, resource management, and the role of developmental institutions in building social capacity for enterprises.
Prince Fahd bin Mansour bin Nasser, chairman of the Board of the Entrepreneurship Vision Association, said that community entrepreneurship is a fundamental pillar of sustainable development.
He highlighted the importance of “building partnerships and empowering social entrepreneurs to maximize positive social impact.”
Saud Al-Sabhan, deputy governor for entrepreneurship at Monsha’at, said that successful entrepreneurial ecosystems are measured not by the number of events held, but by the initiatives, companies, and success stories that emerge from them.
Several flagship projects were launched during the week, including the Green Impact Leadership initiative.
The event also marked the launch of the Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator, designed to encourage promising social projects through specialized mentoring and development programs to enhance their efficiency, sustainability, and reach.
Mohammed Al-Shaikh, co-founder of climate technology startup Netzero, said that “social entrepreneurship represents a promising opportunity in Saudi Arabia due to its dual focus on community impact and economic sustainability.”
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Europe
Man who falsely claimed to have AK-47 at Brisbane mosque escapes criminal conviction
By Talissa Siganto
June 18, 2026
A man who admitted to falsely claiming to be armed with an assault rifle and threatening worshippers at a Brisbane Mosque last month says he is "absolutely remorseful".
Louis Rapisarda pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning to disturbing the peace at a place of worship and creating a public nuisance.
The court heard on the morning of May 10, while driving past Mitchelton Presbyterian Church, he yelled out "Allahu Akbar" to a group of people gathered outside.
He then drove to the Masjid Taqwah Mosque in Bald Hills and shouted the Arabic phrase again at members inside, before telling them he had an AK-47, the court heard.
His lawyers submitted Rapisarda had a bipolar diagnosis but was unmedicated at the time which caused manic episodes.
The incident was described to the court as being out of character for Rapisarda, who had no relevant criminal history.
A magistrate ordered Rapisarda to complete 60 hours of community service but did not record convictions.
Outside court Mr Rapisarda said he was "absolutely remorseful".
"I'd like to thoroughly apologise to the Muslim community," he said.
"I regret my actions."
In a statement, Chairman of the mosque Mohammed Akbery said the Muslim community in Bald Hills was left "shaken" and concerned for their safety by the incident.
"Heated rhetoric has real consequences for communities," he said.
"Attempts to direct frustration or political grievances towards ordinary Muslim Australians are both unfair and misplaced."
Mr Akbery said he understood Rapisarda was "facing his own challenges" and it was hoped the experience would lead him to "reflection, understanding and a positive path forward".
"While the actions were deeply concerning, this has also been a reminder that fear, misinformation and division can affect people in different ways," he said.
Source: abc.net.au
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Germany’s co-ruling CDU files complaint against party member for saying Muslims should be gassed to death
18 June 2026
Germany’s co-ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU) filed a criminal complaint against a party member for saying Muslims should be gassed to death, citing how the same was done to Jews in the Holocaust, press reports said Thursday.
The Islamophobic remarks made by a CDU member in the western city of Krefeld caused outrage in the party ranks.
“Now let’s gas the Muslims,” a 23-year-old Christian Democrat suggested in a video shared on TikTok, according to the RND editorial network.
In his video, the man says: “When I’m high up, I’ll push them all out. Actually, I’d rather have them killed. Like, gassed or something.”
Addressing another person, he says, referring to the Nazi death camps in World War II, which killed millions of Jews: “We used to gas the Jews. And now we’re gassing the Muslims. What do you think of that?”
When the other person replies that he can’t comment on that, the Christian Democrat adds: “I can. I don’t give a damn. I’ll do whatever I want.”
CDU shocked
Reacting to the incident, the state party expressed shock. The party also announced that it had filed a criminal complaint with the police and is cooperating fully with the investigating authorities to clarify the facts. Furthermore, it will initiate all necessary party disciplinary measures to expel the member later Thursday.
“We condemn the disgusting and inhumane statements made by a member in the strongest possible terms,” a spokesperson said. “It is true that the local CDU chapter has reported the matter to the public prosecutor’s office and has taken the necessary steps to expel the individual.” The local CDU is being supported in this process by the state headquarters in Duesseldorf.
In a statement by the CDU Krefeld branch on the incident, the party said that the remarks made by a local party member heard in the video were in every respect inhumane and stood in the most blatant contradiction to the fundamental values of the Christian Democratic Union.
“We are shocked and take the allegations very seriously,” said Christopher Schiffer, the CDU district chair. “Immediately after an influencer brought the video to our attention, we strongly distanced ourselves from the member’s statements on social media.”
Source: aa.com.tr
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Ireland part of international police operation targeting terrorist network
18 Jun, 2026
Ireland has taken part in an international police operation targeting an offshoot of the fanatical Islamic State terrorist network.
The investigation — coordinated by the EU police agency Europol and involving the FBI — targeted “support networks across Europe” of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).
A number of suspects were arrested in what Europol said were “multiple high-stakes investigations”.
The ISKP emerged from a regional branch of the Islamic State in Afghanistan but has spread its jihadist network across Russia and into Europe.
Garda security and intelligence has been monitoring a small group of supporters in Ireland in recent years.
A statement issued by the EU police agency said: “Europol, in coordination with eight European law enforcement agencies and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), successfully concluded a week-long operational action targeting the so-called Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) and its support networks across Europe.”
It said the ISKP remains “a significant threat in jihadi terrorism, with its networks in Europe posing a major concern”.
The investigation was organised by Europol’s European Counter Terrorism Centre.
“It brought together investigators to exchange real-time intelligence, disrupt terrorist networks, and reinforce cross-border cooperation,” the statement said.
The operation, which ran from June 1-5, focused on ISKP-affiliated individuals of Chechen and Central Asian origin, identified through shared investigative leads.
Seven EU members — Ireland, Belgium, Czechia, Germany, Finland, Italy, Spain — joined the US in the operation.
The statement said the collaboration and cross-referencing of information across continents allowed for “accelerated detailing of ISKP travel routes” spanning Europe, South America, and the United States.
It said: “The close cooperation yielded immediate results after Europol swiftly responded to an urgent intelligence request via SIENA over the ensuing weekend, which allowed authorities to arrest several suspects.”
The statement said that, throughout the week, over 100 gigabytes of operational information was exchanged, enabling the “full identification of several suspects” and advancing what it said were “multiple high-stakes investigations".
It said Europol “embedded dedicated analysts with each participating delegation” to identify critical investigative overlaps, facilitate bilateral meetings, and resolve blind spots in ongoing cases.
A sister Europol section, the European Cybercrime Centre, supported member states in tracking cryptocurrency trails.
Another Europol unit, the European Financial and Economic Crime Centre, provided expertise on financing networks.
The statement said: “This operation underscores Europol’s strengthened global partnerships in counter-terrorism, highlighting the agency’s commitment to disrupting threats through coordinated, intelligence-driven action.
“By bridging national borders, the action week reinforced operational trust, mapped ISKP activities in Europe, and demonstrated the critical role of international collaboration in combating terrorism.”
In January 2025, Garda security and intelligence was alerted to a poster that circulated online, including in the German Bild newspaper, of a threat purported to be from ISKP highlighting 10 cultural events in Europe, including St Patrick’s Day, as potential targets.
Bild said the poster was published on the ISPK platform "Al Azaim Media".
The ISPK, or IS-K, stands for the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, with was responsible for the March 2024 terror attack in Moscow, leaving over 140 concertgoers dead.
In August 2024, the CIA tipped off Austrian authorities about an ISPK inspired terror plot targeting Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, which intended to cause "mass casualties".
Last May, a 21-year-old Austrian man was sentenced to 15 years in prison for planning the jihadist attack, which was to involve a bomb and the use of knives.
Another 21-year-old, from Slovakia, previously received 12 years in prison for his role in the cell.
Source: irishexaminer.com
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Baku launches global Islamic economists training programme
18 June 2026
A new global initiative aimed at developing future leaders in Islamic economics and finance has been launched in Baku by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in partnership with INCEIF University and Malaysia’s central bank, Bank Negara Malaysia.
The Global Islamic Economists Programme (GIEP), unveiled on the sidelines of the IsDB Group’s Annual Meetings, is designed to strengthen professional capacity and bridge the gap between academic research and real-world economic policymaking, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.
According to the IsDB, the programme seeks to establish an international platform for training highly skilled specialists capable of addressing complex global development challenges through Islamic economic frameworks.
The first pilot cohort will bring together 20 mid-level professionals from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Participants will undergo structured training built around four core pillars: global intellectual leadership, executive education, mentorship, and applied policy research.
Officials said the initiative reflects a broader effort to enhance talent development in Islamic finance and promote innovative policy solutions in emerging markets.
The launch comes as Baku hosts the IsDB Group’s Annual Meetings from 16 to 19 June under the theme “Regional Integration for Sustainable Prosperity”, bringing together government representatives, development experts and financial sector leaders from 57 member countries.
Azerbaijan is hosting the flagship gathering for the second time, 16 years after first welcoming the event in 2010.
Source: caliber.az
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https://caliber.az/en/post/baku-launches-global-islamic-economists-training-programme
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Plans to build faith school next to Crawley mosque recommended for refusal for second time
By Karen Dunn
18 Jun 2026
Plans to build a faith school next to a mosque in Crawley have been recommended for refusal for a second time.
An application from Jamiat-Ul-Muslemeen Quwat-Ul-Islam Masjed, to build a primary school on the site in Broadwood Rise, Broadfield, will be discussed during a meeting of the borough council’s planning committee on Thursday (June 25).
A similar application was refused by the council in 2021 for reasons including over-development of the site, the loss of parking at the mosque, harm to a designated area of ancient woodland, and flooding concerns.
West Sussex County Council, in its role as the Local Education Authority, confirmed last year that it didn’t support the introduction of a new school as there was already a surplus of spaces in the town.
This point was also raised by planning officers in a report to the committee.
While acknowledging that ‘great weight’ was given to ‘the principle of meeting a community’s need for a faith school’, they felt that opening such a school could have a negative impact on those already in the area.
The report added: “The development is on and adjacent to designated ancient woodland and, given it has not been demonstrated that it would not have adverse impacts upon this irreplaceable habitat, the presumption in favour of sustainable development does not apply.
“The development as designed is considered to result in a harmful impact on the character of the area, a harmful impact upon the ancient woodland, result in a loss of [protected] trees and harm to structural landscaping.
“It has also not been demonstrated that the development would not adversely affect Southern Water’s assets.
“In addition, the proposal will make existing parking issues in the area at times of high use of the mosque worse to the detriment of local residents and the character of the area.”
The council received 90 letters objecting to the plans and 240 in support.
To view the application, log on to planningregister.crawley.gov.uk and search for CR/2022/0469/FUL.
The planning meeting will be held at the Town Hall, in the Boulevard, starting at 7.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Source: sussexexpress.co.uk
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https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/politics/council/plans-to-build-faith-school-next-to-crawley-mosque-recommended-for-refusal-for-second-time-8749093
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Scottish Conservatives win first Westminster by-election in more than 50 years
Jun 19, 2026
Angus Cochrane
The Scottish Conservatives have won a Westminster by-election for the first time in more than 50 years, taking Aberdeen South from the SNP.
The seat, vacated by the SNP's Stephen Flynn, was won by Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden.
Shortly afterwards the SNP claimed a victory in the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election where Lara Bird held the seat for the party.
Lumsden, who is unable to sit in both parliaments due to a Holyrood ban on so-called dual mandates, is to resign from Holyrood just six weeks after winning re-election as a North East MSP.
South of the border, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election, paving the way for him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer as Labour Party leader.
The Scottish by-elections were triggered when sitting MPs - Flynn and his SNP colleague Stephen Gethins - resigned from the House of Commons after being elected to Holyrood.
Aberdeen is at the heart of the debate around the UK's energy future, and the UK government has chosen the city as the home of GB Energy - its fledgling publicly-owned energy company.
Lumsden, a former oil and gas worker, said his constituents had sent a message that "the destruction of the oil and gas industry must stop now".
The North East MSP defeated SNP candidate Richard Thomson, a former MP for Gordon, by a margin of more than 6,000 votes, with the Tories taking almost half of all ballots cast.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has lauded her party's win in Aberdeen South as a "significant" result, promising that she will "never stop fighting" for its constituents.
She said the result is "particularly significant" due to the support from those who had "never voted Conservative before".
Badenoch added her party "is working to earn the trust of the country again", and is "grateful and humbled" that residents of Aberdeen South voted for the Tories.
"Makerfield was about one man's job. Aberdeen South was about thousands of jobs in oil and gas across our country and the future of an entire city," she said.
Amy Cameron, from Greenpeace UK, said "false promises" from the Tories would not deliver a prosperous economic future for people in Aberdeen.
She said a just transition has to be strong enough for people to "let go of the industry that built their community" and "trust that the new economy will be ready to catch them".
In Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, Bird won the seat on Scotland's east coast for the SNP with a majority of more than 5,000 votes over the Conservatives.
Bird, from near Kirriemuir, is a qualified lawyer who has worked as an SNP researcher and adviser at Westminster.
She said voters had "rejected the politics of division and hate" and made it clear that Scotland's future "lies with independence".
Labour slipped from second to fourth in the constituency, with Reform in third.
Flynn, who is now Scotland's economy secretary, responded to the loss of his old seat on social media, posting: "A tough night in Aberdeen that some will need to reflect on, quite heavily."
He added: "We lost Aberdeen South to the Tories in 2017, and we won it back two years later.
"I've no doubt that we can do so again. If we get things right."
Lumsden will have 49 days to resign as an MSP, under Holyrood's dual mandate ban.
His place in the Scottish Parliament will be taken by the next candidate on the Conservatives' North East Scotland list, Fraserburgh councillor James Adams.
The Conservatives last won a Westminster by-election north of the border in 1973, when they held Edinburgh North.
The Scottish Tories had not gained a seat in a Westminster by-election since 1967, when they took Glasgow Pollok from Labour.
The Aberdeen South defeat comes just six weeks after the SNP won a comfortable victory in the Scottish election.
Within weeks the party was rocked by a scandal surrounding former chief executive Peter Murrell, who admitted in court to embezzling more than £400,000 of SNP funds over a 12-year period.
He is due to be sentenced next week.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpv3kk3nlj1o
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Moscow honors foreigners for helping Russia’s development
19 Jun, 2026
Several outstanding foreigners who have chosen Russia as their new home have been honored at the Bridge Awards gala night in Moscow for their contribution to the country’s economy and culture.
The ceremony, which is backed by the Russian Foreign Ministry and Moscow’s authorities, was held for the first time on Wednesday. The awards were handed out in 13 categories, including business, architecture, media, family values and charity.
The head of the Russian capital’s department of international relations, Sergey Cheremin, praised the achievements of the nominees, saying that “they create a unique, friendly atmosphere in the country, build beautiful cities… and enrich our culture.”
The prize in culture and art category went to Japanese dancer Kohei Fukuda, who has been a member of the Novosibirsk opera and ballet theater troupe since 2016. He received his trophy from Hollywood action star Steven Seagal, who became a Russian citizen a decade ago and serves as Moscow’s special representative for Russian-American humanitarian ties.
Legendary American-born UFC fighter Jeff Monson won in the sports and healthy lifestyle category. Monson is currently a member of the local legislature in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan.
US journalist John Warren was awarded the media nomination for hosting a popular food and travel show on Russian television, celebrating the country and the cuisines of its peoples.
More than a hundred contenders from 40 nations were vying for the awards, according to the organisers.
The co-founder of the Bridge Awards, Philip Hutchinson, said that its winners and nominees “prove that Russia truly is a land of opportunity… There is hope here, there is space to grow and there is a future for those who are ready to work, adapt and contribute.”
“I do sincerely hope that in the coming years thousands more people will choose Russia, move here and achieve their own successes,” Hutchinson said.
During a press-conference, Segal said that the LGBTQ propaganda aimed at children and the “tremendous” division between the left and the right are reasons for an increasing number of Americans deciding to leave the US and move to Russia, where traditional values are upheld.
The US used to be a country where Christian values and family were cherished, but now it’s all “diminishing rapidly,” the actor said.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/641810-bridge-awards-segal-foreigners/
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North America
CAIR Welcomes Order for ‘Long-Overdue’ Release of Salah Sarsour from ICE Detention
June 18, 2026
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a federal judge’s order for the “long-overdue” release of Milwaukee Muslim community leader Salah Sarsour, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March.
Judge James Patrick Hanlon ordered his release on personal recognizance because of “extraordinary circumstances.” The judge said: “The Court…concludes, on the present record, that Mr. Sarsour has raised a ‘substantial’ First Amendment retaliation claim, which could render his detention unlawful.”
Earlier this month, CAIR reiterated its call for his release after reports indicated that his medical needs were being neglected and that his health was deteriorating while in detention.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:
“Today’s court order is a welcome and long-overdue step toward justice for Salah Sarsour, a respected Muslim community leader whose detention has caused immense pain to his family and community. No one should be punished for their faith, advocacy, or identity. We urge ICE to immediately comply with the judge’s order, reunite Mr. Sarsour with his loved ones, and end the disturbing pattern of targeting Muslim, Palestinian, and other community members for detention and intimidation. This case is a reminder that due process, human dignity, and constitutional rights must never be optional.”
He congratulated Munjed Ahmed and Muslim Legal Fund of America for their efforts in the case.
In April,CAIR joinedAmerican Muslims for Palestine (AMP), the Muslim American Society (MAS) and the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), at a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to demand Sarsour’s immediate release.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-welcomes-order-for-long-overdue-release-of-salah-sarsour-from-ice-detention/
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CAIR-WA Says Seattle U Provost’s Apology Does Not Address Issue of Grabbing Student, Palestinian Flag During Commencement
June 18, 2026
The Washington state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-WA) today said an apology offered by Seattle University Provost Shane Martin did not address the fact that he grabbed a student and tried to snatch away her Palestinian flag during commencement.
The provost issued an apology after video of him grabbing a Palestinian flag out of the hands of a Muslim female student during commencement. The apology, however, did not address the grabbing of the flag. “I apologize for a misunderstanding that our student {student name} has raised since the ceremony. I did not observe or hear any request from {student name} that she wished to avoid physical contact as part of her Muslim faith,” the apology stated.
CAIR-WA previously condemned the incident.
In a statement, CAIR-WA Executive Director Imran Siddiqi said:
“Mr. Martin’s apology does not address the main issue at hand, namely that he tried to snatch the student’s Palestinian flag out of her hand very aggressively during commencement and touched her without her consent. This cannot be chalked up to a mere misunderstanding. She stated out loud that she does not shake hands with men due to her Muslim beliefs, and he violated that right. It is also an issue of aggressively attempting to prevent a student from peaceful protest. We do not accept that Mr. Martin did not hear her ask and believe if he had been more focused on the student graduating as she was walking across the stage rather than the flag, this could have been prevented. We urge Mr. Martin and Seattle University to address this incident fully.”
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-wa-says-seattle-u-provosts-apology-does-not-address-issue-of-grabbing-student-palestinian-flag-during-commencement/
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CAIR-FL Calls on Village Officials to Allow Islamic Holiday Greeting in Media Outlets
June 18, 2026
The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on Village officials apply its policies without bias after a greeting for the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha was not allowed on their media outlets.
The Village Council of Palmetto Bay reportedly denied the greeting, despite the fact that holiday greetings are routinely issued “wishing people a Happy Easter, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas.”
“Omar Saleh, CAIR-Florida’s lead attorney, said they are still exploring different legal options with Taha.
Saleh believes the rise of islamophobia — hate, violence, bias and discrimination against Muslims and Arab Americans — is ‘a direct product of the rhetoric we’re hearing from elected officials.’”
[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. Many communities hold multicultural bazaars and other family activities following prayers. The second holiday, Eid ul-Adha (EED-al-ODD-ha), comes near the end of the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.]
Yesterday, CAIR’s Minnesota chapter welcomed the decision of Rochester Public Schools to add the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha to its academic calendar for next year.
CAIR-Florida is the state’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil liberties, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-fl-calls-on-village-officials-to-allow-islamic-holiday-greeting-in-media-outlets/
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Islamic Center of San Diego focuses on healing and security one month after the mass shooting
Jun 19, 2026
SAN DIEGO (KGTV)- Flowers and signs still fill the grounds of the Islamic Center of San Diego, one month after a mass shooting claimed the lives of three people and shook the local Muslim community.
While the pain remains, community members say they are choosing unity over fear — and mosque leaders say safety is now a top priority.
Imam Taha Hassane said the grief is still fresh for those who worship there.
"We still have the pain in our heart whenever we step into the Islamic Center of San Diego; we remember what happened, we remember our dear brothers that we lost here in this building, but we need to move forward; we need to come back. It's going to take some time, slowly, but we will recover."
Since the shooting, mosque leaders have focused on strengthening security and ensuring a strong protective presence for worshippers.
"It's not a matter of how many the quantity, it's a matter of the quality of the security guards that we are going to have, so we have to make sure that the security we provide here should be strong enough to make us all feel safe," Hassane said.
Mosque leaders say there have also been conversations with parents and the school located inside the Islamic Center, after some parents expressed concerns about their children's safety and said they want the school moved.
"They have the right to raise their concerns about the safety of their kids here, again, whether to move out of the Islamic Center or to stay here for the school, it is a decision that should be made by the board of the Bright Horizon Academy," Hassane said.
One month after the shooting, mosque leaders say everyone remains extremely vigilant.
"We are very cautious, so if there is any slight chance of any suspicious activity or a person, then we have to take it seriously," Hassane said.
Those at the Islamic Center of San Diego say the hate and violence will not define this community.
Source: 10news.com
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https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/san-diego-news/islamic-center-of-san-diego-focuses-on-healing-and-safety-one-month-after-mass-shooting
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Obamas host star-studded opening of Chicago presidential centre
Jun 19, 2026
Nardine Saad
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have welcomed three ex-US presidents, dignitaries and celebrities to the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.
The Chicago attraction, a monument to the eight years the couple spent in the White House, has been in the works since the 44th president left the Oval Office a decade ago.
George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden attended, but current President Donald Trump, who has long feuded with Obama, was not invited. The BBC contacted the White House for comment.
The Obamas chose the Jackson Park neighbourhood on the South Side for the 20-acre campus, near the home where they lived before moving to the White House.
Obama, who was president from 2009-17, told visitors during Thursday's opening ceremony: "We wanted it [the centre] to be a vibrant, living celebration of community.
"Where we can learn together and share the joys of art and music and sport and play."
He appeared emotional as his wife gave a heartfelt tribute to him.
Neither Obama mentioned Trump by name, but each made pointed remarks that were widely interpreted as implicit rebukes of the current administration.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - who were in office during Obama's tenure - attended.
There were also performances from artists including Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, Common, Marc Anthony, U2's Bono and The Edge, as well as Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder.
Rock legend and hometown hero Eddie Vedder, the Illinois-born frontman of Pearl Jam, performed an original song he wrote.
US presidents traditionally open libraries following their tenure in office. Some serve as simple repositories for papers and key artifacts from their namesake administration, while others have grander ambitions as museums and cultural destinations.
The Obama centre combines elements of a museum and reading room with community centre amenities such as a playground, basketball court, recording studio and public library.
But the project was not without its problems. Its 225ft high (67m) monolithic architectural centrepiece has drawn mixed reviews.
The public park area allotted to the centre sparked local opposition and legal battles.
The privately funded project - with a reported $850m pricetag - also faced cost overruns and delays.
Fears from local residents that the attraction would accelerate gentrification on the South Side added to the controversy.
But supporters said the new attraction would boost tourism to Chicago and was a fitting tribute to the nation's first black president.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly91eqyd0ko
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In Trump's shadow, Vance becomes face of Iran deal
Daniel Bush
Jun 19, 2026
As he defended the US-Iran deal at the White House press briefing on Thursday, Vice-President JD Vance brushed aside a question about whether President Donald Trump had positioned him as the "fall guy" for an agreement that is broadly unpopular with Republicans in Washington.
"I think the president was joking," Vance said, referring to Trump's comment the previous day that he might blame the vice-president if the deal collapses.
Vance has spent the week defending the memorandum of understanding with Iran.
Yet he was often contradicted or overshadowed by Trump - and his uncertainty about the logistics of a signing ceremony he was planning to attend in Switzerland with Iranian leaders only further underscored his challenges in handling a defining issue of his vice-presidency.
Late Thursday, the White House announced that Vance would ultimately not be travelling for the ceremony, at least for now.
Despite all the challenges, Vance has still delivered a forceful defence of the deal.
He also delivered a blunt rebuke of Israel's response to the agreement, going further in his criticisms than anything Trump has said in recent days.
The timing is awkward for Vance, who just days ago published a memoir that intensified speculation about a possible presidential run in 2028.
It will be hard for him to sell this interim deal to a party that is divided between anti-interventionist Maga supporters who opposed the war from the start, and conservative Iran hawks who believe the White House has ultimately capitulated to Tehran.
Other senior administration officials, meanwhile, are not facing quite the same pressures as Vance when it comes to Iran.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a potential rival for the 2028 Republican nomination, has manoeuvered himself out of the spotlight on this war.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has been a vocal defender of the military campaign, but has not been deeply involved in the diplomatic talks to end it and is not the face of this agreement in the same way Vance is.
Some Republicans said Vance's Iran war portfolio has turned into a thankless assignment from a president long known for blaming his subordinates for unpopular policies.
"It's not in the president's nature to cede the limelight and he's done that here," said Matt Mackowiak, a Republican strategist. "That does feel like a deliberate choice."
A longtime Republican operative and critic of the president said Trump was pinning the deal on Vance.
"It's classic Trump to throw JD under the bus," the source, who asked not to be named, said.
It is certainly not a foregone conclusion that Vance's ties to the Iran war will backfire politically.
If the countries reach a final peace agreement that limits Iran's nuclear programme, Vance will have played a central role in achieving a longtime goal of the US and its allies in the Middle East.
But there is no guarantee the two sides will broker a final deal on various deeply technical issues over the next 60 days, or that a long-term agreement would satisfy critics at home and abroad.
"Vance being connected to the Iran war is one more way [that critics will] hold him accountable for Trumpism," said Terry Holt, a veteran Republican consultant.
The week of mixed messages on this deal illustrated Vance's challenge on Iran.
The administration announced that Iran had agreed to the memorandum of understanding on Sunday, but did not release details.
The lack of clarity sparked confusion about what was actually in the text of the deal. Vance then tried to clear up the confusion in several interviews.
He told CBS News on Monday that Iran "could have access" to a $300bn reconstruction fund if it abided by the terms of its deal with the US.
Hours later, Trump said in a social media post that reports of the US paying Iran as part of the $300bn fund were "Fake News" and told reporters "we're not putting up 10 cents".
When the text of the agreement was finally released by US officials, it included a provision committing the US to work "with regional partners to develop a definitive mutually agreed plan with at least USD $300 billion" for Iran's reconstruction.
On Iran's nuclear programme, Vance echoed Trump's assertion that the interim agreement was a significant first step toward stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
But the deal did not address the nuclear question in detail, leaving that to be settled in the next round of talks.
Throughout the week, Vance was also promoting his new book about his faith and conversion to Catholicism.
But even in those media appearances he could not escape the news of the day.
As he was sparring with Whoopi Goldberg on ABC's The View, Trump was meeting with world leaders at the G7 summit in the French resort town of Évian-les-Bains.
At his press conference on Wednesday, Trump reprised the joke he has made in recent months that he would blame Vance if the Iran deal fails.
Trump also appeared to downplay the significance of the memorandum of understanding, at one point questioning whether it was an important enough document for him to sign.
Then, soon afterwards, Trump signed a paper copy of the deal on camera during a lavish dinner with French President Emmaneul Macron at the Palace of Versailles - raising questions about why Vance would then need to stage a separate signing event of his own in Geneva.
A question that was answered later when the White House announced Vance would not be travelling there - at least for now as logistics for talks with Iran were not yet finalised.
With Trump still out of the country, Vance had continued defending the deal as his former colleagues in the Senate criticised it for giving up too much to Iran.
"Iran's nuclear ambitions were not curbed, and they have learned that threatening the Strait of Hormuz works and will undoubtedly leverage it in the future," Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana said in a post on X.
Senate Armed Services chairman Roger Wicker of Mississippi said on Thursday that the deal was "completely out of step with the president's goals".
Vance pointed to falling petrol prices at the press briefing on Thursday, arguing that the deal was already paying dividends to Americans.
He expressed confidence that it would continue to bear fruit so long as Iran made good on its promises and agreed to a final peace deal once the key issues have been negotiated.
"If they change their behaviour, big things are going to happen," Vance said. "If they don't, no skin off our backs. Either way, we win."
With Vance leading these negotiations, as Trump made clear, he will have a lot riding on a victory - or a defeat.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx23jr133lwo
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Africa
‘They Are Humans Like Us’ – Ex-General Urges Nigerians To Face Bandits, Terrorists
June 18, 2026
By Richard Ogunsile
A former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, retired Brig.-Gen. Maharazu Tsiga, has warned that negotiations alone cannot bring an end to banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.
Tsiga called for a more decisive and coordinated approach to tackling insecurity, arguing that criminal groups would not willingly abandon their activities through dialogue.
Naija News reports that the retired general spoke on Thursday in Kaduna during a press briefing organised by colleagues, friends and associates of late retired Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Rabe.
Speaking on the growing insecurity in the country, Tsiga said the fight against banditry required the involvement of all stakeholders, including communities, government institutions and security agencies.
He questioned the effectiveness of negotiating with criminal groups without confronting the wider networks that support and benefit from their activities.
Drawing from his personal experience while in captivity, the former NYSC boss said terrorists and bandits were unlikely to surrender their operations simply because of negotiations.
According to him, stronger action was needed to dismantle their structures and restore peace.
“These people are human beings like us; they fear death and they fear being confronted. If we remove that fear through decisive action and face them squarely, we will achieve more meaningful results than endless negotiations,” he said.
’Criminal Networks Must Be Targeted’
Tsiga also raised concerns about individuals and groups allegedly providing support to criminal organisations.
He said some collaborators operate within communities and institutions, helping to sustain banditry through the supply of resources and information.
Recalling his experience during captivity, the retired general alleged that some bandit leaders discussed acquiring ammunition from individuals with access to government resources.
He argued that focusing only on those carrying out attacks would not solve the problem.
“Who exactly are we negotiating with? You may negotiate with the bandits, but those supplying them and profiting from the conflict will not allow peace to prevail because they are more interested in financial gain than the lives and property of innocent citizens,” he said.
Tsiga urged Nigerians to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful intelligence and supporting ongoing operations.
He said military efforts alone would not succeed without the involvement of citizens.
“If the Army is doing its part and society fails to support those efforts, then we have all failed. Security is a collective responsibility,” he said.
The retired general also encouraged communities affected by banditry to resist intimidation, saying criminals often succeed because people are afraid to challenge them.
“When only a few armed men can force hundreds or even thousands of people to flee, it shows the need for collective action. Communities must work together with security agencies to deny criminals the space to operate,” he said.
Tsiga stressed that lasting peace would only be achieved when security agencies, government authorities and citizens unite against criminal networks and those supporting them.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/18/they-are-humans-like-us-ex-general-urges-nigerians-to-face-bandits-terrorists/
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Take Terrorists, Criminal Activities Off Your Front Pages – FG Begs Journalists
June 19, 2026
By Justina Otio
The Federal Government has appealed to Nigerian journalists to desist from pushing news of terrorism and banditry to their front pages.
Naija News reports that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja at a two-day National Security Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
Idris argued that reporters should focus on nation-building, adding that responsible journalism must be practised to avoid glorifying crime.
He said, “Yes, we have to do our work, we have to report whatever happens, but you must know that the best reporter, the best editor, is the one who knows what not to report in the interest of nation-building.
“Please, take these terrorists and criminals off your front pages. This is what they crave, free of charge.
“It saddens my mind when I see our front pages, when I see our headlines, reporting the activities of these criminals and underplaying the ones by security agencies.”
He noted that without a secure and peaceful country, the media itself would lack an enabling environment in which to operate.
Idris urged editors to celebrate the sacrifices of young men and women in uniform rather than give free publicity to insurgents.
“We must have a Nigeria to report first before we can even have a union or any other media organisation.
“Please, let’s have that at the back of our minds. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this nation survives,” he said.
The minister stated that beyond kinetic military operations, the Tinubu administration was using non-kinetic tools to combat insecurity by addressing its root causes.
Speaking on other achievements of the administration, the minister said over 1.3 million Nigerian students had accessed higher education through the newly instituted National Education Loan Fund, ensuring that financial constraints do not keep youths out of school.
He also hinted that the Federal Government was working behind the scenes to roll out enhanced welfare packages for media workers in the country to boost their morale and economic well-being.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/19/terrorists-criminal-activities-front-pages-fg-journalists/
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Libya’s Fatwa House calls for rejection of Structured Dialogue outcomes
by AbdulkaderAssad
18/06/2026
The Research and Islamic Studies Council of Libya’s Fatwa House called on Libyans to reject the outcomes of the Structured Dialogue process, arguing that they constitute an infringement on national will and grant international actors an undue role in managing the country’s affairs.
In a statement, the Council said the dialogue’s recommendations would prolong Libya’s transitional phases and repeat what it described as failed political experiments. It also argued that the proposals grant foreign actors supervisory, financial, and legal roles within state institutions, which it said undermines national sovereignty.
The Council further urged political elites and all segments of Libyan society to support a memorandum submitted by a number of participants in the Structured Dialogue, which criticized what they described as irregularities and violations that accompanied both the dialogue process and its outcomes.
It also warned against the creation of parallel bodies outside existing constitutional and legal frameworks, saying such steps could threaten state institutions and weaken prospects for building an independent state.
According to the statement, the proposed outcomes would marginalize Libyans’ right to vote on a constitution and elect their representatives through elections, while also weakening local governance and deepening regional and social divisions.
Source: libyaobserver.ly
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https://libyaobserver.ly/news/libyas-fatwa-house-calls-rejection-structured-dialogue-outcomes
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Ethiopia: U.S. sanctions officials over Tigray tensions
Jun 19, 2026
The U.S. said Thursday it was imposing sanctions on individuals in the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) that it said were undermining peace in Ethiopia.
A statement from the State Department said rising tensions between TPLF hardliners and the federal government threaten to restart conflict in the Tigray region.
It did not name the affected individuals. The sanctions impose visa restrictions on officials and their family members.
The TPLF and authorities in Addis Ababa have accused each other of seeking a return to war. Tigray regional forces launched a deadly against federal troops in November 2020.
The fighting was ended by a peace deal in 2022. But the agreement has become increasingly strained over the past year.
Despite being barred from political activity, TPLF held a regional vote in May, violating a key provision of the peace agreement.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/06/18/ethiopia-us-sanctions-officials-over-tigray-tensions/
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Yola court remands teenagers over alleged mosque generator theft
June 18, 2026
By Jim Ochetenwu
The Chief Magistrate Court 2 sitting in the Adamawa State capital, Yola, has ordered the remand of two young boys for allegedly stealing a generator belonging to a mosque.
The court also remanded a scavenger, Auwalu Bashir in prison custody for allegedly receiving stolen property.
The minors who were ordered to be kept in a juvenile remand home are 14-year-old Saidu Alhassan, and 13-year-old Mamman, both of PZ Roundabout area of Jimeta, Yola North LGA.
The boys and the older defendant were arraigned before the court by the police prosecutor, Inspector Emmanuel Paul,, for alleged “criminal conspiracy, theft and receiving of stolen property.
The prosecutor told the court that a resident of Jambutu Primary School in Yola North LGA, Murtala Isa, reported the incident of theft at the Jambutu Police Station on the 13th June, 2026, after which investigations led to the defendants.
Arraigning the defendants on First Information Report, Inspector Emmanuel Paul, alleged that the minors at different times made away with the Perso Power Generator valued at N600,000 and sold it to the scavenger at N50,000 each.
Source: dailypost.ng
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https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/18/yola-court-remands-teenagers-over-alleged-mosque-generator-theft/
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‘A Leader Must Confront Crisis’ – Umahi Speaks On Tinubu Serving Beyond 2027
June 19, 2026
By Richard Ogunsile
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has expressed optimism that God will continue to guide President Bola Tinubu in leading Nigeria until 2031 to advance the country’s development.
Naija News reports that Umahi stated this on Thursday during an inspection tour of ongoing bridge projects in Lagos State.
The projects inspected included the Carter Bridge, which the minister said is scheduled for reconstruction beginning next week.
Speaking during the inspection, Umahi appealed to Nigerians to support and cooperate with the Tinubu administration as it works to address the challenges facing the country, particularly insecurity.
According to him, the President’s administration will continue to receive divine support in confronting national problems and delivering on its mandate.
“The same God that brought him is going to be there to solve all the problems,” Umahi said.
The minister said no leader desires instability or crisis during his administration, but noted that responsible leadership requires courage and commitment to confront challenges whenever they arise.
“There is no leader who will not want his reign to be peaceful, but when crises come, the leader must confront them. That is exactly what we are doing,” he said.
Umahi said he remained confident that Tinubu would receive the wisdom and strength needed to overcome Nigeria’s security challenges and other national issues.
He added that whether the security problems were politically motivated or not, the President would continue to find solutions to them.
The minister maintained that the present administration was committed to tackling the country’s problems directly and ensuring that development projects are delivered across the country.
Umahi also expressed confidence that all projects initiated under the Tinubu administration would be completed.
He said the government remained optimistic that the President’s leadership continued to enjoy divine favour.
“Your hands that have started this will complete it,” Umahi stated.
According to him, the administration is determined to ensure that critical infrastructure projects are completed within planned timelines.
Speaking on the Carter Bridge project, Umahi disclosed that reconstruction work on the bridge would begin next week.
He said the project is expected to be completed within three years.
“It is within our five-year plan,” the minister added.
The Carter Bridge is one of the major bridges linking Lagos Island to the mainland and remains a critical route for motorists and commuters in the state.
Umahi said the Federal Government would continue to prioritise key infrastructure projects as part of efforts to improve transportation, support economic activities and enhance public safety.
Meanwhile, the Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP) has demanded the resignation of President Bola Tinubu following the pressing issues of insecurity, economic hardship, and the general well-being of Nigerians.
Naija News reports that CUPP, in a statement signed by its acting National Chairman, Peter Ameh, backed a recent call by the House of Representatives Minority Caucus, which had earlier asked President Tinubu to either demonstrate effective leadership or resign from office.
CUPP said Tinubu’s administration must rise to the challenges facing Nigerians or make way for leaders who can deliver meaningful results.
Ameh added tha CUPP will continue to monitor developments closely and will not hesitate to speak the truth in the best interests of the Nigerian people.
The statement read, “In a sane clime, any elected official who refuses to produce results of good governance that will help make the lives of the people better should honourably resign.
“President Bola Tinubu and his administration must step up immediately to address the pressing issues of insecurity, economic hardship, and the general well-being of Nigerians. Leadership is not a right but a responsibility. Where this responsibility is not being discharged effectively, the honourable path is resignation.
“We urge the President to heed this call and take immediate, visible steps to alleviate the suffering of citizens across the country.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/19/umahi-speaks-on-tinubu-serving-beyond-2027/
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Retired Generals Make Demands After Death Of Gen. Abubakar In Bandits’ Den
June 18, 2026
By Oladipo Abiola
Retired military officers and associates of late Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd) have called for stronger measures to tackle banditry, kidnapping and terrorism in Nigeria.
The call was made during a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday, which was addressed by Brigadier General Isma’ila Abdullahi (rtd), who spoke on behalf of others.
The group described the death of General Abubakar as a tragic reminder of the growing insecurity in the country.
“Our colleague, friend, and brother, Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd), died following his abduction by cruel bandits. His sudden death has left us shocked and deeply saddened,” he said.
While acknowledging efforts by the federal government and the Katsina State Government that led to the rescue of the deceased’s wife, Hajiya Amina Rabe Abubakar, Abdullahi said the incident highlighted the painful realities many citizens have to deal with.
“The death of General Rabe Abubakar is not merely a headline. It underscores the difficulties facing a system struggling to guarantee the safety of citizens. Kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism have become painful realities for many Nigerians,” he said.
Naija News reports that the retired officers expressed concern over the spread of insecurity across different parts of the country and warned against politicising the issue or giving it any form of ehnic or regional colouration.
They stressed that the challenges of insecurity demand a united response.
“We must resist the temptation to politicise insecurity. This is a Nigerian problem that requires a collective national solution,” Abdullahi stated.
The group called for stronger security institutions, improved collaboration among security agencies, and increased investment in intelligence gathering and border control to curb the influx of illegal weapons.
They also welcomed international partnerships aimed at combating terrorism, but maintained that the primary responsibility for securing the country rests with Nigerian authorities.
“No foreign nation can secure Nigeria for us. International cooperation is important, but the responsibility for protecting Nigerians lies with our institutions and leadership,” he said.
Addressing questions from journalists, Abdullahi advocated better support for organised community-based security structures, particularly in rural communities frequently targeted by armed groups.
He argued that local security volunteers and vigilante groups should be properly equipped and trained to assist in protecting vulnerable communities.
“When heavily armed bandits attack communities, it is unrealistic to expect local defenders to rely on outdated equipment. Communities can organise and train selected youths under proper supervision to support local security efforts,” he said.
However, he cautioned against the indiscriminate proliferation of arms, insisting that any community defence arrangement must operate under strict regulation and supervision.
In his view, state governments should establish forest guard units and ensure adequate training, logistics, and operational support.
“Creating forest guard units is only the first step. Proper training and equipment are essential if they are to contribute meaningfully to tackling insecurity in forested areas,” Abdullahi said.
State Police
The retired officers declared support for the idea of creating State Police, but believes only states with the financial and institutional capacity to sustain such organisations should be allowed to establish them.
“We are not opposed to state police. However, states seeking to establish such structures must demonstrate the ability to recruit, train, equip, and sustain them effectively,” he added.
The retired officers further called on governments at all levels to provide support to families affected by kidnapping, terrorism, and banditry, while intensifying efforts to secure the release of citizens still being held captive.
According to them, the death of Major General Abubakar should serve as a wake-up call for stronger political commitment and a coordinated national strategy to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
Other prominent attendees included Brigadier General Abubakar Abdulqadir (rtd), Brigadier General M.I. Tsiga (rtd), Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd), Ambassador Ibrahim Usman Gafai, and Ambassador Ahmed Muhammad Musawa.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/18/retired-generals-make-demands-after-death-of-gen-abubakar-in-bandits-den/
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Southeast Asia
Sultan Ibrahim, in role as police honorary commissioner, receives security briefing from top cop
19 Jun 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today granted an audience to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail at Istana Bukit Tunku here.
According to a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s official Facebook page, the audience was held in His Majesty’s capacity as the Honorary Commissioner of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
During the audience, Sultan Ibrahim was briefed by Mohd Khalid on a range of matters relating to national security and public order. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Indonesia eyes major role in US$3.56 trillion global halal market
June 18, 2026
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia holds a significant advantage in capturing global halal market opportunities due to its expanding industrial base and massive domestic Muslim consumer market, Deputy Minister of Industry Faisol Riza stated.
Speaking in Jakarta, Thursday, Riza highlighted that global Muslim spending across six key Islamic economic sectors reached US$2.6 trillion in 2024 and is projected to increase to US$3.56 trillion by 2029.
This growth opens up a major avenue for Indonesia to strengthen its position in the global halal value chain, he added.
He noted that Indonesia possesses substantial capital to develop its halal sector, with the country's Muslim population expected to reach 248.6 million by 2025, or approximately 87.13 percent of the total population.
Meanwhile, total national household consumption has reached Rp12,834 trillion (approximately US$721.01 billion), with potential spending by Muslim consumers estimated at Rp11,182 trillion (US$628.20 billion).
"The large demand for halal products presents a strategic opportunity to increase domestic production capacity, strengthen the supply chain, increase the use of local components, and encourage innovation in competitive halal products," Riza said.
He further explained that developing the halal industry is a crucial step toward optimizing import substitution while expanding Indonesia's footprint in the global halal supply chain.
To prepare for the mandatory halal certification rule taking effect this coming October, the Industry Ministry has continued its efforts to ready small-scale industries through mentoring, facilitation, and outreach programs.
In general, according to Riza, large-scale industries are not expected to face significant obstacles in fulfilling their halal certification obligations.
However, challenges persist for some small industries that require further government assistance in navigating the certification process.
"For small industries, we have encouraged, assisted, facilitated, and provided outreach," Riza said.
Moving forward, the Industry Ministry plans to speed up small businesses that are ready for compliance, while actively coordinating with the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH) to smooth out logistical and bureaucratic bottlenecks for struggling entrepreneurs.
Source: antaranews.com
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https://en.antaranews.com/news/419651/indonesia-eyes-major-role-in-us356-trillion-global-halal-market
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Collaboration key to growth of Muslim-friendly tourism, say industry leaders
By S Puvaneswary
19 June, 2026
Stronger collaboration between Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and non-OIC destinations will be critical to the future growth of Muslim-friendly tourism, according to speakers at the Halal in Travel Global Summit 2026.
Speaking during a panel session titled Cross-border collaboration: How OIC & non-OIC destinations can learn from each other, panellists said destinations should focus less on competition and more on knowledge-sharing to better serve the growing Muslim travel market.
Mahmood Godel, CEO of Halal 360, said both OIC and non-OIC destinations have strengths that can benefit the wider industry.
According to Mahmood, many OIC destinations have invested heavily in tourism infrastructure, destination branding, hospitality and digital transformation, while non-OIC destinations have developed expertise in visitor journey mapping, service standardisation, multilingual accessibility, data-driven tourism planning and customer experience management.
He added that OIC destinations possess advantages that are difficult to replicate, including a deep understanding of Muslim traveller expectations, integrated Muslim-friendly lifestyles and established hospitality traditions.
“The future is not about comparing OIC and non-OIC destinations,” he said. “The future is about building stronger ecosystems through shared learning.”
Mahmood noted that Muslim-friendly tourism is evolving beyond the provision of halal food and prayer facilities towards delivering higher-quality visitor experiences.
With the Muslim travel market projected to reach 245 million travellers by 2030, he said destinations will need to focus on service quality, staff awareness, family-friendly offerings, digital accessibility and traveller trust.
“The strongest ecosystems will not necessarily be those with the largest budgets. They will be those that learn faster, collaborate better and adapt more effectively.”
Liew Chian Jia, regional director, South-east Asia, at the Hong Kong Tourism Board, said OIC destinations benefit from large domestic Muslim consumer bases and deeply embedded halal ecosystems, creating a sense of familiarity for Muslim travellers.
She noted that halal dining options, prayer facilities and social norms are often integrated into daily life in OIC destinations, while non-OIC destinations such as Hong Kong must invest heavily in staff training, education and certification programmes to deliver similar levels of service.
Liew added that one of the main barriers to collaboration is that tourism boards are often measured by their ability to attract visitors and spending to their own destinations.
To address this, she suggested initiatives such as staff exchanges, joint training programmes and the sharing of best practices.
She said OIC destinations could offer expertise in frontline staff training and cultural understanding, while non-OIC destinations could contribute knowledge in areas such as digital infrastructure, destination marketing and visitor journey management.
The session was moderated by Irshad Cader, CEO and director of Globothink Halal Tourism Development Consultants.
Source: ttgasia.com
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https://www.ttgasia.com/2026/06/19/collaboration-key-to-growth-of-muslim-friendly-tourism-say-industry-leaders/
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New mosque to rise in front of TRX as Bukit Bintang seeks permanent worship space
19 Jun 2026
KUALA LUMPUR — A new mosque to be known as Masjid Warisan is being planned on a site in front of the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) development, with the project expected to become a new landmark in the capital.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hassan said the initiative reflects efforts to strengthen Islamic facilities in the Bukit Bintang area, Malay daily Kosmo! Online reported today.
“Insya-Allah, we want to develop a mosque that is beautiful and outstanding, in line with the grandeur of the TRX Tower,” he was quoted as saying after Friday prayers at Oasis Outreach Bukit Bintang, a temporary worship place that opened today while permanent facilities are being developed.
He said the project involves a 5.6-acre site located opposite TRX.
The planned mosque will be developed in collaboration with the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and other relevant agencies.
Zulkifli said the project is expected to become a new landmark in Kuala Lumpur.
He said the mosque will be built following agreement from the owner of a building previously known as the Yayasan Selangor building to dedicate the premises for religious use.
The owner has agreed to waqf the property despite its potential commercial value, he said.
“Alhamdulillah, we have agreed to build a mosque on the site that can accommodate more than 1,500 worshippers. The property owner has also agreed to endow it, and MAIWP has agreed to fund the project,” he said.
Zulkifli said the mosque will help address the lack of dedicated worship facilities in Bukit Bintang, a major commercial and tourism hub.
He said the area currently does not have a mosque specifically serving Friday prayers for the local community and visitors.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/06/19/new-mosque-to-rise-in-front-of-trx-as-bukit-bintang-seeks-permanent-worship-space/224449
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As pigeon-munching croc settles near Kuching floating mosque, Sarawak minister urges forestry agency to act
19 Jun 2026
KUCHING, June 19 — Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has called on the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) to take immediate action following the sighting of a large crocodile in the Sarawak River near the Masjid India floating mosque.
The Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts acknowledged the complex situation, noting the crocodile’s presence carries a dual nature.
“Well, we do know of the existence of the crocodiles in the Sarawak River, especially under the floating mosque.
“From one angle, we would say it’s good for tourism, however at the same time we have to be very careful as they are deemed as predators.
“I’ve seen them capturing and eating pigeons. That means crocodiles aren’t tame,” he told reporters after an event at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak here.
He called on SFC to intervene to manage the situation, adding that the corporation had previously conducted engagements in the area, successfully capturing and relocating crocodiles to a sanctuary in Matang.
“This is perhaps a new one, I know because before this SFC managed to capture a few. Perhaps they like to stay under the floating mosque,” he said.
A video of the reptile lurking in the waters close to the mosque has be widely circulated on social media, sparking public concern. — The Borneo Post
Source: malaymail.com
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Anwar praises Putin, Xi for condemning Gaza, Iran attacks
19 Jun 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 — Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has commended Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping for advocating peace and condemning atrocities against the people of Gaza, Iran and Lebanon.
Anwar said Malaysia has consistently taken a firm position against attacks by the Zionist regime while upholding its principles independently of any superpower.
“That’s why we took a very strong position against the initial attack by the Zionist regime, which was carried out with the support of the United States.
“We took a decision in Parliament, bipartisan, and continued to engage,” he said during an exclusive interview with Russian international television network RT.
The interview was held on the sidelines of his official visit to Kazan, Russia, where he attended the Commemorative Summit marking the 35th anniversary of Asean-Russia relations.
Anwar said he had also engaged with leaders from the Gulf, Pakistan and Türkiye, as well as Iran, as part of efforts to seek a fair resolution to the conflict.
Expressing hope that those efforts would yield a fair outcome, he said: “And that’s why I have publicly commended and thanked President Putin and President Xi Jinping for taking a position for peace and to condemn the atrocities against the people of Iran, Gaza and now Lebanon.”
He stressed that Malaysia and Asean uphold the principle of centrality rather than neutrality and would not remain silent in the face of atrocities.
“For Malaysia in particular, and of course for Asean, we don’t even use the word neutrality because we are not neutral when it comes to Gaza or the atrocities inflicted or the attack against Lebanon.
“So we use the term centrality. It means that we are not tied to any particular ideological position or superpower,” he said, adding that centrality did not prevent Asean from taking positions on human rights violations, abuses and atrocities committed against minorities.
Anwar said it was not easy to navigate such issues but Malaysia continued to take an independent view despite geopolitical concerns involving major powers.
The prime minister also criticised what he described as Western hypocrisy in condoning Israel’s actions.
“How do you then condone a position taken by a country like Israel, and then backed by the United States, to attack another independent nation or country?
“And the ramifications and repercussions spread all over the Gulf, and now the international community. I’m not talking about the economic hardships because of the war. I’m talking about the core principle.
“Do we condone this? Or can we allow this sort of hypocrisy to persist in this small, modern, civilised world?” he said.
Anwar said while some may criticise Iran over its response, there should not be silence over the aggression against the country.
“But why is there complete silence when it comes to the atrocities, the aggression against Iran? So you see, there is this contradiction, which I call hypocrisy, that must be stopped,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/06/19/anwar-praises-putin-xi-for-condemning-gaza-iran-attacks/224382
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Anwar in Ashgabat for two-day official trip to boost Malaysia-Turkmenistan ties
19 Jun 2026
ASHGABAT (Turkmenistan), June 19 — After completing a two-day working visit to Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here yesterday in the “White Marble City” for another leg of his visit to Central Asia.
The aircraft carrying Anwar landed at Ashgabat International Airport at 8pm local time (11pm Malaysian time) for a two-day official visit from June 18-19.
The prime minister was accompanied by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, as well as officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Ministry.
Upon arrival, the prime minister was received by Malaysia’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan Mohd Suhaimi Ahmad Tajuddin, while the Turkmenistan delegation was led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers for Oil and Gas Guvanch Agajanov.
Wisma Putra, in its media release earlier today, said the official visit is at the invitation of Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and reciprocates the official visit by Berdimuhamedov to Malaysia in December 2024.
The trip marks Anwar’s first official visit to Turkmenistan and the fifth by a Malaysian prime minister.
Upon arrival, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, is scheduled to attend a dinner with the Malaysian diaspora and friends of Malaysia.
Official events on June 19 will begin with a welcoming ceremony hosted by Berdimuhamedov at the Presidential Palace, followed by a one-on-one meeting, bilateral talks, the signing of a joint statement by both leaders, and an exchange of agreements and memoranda of understanding already concluded by the two governments.
Wisma Putra said Anwar is also scheduled to attend an official luncheon hosted by Berdimuhamedov before performing Friday prayers at the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, also known as the Gypjak Mosque.
The Prime Minister is also expected to jointly officiate the Malaysia-Turkmenistan Forum with Berdimuhamedov at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan later in the evening, before holding a press conference with Malaysian media and concluding the visit.
In 2025, Turkmenistan was Malaysia’s fourth-largest trading partner among Central Asian nations.
Total trade between Malaysia and Turkmenistan amounted to RM75.80 million, with Malaysian exports valued at RM75.50 million, registering a 9 per cent increase compared with the previous year.
Turkmenistan is also a major investment destination for national oil company Petroliam Nasional Berhad, with the company’s cumulative investments in the country reaching RM52.73 billion since 1996. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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South Asia
Islamic Emirate Calls for Realistic, Ground-Based Assessments of Afghanistan
June 18, 2026
KABUL: Hamdullah Fitrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, has stated that any assessment of Afghanistan must be based on ground realities and conducted realistically and objectively.
He said that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) welcomes constructive views and positive regional advice, emphasizing that Afghanistan plays an important role as a center of regional stability, connectivity, and economic cooperation.
He further expressed hope that all countries would expand their relations with Afghanistan based on mutual respect and shared interests, and urged all parties to ensure that evaluations of the country reflect the actual situation on the ground.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://www.thekabultimes.com/islamic-emirate-calls-for-realistic-ground-based-assessments-of-afghanistan/
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Measles outbreak: Confirmed, suspected cases cross 1 lakh
19 June 2026
The number of measles and suspected measles cases crossed one lakh yesterday, as infections continued to climb despite 1.84 crore children being brought under vaccination coverage a month ago.
Although the number of measles-related deaths has declined over the past three weeks, daily cases have remained above 1,000, while hospital admissions stood at 800 on all but one day during the first 18 days of this month.
The country recorded 1,009 suspected measles cases and 139 confirmed cases in the 24 hours ending at 8:00am yesterday, taking the total number of cases to 100,677, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.
Of them, 10,773 are confirmed measles cases and 89,904 are suspected cases reported since March 15, according to DGHS data.
Meanwhile, five more deaths were reported in the 24-hour period, taking the total death toll to 666 -- including 93 confirmed measles deaths and 573 deaths with measles-like symptoms.
Health experts listed the possibility of inadequate vaccination coverage in some areas and lack of infection control and prevention measures as reasons. They warned that as the dengue season approaches, children infected with measles could face severe complications if they also contract dengue.
The government, however, said the number of deaths has declined significantly, while infections are also falling and are expected to decrease further soon.
The country is experiencing an unprecedented measles outbreak, with cases and deaths rising sharply since mid-March.
The government launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign in 30 high-burden upazilas on April 5, followed by four city corporations, before expanding it nationwide on April 20.
The government and health experts expect infections to decline sharply after mid-June, as 1.84 crore children -- more than two lakh above the preliminary target -- had been vaccinated by May 20.
They, however, said immunity takes three to four weeks to develop after vaccination. The campaign, meanwhile, continued as some children remained outside its coverage.
HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS STILL HIGH
The number of measles patients admitted to hospitals hovered between 800 and 1,200 this month, except on June 13, when admissions fell to 672, according to DGHS data.
The data showed that 1,016 patients with measles or measles-like symptoms were admitted to hospitals in the last 24 hours. So far, 57,902 patients, mostly children, have been hospitalised. Of them, 53,722 have been discharged, leaving 3,681 still undergoing treatment.
Daily cases have remained above 1,000 this month, with the only exception on June 13, when 733 suspected cases and 63 confirmed cases were recorded.
The number of deaths has remained below 10 a day since May 29, according to the data.
Public health expert Mushtuq Husain said measles cases were not declining for two main reasons: vaccination coverage may not have reached 95 percent in all areas, and infection prevention and control measures were not being properly followed in hospitals and communities.
He added that isolation and quarantine -- key measures in any epidemic -- had largely been ignored, despite being essential components of outbreak management.
Mushtuq further said the vaccination campaign target was largely set online from offices due to time constraints, which may have led to inaccurate planning. “As a result, many children may have remained unvaccinated.”
He stressed the need for a vaccination campaign targeting all children under five and a revised house-to-house microplanning approach to reduce infection rates.
“Deaths are still being reported regularly, leaving no room for complacency,” he said, warning that children who had contracted measles could face severe complications if they later became infected with dengue, as measles significantly weakens the immune system.
DGHS Director General Prof Pravath Chandra Biswas said the number of deaths, particularly confirmed deaths, had declined sharply following the vaccination campaign.
He added that the number of cases had also fallen in June compared to previous months and expressed hope that the situation would come under further control soon.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/measles-outbreak-confirmed-suspected-cases-cross-1-lakh-4202616
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Don’t isolate me from people in name of security
19 June 2026
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman yesterday urged the Special Security Force to ensure that security measures do not isolate him from people, saying public trust and affection remain his greatest source of strength.
“As the head of government, my greatest reliance is on the trust and love of the people. Therefore, I urge you, as a sophisticated force, to ensure that the security cordon does not push the head of government away from the people,” he said at a programme marking the 40th anniversary of the SSF at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon.
He stressed the need for SSF personnel to remain prepared through modern and up-to-date training, saying there is no room for a specialised force to lag in courage, skills, strategy or technology.
He said the SSF must maintain a delicate balance between protecting the head of government and ensuring citizens’ comfort and convenience, adding that the force’s professionalism is reflected in how effectively it manages such situations.
Tarique inaugurated a newly built state-of-the-art firing range for the SSF and observed a demonstration exercise. He expressed hope that the facility would enhance the force’s professional capabilities and help its members further improve their operational skills.
Highlighting institutional reforms, he said the SSF’s “Red Book” has been revised and modernised for the first time since 2002 to meet contemporary needs. The updated manual not only provides operational guidelines but also strengthens the legal framework governing the force’s activities.
The prime minister said SSF members must strictly follow the principles outlined in the manual while also being capable of taking prompt decisions in response to changing circumstances.
The prime minister also urged SSF members to treat citizens with respect while performing their duties.
Expressing confidence in the force, Tarique called on its members to remain committed to patriotism, democratic values and the highest standards of professionalism in carrying out their responsibilities.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/dont-isolate-me-people-name-security-4202516
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Former state minister and BNP leader Harun Al Rashid dies at 87
18 June 2026
Harun Al Rashid, a former state minister, five-time lawmaker from the Brahmanbaria-3 constituency and a senior BNP leader, died at a hospital in Dhaka on Thursday. He was 87.
He breathed his last around 8:45pm while undergoing treatment at Bangladesh Specialised Hospital in Shyamoli, his nephew Shamim Un Basir confirmed.
Family members said Harun had been suffering from age-related health complications for a long time.
A lawyer by profession, Harun served as vice-chairman of BNP, president of the party's Brahmanbaria district unit, and adviser to former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.
He was elected to parliament five times from Brahmanbaria-3 as a BNP candidate and served as chief whip of the 8th Jatiya Sangsad.
During Khaleda Zia's first tenure in office, he held several ministerial positions, including state minister for shipping, state minister for relief and disaster management, and state minister for labour and employment.
Born in Narsingsar village of Brahmanbaria Sadar upazila, Harun was the son of Abdul Bari, who served as a moktar (legal practitioner) at the then Brahmanbaria sub-divisional court during the Pakistan era.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, one daughter and a host of relatives and admirers.
According to family members, he will be laid to rest at Sherpur graveyard in Brahmanbaria town beside his mother's grave.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/obituary/news/former-state-minister-and-bnp-leader-harun-al-rashid-dies-87-4202296
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Afghan Prisoner Executed in Iran, Rights Group Says
ByFidel Rahmati
June 19, 2026
A rights organization has reported the execution of an Afghan national in southeastern Iran, highlighting ongoing concerns over the treatment of Afghan detainees amid increasing deportations and prisoner transfers.
The human rights organization HalVash has reported that an Afghan citizen was executed in Iran after being convicted on drug-related charges. The organization said the execution was carried out on Wednesday at Zahedan Prison in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province.
According to HalVash, the prisoner was identified as Abdullah Jalali, a resident of Khash Rud district in Afghanistan’s Nimroz province. The organization stated that he had been arrested in Zahedan approximately four years ago on allegations related to narcotics offenses.
The reported execution comes as rights groups continue to raise concerns about the use of the death penalty in Iran, particularly in cases involving drug-related convictions. Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for greater transparency in judicial proceedings and access to legal protections for foreign nationals facing capital punishment.
The case also emerges amid growing challenges facing Afghan migrants and refugees in neighboring countries. In recent months, hundreds of Afghan prisoners have been transferred from Iranian prisons to Afghanistan, while large numbers of Afghan migrants have continued returning from Iran and Pakistan as humanitarian conditions inside Afghanistan remain severe.
International agencies have warned that the mass return of Afghans is placing additional pressure on communities already struggling with economic hardship, limited access to services, and a worsening humanitarian crisis. Rights advocates have urged regional governments to ensure that Afghan migrants, refugees, and detainees are treated in accordance with international legal and human rights standards.
HalVash said Abdullah Jalali had remained in custody since his arrest and was executed after serving approximately four years in prison. Iranian authorities have not publicly commented on the report.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/afghan-prisoner-executed-in-iran-rights-group-says/
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DABS Discusses Investment Opportunities with Iranian Companies
June 18, 2026
KABUL: Mullah Abdul Haq Hamkar, Chief Executive Officer of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat, in a meeting with representatives of Iranian companies “Iran Transfo” and “Mabna,” discussed investment opportunities in Afghanistan’s power sector.
The meeting focused on potential cooperation in electricity generation, supply of electrical equipment, and expansion of electricity transmission and distribution networks across the country, DABS said in a statement on Wednesday.
Hamkar described investment in power generation and electrical infrastructure as an important step toward strengthening bilateral economic relations between Afghanistan and Iran and welcomed the interest shown by Iranian investors in the sector.
According to the statement, representatives of the Iranian companies presented their proposals regarding the production and supply of electrical equipment and expressed readiness to expand cooperation with Afghanistan’s energy sector.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://www.thekabultimes.com/dabs-discusses-investment-opportunities-with-iranian-companies/
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EU, International Partners Inspect Samdera Irrigation Canal in Badakhshan
June 18, 2026
KABUL: A delegation comprising representatives of the European Union, the World Food Programme (WFP), and other international organizations has visited the Samdera irrigation canal project in Badakhshan province.
The delegation expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the project and reaffirmed its commitment to continued cooperation aimed at developing agricultural infrastructure and supporting farmers in the province, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the Samdera canal has been constructed with financial support from the World Food Programme and now provides irrigation to more than 1,000 jeribs of agricultural land and orchards across several villages.
Officials emphasized that the project plays an important role in improving agricultural productivity and strengthening rural livelihoods in the region.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://www.thekabultimes.com/eu-international-partners-inspect-samdera-irrigation-canal-in-badakhshan/
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