Cautious Bengal Muslim Community Pushes Back On 'Vande Mataram' In Madrasas
New Age Islam News Bureau
03 June 2026
· Cautious Bengal Muslim community pushes back on 'Vande Mataram' in madrasas
· Iran targets Kuwait and Bahrain in missile attack, US retaliates after reports of faltering peace talks
· Saudi Arabia urges stronger action against illicit arms trafficking at UN
· Ukrainian drone kills seven civilians on Moscow-Crimea bus – governor
· Missing US nuclear lab worker found dead
· The Christian Association of Nigeria Declares June 14 Black Sunday Over Terrorist Attacks
· Singapore man to be charged over alleged assault on bus passenger wearing cap with Israeli emblem
· UN Women says over 100,000 displaced by Afghanistan-Pakistan border tensions
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India
· Varanasi: Authorities demolish mazar, mosque in railway station premises amid heavy security after land dispute
· Owaisi alleges SIR exercise could create ‘permanent class of excluded Indians’
· ‘Ask Imtiaz Jaleel Sahib’: How a former AIMIM MP’s name came up in the Nashik TCS chargesheet
· BJP distances itself from claims of toppling NC government ahead of CM Omar Abdullah’s meeting with MLAs
· Kashmir police raid eight locations in valley in terror-related case
· 'Unwarranted': India rejects EU-Pakistan reference to Jammu and Kashmir
· NIA charge sheet flags possible Hamas link in Pahalgam attack
· BMC razes dargah, adjoining structures in Aarey anti-encroachment drive
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Mideast
· Lebanon launches safety audit of Middle East Airlines amid pilot groups’ complaints
· Rubio is optimistic on eventual Iran nuclear talks despite congressional skepticism
· UN chief proposes options to help end Israel-Hezbollah conflict after peacekeepers leave Lebanon
· Lebanon says Israeli strikes on south kill 5, wound hospital staff
· Facing uproar, Netanyahu announces ‘mega-plan’ for Israel’s battered north
· What is Hezbollah, the Lebanese group at war with Israel?
· What awaits Syrians returning to a health system still broken by war
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Arab World
· Saudi leadership congratulates interior minister after successful Hajj season
· Saudi Arabia begins pilgrim departures as Hajj 2026 ends
· Waste management centre records sharp drop in violations
· Ambassador receives Maldivian official at the Saudi embassy in Male
· A Saudi voice in climate research
· Saudi Arabia showcases judicial reforms at Kuala Lumpur book fair
· Kingdom, Russia explore dates trade expansion
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Europe
· The Islamic Community in BiH expresses deep Concern over Public Speculation over Election of HR
· Wirral Deen Centre hold The Big Lunch this Sunday
· Regulator assessing concerns as charities’ battle for control of new mosque concludes
· Police pelted with missiles at Henry Nowak protest
· Ukraine rescuers pull dead from rubble after Russian strikes kill 22 people
· West using Romania drone incident for information warfare – Russia’s UN envoy
· Russia blacklists five UK nationals for peddling disinfo
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North America
· CAIR-LA, Indonesian Consulate in LA to Host Second Annual Global Muslim Village
· Mysteriously missing congressman wins primary after Trump endorsement
· Pentagon bars journalists from press office
· CAIR-SFBA Urges Los Gatos Town Council to Grant Appeal by Town’s Only Mosque
· Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass advances to run-off in race to run California's biggest city
· Trump administration drops $1.8bn 'anti-weaponisation' fund
· New Jersey alleges 'unsanitary' conditions at migrant facility rocked by protests
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Africa
· Police Invite Delta Activist Over Alleged Terrorism, Attempted Murder
· Teachers protest schoolchildren kidnappings in Nigeria
· Police Raid Ogun Community, Detain 31 Foreign Nationals
· North-East Most Affected As Nigeria Records 1,934 IED Explosions In Seven Years – Reports
· Police Invite Delta Activist Over Alleged Terrorism, Attempted Murder
· Macron and Kagame inaugurate Paris memorial to Rwanda genocide victims
· Kenyan president defends controversial US-backed Ebola facility
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Southeast Asia
· Singapore partners UK nuclear regulator to bolster expertise as it explores nuclear power option
· Perlis ruler urges state to pursue high-impact investments, explore new revenue sources for sustainable growth
· Fadillah: Strategic partnerships between govt, industry and financiers key to accelerating Malaysia’s energy transition
· Sultan Ibrahim connects with Muar community over breakfast
· Carrying excess Zamzam water could land haj pilgrims in trouble
· MAF colours ceremony shows loyalty to king and nation
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South Asia
· CPJ urges govt to act on press freedom pledge
· PM’s first visit abroad likely to be KL, then Beijing
· Afghanistan elected vice president of UN General Assembly’s 81st session
· US in talks with five countries over Afghan refugees stranded in Qatar
· Over 370 Afghan Families Return Home From Pakistan, Iran in One Day
· Nearly Four Million Tourists Visit Afghanistan During Eid Holidays, Ministry
· Afghan Delegation Travels to Uzbekistan for International Termez Dialogue
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Cautious Bengal Muslim community pushes back on 'Vande Mataram' in madrasas
Jun 3, 2026
KOLKATA: The BJP govt’s directive making the singing of ‘Vande Mataram’ mandatory in madrasas has drawn objections from sections of Bengal’s Muslim community, with religious and community leaders urging the administration to reconsider.
The pushback is notable as the community largely accepted recent BJP govt directives without public confrontation and helped implement them. Clerics and organisations urged compliance with curbs on cattle slaughter during Bakrid, cooperated with shifting the major Eid-uz-Zuha congregation from Red Road to Brigade Parade Ground, and supported measures to ensure Friday prayers and other congregations did not spill on to roads and block traffic. The ‘Vande Mataram’ order, however, has triggered a more vocal response, seen by some as a shift in engagement with the new govt.
On Tuesday, CM Suvendu Adhikari said those who want to stay in the country must say ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Jana Gana Mana’ and respect Aug 15 and Jan 26. “The recitation of ‘Vande Mataram’ has been made mandatory in every school. This is Indian culture. This is Sanatan culture. India is known as both Hindustan and India. This country cannot go in anyone else’s hands,” Adhikari said in Hooghly.
While some madrasas have begun complying, prominent figures, including Imam of Nakhoda Mosque Mohammad Shafique Qasmi, senior cleric Qari Fazlur Rahman, Furfura Sharif cleric Peerzada Abbas Siddique and leaders of Muslim organisations, have expressed reservations, arguing that certain portions raise theological concerns.
Maulana Mohammad Shafique Qasmi appealed to the govt to make the song optional. “ It is about the faith of the Muslim community. Muslims love their country, but they only worship Allah and nobody else. In that context, I will request the govt to make singing of Vande Mataram optional,” Qasmi said.
Qari Fazlur Rahman said the issue required consultation among scholars. “The community has some issues with some stanzas. All the ulemas and religious figures must sit down and make a decision on how to go about it. In my own madrasa, the National Anthem is sung every day,” Rahman said.
‘Vande Mataram’ was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1875 and later included in his novel Anandamath in 1882, and played a key role in the nationalist movement. .
Abdul Aziz, secretary of the Milli Ittehad Parishad, said objections were theological, not political. “Muslims of this country love India as much as anybody else, but they have some reservations with ‘Vande Mataram’, which they view as conflicting with the Islamic principle that worship is due only to Allah. Govt must not make it mandatory and have a dialogue with the representatives of the community,” Aziz said.
Syed Rahul Amin, secretary of the All India Minority Association and principal of Jamiya Madrasa Mustafa Madania in Kanchanpur, said his organisation was examining the matter. “There is no reason to be scared. We have not yet given any directions to our madrasas regarding Vande Mataram,” Amin said.
In March, the SC refused to entertain a petition challenging an MHA circular on singing all stanzas of Vande Mataram in official functions and schools, observing the circular did not make singing compulsory.
On the ground, some institutions have implemented the order. Abdur Rouf Dafadar, headmaster of Khosdelpur High Madrasah, Ashoknagar, said: “We have a sound box system at our madrasa. Our female teachers led the song using it, and the kids sang ‘Vande Mataram’ with them. It is a difficult song, so they found it hard to memorise.”
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/cautious-community-pushes-back-on-vande-in-madrasas/articleshowprint/131466758.cms
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Iran targets Kuwait and Bahrain in missile attack, US retaliates after reports of faltering peace talks
June 03, 2026
DUBAI/WASHINGTON: Hostilities between Iran and the United States escalated sharply on Wednesday as Iran claimed responsibility for attacks on US military assets in Kuwait and Bahrain, including the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet, while Washington reported intercepting missiles launched toward regional allies and carrying out retaliatory strikes.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said it had launched missiles and drones against the US Fifth Fleet headquarters, an airbase and helicopters in a Gulf country in response to what it described as a US attack on a communications tower south of Qeshm Island.
The Kuwaiti Army headquarters said the passenger building of Kuwait International Airport suffered ‘significant material damage’ because of the ‘criminal Iranian aggression’, which also resulted into injuries to some individuals. Kuwait’s civil aviation authority said air traffic have been suspended and flights were diverted to alternative airports until further notice.
Iranian media also reported that the IRGC Navy targeted a vessel identified as Panaya with missiles after accusing US forces of striking an Iranian tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, damaging its engine room.
“Disrupting the security of the Strait of Hormuz will carry a heavy price for the US military,” Iranian media quoted the IRGC as saying.
The latest claims came hours after Kuwait’s military said its air defenses intercepted hostile missile and drone attacks, while neighboring Bahrain activated warning sirens and urged residents to seek shelter.
The US military disputed the Iranian version, saying it conducted strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island after defeating multiple Iranian missiles and drones launched toward Kuwait and Bahrain.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Iran had launched ballistic missiles toward regional neighbors but failed to hit any targets.
Iranian media reported explosions near Qeshm Island, which lies close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, while the United States separately said it had engaged a tanker heading toward Iran.
The activity happened after Iran stopped communicating with mediators about extending a ceasefire in the war with the US and Israel, according to reports Tuesday from two semiofficial Iranian news agencies.
The reports by the Fars and Tasnim news agencies, both believed to be close to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, came as tensions flared in Israel’s separate-but-related fight against the Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Last week, Washington and Tehran said they had reached a tentative framework aimed at ending the conflict, but neither side has formally endorsed a final agreement.
Iranian media reported that communications between Tehran and Washington had lapsed for several days.
Trump called reports of a cessation in talks “false and erroneous”
US President Donald Trump disputed those claims by Iran, insisting negotiations remained active.
“The conversations between us have been going on continuously, including four days ago, three days ago, two days ago, one day ago, and today,” Trump said in a social media post.
“Where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, ‘It’s time, one way or another, for you to make a Deal.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not address the reported cutoff in communications as he testified at a congressional hearing in Washington. Instead, he sounded an optimistic note about the nuclear dimension of the negotiations, while cautioning that there’s no guarantee of reaching “a deal that’s acceptable.”
Iran has been trying to increase pressure on Trump over negotiations on the Iran war ceasefire and loosening the Islamic Republic’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz and the oil, gas and other commodities that normally pass through it. Trump then could potentially push Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to halt or slow the advance of his forces, which have moved deeper into Lebanon than at any time in over a quarter of a century.
The conflicts have increasingly become conjoined, as Iran insists that any potential truce in the war there must also quell the fighting in Lebanon.
Israel and the US maintain the fighting in Lebanon is separate from the Iran war talks.
The renewed exchange underscored the fragility of a conflict now entering its fourth month after US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February killed senior Iranian leaders and triggered a wider regional confrontation.
Although a shaky ceasefire remains in place, fighting continues sporadically and the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints — remains largely closed to commercial shipping.
Nuclear talks remain deadlocked
Since mid-March, Trump has repeatedly said a negotiated settlement is within reach and that discussions could eventually address Iran’s nuclear program.
Washington maintains that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains its primary objective. Tehran insists its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful.
Iran is seeking access to billions of dollars in frozen oil revenues, relief from sanctions on crude exports, an end to restrictions affecting its ports, and continued leverage over the Strait of Hormuz.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers on Tuesday that sanctions relief would only be considered if Iran agreed to abandon its nuclear activities.
“The war is over,” Rubio said during a contentious Senate exchange, although fresh military exchanges across the Gulf highlighted the continuing volatility of the conflict.
Regional impact widens
The war, which began on Feb. 28, has killed thousands of people, primarily in Iran and Lebanon, and disrupted global energy markets by sharply reducing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which previously carried roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
The conflict has also intensified fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.
Israeli forces continued strikes across southern Lebanon on Tuesday despite a US-mediated partial ceasefire announced a day earlier, according to Lebanese security sources.
The renewed violence has done little to reassure civilians. More than 1.2 million people have been displaced in Lebanon since the conflict escalated.
“Every time we return to our homes, there is a warning for us to be displaced again,” said Faten Al Chehime, who recently fled Beirut’s southern suburbs for a displacement camp.
The conflict’s impact has also spread to maritime trade.
Shipping giant MSC said one of its vessels was struck by two projectiles while docked at Iraq’s Umm Qasr port on Monday.
The IRGC said the attack was retaliation for a US strike on an Iranian vessel in the Gulf of Oman.
The growing disruption to global trade and logistics is hampering humanitarian operations worldwide, the United Nations children’s agency UNICEF said, warning that rising transport costs and supply-chain disruptions are affecting aid deliveries to Gaza, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria and other crisis-hit regions.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2645832/middle-east
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Saudi Arabia urges stronger action against illicit arms trafficking at UN
June 02, 2026
The statement was made during Saudi Arabia’s address to the UN, delivered by the Kingdom’s permanent representative, Abdulaziz Alwasil. (X: @ksamissionun)
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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has stressed the growing interest of the Arab Group in combating the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, in light of the catastrophic security, humanitarian, and economic consequences of this phenomenon.
The statement was made during Saudi Arabia’s address to the UN, delivered by the Kingdom’s permanent representative, Abdulaziz Alwasil.
Alwasil stressed the importance of the Programme of Action as a consensus-based UN framework for combating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and strengthening trust and cooperation among states.
He emphasized that the program was a standalone international framework and underscored the need to ensure its implementation does not overlap with other international mechanisms that lack broad consensus.
Alwasil also highlighted the importance of international cooperation and technical assistance in implementing the program, including the transfer of relevant technologies and the development of national capacities.
Saudi Arabia called for the continued study of the impact of modern technological developments to help address the challenges associated with this phenomenon.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2645763/saudi-arabia
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Ukrainian drone kills seven civilians on Moscow-Crimea bus – governor
3 Jun, 2026
The aftermath of a Ukrainian drone strike on a passenger bus in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic. © Telegram / Репортёр Руденко V
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At least seven people have been killed and 11 others wounded in a Ukrainian drone strike on a passenger bus in Russia’s Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), local governor Denis Pushilin has said.
The bus, which was traveling between Moscow and the Crimean city of Simferopol, was attacked in the town of Enakievo in the western part of the DPR, Pushilin wrote in a post on Telegram on Wednesday morning.
“The Ukrainian fascists have committed another act of unprecedented, inhumane aggression,” the governor said.
Pushilin expressed condolences to the relatives and friends of those killed in the attack and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, who, he said, are being provided with all necessary medical assistance.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has announced that a terrorism case has been opened over the attack on the bus.
Russia was hit by another major Ukrainian drone attack overnight, with 345 UAVs shot down across the country, according to the Defense Ministry. The interceptions took place over Moscow, Leningrad, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Novgorod, Orel, Pskov, Rostov, Smolensk, Tver, Tula, and Krasnodar regions, as well as over Crimea and the Sea of Azov, the ministry said.
Several people were hurt and infrastructure damaged in Ukrainian drone attacks on St. Petersburg on the opening day of the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), local governor Alexander Beglov said.
At least 59 UAVs were shot down by air defenses above Leningrad Region, according to governor Aleksandr Drozdenko. Leningrad Region surrounds St. Petersburg, which has the status of a federal city.
A drone alert was declared in St. Petersburg, with the city’s Pulkovo Airport temporarily halting flights.
SPIEF 2026, which is often referred to as ‘Russian Davos’ due to being the main global economic event hosted by the country, is taking place between June 3 and 6. This year’s forum will be attended by some 20,000 businesspeople, politicians, and public figures from more than 100 nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to address the gathering on Friday.
Moscow previously warned that it would carry out “systematic and consistent strikes” on Ukraine’s military infrastructure, including drone production facilities, command posts, and “decision-making centers,” in response to Kiev’s terrorist attacks, including the one in Russia’s Lugansk People’s Republic on May 22.
Ukrainian forces struck a college dormitory in the town of Starobelsk in several waves of drone attacks late at night while students were asleep, killing 21 people, mostly teenage girls, and injuring 70 others.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that the Ukrainian leadership had opened “a new chapter in its crime spree” with the attack on Starobelsk, adding that those responsible would face “well-deserved and inevitable punishment.”
On Tuesday, Russian forces carried out another large-scale missile and drone strike against Ukraine, targeting defense industry facilities in Kiev, parts of Zaporozhye and Kherson regions still under Kiev’s control, as well as in Dnepropetrovsk, Poltava, Khmelnitsky, and Sumy regions, according to the Defense Ministry in Moscow.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/640899-ukraine-drones-bus-killed/
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Missing US nuclear lab worker found dead
2 Jun, 2026
© Facebook / Find Melissa Mondragon Casias
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The remains of missing Los Alamos National Laboratory employee Melissa Casias have been found in Carson National Forest, New Mexico State Police have said. A handgun was located alongside the remains, but the exact cause and manner of death have yet to be determined.
A hiker discovered human remains in the McGaffey Ridge area and notified authorities on May 28. The Office of the Medical Investigator has since positively identified the remains as those of Casias.
Casias worked as an administrative assistant at the key US nuclear research facility. She was reported missing on June 26, 2025, after she failed to arrive at work and did not return home after visiting her daughter, while her purse, identification, and cell phones were found left behind.
The disappearance was among almost a dozen cases in which individuals with ties to advanced research have died or vanished under puzzling circumstances in recent years, prompting a congressional probe.
Another LANL employee, Anthony Chavez, 78, went missing in May 2025 and has not yet been found. Steven Garcia, 48, a government contractor at the Kansas City National Security Campus, which produces more than 80% of non-nuclear components for US nuclear weapons, similarly vanished from his Albuquerque home in August 2025, leaving behind his phone, wallet, and keys and taking only a handgun.
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory materials official Monica Reza was reported missing in 2023, while two other JPL workers, Frank Maiwald and Michael Hicks, have died since 2023, with no cause of death made public and no foul play alleged. Retired Air Force Major General William McCasland went missing this February.
MIT physicist Nuno Loureiro was shot dead at his home in Massachusetts in December, while Caltech astrophysicist Carl Grillmair, 67, was gunned down on his porch in February. Novartis cancer researcher Jason Thomas disappeared in December and was found drowned in a Massachusetts lake three months later.
The House Oversight Committee requested briefings from the Department of Energy, the Department of War, the FBI, and NASA about scientists and other personnel connected to US nuclear secrets or rocket technology.
US President Donald Trump called the matter “pretty serious stuff,” but the authorities have so far not established any confirmed link among the cases.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/640896-us-nuclear-worker-dead/
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The Christian Association of Nigeria Declares June 14 Black Sunday Over Terrorist Attacks
June 2, 2026
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared Sunday, June 14, 2026, as black Sunday to mourn victims of terrorist attacks across the country.
Naija News reports that the association also announced a three-day national prayer programme from June 12 to June 14.
The CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, disclosed this at the end of the National Church Denominational Leadership Summit 2026.
Okoh said prayers alone would not be enough to tackle the worsening security situation in the country. According to him, concrete actions must be taken to end terrorism, banditry and kidnappings.
He urged the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity.
The CAN president also called for the acceleration of state police and the decentralisation of the country’s security architecture.
He said decentralising security would help provide quicker and more effective responses to attacks in different parts of the country.
Okoh further demanded the unconditional release of all kidnapped victims across the country. He also called for justice for victims of terrorist attacks and their families.
In other news, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged the Federal Government to give Nigeria’s security chiefs a 90-day deadline to eliminate terrorists across the country or resign.
Naija News reports that Adeboye made the call in a video shared on 𝕏 on Tuesday, where he expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the country.
The cleric said security chiefs should be held accountable for producing results in the fight against terrorism.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/02/can-declares-june-14-black-sunday/
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Singapore man to be charged over alleged assault on bus passenger wearing cap with Israeli emblem
03 Jun 2026
SINGAPORE, June 3 — A 30‑year‑old man accused of attacking another passenger on a Sengkang bus after grabbing a cap bearing an Israeli emblem will be charged in court on June 4, police said.
The Straits Times reported that according to preliminary findings, the incident took place on Oct 27, 2025, when officers received a call about an assault along Rivervale Drive at around 10.40pm. The younger man allegedly snatched the cap from a 55‑year‑old passenger and assaulted him. The two men were not acquainted. The older man later sought medical treatment.
Police said the suspect was identified through ground inquiries and police camera footage. If convicted of voluntarily causing hurt, he faces up to three years’ jail, a fine of up to S$5,000(RM15,575), or both.
The victim was issued a stern warning for displaying a foreign national emblem in public — an act that requires a permit under Singapore law. Authorities reiterated that members of the public should not display items linked to foreign conflicts and should avoid importing overseas disputes into Singapore’s social space.
The Ministry of Home Affairs previously reminded the public that wearing or exhibiting foreign national symbols, including those related to the Israel‑Hamas conflict, without approval is an offence. Penalties include up to six months’ jail and a fine of up to S$500 .
The Ministry of Manpower has also advised foreign residents to refrain from using Singapore as a platform for political expression amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Police investigations are ongoing.
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2026/06/03/singapore-man-to-be-charged-over-alleged-assault-on-bus-passenger-wearing-cap-with-israeli-emblem/222406
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UN Women says over 100,000 displaced by Afghanistan-Pakistan border tensions
By Fidel Rahmati
June 3, 2026
More than 100,000 people have been displaced in eastern Afghanistan following escalating tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, with women and girls among the most affected, according to a new report by UN Women.
The agency said the displacement was caused by airstrikes, shelling, drone attacks and ground clashes in border areas, forcing thousands of families to flee their homes.
According to the report, women and girls face severe economic, social and psychological challenges. Data from the Afghanistan Gender Coordination Group showed that more than two-thirds of women in 10 affected provinces had lost their sources of income, while three-quarters reported increased difficulty accessing food.
UN Women said women were experiencing disproportionately high levels of psychological stress as insecurity and displacement continued to affect their daily lives and livelihoods.
The agency added that, with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and a local partner, it has helped establish safe spaces for women in displacement camps. The centers provide counseling, psychosocial support and secure environments where women can access assistance and connect with others.
The latest displacement highlights the continuing strain in relations between Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities and Pakistan. The two sides have repeatedly exchanged accusations over border security, militant activity and cross-border attacks, contributing to periodic military confrontations in recent years.
Pakistan has long accused the Taliban administration of failing to curb militants operating from Afghanistan territory, particularly members of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Taliban officials reject the allegations and insist they do not allow Afghanistan soil to be used against other countries.
The humanitarian impact of the border tensions comes as Afghanistan faces broader economic and aid challenges. International organizations have warned that funding shortages are forcing cuts to health, food and protection programs at a time when millions of Afghans remain dependent on humanitarian assistance.
Aid agencies have also reported growing pressure on vulnerable communities due to large-scale returns of Afghan migrants and refugees from Pakistan and Iran, increasing demands for shelter, healthcare and basic services across the country.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/un-women-says-over-100000-displaced-by-afghanistan-pakistan-border-tensions/
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India
Varanasi: Authorities demolish mazar, mosque in railway station premises amid heavy security after land dispute
03.06.26
The Azgaib Shaheed Mazar and a mosque located within the premises of Kashi Railway Station was demolished amid heavy security arrangements following a court order over a dispute related to the ownership of the land, officials said on Wednesday.
The Muslim side claimed that the structures had existed for a long time, with the mosque being several hundred years old. However, officials of the administration said the land was part of an old Railway property and had been encroached upon over the years.
Police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) were deployed in large numbers around the railway station to maintain law and order.
No untoward incident was reported during the operation, officials said.
According to officials, the issue came to light during a land survey conducted under the Kashi Model Railway Station project launched in 2024.
"During the measurement and verification of land records, it was found that the site was situated on Railway land. Notices were issued asking the occupants to vacate the premises," an official said.
When the land was not vacated, the matter reached the court. Recently, the court ruled against the parties claiming rights over the shrine and associated structures, officials said.
Following the verdict, the Railways issued a notice directing the occupants to remove the structures, but the order was not complied with, prompting the administration to initiate demolition proceedings on Tuesday night.
Officials further claimed that a Hanuman temple had earlier existed at the location and had subsequently been removed as the area came under encroachment.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/varanasi-authorities-demolish-mazar-mosque-in-railway-station-premises-amid-heavy-security-after-land-dispute/cid/2163766
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Owaisi alleges SIR exercise could create ‘permanent class of excluded Indians’
03 Jun 2026
AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Union government over the alleged large-scale deletion of voters from electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, warning that the process could create a "permanent class of excluded Indians."
In a post on X, Owaisi alleged that the Centre had already overseen the removal of nearly 6.5 crore names from electoral rolls across 13 states and Union Territories through a document-based verification exercise. He claimed the government was now seeking to institutionalise the process through a committee that would examine those exclusions and establish a long-term mechanism for identifying, detaining and deporting alleged illegal immigrants.
"The Union Government first carried out a document-driven SIR that deleted nearly 6.5 crore names from electoral rolls across 13 States and UTs. Now it wants a committee to study those very exclusions and build a permanent system for the identification, detention, and deportation of illegal immigrants," Owaisi said.
The Hyderabad MP expressed concern that the exercise could have far-reaching implications for democratic participation, particularly among vulnerable sections of society.
"SIR will be used to create a permanent class of excluded Indians. The right to vote is the poor's only weapon against the powerful. Without it, the government will do what it pleases with them," he said.
Owaisi also alleged that individuals removed from electoral rolls were already facing difficulties in accessing welfare benefits. However, he emphasised that exclusion from voter rolls does not automatically affect a person's citizenship status.
"Under the law, a deletion under SIR does not mean that a person is not a citizen," he said, adding that around 27 lakh cases remain under adjudication and that many affected individuals may still seek enrolment through Form 6.
Questioning the transparency of the process, Owaisi claimed that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had not released data indicating how many exclusions were linked to foreign nationality. He further alleged that those disproportionately affected by the exercise were Muslims, women, migrants and economically weaker sections.
The AIMIM chief also questioned the rationale behind the proposed committee, citing government demographic data that, according to him, showed population growth had stabilised and the total fertility rate (TFR) stood at 2.0.
"The government's own data show that our demography and population have stabilised and that our TFR is 2.0. Why do we need this committee?" he asked, alleging that it would fuel "paranoia and fear" among Muslims.
Expanding his criticism of the government, Owaisi linked the issue to broader concerns over bureaucratic processes, citing controversies surrounding NEET-UG 2026 and the CBSE OSM system.
"This government loves making Indians waste their time on documentation. Sometimes it is KYC or SIR; sometimes it is uploading some document to some portal. But it cannot conduct a simple exam properly," he said.
"Common people are scrutinised by the government, but the government cannot be scrutinised by us," he added.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission on May 14 announced the rollout of Phase III of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls across 16 states and three Union Territories, covering more than 36 crore electors in a phased manner, including Telangana.
According to the Commission, the exercise has been planned in coordination with the house-listing phase of the Census to ensure efficient utilisation of field staff and resources.
For Telangana and Punjab, the qualifying date has been fixed as October 1, 2026. The preparatory phase will be conducted between June 15 and June 24, followed by Booth Level Officer (BLO) visits from June 25 to July 24. The draft electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on July 31, with claims and objections accepted until August 30. After the disposal of claims and objections, the final electoral rolls will be published on October 1, 2026.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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‘Ask Imtiaz Jaleel Sahib’: How a former AIMIM MP’s name came up in the Nashik TCS chargesheet
Zeeshan Shaikh
Jun 3, 2026
The first chargesheet in the case of alleged sexual harassment and religious conversion involving Nashik TCS office makes a reference to former AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel in the context of search for accused Nida Khan, while she was “absconding”.
As per the chargesheet, AIMIM corporator Matin Patel, booked for allegedly sheltering Nida, repeatedly referred to Jaleel when he was questioned about her whereabouts.
On May 22, the Nashik police filed the 3,500-page chargesheet in the first of nine FIRs registered in connection with the case. The first FIR, registered at Deolali Camp Police Station, was filed under charges of rape, hurt to religious sentiments, as well as under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. It named TCS employees Danish Shaikh, Tausif Attar and Nida Khan, apart from Matin Patel.
According to the chargesheet, the probe showed that Patel provided refuge to Nida despite knowing that her anticipatory bail plea had been rejected by a Nashik court. “While the search for accused Nida Ejaz Khan was in progress, it was revealed through confidential information and technical analysis that Matin Majid Patel had provided shelter to the accused to help her evade arrest,” the chargesheet states.
The document says that when Patel was summoned to the Crime Branch office in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and questioned about Nida’s whereabouts, he repeatedly responded: “Imtiyaz Jalil Sahib ko poochna padega (We will have to ask Imtiaz Jaleel Sahib).”
The chargesheet adds that after sustained questioning, Patel finally led police to where Nida and her family had allegedly been sheltered, and that in the raid in the Naregaon-Kausar CIDCO area of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nida, her parents, brother and aunt were found. Nida was taken into custody and handed over to the Nashik Police Special Investigation Team.
Nida Khan’s home demolished
Subsequently, the civic authorities demolished the house where Nida was allegedly found, along with two other properties linked to Matin Patel. One of the premises was later found to be owned by Hanif Khan, who said he had given it to Patel to use. Hanif too was later booked in the case and questioned by the Nashik police.
So far, police have not issued any notice to Jaleel or sought to question him in the investigation. However, his mention in the chargesheet comes at a time when Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat has been alleging Jaleel’s role in what he calls “the corporate jihad case”, and claiming that AIMIM leaders helped Nida evade arrest. Last month, he called for the stringent MCOCA to be invoked against AIMIM leaders.
Significantly, in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, previously known as Aurangabad, the AIMIM is the principal opposition in the municipal corporation.
Jaleel has not denied meeting Nida’s family while she was said to be absconding. On April 21, he publicly stated that he had met her, her mother and aunt and would support them. He also led a protest against the demolition by municipal authorities of the house where Nida stayed after his arrest.
Bigger place for Matin: AIMIM promises
In an address to supporters, Jaleel said: “We will fight this legally. I assure you that the AIMIM will build Matin a better and bigger place at the same location.”
Contacted by The Indian Express, Jaleel said he was currently in Saudi Arabia for Haj and was unaware that his name had been mentioned in the chargesheet. “I am ready to face any inquiry. I have already acknowledged that I met the girl’s (Nida’s) family, and I will continue to fight for what I believe is right,” he said.
Matin Patel’s lawyer, Abhaysinh Bhosale, said his alleged reference to Jaleel should not be given too much importance. “Patel may have taken Jaleel’s name because the latter is his boss as the party president. To suggest that Jaleel had a role in the entire TCS controversy is sheer politics.”
On Tuesday, the Nashik police initiated proceedings to collect Patel’s voice samples and will analyse call recordings recovered from his mobile phone to determine whom he was in contact with during the period when Nida was allegedly on the run.
On the other accused, the chargesheet says that the complainant in the first FIR has said she was subjected to abuse starting July 2022 when Danish met her at Khandoba Hill. She alleges Danish forcibly kissed her then, and later had sexual intercourse with her using force in August 2024, when the two of them had gone on a motorcycle ride to Trimbak Road. According to the complainant, there were multiple occasions after this when they had physical relations, at different places, allegedly on the promise of marriage.
As per the chargesheet, there was “financial exploitation” as well, with the woman claiming Danish regularly made her bear the expenses of resort stays, café visits and groceries, and that she gave him expensive gifts, including watches and bags.
The chargesheet states that Danish also sought money from her on several occasions, such as Rs 10,000 for a house, Rs 5,000 for a 40-day trip and Rs 5,000 every month towards a savings scheme. The woman has reportedly said that, overall, she spent more than Rs 2.2 lakh on him during the course of their relationship.
On Nida’s alleged role, the chargesheet says she played a key role in introducing the complainant to Islamic religious practices and teachings, acting on the “instructions of” Danish and Tausif. As per the document, Nida sent the complainant social media videos related to Islam, downloaded the Muslim Pro application on her phone and encouraged her to learn Islamic prayers.
Nida and Danish made the complainant repeatedly recite Al Fatiha and other prayers, as per the chargesheet, while Nida allegedly also pressured her to formally embrace Islam. The chargesheet records the complainant’s allegation that Nida warned her that if she did not complete the process, “Allah will send you and your family to Jahannum (hell).”
The chargesheet further states that after the complainant allegedly recited the Kalma on June 6, 2025, Nida became more directly involved in her religious instruction. According to the complainant’s statement, between June 2025 and January 2026, Nida regularly took her to her residence after office hours, where she was allegedly made to wear a burqa, taught how to wear a hijab and instructed to offer namaz.
As per the complainant, as recorded in the chargesheet, Nida’s family was aware of these activities, and her mother reportedly discussed plans openly to send the complainant to a madrasa.
On Tausif, another accused, the chargesheet says he knew of the complainant’s relationship with Danish and used that information to exert pressure on her to enter into a physical relationship with him.
Source: indianexpress.com
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BJP distances itself from claims of toppling NC government ahead of CM Omar Abdullah’s meeting with MLAs
Fayaz Wani
03 Jun 2026
SRINAGAR: As Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would chair a meeting of ruling National Conference MLAs and independents supporting his government at his Srinagar residence today, the BJP distanced itself from destabilising the NC government saying that it is not interested in toppling the government or forming the government of its own.
Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma told reporters that his party has no interest in destabilising or replacing the ruling dispensation.
"I can say with responsibility that neither BJP is interested in toppling the government nor forming the government," Sharma said.
The Omar government, he said, will fall on its own for which “we won't be responsible."
The LoP, however, described Omar’s government as the worst in J&K, alleging that it had severed ties with ordinary citizens.
“People are facing power and water crises. Roads are in bad shape, hospitals and schools don't have staff but the government is not bothered," he said, adding they are busy saving their government to enjoy their perks and privileges.
Sharma said the government is fulfilling Modi's agenda and cited implementation of central laws post-Article 370 abrogation.
“We wanted everybody to take oath under the Indian constitution here and it has taken place. We wanted the CM and his council of ministers to take oath under Indian constitution and it has taken place. Modi’s agenda has been implemented here. Why is the need for us to form the government,” he said.
Shama termed the meeting of NC and independent MLAs supporting the government called by CM Omar Abdullah as a last attempt to save the sinking ship.
“Every month Omar takes a floor test to ensure whether NC MLAs and those supporting his government are with him. He fears that his MLAs may leave him after 15 days. This floor test is a last attempt to save the sinking ship," Sharma said.
Omar will be chairing the meeting with NC legislators and four independent MLAs backing the government at his Gupkar residence today to deliberate on matters of "collective importance" and "public welfare."
Sources in NC say the meeting will focus on governance, administrative functioning, and internal political challenges.
The meeting assumes significance as it is taking place after increasingly visible dissent within the ruling camp.
NC MLAs Basheer Ahmad Veeri and Shabir Ahmad Kullay, along with independent MLA Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, have raised concerns. Veeri is unhappy over unfulfilled promises on reservation policy rationalisation and Kullay and Khan are disappointed over broader governance failures and the exclusion of elected representatives from decision-making process.
Many more NC MLAs are also dissatisfied with the functioning of the Omar government and side-lining of elected representatives in decision making.
The internal friction within the NC is also behind prolonged delay in cabinet expansion.
Despite having three vacancies, Omar has so far refrained from filling the vacancies to avoid internal friction within the party.
Today's meeting is seen as an attempt by CM to reach out to disgruntled MLAs before cracks widen further.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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Kashmir police raid eight locations in valley in terror-related case
03 Jun 2026
The Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) wing of the police on Wednesday conducted raids across six districts in the Valley in connection with a terror-related case, officials said.
Acting on recent intelligence inputs, technical analysis and sustained investigation, officials said searches were carried out at eight locations in the early hours of Wednesday.
The raids were conducted at two locations each in Srinagar and Bandipora districts, and one location each in Kupwara, Anantnag, Kulgam and Baramulla.
Officials said the case, registered in 2015, pertains to Pakistan-sponsored terror outfits, their sleeper-cell networks, and activities linked to recruitment, radicalisation and facilitation of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
The officials said the suspects are alleged to be in contact with Pakistan-based terrorist handlers through encrypted communication platforms and are suspected to be involved in dissemination of extremist propaganda and radicalisation activities.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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'Unwarranted': India rejects EU-Pakistan reference to Jammu and Kashmir
02 Jun 2026
NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday strongly rejected references to Jammu and Kashmir in a joint press communique issued after the eighth round of the European Union-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue, asserting that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India and warning against such comments on the issue.
The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson was responding to a joint statement issued following talks between European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad.
The communique stated: “The Pakistan side briefed on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. The EU side briefed on Russia’s war against Ukraine. Both sides expressed support to peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.”
Reacting sharply, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi viewed the reference as unwarranted. “We categorically reject such unwarranted references in the Joint Press Communique on matters internal to India. The UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India. Those who have no locus standi on such matters should desist from making any comment on them,” Jaiswal said.
The latest diplomatic protest comes just days after India lodged a similar objection to references made by China and Pakistan in a joint statement issued during Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Beijing. On May 26, Jaiswal had stated that India “categorically rejects unwarranted references” to Jammu and Kashmir in the China-Pakistan joint statement.
The issue surfaced during the European Union-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue held in Islamabad on Monday. While Kallas and Dar largely focused on regional developments, including the conflict involving Iran and broader geopolitical issues, the Pakistani side also raised Jammu and Kashmir during the discussions.
India has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter and has opposed any third-party references or interventions on the issue. New Delhi’s position remains that all outstanding matters with Pakistan must be addressed bilaterally and in accordance with existing agreements.
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NIA charge sheet flags possible Hamas link in Pahalgam attack
02 Jun 2026
NEW DELHI: In a significant development in the Pahalgam terror attack investigation, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally flagged the need to examine possible links between Pakistan-backed terror groups and Hamas.
In its charge sheet, the NIA said further investigation is required to establish whether the accused organisations - Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its proxy The Resistance Front (TRF) - have any connections with the Gaza-based Hamas, as well as other globally designated terrorist outfits, including Al Qaeda and its affiliates.
According to probe officials, their suspicion is based on the fact that they found some similarities in the modus operandi between the October 7, 2023 attacks against Israeli revellers and the April 22, 2025 attack on tourists in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.
The disclosure marks what is believed to be the first time India’s premier anti-terror agency has named Hamas in an ongoing terror probe while examining its potential operational linkages with Pakistan-based groups.
According to the charge sheet, officials said, investigators are seeking to determine the nature, extent and operational dimensions of any such ties as part of a broader effort to map the international networks linked to the accused organisations.
The probe aims to establish whether global terror entities played any role in facilitating, inspiring or supporting terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, they added.
The reference to Hamas assumes significance amid intelligence inputs gathered after the Pahalgam attack. The officials familiar with the probe said Indian agencies have noted increased interactions between Hamas and Pakistan-based terror outfits, including LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed, in recent months.
Security agencies have also examined whether the Pahalgam attack bore tactical similarities to Hamas-style operations. Investigators have previously pointed to parallels in planning, target selection and execution, drawing comparisons with Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, the officials said.
While investigators continue to pursue financial trails, digital evidence and cross-border networks linked to the attack, the NIA has indicated that establishing possible Hamas linkages remains a key unfinished aspect of the investigation.
The investigators believe the findings could offer important insights into emerging cooperation between Pakistan-backed terror groups and global jihadist organisations, they added.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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BMC razes dargah, adjoining structures in Aarey anti-encroachment drive
Jun 2, 2026
Continuing the anti-encroachment drive against illegal structures, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) along with the state government’s Dairy department on Tuesday morning demolished a Sufi Islamic shrine or Dargah owing to alleged illegal construction. According to the civic officials, the structure stood on a land parcel that belongs to the dairy department of the state government and also falls under the buffer zone of the state forest department.
The government’s move of demolishing this structure comes a week after the civic body and railways razed 500 slums at Bandra East’s Garib Nagar to make way for a railway project.
Located inside unit 32 in Mumbai’s Aarey forest at Goregaon (East), the Shrine has been in place for more than 50 years, locals said. However, on Tuesday morning the authorities razed the structure by using bulldozers and JCB machines. Civic officials said that the complaint against this shrine was launched by the former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kirit Somaiya.
The civic officials said that alongside the Shrine, 10 other structures were also demolished which were being used as housing tenements by a group of people.
“The state government had issued the occupants notices asking them to vacate the premises since the land is owned by them. Following which we (BMC) also issued notices citing coercive action and sought their documents for verification. During the process it was found that the land was captured illegally and we told them to vacate the premises at the earliest,” an official told the Indian Express.
The civic officials said that the occupants were given time till May 31 for vacating their premises and since they failed to do that the BMC had to raze the entire structure on Tuesday morning. The civic body had deployed two bulldozers and JCB machines for carrying out the operation and the process was carried out under the supervision of heavy police posting.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday Somaiya had issued another letter to Mumbai’s municipal commissioner and police commissioner demanding discontinuation of Namaz offering on the streets and public spaces of Mumbai.
“Such gatherings disrupt traffic and cause inconvenience to commuters, sometimes for nearly an hour. Even on working days, prayers are allegedly conducted at crowded and traffic-sensitive locations. No group should be allowed to obstruct the daily lives of citizens in the name of religion,” Somaiya’s letter stated.
Earlier on May 31, the BMC demolished 150 structures across Mulund’s Amar Nagar and Khindipada to make way for the Goregaon Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project. With a total of 384 structures identified along the project alignment, 234 more residential and commercial structures are slated to raze in the upcoming week.
Source: indianexpress.com
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Mideast
Lebanon launches safety audit of Middle East Airlines amid pilot groups’ complaints
June 03, 2026
Lebanon’s aviation regulator has launched a safety audit of Middle East Airlines (MEA) as pilot groups raised concerns that crews were being asked to fly close to airstrikes and penalized for reporting safety incidents, according to letters seen by Reuters.
The audit puts scrutiny on the Beirut-based flag carrier, which has kept the country connected through war and financial collapse even as many foreign airlines have avoided large parts of Middle East airspace because of missile and drone risks since the US-Israeli war against Iran began in February.
MEA, which has a fleet of around 20 planes operating in the Middle East, Europe and West Africa, has been praised at home for continuing to fly during regional conflict and helping to prop up a weak economy that is more dependent than ever on tourism and remittances from expatriates.
The airline said it has a strong and proven safety record, and that any flights during military hostilities were conducted based on risk assessments developed alongside Lebanon’s government and aviation regulator, the Lebanese Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA).
But since 2024, multiple Israeli airstrikes have landed near Lebanon’s largest airport, raising concerns among the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA), a global ?federation of pilot unions, ?given the history of civilian aircraft being shot down in or near conflict zones.
The aviation concerns ?have ?grown as Israeli ?strikes on Lebanon stepped up this year during a widening conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah.
“While some may think that flying civilian aircraft and passengers in high-risk and conflict zones during war conditions is heroic, we consider this an unconscionable risk,” IFALPA President Ron Hay wrote in a May 12 letter to Lebanon’s central bank, which holds a majority share in MEA.
The central bank, known as the Banque du Liban, referred Reuters to MEA.
“The son of the chairman of MEA and the son of the chairman of LCAA are both captains at MEA and flew throughout the period,” the airline said.
Lebanese regulator conducts safety audit of MEA
LCAA head Mohammed Aziz, an air crash investigator, told IFALPA in a May 15 letter that his team would conduct an aviation safety audit on MEA and “engage in a ?dialogue with MEA to discuss the concerns you stated in your letter.”
MEA said oversight activity conducted by ?the LCAA on MEA from May 18 to June 1 confirmed the carrier’s compliance with “regulatory ?and operational safety requirements.”
Aziz told Reuters a closing meeting with the airline was held on Monday, but the LCAA audit was still being processed, and “we were in ?the process of mediating” between the pilots and MEA.
One MEA pilot interviewed by Reuters said aviators had a financial incentive to fly since ?per-flight payments made up a majority of their salaries, with their base salary slashed due to a Lebanese economic collapse that began in 2019.
IFALPA, supported by other aviator groups, flagged cases where pilots reported unintentional errors for the purpose of improving safety, but faced punishment such as being sent for “training,” where they lose out on the per-flight payments.
“We know definitely that pilots have spoken up and there have been actions taken against them,” Hay told Reuters by phone.
MEA called IFALPA’s allegations “unfounded” and said training ?assignments were conducted in line with regulatory requirements and “should not be misconstrued as disciplinary or retaliatory measures.”
Pilots contact partner airlines in US, Europe
The safety concerns led pilot groups to contact the SkyTeam airline network ?alliance, which includes carriers like MEA, ?Air France and Delta Air Lines, to raise awareness.
Dara van Langen, chair of the SkyTeam Pilots Association, said in an interview: “If you put your passengers in the plane of a colleague airline then for sure you want to be sure the level of safety is where you want it to be.”
Both the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) require airlines in their jurisdictions to audit foreign codeshare partners to ensure comparable safety.
Air France, which has a codeshare agreement with MEA, said it regularly audits all codeshare partners. SkyTeam and Delta, which has a less extensive interline agreement, said they were aware of pilots’ concerns and were monitoring the situation, adding that safety was imperative.
MEA pays civil aviation workers
IFALPA said it was also concerned that MEA provided payments to LCAA workers overseeing aviation safety.
An internal spreadsheet of financial assistance for the month of November reviewed by Reuters showed that dozens of LCAA employees received payments from the airline, including three aviation safety workers.
“If the oversight of your airline is being (partly) paid by your airline,” then “you don’t want to speak up, do you?” IFALPA’s Hay said.
MEA said it had provided financial support in coordination with Lebanon’s government to ensure the country’s aviation infrastructure functioned after the financial crisis caused a currency collapse. Air traffic controllers’ pay was cut by more than 90 percent to less than $100 a month, it said.
The carrier said its support did not affect the LCAA’s “independence, authority, or oversight responsibilities” and auditors and the agency’s leaders, including Aziz, did not receive payments.
Source: arabnews.com
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Rubio is optimistic on eventual Iran nuclear talks despite congressional skepticism
June 02, 2026
WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that he is optimistic about the potential for a resumption in nuclear talks with Iran despite a shaky ceasefire in the war that is looking increasingly in doubt.
Rubio defended the Trump administration’s approach to Iran and other global hotspots in back-to-back hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a House Appropriations subcommittee. He was briefly disrupted by protesters at each session.
In his first public testimony since the Iran war began at the end of February, Rubio said the Iranians have agreed to negotiate on nuclear points that they had not been willing to address in the past but would not offer an assessment on what those talks might produce.
“They have agreed to negotiate aspects of their nuclear program that just a month ago, just a year ago, they were refusing to even mention,” Rubio told the Senate. He noted, however, that there was no guarantee “it will lead to a deal that’s acceptable” and that negotiations have been made difficult by the instability of Iran’s leadership.
Rubio’s optimism ran counter to pessimistic reports from two semiofficial Iranian news agencies that Iran has stopped communicating with mediators after Israel threatened to bomb Beirut as it fights the Hezbollah militant group. President Donald Trump disputed that Iran has cut off communication with mediators, calling the Iranian reports “false and erroneous.”
Democrats criticize Trump administration’s approach to Iran, and Rubio defends it
Rubio’s wide-ranging testimony was met with fierce objections from Democrats, including tough questions about the status of US foreign assistance to respond to diseases such as the Ebola outbreak in Africa. Rubio insisted the dismantlement of the US Agency for International Development had not affected Washington’s ability to assist with global humanitarian responses.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., blasted Rubio and Trump for foreign aid cuts and overseas intervention. Van Hollen specifically took aim at the US and Israeli decision to strike Iran, accusing the Republican president of entering the war on behalf of Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “said he’s been waiting 40 years to do this,” Van Hollen said. “It turns out he finally found a president who was both stupid and reckless enough to join him. Let’s face it, Mr. Secretary, the Trump foreign policy has become a dumpster fire.”
Rubio’s testimony, which took place as Israel and Lebanon began a new round of political talks at the State Department, did not provide definitive answers on any of the main questions of the day.
He said Iran is not guaranteed a massive payout for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway for global oil shipments, and would have to commit to further concessions on its nuclear program to get significant sanctions relief.
“The more they give, the more they would get,” he said, later adding, “They’re not going to get it as a signing bonus.”
Rubio also said there are indications that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is taking a bigger part in the discussions despite not being seen publicly since the war began.
“I think there are indications out there that he is increasingly engaging at some level, although all of his communications have been in writing and through intermediaries,” he said.
Democratic senator says drugs being on boats isn’t a targeting criterion for US strikes
Rubio dismissed questions about the legality of Pentagon strikes against dozens of alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean, which have killed more than 200 people since early September.
Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia said the military’s targeting criteria for those strikes do not include drugs being present on the boat. He called it “odd” but said he could not share much more because the criteria are classified.
Rubio pushed back, saying on every strike a legal officer makes a determination on whether it is legal. He also said the US military has “walked away from strikes” multiple times because they did not meet the targeting criteria.
The Trump administration says the US is at war with drug cartels, while many Democrats have questioned the legality and effectiveness of the strikes.
The Republican former senator faces another pair of hearings Wednesday, also about the State Department’s annual budget request, though questions again are expected to focus on top foreign policy issues.
Rubio wades into Taiwan arms sales opposed by China
Rubio acknowledged that the Trump administration is holding up a potential $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan but said it remained under consideration and would not be canceled. He noted that the US sold arms to Taiwan in December worth $11 billion.
He said the deal is not under review because of pressure from China, although he said the Chinese bring up the issue in discussions with the United States. Trump has described it as a great negotiating chip.
“They are constantly talking about Taiwan arms sales, but that in no way is what is holding up our decision-making or the White House’s decision-making,” Rubio said. “It is something the president will have to decide on the timing of when and how that is executed on.”
On another issue involving China, Rubio said Iran has Chinese military equipment from its previous relationship but noted that the US has seen no indication that anything provided has “changed the dynamic in the battlefield.”
However, the State Department last month imposed sanctions on three China-based entities for providing satellite imagery that enabled Iran’s military strikes against US forces in the Middle East.
Protesters chant at Rubio about Cuba
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, also was questioned about the Trump administration’s escalatory behavior toward Cuba, as Trump has hinted that the small island country could be the next US target after operations in Iran are wrapped up.
He faced chants from protesters who urged him to “stop killing Cubans” when he entered the Senate briefing room. The protesters were quickly pulled from the room. Their chants also included “Let Cuba live!”
Rubio defended the administration’s approach and said it would remain focused on changing the Cuban government’s policies.
“I really don’t believe this system is capable of reform unless new people take over or a new mindset takes hold,” he said.
Despite a series of meetings between US and Cuban officials, Trump and Rubio have renewed threats against the island’s government, which take on greater weight after the administration announced criminal charges against former President Raúl Castro.
Over his congressional career and now as America’s top diplomat, Rubio has maintained that Cuba is a national security threat because of its ties to US adversaries and that Trump is intent on addressing it.
Source: arabnews.com
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UN chief proposes options to help end Israel-Hezbollah conflict after peacekeepers leave Lebanon
June 03, 2026
UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations chief has proposed three options to help end the decades-old conflict between Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah militants and Israel when the 8,100-member UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon ends on Dec. 31.
All of the options presented to the UN Security Council by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would continue UN military monitoring of the boundary between Israel and Lebanon, support Lebanese forces in deploying throughout the country and strengthen political efforts to end the fighting, which has persisted despite a nominal ceasefire.
UN peacekeepers have played a significant role in monitoring the security situation in southern Lebanon, a Hezbollah stronghold, for decades. Six of the peacekeepers have been killed in recent months.
Bowing to demands from the United States and its close ally Israel, the Security Council voted unanimously in August 2025 to terminate the peacekeeping mission known as UNFIL and asked Guterres to present options for implementing a 2006 resolution that ended a monthlong war between Israel and Hezbollah.
The resolution demands that Hezbollah disarm, Israeli forces withdraw and the Lebanese army deploy throughout the country as the sole military force. None of this has happened.
In his letter to the Security Council on Monday, Guterres said the recurring hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah show the imperative of implementing the 2006 resolution, which is the framework toward peace.
The secretary-general said UN military monitoring of the UN-drawn boundary between Israel and Lebanon, known as the Blue Line, was “paramount.”
Under all options, he said, “a uniformed United Nations presence working to facilitate de-escalation, dialogue, liaison and coordination, and support for the Lebanese Armed Forces would be necessary.” The UN military would complement the strengthened UN special coordinator for Lebanon, who would continue to lead efforts to implement the 2006 resolution.
Guterres proposed three options for the UN military force, ranging from 5,525 to 1,980 personnel, including some unarmed military observers. He said the largest force would be able “to most credibly observe developments along the length of the Blue Line.”
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Tuesday that the secretary-general hopes the Security Council will make a decision soon.
Source: arabnews.com
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Lebanon says Israeli strikes on south kill 5, wound hospital staff
June 03, 2026
BEIRUT, Lebanon: Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Tuesday killed five people, including a child, and wounded 48, the Lebanese health ministry said.
Those wounded in the strikes across the south included “a doctor and five employees of Tebnine Governmental Hospital, which sustained damage in yet another episode of the series of attacks carried out by the Israeli enemy against hospitals and health centers,” the ministry said in a statement.
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Facing uproar, Netanyahu announces ‘mega-plan’ for Israel’s battered north
June 03, 2026
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Tuesday allocations of 13 billion shekels (more than $4.5 billion) to secure and develop northern communities along the Lebanon border, battered by weeks of fire from Iran-backed Hezbollah.
“The government made dramatic decisions today to strengthen the north. We are investing more than 13 billion shekels today, in addition to the seven billion we have already provided — a total of 20 billion shekels going to the communities of the north,” Netanyahu said following the government’s approval of the measure.
The package, dubbed a “mega-plan” by Netanyahu’s office, consists of three separate decisions.
The first will see the deployment of 1,800 new protective shelters in public spaces such as bus stops, shopping centers and parks, as well as the renovation of around 500 existing shelters, to shield residents from incoming rockets and drones.
The second decision allocates subsidies for the construction of safe rooms inside homes for residents living within nine kilometers (5.6 miles) of the Lebanon border, while the third aims to develop the area in order to attract 100,000 new residents, by improving health, transport, education and tourism infrastructure as well as job opportunities.
“People will flock to the north. I said the same about the south,” Netanyahu said, referring to areas close to Gaza that were attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
“Today there is very strong demand there; there is tremendous growth and flourishing — and that is what will happen here as well.”
The government has taken flak from opposition figures who accuse it of neglecting areas along the Lebanon border.
Opposition party leaders Yair Lapid, Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett took to X on Monday night to point out that only three government ministers attended the cabinet meeting to discuss the situation in the north.
“The residents of the north deserve leadership that will see them and take care of them,” Eisenkot wrote on X.
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What is Hezbollah, the Lebanese group at war with Israel?
June 02, 2026
BEIRUT: The war ?between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah has devastated swathes of Lebanon, though a partial de-escalation agreement announced on Monday has averted renewed airstrikes on the capital Beirut for now.
Israel seeks to end the threat posed by Hezbollah rocket fire and force the group to disarm but Iran wants an end to the Israeli campaign in Lebanon as part of any settlement with the United ?States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
WHAT ARE HEZBOLLAH’S ORIGINS?
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards founded Hezbollah in 1982 during Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war, part of Tehran’s effort to export its 1979 Islamic Revolution and fight Israeli forces that had invaded Lebanon in 1982.
Hezbollah runs its own social services, including schools and hospitals, and has solid backing among Lebanon’s Shiite Muslims.
Together with its ally, the Amal Movement, Hezbollah dominates the representation of Shiites in Lebanon’s sectarian ruling system in parliament, the cabinet and other posts.
HOW DID IT BECOME SO POWERFUL?
While other groups disarmed after Lebanon’s civil war, Hezbollah kept its weapons to fight Israeli forces occupying the predominantly Shiite Muslim south. It retained its arsenal even after Israel withdrew in 2000.
In 2006, during a five-week war, it fired thousands of rockets into Israel. The war erupted after Hezbollah crossed into Israel, kidnapping two soldiers and killing others.
Hezbollah’s arsenal grew after 2006. The US Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook said it was estimated to have as many as 150,000 rockets ?and missiles in ?2020 and in 2022 was estimated to have 45,000 fighters.
Hezbollah’s veteran leader Hassan Nasrallah, killed by Israel in ?2024, ?said the ?group had ?100,000 ?fighters.
HOW DID IT GET INVOLVED IN THE LATEST WAR?
After the 2006 war, Hezbollah became involved in conflicts outside Lebanon as the spearhead of the Iran-backed “Axis of Resistance.”
It sent fighters to Syria to help then President Bashar Assad fight rebels, aided Iran-backed Shiite militias in Iraq, supported the Houthis of Yemen and deepened ties with Palestinian militant group Hamas.
After Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah opened fire on Israeli positions in the frontier region, declaring solidarity with the Palestinians.
They traded fire until September 2024, when Israel detonated thousands of booby-trapped pagers used by Hezbollah members, stepped up airstrikes that killed the group’s main leaders and sent troops into south Lebanon.
A ceasefire was announced in 2024 that was meant to halt attacks and see Hezbollah disarmed, but both sides accused each other of repeated breaches.
After Israel and the US attacked Iran on February 28 and killed Iran’s ?Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Hezbollah fired at northern Israel, prompting a major Israeli military campaign into Lebanon.
Israel has seized ?territory deep into south Lebanon, razing villages, displacing most civilians and establishing a military presence. Hezbollah has fired ?back with drones and rockets at Israeli forces and into northern Israel.
HOW BADLY HIT HAS HEZBOLLAH ?BEEN?
In the 2024 fighting, Israel killed much of Hezbollah’s command and thousands of ?fighters and destroyed much of the group’s arsenal.
The toppling of Assad in Syria in December 2024 choked Hezbollah’s main supply route from Iran and tilted the ?regional power balance against it.
However, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards rebuilt much of Hezbollah’s military command, sending in its own officers and laying plans for the current conflict, Reuters has reported.
Since outright warfare resumed on March 2, Hezbollah has paid a heavy price with as many as several thousand of its fighters killed, according to internal casualty estimates from within the group.
WHAT IS HEZBOLLAH’S ROLE IN LEBANON?
Hezbollah long had a decisive say over state affairs but was unable to get its way over the formation of the 2025 post-war government, which adopted a policy ?of establishing a monopoly on arms.
Lebanese have been at odds over Hezbollah’s arms for decades: opponents accuse it of dragging Lebanon into wars, supporters see its weapons as key to defending the country.
After the 2024 conflict, international ?and local pressure on Hezbollah to disarm grew, ?and Lebanon’s government began confiscating the group’s weapons in southern Lebanon.
But the group rejected disarming in full, saying it could lead to civil war. Its comments evoked memories of 2008, when Hezbollah fighters took over parts of Beirut in an armed conflict sparked by the government’s vow to take action against the group’s military communications network.
After the 2026 war erupted, the Lebanese state outlawed Hezbollah’s military activities but could do little to halt the fighting.
TERRORISM DESIGNATIONS
The United States holds Hezbollah responsible for suicide bombings in 1983 that destroyed the US Marine headquarters in Beirut, killing 241 service personnel, and a French barracks, killing 58 French paratroopers. It also blames Hezbollah for a suicide attack on the US Embassy in Beirut in 1983.
Lebanese officials and Western intelligence agencies have said groups linked to Hezbollah kidnapped Westerners in Lebanon in the 1980s. Referring to those attacks and hostage-taking, Nasrallah said in a 2022 interview they were carried out by small groups not linked to Hezbollah.
Western governments, including the United States, and Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, deem Hezbollah a terrorist group. Some, notably the European Union, have designated its military wing a terrorist group, drawing what critics say is an artificial distinction with its political wing.
Argentina blames Hezbollah and Iran for the bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires in which ?85 people died in 1994 and for an attack on the Israeli Embassy ?in Buenos Aires in 1992 that killed 29 people. Hezbollah and Iran deny any responsibility.
A UN-backed court convicted three Hezbollah members in absentia over the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Al-Hariri, a Sunni Muslim politician killed in 2005 by a truck bomb in Beirut, along with 21 other people. Hezbollah has denied any role.
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What awaits Syrians returning to a health system still broken by war
ANAN TELLO
June 02, 2026
LONDON: As renewed conflict in Lebanon forces a fresh wave of Syrian refugees to return to their home country, joining the roughly 3.5 million people who have gone back to their towns and villages since December 2024, many are finding a health system that is still a long way from recovery.
Many are returning with chronic illnesses, untreated trauma and life-changing injuries, only to encounter hospitals and clinics still crippled by years of war. Now, a new Relief International study has found that the arrival of returnees is far outpacing medical capacity.
Calling for “urgent, coordinated action” to rebuild Syria’s health system after 14 years of civil war, the international nonprofit said in a May 11 statement that “amid the influx of families returning home, patients are unable to access the care they need.”
Since Bashar Assad fled the country in late 2024 after a rebel offensive led by now-interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, more than 1.2 million Syrian refugees and 1.9 million internally displaced people have returned as of December last year, according to UN figures.
Then, as the Israel-Hezbollah conflict sharply escalated in early March, a further 120,000 Syrians crossed back into Syria from Lebanon, where they had resided during the civil war, according to state agency SANA.
Dr. Zaher Sahloul, head of the US-based medical charity MedGlobal, said the number of returnees is “huge” for a country emerging from war, with an already weak economy, 80 percent of people living below the poverty line, and significant infrastructure destruction.
“This has strained not only the healthcare system, but the public system in general,” Sahloul told Arab News.
“I don’t think the government or local authorities have the capacity to provide livelihood support, shelter, education or healthcare to returnees. People are largely left to rely on their communities, families and their own savings.”
That pressure is especially visible in devastated areas, such as in Homs. Sahloul, who is from the city, said that even if a family returns to a neighborhood like Al-Khalidiya and manages to repair what is left of their home, basic care can still be out of reach.
“They’re still going to struggle to find primary health centers offering prenatal care, vaccinations, or medications for chronic diseases,” he said.
“That pushes people into the hospital system, which is also in crisis due to increased demand, decreased capacity, and diminished medical supplies.”
Indeed, according to the World Health Organization, just 57 percent of hospitals and 37 percent of primary healthcare centers were fully operational in 2025.
Years of conflict also drove an exodus of medical workers. While there is no confirmed total, reports point to tens of thousands leaving the country, including more than 15,000 physicians between 2011 and 2016, according to a WHO estimate.
As a result, many returnees with complex health needs are coming back to find a system that can barely provide routine care.
“People are living in and returning to areas where hospitals are destroyed, health workers have fled, medicines are unaffordable and equipment is out of date,” Petros Passas, country director for Relief International in Syria, told officials convening in Brussels on May 11.
“Without large-scale and sustained commitment from the international community, Syrians face a very real public health crisis.”
Sahloul said the medical profile of returnees depends in part on where they are coming from, but some patterns are clear.
“Most patients present with chronic diseases,” he said. “Hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiac disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma are all very common in Syria.”
He added that many patients with noncommunicable diseases also suffer from “underlying mental health conditions,” including “depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder linked to displacement and violence.”
Women and children are among the most vulnerable.
“There are large numbers of children and women of childbearing age requiring prenatal care,” Sahloul said. In Homs, he added, many primary health centers are no longer functioning, and those still open often provide only limited services, such as vaccinations.
The consequences are severe, he warned.
“Pregnant women lack adequate prenatal care; patients with chronic conditions can’t access medications for diabetes or hypertension; people traumatized by violence and displacement have no access to mental health services, which were already underfunded before the war; and surgeries are being postponed.
“Patients with cardiac conditions may die waiting.”
Dr. Randa Loutfi, programs director at the Syrian American Medical Society, or SAMS, said returnees’ main health needs include mental health and psychosocial support, steady medication supplies for chronic conditions, maternal and
child care, rehabilitation for disabilities caused by war-related injuries and specialized treatment such as cancer care and dialysis.
Many, she told Arab News, are also carrying the compounded effects of forced displacement, poverty, poor living conditions, exposure to violence, the loss of loved ones and, for some, the February 2023 earthquake.
Relief International’s May report found that 86 percent of women surveyed said they were experiencing anxiety and psychological distress driven by exposure to conflict and prolonged displacement.
The organization warned that conditions often worsen after return because of the near absence of maternal and reproductive care, a lack of services for survivors of gender-based violence and a nationwide gap in mental health support.
The war has also left behind less visible damage: undetected illnesses, untreated disease and acute malnutrition, according to the same survey.
Loutfi said that for patients with diabetes and high blood pressure, even limited access to medication rarely comes with screening, preventive care or proper testing for complications.
In specialized care, she said, years of disruption have led to delayed diagnoses and poor disease management. “Returnees also face interruption in treatment cycles” and often lack essential medical records, she said, “resulting in life-threatening deterioration.”
Beyond illness, many returnees are living with permanent injuries or disabilities. Roughly 28 percent of Syrians now live with some form of disability, nearly double the global average, according to UN figures and Relief International.
And as more people return to long-abandoned farmland, Relief International warned, that figure could continue to rise because of unexploded ordnance and land mines in former conflict areas.
Even as needs mount, funding is falling short and recovery remains out of reach.
“Unfortunately, the decline in donor funding after the fall of the regime forced many clinics and hospitals to close in the northwest and the northeast,” Loutfi said.
Sahloul said the response must become far more coordinated. “The profile of returnees needs more attention from both the government and the international community,” he said.
“On the funding side, the international community is lagging behind in contributions to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR,” he said.
“And the government, frankly, should have a dedicated ministry for returnees. There isn’t enough focused discussion about what can be provided to them.
“Addressing this properly requires integrated services, not just building a clinic here and a housing program there, but providing livelihood support, documentation for returnees and dealing with landmines.
“There have been many incidents of people being killed or injured by explosive ordnance left in areas people are returning to.”
Aid groups say they are trying to bridge the gap as best they can.
Loutfi said SAMS has focused on continuing support for its facilities, especially in areas in the northeast and northwest where population movement has sharply increased demand.
The organization has expanded primary care by rehabilitating clinics, supporting provider incentives, distributing essential medicines and training staff on treatment protocols.
It is also helping rehabilitate and operate damaged hospitals in return areas such as eastern Aleppo, Kafr Batna and Zabadani in rural Damascus, Loutfi said.
MedGlobal has centered its response on four areas: primary care, urban hospitals, maternal health and mental health support.
“We are expanding our primary health centers,” said Sahloul. “We currently have seven, with 22 more in development. By the end of the year, we aim to have 30 centers operating across Syria.”
The primary care package, he said, “includes medications for non-communicable diseases, prenatal care, vaccinations, and mental health support. This will provide more comprehensive care and also reduce the strain on hospitals.”
The group is also supporting hospitals by providing updated medical equipment, training and medical missions.
“In each city, we’ve selected one major hospital, either a university hospital or one under the Ministry of Health, and are equipping it and training its staff,” Sahloul said.
MedGlobal is also integrating maternal care into its primary health centers and training doctors to provide basic mental health services for common conditions such as depression and anxiety.
For Relief International, the stakes extend beyond healthcare alone. “At this moment of hope and transition for Syria, the support of all governments, donors and actors with power remains crucial,” country director Passas said on May 11.
Until that support materializes at scale, many Syrians returning home will keep confronting a bitter paradox: After surviving war and displacement, they are coming back to a country where the need to heal is everywhere, and the capacity to do so remains dangerously limited.
Source: arabnews.com
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Arab World
Saudi leadership congratulates interior minister after successful Hajj season
June 03, 2026
RIYADH: The Saudi leadership congratulated the minister of interior, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, on Tuesday for the successful organization of Hajj season, which concluded last week.
King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman each sent a message to the prince in which they thanked security and civil agencies for their efforts to ensure 1,707,301 pilgrims could perform the annual pilgrimage with comfort, ease and reassurance.
Prince Abdulaziz chairs the Supreme Hajj Committee that oversees the security, organizational and service plans required to accommodate pilgrims during Hajj.
Through their efforts, authorities had had helped ensure Hajj could take place in an atmosphere of spirituality, tranquility, security and faith, despite challenging conditions in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. Every Muslim who is physically able to do so is required to undertake the pilgrimage to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah at least once in their life.
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Saudi Arabia begins pilgrim departures as Hajj 2026 ends
June 03, 2026
RIYADH: The Kingdom has begun the large-scale departure of pilgrims following the completion of Hajj 2026, with authorities mobilizing across the nation’s air, sea and land entry points to ensure they have a smooth journey home, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The first flights, with guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Hajj, Umrah and Visit, have left Madinah after pilgrims completed their rituals and visits to the Prophet’s Mosque.
The guests departed through Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport after what organizers described as a spiritually enriching journey that included visits to Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah and tours of historical and cultural landmarks.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, which oversees the program, said pilgrims also took part in educational and cultural activities to deepen their understanding of Islam and showcase Saudi Arabia’s efforts in serving pilgrims and visitors to the two holy mosques.
Many participants praised the Kingdom’s organization of the pilgrimage, citing the quality accommodation, transportation, healthcare and logistical services.
They also thanked Saudi Arabia’s leadership for hosting them under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program, which annually invites thousands of Muslims from around the world to perform Hajj at the Kingdom’s expense.
Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Passports said it had completed departure procedures for the first groups of pilgrims leaving through Jeddah Islamic Port and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
The directorate said it had mobilized personnel and resources across all border crossings to facilitate the departure process and ensure pilgrims complete travel formalities efficiently.
More than 1.7 million pilgrims performed Hajj this year, according to figures released by the General Authority for Statistics, with over 1.5 million from abroad and 160,646 citizens and residents from within the Kingdom.
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Waste management center records sharp drop in violations
June 02, 2026
MAKKAH: The National Center for Waste Management concluded its Hajj operations by deploying advanced technical and field systems to optimize waste management and environmental sustainability at the holy sites.
It carried out 1,691 field inspection tours in Makkah, significantly improving regulatory compliance. Corrective actions were limited to 85 notices and 54 penalties, marking a sharp decline in violations compared to the previous year.
To advance the circular economy, field teams enforced source segregation of organic and solid waste in pilgrim camps to reduce health risks and convert waste into economic resources.
The electronic transport document system was expanded to digitally track sacrificial animal waste, recording 1,112 documents and monitoring 25,823 tonnes of waste, of which 89 percent was solid and 11 percent liquid.
The operations were conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, and the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites.
Initiatives included the Sustainable Ihram program, which collected from 130 designated points at the Grand Mosque and Mina for recycling.
The center also engaged 13 entities in a circular economy program and deployed 150 volunteers across 50 camps.
The efforts reflected an integrated national framework to protect the environment and improve service quality for pilgrims.
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Ambassador receives Maldivian official at the Saudi embassy in Male
June 02, 2026
MALE: Saudi Ambassador to the Maldives Yahya bin Hassan Al-Qahtani received Abdulla Riyaz, president of the Maldives Association of Fire, Safety and Security Industry, at the Saudi Embassy in Male on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by Tariq Tayeb, head of economic and cultural affairs at the embassy, and included discussions on issues of mutual interest, the embassy said on X.
Meanwhile, Saudi Ambassador to Singapore Mohammad Abdullah Al-Ghamdi met John Hui, chief operating officer of Vizzio Technologies, to discuss opportunities for cooperation in “digital twin technologies, artificial intelligence, & smart cities, as well as digital transformation initiatives aligned with Saudi Vision 2030,” the embassy said on X.
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A Saudi voice in climate research
NADA HAMEED
June 02, 2026
JEDDAH: Saudi environmentalist Hassan Alzain is using research, writing and environmental policy to promote climate resilience and sustainability in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
A graduate of the Yale School of the Environment, Alzain recently earned a master’s in environmental management, with specializations in climate change science and solutions, and energy and the environment.
Alzain told Arab News: “Seeing our nation place environmental sustainability, green energy, and planetary protection at the very heart of its futuristic economic blueprint was incredibly inspiring.
“Transitioning from that local momentum to the rigorous, multidisciplinary environment at Yale allowed me to see exactly how global climate science intersects with our national aspirations.
“Sitting in rooms with international experts solidified my realization that Saudi Arabia is not just participating in the global climate dialogue, we are actively leading it. This journey crystallized my commitment to developing the scalable, practical resilience frameworks needed to turn our ambitious Vision 2030 environmental goals into a sustainable reality for future generations.”
He also highlighted receiving a chartered fellowship from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, which he said reinforced the importance of linking environmental research with governance and public policy.
Alzain has published more than 50 works in his academic and professional career, including books, scientific manuscripts, conference papers and technical articles.
Among them is “Green Gambit,” from 2025, co-authored with Victor R. Kalimugogo, which explores climate science, energy systems and environmental policy. The book has received a Green World Award and was recognized for its contribution to sustainability awareness.
Alzain is also the author of a forthcoming book, “Resilient Communities,” which examines climate adaptation through the lenses of sustainability, governance and resilience.
The book explores the impact of environmental change on infrastructure, ecosystems, economies and human well-being, while highlighting approaches to resilience planning, sustainable development and environmental governance. The publication recently received a Green World Award in the Innovation Category within the Education and Training Sector.
Alzain said: “Climate resilience is ultimately about protecting people, systems and futures. The challenge is no longer whether climate change is happening, but whether institutions and communities can adapt fast enough to sustain socio-economic development, environmental integrity and human well-being.”
Roger Wolens, the founder and CEO of The Green Organisation, praised the book, saying: “(It) is a very important publication and very worthy of winning one of our awards. Not only does it highlight the physical and mental health dangers inherent in climate change, but hopefully it adds a powerful voice to the campaigns to take remedial action while we still can.
“Its approach is original and its easy-to-understand guidance invaluable. I am particularly pleased to see that there will be continuous updates as we are dealing with a constantly evolving and changing situation.”
Alzain explained that beyond the fellowship, authoring “Green Gambit” and “Resilient Communities” had allowed him to turn complex science into accessible pathways for action.
He added: “I have dedicated myself to using these works as a vehicle for voluntary give-back to the community, donating my time and knowledge to mentor young professionals, lead local sustainability associations, and engage in grassroots capacity building.
“Knowing that these pages are actively empowering others to champion climate adaptation in their own communities is what truly fulfills me.”
Alzain believes effective climate solutions require translating scientific knowledge into practical implementation and remaining committed to advancing resilient, inclusive systems that address climate challenges while ensuring no community is left behind.
Offering advice to young Saudis interested in the field, Alzain said: “Cultivate a multidisciplinary mind. Do not confine yourself to just science or just policy, because the transition to a more sustainable future requires you to understand how governance, energy, and human progress interlock.
“By anchoring your global ambitions within the framework of our heritage and strategic goals, you ensure that your work directly contributes to realizing our shared national objectives.
“True impact is achieved when your international achievements are brought back home to serve the advancement and prosperity of our nation.”
Reflecting on the lessons he wished he had learned earlier in his journey, he said: “I wish someone had told me at the beginning that finding your voice on the global stage takes time, and that your unique perspective as a representative of our region is not a barrier, but an invaluable asset in global climate dialogues.
“Have the courage to implement new meaningful ideas, and never lose sight of the communities you are working to protect.”
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Saudi Arabia showcases judicial reforms at Kuala Lumpur book fair
June 02, 2026
RIYADH: The Ministry of Justice is participating in the Kingdom’s pavilion at the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair, where it is highlighting the rapid legislative and institutional transformation of Saudi Arabia’s judicial system.
The ministry is presenting the Kingdom’s experience in aligning its judicial system with the principles of Islamic Shariah within a modern institutional framework, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
It is highlighting legislative and procedural reforms that have improved efficiency, transparency, and stability in the legal and contractual environment, aligned with international best practices.
The ministry is also showcasing the role of digital platforms in advancing judicial services and procedures and facilitating access inside and outside the Kingdom.
The Kingdom’s broader cultural and intellectual presence at the fair is being led by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission. The book fair is being held at the World Trade Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, until June 7.
Source: arabnews.com
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Kingdom, Russia explore dates trade expansion
June 02, 2026
MOSCOW: Princess Sarah bint Bandar, executive director of the International Dates Council, recently met with Russia’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Sergey Kozlov at the Saudi Embassy in Moscow.
The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in the dates sector, expanding international partnerships, and enhancing the presence of dates and date products in the Russian market.
The two sides also explored opportunities to increase trade and investment and discussed expanding cooperation on value-added initiatives and products to drive sustainable growth and strengthen the sector’s position in global markets.
Kozlov expressed support for the council’s efforts and underscored his commitment to strengthening engagement with relevant Russian entities to foster stronger partnerships and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
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Europe
The Islamic Community in BiH expresses deep Concern over Public Speculation over Election of HR
June 2, 2026
The Islamic community in Bosnia and Herzegovina expresses deep concern over public speculation regarding the election of a new High Representative and the possible limitation of the mandate of the Office of the High Representative (OHR).
“The impression in the public that domestic political and social actors are not sufficiently involved in this process and that it is managed by behind-the-scenes lobbyist circles is of particular concern. The non-transparent management of the process of electing a high representative, which gives the impression that it is the result of unprincipled compromises, undermines the interests of peace, stability and building trust,” says the statement of the Rijaset of the Islamic Community.
It was emphasized that the new high representative must be a person who will put the interests of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its peoples and citizens first.
“In these moments of uncertainty that are ruling Europe after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, it is of crucial importance that the election of a new high representative is carried out in the same way and with the same powers as before. This election is not an exclusively political issue, but concerns all segments of Bosnian society, including religious communities that are committed to building peace and inter-national trust. Any decision that would call into question the progress made so far in preserving peace and building state institutions is a danger that everyone is obliged to face. to warn,” the statement said.
At the moment when the secession of the entity Republika Srpska is publicly announced and when the intentions to redraw the borders are no longer hidden, it must not be allowed to reduce the authority of the institution of the high representative.
For this reason, Rijaset states in a statement, the new high representative must have the same mandate and support from the members of the Steering Committee for Peace Implementation (PIC) and the international community as his predecessors.
It is estimated that any reduction of his mandate, relocation of the seat or time limit will encourage secessionists and those who do not hide that their goal is to prove that a sovereign, democratic and integral Bosnia and Herzegovina cannot function.
“The closure of the Office of the High Representative must follow only as evidence of the successful implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, i.e. when all fears of the collapse of state institutions, the violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, and the return to violence have been removed. This goal is partially defined through the conditions known as ‘5+2’. Those who advocate the closure of the OHR or the limitation of its mandate should have done everything to fulfill these conditions. The premature closure or limitation of the OHR’s mandate represents a serious threat to stability and prosperity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and such a hasty decision would endanger both security and economic development,” it is stated.
They concluded that everyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina would be happiest if domestic political actors could take responsibility for the future of the country themselves.
“However, this is not possible as long as there are active policies that do not hide the fact that their goal is the division of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the sowing of discord and hatred among its peoples, and the creation of political entities dominated by only one people. The last obstacle to such intentions is precisely the Office of the High Representative and the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Making concessions to such policies not only did not contribute to the normalization of circumstances, but kept them alive to the extent that even thirty years after the war, we are faced with attempts to defeat the goals of the war, which could not be achieved by force, can now be achieved by lobbying and selling off natural resources,” says Rijaset’s press release.
Finally, the Islamic community calls on PIC members, international partners and domestic political actors to show full responsibility in this process.
“Peace, stability and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina must not be the subject of lobbying, trade or experimentation,” the statement concluded.
Source: sarajevotimes.com
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Wirral Deen Centre hold The Big Lunch this Sunday
2ND JUNE 2026
A WIRRAL mosque and community centre has invited all residents of any faith to a special event this weekend promoting unity through food.
Wirral Deen Centre has invited families, residents and neighbours to come to The Big Lunch on Sunday, June 7, where it will be serving free samosas and helping people from across the community to meet and integrate.
The Big Lunch is an annual event organised by the Eden Project which brings millions together in neighbourhoods across the UK to share "friendship, food and fun" on the first weekend in June.
The Deen Centre was established in 2016 as both a community space and a religious centre.
The centre, which has won awards for community cohesion, previously ran a soup kitchen and works with local charities and businesses including Fans Supporting Foodbanks and Tranmere Rovers FC.
Ibrahim Syed of Wirral Deen Centre said: "[The Big Lunch] is an opportunity to make friends, meet new people and most of all, show unity at this time of division."
Source: wirralglobe.co.uk
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https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/26159128.wirral-deen-centre-hold-big-lunch-sunday/
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Regulator assessing concerns as charities’ battle for control of new mosque concludes
02 Jun 2026
The Charity Commission is assessing whether to intervene in a dispute between two charities over the control of a new mosque site, which recently went to court.
Greengate Jamia Mosque was unsuccessfully challenged by another charity over its ownership and control of the Greengate Street mosque building in Oldham.
Bradford-based Jamiyat Tabliqh Ul-Islam (JTI) argued that the Oldham mosque had always been a branch of the Bradford organisation and that all mosque properties were therefore held on trust for the Bradford JTI.
In response, Greengate Jamia Mosque argued that the mosque had always been an independent local institution, governed by and held for the benefit of the Muslim worshippers of Oldham, despite sharing the name “JTI” and following the same religious tradition as the Bradford JTI.
The Business and Property Courts in Manchester ruled in favour of Greengate Jamia Mosque, with the judge saying that the site in Oldham is an independent local mosque, rather a branch of the Bradford JTI organisation and that its properties are held on trust for the local Oldham mosque charity rather than for the Bradford-based claimants.
Following the ruling, a Charity Commission spokesperson confirmed: “We are assessing a recent judgment involving Jamiyat Tabligh-Ul-Islam and Greengate Jamia Mosque, two registered charities, to determine if there is a regulatory role for the commission.”
Both charities have been approached for comment.
Source: civilsociety.co.uk
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https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/regulator-assessing-concerns-as-charities-battle-for-control-of-new-mosque-concludes.html
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Police pelted with missiles at Henry Nowak protest
June 3, 2026
Stuart Rust
Police officers have been pelted with missiles during a protest near the Southampton home of Henry Nowak's killer.
A crowd of several hundred initially took part in a demonstration outside Southampton Central Police Station before gathering close to the family home of Vickrum Digwa in St Denys.
The 23-year-old was jailed for life on Monday after being convicted of murdering Nowak, 18, as he walked back to his student accommodation in Southampton in December 2025.
Responding to the clashes with police, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the scenes as "completely unacceptable".
Protesters marched across the city from the police station to the St Denys area, close to where Nowak was murdered in December. Chairs, cans and flares were thrown at officers in riot gear, forcing them to retreat.
Digwa stabbed Nowak with a large blade he claimed to carry for religious reasons, before lying to police at the scene and falsely claiming he had been the victim of a racist attack - leading officers to arrest Henry rather than his killer.
Body cam footage released this week showed Nowak repeatedly telling officers he had been stabbed as he lay dying in handcuffs.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into the force's response.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said there are "serious questions for police" following the release of the footage.
During the initial protest at the police station, political activist Tommy Robinson spoke to the crowd.
Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, said: "I heard someone say this wasn't about race, this is about race."
He added: "A white boy who done nothing was handcuffed, a murderer in possession of a knife who stabbed someone five times isn't."
The demonstrators could be heard chanting Nowak's name and "I can't breathe", which were among the teenager's last words.
Mahmood emphasised that Nowak's family, from Chafford Hundred in Essex, had called against using his death as a cause of further "division, hatred or tension".
"There can be no justification for hijacking this tragedy to stir up violence and disorder," she said.
"Those responsible can expect to face the full force of the law."
Satvir Kaur, the Labour MP for Southampton Test, the constituency in which the murder took place, said she was concerned the murder was being exploited for political reasons.
"Of course people need to look at knife crime but when it comes to using this an excuse to put communities against each other, that is not helping," she said.
"It's not helping in Southampton and it's not helping across the country."
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1m2d0ny50no
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Ukraine rescuers pull dead from rubble after Russian strikes kill 22 people
June 3, 2026
Vitaly Shevchenko
A Russian missile and drone attack killed at least 22 people across Ukraine overnight, including two children, marking one of Moscow's largest assaults in recent months.
An eight-year-old boy and three women pulled from the rubble of apartment blocks were among 16 people killed in Dnipro, regional officials said. In the capital Kyiv, six people were killed.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said civilian infrastructure and energy facilities had been targeted across the country, with more than 100 people injured.
Russia's defence ministry said the strikes had been a response to previous Ukrainian attacks, saying in a statement that the "strike objectives" had all been achieved.
The Kremlin said on Tuesday it was carrying out the "systematic strikes" it had pledged after accusing Kyiv of a deadly attack on a student dormitory in an occupied part of eastern Ukraine in late May.
Kyiv said it had hit a Russian military unit.
"This practice will continue," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday, claiming the strikes were targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure.
Zelensky had warned a "massive strike" was possible in his nightly video address on Monday, and urged residents to pay special attention to air raid alerts.
On Tuesday morning, he said Russia had launched 656 strike drones and 73 missiles of various types - ballistic, cruise, and anti-ship - in the overnight attack.
"We urgently need help from the United States in supplying missiles for Patriot systems", the Ukrainian president said, referring to interception hardware used to intercept Russian missiles.
Patriot missiles have been in short supply, exacerbated by the US and Israeli war against Iran.
Since returning to power last year, US President Donald Trump has also stopped direct supplies to Ukraine, so Kyiv's European allies have been buying them from the US before sending them to Ukraine.
"The main strike was on Kyiv, where dozens of residential buildings and other purely civilian infrastructure were damaged again," Zelensky said.
Rescuers searching through the rubble of apartment buildings in the central city of Dnipro where 16 people were killed recovered the bodies of an eight-year-old boy and three women, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha said, adding that another child had been killed in the blast.
The attack "essentially demolished" part of the building, Zelensky wrote on X.
More than 90 people were injured across both cities, while Kharkiv in the north-east - which also saw its energy facilities and civilian infrastructure hit - reported 10 injured, including a child.
An industrial facility was also attacked further south in Zaporizhzhia as regions across the country were targeted, the president said.
Large plumes of smoke could be seen rising from the centre of the capital early on Tuesday, where the head of its military administration warned ballistic missiles had been fired and the city's Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko urged residents to stay in shelters.
The buzz of drones could be heard between more than a dozen loud explosions as strikes made impact through the early morning.
The attack caused fires near a petrol station, a construction site, and several apartment blocks, as well as two houses, Klitschko said. Blackouts were also reported across the city.
More than 41,000 people - including almost 4,500 children - were sheltering underground in the Kyiv metro overnight, the metro company said in statement.
It added that this was a record number in recent years.
One Kyiv resident sheltering in the city's metro said she dreamed the war would soon end, but that she had "lost all hope".
"I'm always going to the metro... it's really scary to stay at home," the 32-year-old told the Reuters news agency.
Leonid Zmiievskyi, 71, said Ukrainians were surviving on their own: "Although aid is coming from the West, I don't think they're helping much. If international pressure were stronger, I think it would all be over sooner."
Kyiv-born Ukrainian tennis player Marta Kostyuk was emotional after winning her quarterfinal match at the French Open in Paris.
"We had another difficult night in Ukraine, especially in Kyiv where so many people died, so I want to give this match to Ukrainian people, their resilience. Glory to Ukraine!" she said.
Meanwhile, one person was killed in Russia's western Kursk region after a Ukrainian drone strike on Monday evening, according to regional governor Alexander Khinshtein.
A fire was also reported at an oil refinery in the south-western city of Krasnodar after it was hit by a drone, authorities there said.
Ukraine's military confirmed it had struck both areas and several others overnight.
Since a brief ceasefire expired in early May, Russia has launched several waves of missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, among them strikes on a block of flats that killed 24 people, including three children.
Days later, Ukraine responded with an attack on the Moscow region which Russian officials said had killed three people - which Zelensky said was "entirely justified".
Ukraine said Russia's threats were "nothing short of shameless blackmail" and urged allies to increase pressure on Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Source: bbc.com
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West using Romania drone incident for information warfare – Russia’s UN envoy
2 Jun, 2026
Western countries have been quick to point the finger at Moscow over a recent drone incident in Romania while demonstrating little interest in a comprehensive investigation into it, Russia’s permanent representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia has said.
Multiple similar aerial incursions in the past, which were hastily assigned to Russia at first, eventually proved to be of Ukrainian origin, he noted.
Last Friday, an explosives-laden UAV crashed into an apartment block in the Romanian city of Galati near the Ukrainian border, injuring two people. Bucharest promptly claimed the drone originated from Russia and attempted to trigger NATO's article 4.
Speaking on Monday at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, the Russian envoy suggested that Romania’s haste in convening it had been dictated by the West’s desire to create “yet another anti-Russian information wave.”
Nebenzia pointed to several inconsistencies in Bucharest’s version of events, noting that the Russian Geran 2 kamikaze drone, which, according to the Romanian authorities, hit the residential building, typically carries a payload of around 50 kilograms. A blast consistent with this amount of explosives would have inflicted far greater damage on the building than what was documented by the Romanian media.
The Russian representative also said that officials had initially alleged that the incident was a targeted attack, only for Romanian President Nicusor Dan to state a few hours later that the UAV had strayed from its intended route because of Ukrainian air defenses.
However, even the latter version appears implausible, according to Nebenzia, as a compromised drone would likely have not been able to cover nearly 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Ukrainian air defense positions to Galati.
Alternative versions, including a potential provocation by Kiev, are not even being considered, the Russian diplomat stated, despite multiple Ukrainian UAVs having crashed in Latvia, Lithuania and Finland in recent months.
Nebenzia recounted a tragic incident in November 2022, which saw a missile kill two people in Poland. The West initially blamed Russia, only to acknowledge later that it was a Ukrainian S-300 air defense missile.
Moscow is ready to engage in an “objective and depoliticized” investigation with any relevant materials shared with Russia, Nebenzia said, echoing earlier remarks by President Vladimir Putin.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/640881-west-using-romania-drone-incident-information-warfare-russia-un-envoy/
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Russia blacklists five UK nationals for peddling disinfo
2 Jun, 2026
Moscow has added five British nationals to its blacklist over London’s hostile actions, spread of disinformation, and the concentrated effort “to pump up the Kiev regime with weaponry,” the Russian Foreign Ministry has said.
The ministry announced the move on Tuesday, urging London “to renounce aggressive anti-Russian steps, as well as its support for the [Vladimir] Zelensky regime.” The UK’s effort to prolong the Ukraine conflict no matter what leads only to “further civilian casualties” and ultimately the “destruction of Ukrainian statehood,” it said.
The latest addition to Russia’s no-entry list includes journalists and experts involved in “disseminating slanderous fabrications and false information.” It also features two heads of “British security companies” that recruit personnel to prop up the Kiev regime under the guise of “implementing pseudo-humanitarian projects in Ukraine,” the ministry stated.
The sanctioned individuals are Catherine Belton and Richard Holmes, journalists with the Washington Post and The i Paper, respectively. The list also includes Alexander Browder, a self-styled corruption and money-laundering expert, described by the ministry as the author of a misleading report for the Henry Jackson Society think tank.
The restrictions have also been slapped on Alice Laugher, CEO of Committed to Good (CTG), an NGO, supposedly involved in “humanitarian and development projects in fragile and conflict-affected areas.” Nicholas Westbury, one of the founders of CTG’s parent company, the Chelsea Group, has also made the list.
Russian diplomats said work on the blacklist, as well as other retaliatory measures, is bound to continue unless London abandons its hostile stance.
“We warn that any efforts by British political elites to further fuel Russophobia, deliberately damage our country’s international reputation, and accelerate the anti-Russian sanctions will inevitably be met with a decisive response,” the ministry stated.
London has emerged as a key backer of Kiev in the Ukraine conflict, actively seeking to derail attempts to resolve it through diplomacy and focusing on inflicting a defeat on Russia instead. The UK has been leading various initiatives to supply Ukrainian forces with increasingly sophisticated weaponry, and to rally additional foreign monetary and military support.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/russia/640894-five-uk-nationals-blacklisted/
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North America
CAIR-LA, Indonesian Consulate in LA to Host Second Annual Global Muslim Village
June 2, 2026
On Saturday, June 6, the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia will host the second annual Global Muslim Village (GMV).
This multicultural, family-friendly event will feature a global marketplace, halal food stalls, consulate and community booths representing countries from around the world, cultural performances, CAIR-LA’s Social Justice Film Screening, and more.
Last year’s event brought together nearly 2,000 community members, dignitaries, consulate representatives, and vendors to celebrate the rich diversity of the Muslim community and showcase our economic contributions to Southern California.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-la-indonesian-consulate-in-la-to-host-second-annual-global-muslim-village/
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Mysteriously missing congressman wins primary after Trump endorsement
June 3, 2026
Brandon Drenon
Republican Congressman Tom Kean Jr, who has not been seen in Washington or his New Jersey district for months, secured his party's nomination for re-election on Tuesday, after receiving a recent endorsement from President Donald Trump.
"Tom Kean has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election," Trump wrote on social media, adding, "HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!"
Kean ran unopposed in the Republican primary and did not need to campaign for votes. But US media report he also has been absent from Congress, missing more than 100 votes.
In November's midterm elections, Kean will face Democrat Rebecca Bennett, a former US Navy helicopter pilot, who won her party's primary on Tuesday.
Kean was last seen on 5 March. His staff said in April that he was dealing with a medical issue. But Kean's continued absence has become a national curiosity in the US.
In his endorsement posted to Truth Social on Monday, Trump wrote that Kean was a "Tremendous Advocate of our America First Agenda" and "is working tirelessly".
Shortly after his last vote in Congress in March, colleagues, Republican officials and news organisations reported concerns about his whereabouts. Text messages went unanswered, as did requests for interviews.
An aide told The New York Times, "There's no cameras where Tom is."
In the statement released by his office on 27 April, he said he expected to be back soon.
"My doctors continue to assure me that my recovery will be complete and that I will be back to the job I love very soon," Kean said in the statement, posted on X.
"I expect to return to a full schedule and be at 100 percent."
Nearly a month later, Kean participated in a telephone interview with the New Jersey Globe and reiterated his intent to run for re-election and return to public life.
"I understand the need for public transparency, and I appreciate the support of my constituents," he said.
"I anticipate that in the next couple of weeks, I'll return to voting and to the campaign trail."
As voters began casting ballots in the election on Tuesday, there still had been no reported sightings of Kean.
The BBC has left a message with his office seeking comment.
The district he represents is considered a swing district, meaning it has a high propensity to flip between Republicans and Democrats each election cycle.
His will be a key district for Republicans to hold on to in November's midterm elections, which will determine the balance of power in Congress. Democrats are looking to unseat him and shift power their way and deliver Trump a loss.
Trump's endorsement of Kean given the stakes is unsurprising. The US president also has not shied away from endorsing candidates, even as they court controversy - or mystery.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y7nnjlrd5o
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Pentagon bars journalists from press office
3 Jun, 2026
The Pentagon has barred journalists from entering its press office after redesignating it a classified space, the latest in a series of restrictions on reporters’ access to the department.
First reported by the Washington Post late on Monday, the move was confirmed by Acting Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez, who said journalists would no longer be permitted to enter the office because speechwriters working for Secretary of War Pete Hegseth routinely handle classified information there. Access to senior public affairs officials would remain available by appointment.
“This is the most transparent War Department in history,” Valdez wrote on X, adding “No amount of spin from the Fake News media will change that.”
The restriction affects an office that for decades served as a central point of contact between journalists and Pentagon officials. Reporters were previously able to visit the area to seek comment from public affairs staff, attend informal briefings, and interact with officials without escorts.
The latest move comes amid a widening confrontation between the Pentagon and the US media under Hegseth, a former Fox News host appointed by President Donald Trump. More than a year into his tenure, the department has imposed a series of restrictions on reporters, including escort requirements inside the building and limits on access to previously open areas.
The Pentagon later required journalists to pledge that they would not seek information that had not been authorized for release, including unclassified material. Major US outlets, including Fox News, CNN, the Associated Press, and The New York Times, refused to sign the agreement, while hundreds of reporters surrendered their Pentagon credentials in protest.
The restrictions triggered multiple lawsuits. In March, a federal judge struck down key parts of the policy after a lawsuit filed by the NYT. The Pentagon appealed the ruling and subsequently introduced an interim requirement that journalists be escorted while inside the building. The newspaper filed a second lawsuit in May, arguing that the policy amounts to an unconstitutional attempt to restrict independent reporting on military affairs. The litigation remains ongoing.
Hegseth has repeatedly accused major media outlets of spreading “fake news” and described the reporting on the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran as an “endless stream of garbage,” comparing the Pentagon media pool to the biblical Pharisees.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/640890-pentagon-journalists-press-office/
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CAIR-SFBA Urges Los Gatos Town Council to Grant Appeal by Town’s Only Mosque
June 2, 2026
Muslim civil rights group says conditions imposed on West Valley Muslim Association raise serious religious freedom and equal treatment concerns
(SANTA CLARA, CA, 6/2/2026) — The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today urged the Los Gatos Town Council to grant the West Valley Muslim Association’s (WVMA) appeal challenging 19 of the 33 new conditions imposed by the Planning Commission on the town’s only mosque.
CAIR-SFBA submitted a letter supporting WVMA’s appeal, which asks the Town Council to preserve the permit approved by the Planning Commission for WVMA’s property at 19679 Farley Road on May 21. CAIR-SFBA’s letter also asks the Town Council to remove or revise 19 unlawful conditions imposed on the mosque.
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo said:
“Approving a mosque’s permit while attaching uniquely burdensome conditions is not equal treatment. Los Gatos should not impose restrictions on WVMA that it would not impose on other houses of worship. The Town Council should grant the appeal and ensure that any conditions are neutral, evidence-based, and consistent with federal religious freedom protections.”
In a statement, WVMA Founder Razi Mohiuddin said:
“No church or synagogue in Los Gatos faces anything close to the burdensome conditions imposed on our community. The disparity is documented, it is stark, and we believe it is a clear federal civil rights violation.
“What we will not accept is a local planning commission deciding what worship means to our community. That is a chilling overreach that strikes at the heart of the First Amendment. We are prepared to pursue every legal remedy available to us.”
The challenged conditions include annual compliance reviews, restrictions on religious activities, attendance caps below the Fire Code limit, parking and traffic requirements, expanded communication mandates, and capital improvement requirements.
WVMA’s appeal argues that the challenged conditions violate the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), a federal law that protects religious institutions from discriminatory or unnecessarily burdensome land-use restrictions. The appeal says several conditions single out the mosque for requirements not imposed on comparable religious institutions in Los Gatos, impose substantial burdens on religious exercise, and rely on generalized concerns from neighbors rather than objective evidence.
CAIR-SFBA urged the Los Gatos Town Council to grant WVMA’s appeal and strike or revise the challenged conditions to ensure compliance with federal law and equal treatment for the Muslim community.
CAIR-SFBA is an office of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-sfba-urges-los-gatos-town-council-to-grant-appeal-by-towns-only-mosque/
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass advances to run-off in race to run California's biggest city
June 3, 2026
Sareen Habeshian
Incumbent Democratic Mayor Karen Bass has advanced to November's run-off election to determine who will run California's largest city, Los Angeles.
With votes still being counted late on Tuesday night, Bass was first to go through, according to a projection by the BBC's US partner CBS News, but it remains unclear who she may face.
It could be either her fellow Democrat, city council member Nithya Raman, or the Republican newcomer and reality television star Spencer Pratt.
The winner will lead the second-largest city in the US, grappling with issues like homelessness and affordable housing as Los Angeles gears up to host the 2028 Olympics.
The election was one of many primaries across California, Iowa, New Jersey and New Mexico on Tuesday that will shape the midterm elections that will happen across the country in November.
Meanwhile, votes were still being counted late on Tuesday in the California governor's primary race, where the top two contenders will likewise move forward to the November general election.
California has "jungle primaries" meaning the top two candidates for governor and for LA mayor advance from the primary stage, regardless of party affiliation.
In Los Angeles, a mayoral candidate who gets 50% or more votes wins the election outright. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the top two candidates advance.
With nearly half the votes counted on Tuesday night, Bass had 36.5%, Pratt 29.5% and Raman 21%.
If Bass wins the contest in November, it will be her second and final term as mayor.
She has had a lengthy career in politics and community organising in LA, serving six terms in Congress representing parts of Los Angeles. She chaired the Congressional Black Caucus and was a key member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
In 2020, she was reportedly floated as a potential running mate for then-presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
The defining issues of her mayoral term have been addressing the city's homelessness crisis, responding to federal immigration raids and managing the emergency response to the Palisades Fire - which was one of a series of destructive blazes in Southern California in January 2025.
Bass has faced widespread criticism in the aftermath of the fire, which destroyed thousands of homes and left 12 people dead. It became one of California's most destructive fires on record, and the city's response has been heavily criticised.
Among the critics is Pratt, a registered Republican, who launched a longshot campaign for mayor in January, on the anniversary of that wildfire that destroyed his home.
The 42-year-old emerged as a vocal critic of Bass and her handling of the fire, which tore through his wealthy coastal community.
Although he has a degree in political science, Pratt is a political outsider who has never held public office. He has campaigned on a message of fixing a broken Los Angeles, casting the city at times as unsafe and unclean, and advocating mandatory drug treatment to help combat homelessness in the city.
The former publicist rose to fame in 2007 when he joined the cast of The Hills, a spin-off of the MTV reality show Laguna Beach, as the boyfriend of Heidi Montag. His character often ramped up drama and spread rumours with his sometimes abrasive persona.
Pratt and Montag later married, and they now have two children.
The decision of Raman, an urban planner, to enter the mayoral race was something of a surprise - just before the filing deadline and shortly after she had already endorsed Bass.
The left wing 44-year-old has served on the Los Angeles City Council since 2020, but has not gained a mayoral endorsement from any of her city council colleagues.
Raman has been compared to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a fellow member of the Democratic Socialists of America organisation.
Her campaign platform has focused on expanding affordable housing, reducing homelessness and bringing jobs back to Hollywood. She has argued Bass has not done enough to address the city's homelessness issue.
California governors' race pending
Polls have closed and ballots are still being counted for results in the California governor's race.
It has become the most expensive gubernatorial race on record, with frontrunners considered to be Steve Hilton, a British American TV host endorsed by President Donald Trump; former Biden administration health secretary Xavier Becerra; and left-wing billionaire Tom Steyer.
The race has been a roller-coaster and has lacked any clear front-runner in a state that has been run by liberals since 2011.
Hilton, an adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, was known for helping to shape Conservative Party strategy during a turbulent period in British politics which resulted in Brexit. He is also known for his California fashion sense, often barefoot without tie.
In California, he has campaigned to "disrupt the system", vowing to solve the homelessness crisis and arguing the state should cooperate more closely with the federal government on immigration enforcement and roll back sanctuary policies.
Becerra has framed his campaign around his lifetime of work in politics and his credibility working in Congress in Washington DC, and in California in state office. He has vowed to fight Trump's policies and promised to freeze insurance and utility rates for Californians.
Steyer has campaigned on progressive issues like a single-payer healthcare system. He has also vowed to close loopholes to ensure California's wealthy pay a greater share of taxes.
The election comes at a time when many are struggling to make ends meet in the Golden State, which has the highest cost of living in the country.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74dp1yk51vo
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Trump administration drops $1.8bn 'anti-weaponisation' fund
Nardine Saad
June 3, 2026
The Trump administration has abandoned plans to create a $1.8bn (£1.3bn) fund to compensate individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted or investigated by the government, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
"We're not moving forward with the fund, period," Blanche told lawmakers on Tuesday.
The proposed "anti-weaponisation" fund was announced to settle a lawsuit by President Donald Trump against the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of his tax returns.
The plan drew strong criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who argued it could result in payment to people prosecuted over the US Capitol riot on 6 January 2021, including those convicted of assaulting police officers.
Last week, US Judge Leonie Brinkema temporarily stopped the creation of the so-called compensation fund.
Brinkema barred the Department of Justice (DOJ) department from taking any steps to stand up or operate the fund - including processing or dispersing claims - until a preliminary hearing on 12 June.
Blanche's comments in a tense congressional hearing comes a day after the Justice Department said it "disagrees strongly" with the judge's order but it would abide by the ruling.
While Blanche gave the assurance to abandon the fund in oral testimony, he suggested the justice department may not release a formal statement.
"I'm not committing to putting anything in writing," Blanche said after Congresswoman Grace Meng, a Democrat, suggested that such a statement would help instill trust in the plan. "I don't know what the purpose is of putting something in writing. I'm telling you what we are doing."
The DOJ defended the fund's establishment on Monday, saying in a statement on X that it was created "to make up for the tremendous abuse, harm, and hate unfairly shown to so many people".
The fund was "open to anybody who was so weaponized, targeted, or persecuted, whether they were Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Independent, or otherwise", the DOJ said.
The White House directed comments about the decision to the justice department.
The fund had been set aside for "victims of lawfare" to seek compensation, and eligibility for it appeared broad.
Responding to the judge's two-page order last week, a DOJ spokesperson said they were "extremely confident" in the legality of the scheme.
The order came down after two men who alleged the fund was discriminatory filed a lawsuit in Virginia. The plaintiffs said they had been targeted for political retribution by the Trump administration but believed they would not be allowed to file claims for compensation.
Many Trump supporters who were prosecuted over the US Capitol riot on 6 January 2021 have expressed plans to file claims, as well as members of Trump's former inner circle.
Several Republican lawmakers, as well as Democrats, have voiced opposition to the fund since it was announced last month by Blanche - Trump's former personal lawyer who stepped in as the country's top prosecutor after the ouster of Pam Bondi from that role in April.
Senate Majority leader John Thune, the top Republican in the US Senate, has come out forcefully against the fund.
He reiterated his stance on Capitol Hill on Monday by saying that he preferred that the White House shut down the proposed fund if Congress was to pass a $72bn (53.5bn) budget reconciliation package to fund immigration agencies.
"I made my views very clear on the issue," Thune said, adding that "the best way to handle it is if the administration decides to shut it down themselves".
Earlier on Monday, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the Senate, signalled that his party would push to eliminate the fund.
"Senate Democrats will push legislation to ban Trump's corrupt MAGA slush fund and ensure that no president can ever do this again, " Schumer added on X. "We will make sure that it's dead and can't be revived—just like we did with Trump's ballroom."
Over the weekend, former US Vice-President Mike Pence, who served as second in command during Trump's first term, sharply criticised the fund, saying it was a "bad idea from the start" and should be dropped.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crkpyj41m15o
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New Jersey alleges 'unsanitary' conditions at migrant facility rocked by protests
June 3, 2026
New Jersey has sued the operator of an immigration detention centre that has become a flashpoint over allegations of inhumane conditions for detainees.
The lawsuit demands the facility's owner, GEO Group, a private contractor, allow state health inspectors more access to the facility in the city of Newark, alleging "unsanitary food and drink preparation and storage".
The New Jersey health department also received a report of "potentially inadequate Tuberculosis infection control practices", according to the legal action.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said health inspectors had already been granted access to the facility and the lawsuit was "frivolous".
"ICE is committed to transparency, and Delaney Hall complies with all required state and local laws," the DHS statement said.
The agency also said that four representatives of the New Jersey State Health Department had been allowed into the facility on 28 May and they "inspected the foodservice department".
But New Jersey argues their access did not go far enough.
The state attorney general's lawsuit alleges that GEO Group turned away inspectors on 27 May, citing a high number of congressional visitors.
Access granted the following day to health department inspectors was "severely limited", the lawsuit alleges.
The legal action says the officials were denied access to Delaney Hall's medical unit that day.
"If the GEO Group - with a $1 billion government contract - has nothing to hide and the conditions inside Delaney Hall are as safe and as sanitary as this private corporation and the Trump Administration claim, then there is no legitimate reason why my health inspectors are being kept from full access throughout the building," New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, a Democrat, said in a statement.
DHS and the GEO Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Immigration advocates says some Delaney Hall detainees launched a hunger strike on 22 May in protest at conditions inside the facility.
DHS has denied there is a hunger strike.
Appearing at a cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump last week, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said: "There was only a handful of individuals that was refusing to eat, because they want their ethnic group - or their ethnic right food.
"The fact is, we're giving them the calories they want. This isn't Holiday Inn."
The street outside Delaney Hall has become a focal point for sometimes violent protests by activists opposed to the Trump administration's immigration policies.
Senator Andy Kim, a New Jersey Democrat, said he was hit with pepper spray during one protest when he visited the facility on 25 May.
Over the weekend, Governor Sherrill rebuked some "masked individuals" for "aggressive and dangerous actions" against local police.
Newark has imposed an overnight curfew around the facility. On Monday night, protesters rallied in a designated area before the deadline took effect.
As curfew fell, Newark police officers escorted the demonstrators from the area and no arrests were reported.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democrat, meanwhile called for the immediate closure of Delaney Hall as he announced a legal strategy to shut down the centre.
"This is a dispute about human lives, about people and the way they're being treated," Baraka told a press conference on Tuesday.
The city of Newark would continue to oversee police presence around the facility, the mayor added.
He was arrested last year after allegedly trying to force his way into the facility and he was charged with trespassing.
Delaney Hall is the latest immigration detention centre to become a flashpoint, following protests at the Dilley Detention Centre in Texas and the 26 Federal Plaza court in New York.
Source: bbc.com
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czx2l9nn79no
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Africa
Police Invite Delta Activist Over Alleged Terrorism, Attempted Murder
June 2, 2026
Human rights activist and founder of Behind Bars Human Rights and Safe City Volunteer Foundation, Harrison Gwamnishu, has disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State invited him for questioning over allegations including attempted murder, incitement to engage in terrorism and obstruction.
Naija News reports that a police invitation letter dated June 1 directed him to appear before the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department through the Officer-in-Charge of Homicide at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Asaba on June 4.
Reacting in a Facebook post on Monday, Gwamnishu said he was shocked by the allegations contained in the police invitation.
“I returned from court for Oghenemine’s case and the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command, sent me Happy New Letter,” he wrote.
“Case of Attempted Murder, incitement to engage in Terrorism.”
He further alleged that the police command had been plotting against him.
“I wish to inform everyone that Delta State Police Command have nothing on me and they have been planning massively against me,” he stated.
In a separate video posted online, which he said was recorded before receiving the invitation, the activist claimed several individuals had warned him about attempts to implicate him.
According to him, he had become concerned after repeatedly receiving information about alleged plans targeting him.
Gwamnishu denied involvement in any criminal activity and maintained that his public interventions were focused on exposing alleged abuses and supporting efforts to tackle insecurity.
The activist said his recent comments regarding the case of Oghenemine Ogidi, popularly known as Mene Ogidi, were intended to draw attention to concerns about police conduct.
“I only posted Oghenemine’s case for public awareness to end police brutality. That when a suspect is arrested, you don’t kill a suspect,” he said.
He also defended his frequent social media posts on kidnapping incidents and security challenges in Delta State.
“I am not taking the work of the police or the military. I am only assisting,” he added.
Gwamnishu said he feared he could be falsely implicated in a criminal matter and appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to grant him an audience.
“There is a plan on grounds against me,” he alleged.
The Delta State Police Command has yet to publicly disclose details of the allegations referenced in the invitation letter or explain how the activist is connected to the offences under investigation.
As of the time of filing this report, the command had not issued an official statement on the matter.
Gwamnishu is expected to appear before investigators in Asaba on Thursday.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/02/police-delta-activist-terrorism-attempted-murder/
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Teachers protest schoolchildren kidnappings in Nigeria
June 3, 2026
Teachers in major Nigerian cities Tuesday protested a string of kidnappings and attacks targeting schools by armed groups.
Gunmen abducted at least 46 pupils and staff from three schools in the southwestern state of Oyo on May 15, in an attack the army said was carried out by jihadists.
At least 42 more -- including schoolchildren as young as two years old -- were taken from their schools in northeastern Borno state the same day.
Kidnapping for ransom -- especially of schoolchildren -- is an ongoing battle for authorities in conflict-hit northern Nigeria, but the mass abductions were unusual for calmer Oyo state.
"Kidnapping has no place in education," read a banner held by protesters in Oyo capital Ibadan, as an Afrobeats song critical of the government bellowed from the large speakers mounted on a van.
In Lagos, meanwhile, protesters marched to the state house of assembly to demand the release of the students.
"Education is under siege," Hassan Taiwo of the Education Rights Campaign, told AFP, denouncing an "epidemic of attacks on school and abduction of school children and teachers that we have experienced over the years."
"We pray that our teachers and students are released," Jessica Obong, spokeswoman for Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), told AFP.
But she dismissed calls by some for schools to be closed, insisting it would only play into the hands of the attackers.
The teachers' union in Oyo went on an indefinite strike starting Monday. But a nationwide strike is not being discussed yet, Obong said.
Protesters in the northeastern city of Maiduguri said attacks on schools are worsening across Borno state, the epicentre of Nigeria's 17-year-old jihadist insurgency.
Borno was the site of Boko Haram's most infamous mass school abduction in April 2014, when the jihadist group kidnapped 276 schoolgirls from a girls-only school in the town of Chibok.
A series of mass school kidnappings in the final quarter of 2025 -- including the abduction of about 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi state in November and the seizure of roughly 300 students and several teachers in Niger state the same month -- drew renewed international attention to insecurity in the country.
"We want the government and security agencies to act swiftly and show the families that they have not been forgotten," teacher Kaumi Usman told AFP in Maiduguri.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/06/02/teachers-protest-schoolchildren-kidnappings-in-nigeria/
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Police Raid Ogun Community, Detain 31 Foreign Nationals
June 3, 2026
The Ogun State Police Command has detained 31 foreign nationals suspected of residing in Nigeria without valid immigration documents.
The individuals were apprehended during a raid in the Atan Ota area of the state.
According to Zagagola Makama, security sources said the operation was conducted around 11:30pm on June 1 after residents alerted authorities to the presence of a group of foreigners in Kajola Ilese, Atan Ota.
According to the sources, the Divisional Police Officer deployed a surveillance team led by the Incident Duty Officer, ASP Dosumu Akinlolu, to verify the report.
The team reportedly located 31 individuals, comprising 19 men and 12 women, in an apartment within the community.
The suspects were subsequently taken into custody for screening and verification.
Preliminary checks reportedly showed that none of the individuals possessed valid immigration documents.
The group, however, claimed to be nationals of Côte d’Ivoire who entered Nigeria to engage in online business activities.
Police authorities said the individuals were placed in protective custody pending their transfer to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for further investigation.
The case is expected to be handed over to the Immigration Service office in Idiroko for verification of their status and any further action deemed necessary.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/03/police-raid-ogun-community-detain-31-foreign-nationals/
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North-East Most Affected As Nigeria Records 1,934 IED Explosions In Seven Years – Reports
June 3, 2026
By Richard Ogunsile
The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) has disclosed that Nigeria recorded 1,934 incidents involving Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) between 2017 and 2024, with the North-East accounting for most of the attacks.
Interpol also said neighbouring Cameroon recorded a 421 per cent increase in IED attacks between 2024 and 2025, with 99 casualties recorded in 2025 alone.
According to Vanguard, a specialised officer from the Interpol General Secretariat, Lasha Giorgidze, disclosed this in Abuja during the Watchmaker Post-Blast Investigation Training for security personnel from Nigeria and Cameroon.
Giorgidze said the security situation in areas affected by terrorism and insurgency remained alarming, especially as civilian casualties from IED attacks continued to rise.
The Interpol official said civilian harm from IED attacks in Nigeria rose sharply in 2024 when compared with the previous year.
He said, “In 2024 alone, civilian harm surged by 177 per cent compared to the previous year. In the first six months of 2025, we have already seen 65 fatalities, exceeding the full-year total of 2024.”
Giorgidze also cited the March 2026 coordinated suicide bombings in Maiduguri, which reportedly killed at least 27 persons and injured 146 others.
He said the continued use of IEDs by terrorist groups showed the need for stronger investigative capacity, intelligence sharing and regional cooperation.
Giorgidze explained that the joint Nigeria-Cameroon training was developed after Interpol’s 2024 assessments identified post-blast investigation as a major operational gap in both countries.
He said the shared border and common security challenges between Nigeria and Cameroon made collaboration necessary.
According to him, terrorist networks and materials used for explosive devices often move across borders, making it difficult for one country to tackle the threat alone.
He said, “IED components, precursor materials and financing networks in the Lake Chad Basin do not stop at checkpoints. They traverse national borders.”
The Interpol officer added that several reports showed that IEDs planted along supply routes accounted for about 60 per cent of casualties recorded in 2024.
Terrorists Using Advanced Tactics
Giorgidze warned that terrorist groups were becoming more sophisticated in their use of explosive devices.
He said criminal and terrorist networks were increasingly using pressure-plate initiators, command-detonated systems, secondary explosive devices and modified commercial drones.
According to him, these tactics have made post-blast investigation more important for security agencies working to identify suspects, trace networks and prevent future attacks.
He said the Abuja training was designed to help participants turn blast scenes into actionable intelligence that could disrupt terrorist operations.
Evidence Can Expose Terror Networks
The Interpol official said evidence recovered from blast scenes could help investigators identify the type of device used, how it was constructed, the source of materials and possible links to criminal or terrorist networks.
He said such information could support prosecution and help security agencies understand the movement of weapons, materials and funding channels.
The three-day training focuses on scene safety and cordon management, evidence collection and preservation, device reconstruction, forensic exploitation, intelligence development, chain-of-custody procedures and inter-agency information sharing through Interpol channels.
Giorgidze expressed appreciation to the Government of Canada for supporting counter-IED capacity-building efforts across West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin through the Watchmaker and CHEMEX programmes.
Naija News understands that participants in the training were drawn from the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Customs Service, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Fire Service and various units of the Nigeria Police Force.
Cameroon’s delegation included officers from the National Gendarmerie, Judicial Police and the National Central Bureau in Yaoundé.
Interpol said strengthening post-blast investigation capacity in Nigeria and Cameroon would improve intelligence gathering, support prosecutions, and strengthen regional efforts against terrorism and violent extremism.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/03/north-east-nigeria-1934-ied-explosions/
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Police Invite Delta Activist Over Alleged Terrorism, Attempted Murder
June 2, 2026
Human rights activist and founder of Behind Bars Human Rights and Safe City Volunteer Foundation, Harrison Gwamnishu, has disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force in Delta State invited him for questioning over allegations including attempted murder, incitement to engage in terrorism and obstruction.
Naija News reports that a police invitation letter dated June 1 directed him to appear before the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department through the Officer-in-Charge of Homicide at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Asaba on June 4.
Reacting in a Facebook post on Monday, Gwamnishu said he was shocked by the allegations contained in the police invitation.
“I returned from court for Oghenemine’s case and the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command, sent me Happy New Letter,” he wrote.
“Case of Attempted Murder, incitement to engage in Terrorism.”
He further alleged that the police command had been plotting against him.
“I wish to inform everyone that Delta State Police Command have nothing on me and they have been planning massively against me,” he stated.
In a separate video posted online, which he said was recorded before receiving the invitation, the activist claimed several individuals had warned him about attempts to implicate him.
According to him, he had become concerned after repeatedly receiving information about alleged plans targeting him.
Gwamnishu denied involvement in any criminal activity and maintained that his public interventions were focused on exposing alleged abuses and supporting efforts to tackle insecurity.
The activist said his recent comments regarding the case of Oghenemine Ogidi, popularly known as Mene Ogidi, were intended to draw attention to concerns about police conduct.
“I only posted Oghenemine’s case for public awareness to end police brutality. That when a suspect is arrested, you don’t kill a suspect,” he said.
He also defended his frequent social media posts on kidnapping incidents and security challenges in Delta State.
“I am not taking the work of the police or the military. I am only assisting,” he added.
Gwamnishu said he feared he could be falsely implicated in a criminal matter and appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to grant him an audience.
“There is a plan on grounds against me,” he alleged.
The Delta State Police Command has yet to publicly disclose details of the allegations referenced in the invitation letter or explain how the activist is connected to the offences under investigation.
As of the time of filing this report, the command had not issued an official statement on the matter.
Gwamnishu is expected to appear before investigators in Asaba on Thursday.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/02/police-delta-activist-terrorism-attempted-murder/
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Macron and Kagame inaugurate Paris memorial to Rwanda genocide victims
June 3, 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron and Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Tuesday inaugurated a monument in Paris in memory of the victims of the Rwanda genocide.
Speaking at the event, Macron said the memorial marked “the culmination of a long and patient quest for truth”.
"In a world where empires sometimes have the temptation to falsify history, in this moment also where the past is a battlefield, telling the truth is more necessary than ever. This is the condition for peace," he said.
Rwandan authorities have long blamed the international community for ignoring warnings about the killings, and some Western leaders have expressed regret.
"France was in a unique position to observe and to act. It took too long for France to come to terms with its role causing additional pain and on some points we still have not found consensus," Kagame told those gathered.
But he said that no country "has gone as far as France in setting the record straight and accepting its part in the tragedy."
Dubbed “The Archive”, the monument consists of two black brass steles by Berlin-based Portuguese artist Grada Kilomba is in memory to those victims.
It bears an engraved tribute to the estimated 800,000 men, women and children, mostly ethnic Tutsis, massacred between April and July 1994.
"Here, like an archive, rest the voices and words, the memories and experiences, the feelings and hopes of the victims and the survivors," it reads.
The mass killing was triggered on 6 April 1994, when President Juvénal Habyarimana’s plane was shot down, killing the leader who, like most Rwandans, was an ethnic Hutu.
The Tutsi minority was blamed for downing the plane. Bands of Hutu extremists began slaughtering Tutsis and their perceived supporters, with help from the army, police, and militias.
In a historic speech in Kigali in 2021, Macron acknowledged France's failure to heed warnings of impending massacres in Rwanda.
The monument on the banks of the Seine river in the heart of Paris is part of France's efforts to acknowledge its role in one of the 20th century's worst atrocities.
Source: africanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.africanews.com/2026/06/03/macron-and-kagame-inaugurate-paris-memorial-to-rwanda-genocide-victims/
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Kenyan president defends controversial US-backed Ebola facility
June 3, 2026
Kenya's president on Tuesday defended the opening of an Ebola quarantine centre for US nationals after a court halted the plan and security forces teargassed protesters fearing the deadly virus could spread in the country.
The US-built facility at Kenya's Laikipia Air Base was due to open last week according to US officials, to quarantine Americans arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is battling a major Ebola outbreak.
The centre -- about 200 kilometres (125 miles) from the capital Nairobi -- was set to have 50 isolation beds and be managed by US medical staff.
Violent protests broke out near the facility on Monday amid anger at the US using Kenyan soil and bringing Ebola patients to the country. They were met with tear gas from police.
Police, emergency services and the Red Cross could not confirm reports of deaths during the protests. The Red Cross said they had only heard of two injuries.
In a post on X on Tuesday, President William Ruto said the proposed US facility was "neither unique nor exceptional but part of a broader national preparedness system", adding that it "will be there to serve the people of Kenya and to serve our friends, including the Americans".
On Monday, he said: "I can assure the people of Kenya that the agreement between the government of Kenya and the American government is for the good of our country and for the partnership."
"Why anybody would want to politicise, to mobilise negative politics on a matter so serious as a pandemic?" he continued.
"We are a responsible government. We know what we are doing. So people should relax."
Kenya has recorded no case of Ebola despite widespread testing of arrivals but neighbouring Uganda has registered 11 cases including one death.
However, the High Court extended a temporary halt to the plan on Tuesday, according to rights group Katiba Institute, which filed a petition last week claiming it was being established unilaterally and in secret.
The court said the government had seven days to "disclose all agreements" relating to the facility.
A small group of protesters gathered in central Nairobi on Tuesday, wearing white protective gear and carrying a coffin emblazoned with "Ebola" and placards reading: "Reject Ebola in Kenya".
There have been more than 1,000 suspected cases of Ebola in DRC since the outbreak was declared on May 15, including nearly 250 deaths, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/06/02/kenyan-president-defends-controversial-us-backed-ebola-facility/
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Southeast Asia
Singapore partners UK nuclear regulator to bolster expertise as it explores nuclear power option
02 Jun 2026
SINGAPORE, June 2 — Singapore and the United Kingdom (UK) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cooperate in nuclear safety regulation, including the exchange of information and expertise, and the training of scientific and technical personnel.
Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) said the agreement was signed with the UK’s Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) to support an overarching effort to build capabilities in nuclear safety and to study the feasibility of the safe deployment of nuclear energy in Singapore.
NEA deputy chief executive officer Koh Li-Na said the collaboration will strengthen Singapore’s capabilities in radiation protection, nuclear safety, and assessment.
“Through partnerships with well-established regulators like ONR, NEA will deepen its technical expertise to understand new reactor technologies and build the institutional capabilities needed to rigorously assess nuclear safety,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to NEA, this collaboration will also enhance its regulatory knowledge as Singapore continues to study the potential role of nuclear energy in its energy future.
NEA has also been developing Singapore’s nuclear safety and regulatory capabilities through close partnerships with established regulators in Finland, France, and the United States, as well as Asean partners. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2026/06/02/singapore-partners-uk-nuclear-regulator-to-bolster-expertise-as-it-explores-nuclear-power-option/222279
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Perlis ruler urges state to pursue high-impact investments, explore new revenue sources for sustainable growth
03 Jun 2026
KANGAR, June 3 — The Perlis state government must explore innovative approaches suited to local potential to address increasingly complex economic challenges, said the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin said this includes strengthening high-value sectors, attracting strategic investments, and leveraging geographical advantages as well as existing resources.
His Royal Highness said the approaches adopted should be based on best practices that have proven successful, whether domestically or internationally, while taking into account the state’s specific context.
“Focus should be given to high-impact initiatives capable of generating long-term returns, rather than short-term programmes that offer limited value to the state’s economy,” he said in his royal address at the opening of the fourth term of the Perlis State Legislative Assembly sitting at Kompleks Seri Putra here today.
Also in attendance was the Raja Perempuan of Perlis, Tuanku Tengku Fauziah Tengku Abdul Rashid.
The Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, and the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, were also present.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin also emphasised the importance of efforts to generate state revenue and to explore new, more sustainable and resilient sources of income.
Meanwhile, His Royal Highness stressed that all expenditure must be carried out prudently, transparently and with integrity, while delivering maximum returns to the people in the implementation of development projects in Perlis.
“I am of the view that true progress is not measured solely by figures, but by the level of well-being genuinely experienced by all segments of society. Therefore, every policy and initiative must be carefully designed, with a focus on improving the quality of life of the people in a comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable manner.
Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin also expressed hope that the state government will continue to maintain good relations with the federal government to ensure the well-being of the state. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/06/03/perlis-ruler-urges-state-to-pursue-high-impact-investments-explore-new-revenue-sources-for-sustainable-growth/222398
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Fadillah: Strategic partnerships between govt, industry and financiers key to accelerating Malaysia’s energy transition
03 Jun 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — Strategic partnerships between government agencies, utilities, developers and financial institutions are crucial to unlocking new opportunities and catalysing the energy transition at scale, underscoring the importance of collective action in advancing the nation’s sustainability agenda.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, said the successful convening of the second edition of Energy Transition Conference 2026 (ETCon26) by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) is commendable as a significant achievement, as it has evolved into a credible platform that brings together leading minds from across the world to exchange ideas and drive progress in the energy sector.
“The conference also reflects Malaysia’s strong commitment to accelerating the energy transition, signalling a decisive shift from ambition to execution as the country advances its efforts towards a more sustainable energy future,” he said at the Energy Transition Conference 2026 (ETCon26) here today.
The first ETCon was held in conjunction with the National Energy Transition Roadmap in 2023.
Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said every major chapter in Malaysia’s development from rural electrification and industrialisation to digital transformation, was made possible because the country chose to invest not only in infrastructure, but in people, institutions and shared purpose.
He noted that the energy transition must be approached in the same spirit
“It is not merely a technological shift. It is, at its core, about the well-being and prosperity of our people,” he said.
Hence, Fadillah stressed that for Malaysia and Asean, the energy transition is not only an environmental imperative, but also an economic necessity and a strategic priority.
“The choices we make today will determine the competitiveness of our industries and the well-being of our people for millennia to come,” he said.
He noted that Malaysia, through TNB, is set to invest RM43 billion or US$10.8 billion from 2025 until 2027 to upgrade and strengthen the grid system, including integration of artificial intelligence (AI) elements, as part of efforts to accelerate renewable energy initiatives and advancing the national energy transition aspirations.
Asean Power Grid vital to meet rising electricity demand
Across Southeast Asia, he said electricity demand is projected to grow by approximately four to five per cent annually over the coming decade, driven by industrialisation and urbanisation.
The demand is also attributed to increasingly new sources of demand such as digital infrastructure, electric vehicles, cooling demand and AI data centres.
“In this regard, the Asean Power Grid initiative stands as a strong testament to how Asean member states can work collectively to advance cross-border electricity trade, strengthen regional energy security and support a more resilient energy future for the region,” he said.
Fadillah also highlighted that in Malaysia, the government continues to communicate clearly on what investors require for long-term visibility, through instruments such as the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR). — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/06/03/fadillah-strategic-partnerships-between-govt-industry-and-financiers-key-to-accelerating-malaysias-energy-transition/222358
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Sultan Ibrahim connects with Muar community over breakfast
3 Jun 2026
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim drives from KL to Muar for a personal breakfast meet with locals, highlighting his close community ties.
JOHOR BAHRU: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, spent time with members of the local community while enjoying breakfast at R&H Cafe Satay Maharani in Muar, today.
According to a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s official Facebook page, His Majesty drove himself from Kuala Lumpur via Tangkak, before continuing his journey to Muar town.
Upon arrival, His Majesty was welcomed by Muar district officer Zainal Eran, Muar Municipal Council president Norrizam Muhamad and Muar District Police chief ACP Raiz Mukhliz Azman Aziz.
The trip underscored His Majesty’s close rapport with the people and his enduring commitment to engaging directly with local communities.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/sultan-ibrahim-connects-with-muar-community-over-breakfast/
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Carrying excess Zamzam water could land haj pilgrims in trouble
3 Jun 2026
Haj pilgrims warned against carrying extra Zamzam water as luggage may be detained or inspected by Saudi authorities.
MAKKAH: Carrying large quantities of Zamzam water as souvenirs may result in complications, with haj pilgrims’ luggage subject to detention or inspection by Saudi authorities.
Haj Pilgrims Operations deputy director Mohd Ridzuan Yusoff said that despite annual reminders, some pilgrims still attempt to bring extra Zamzam water home by concealing it in their luggage.
He explained that such actions not only violate airline regulations and Saudi authorities’ rules but may also result in the luggage being held for further inspection.
“Some believe Zamzam water can be hidden by wrapping it in various materials, but once the luggage goes through the screening process, its contents can still be detected.
“When this happens, the luggage will be opened by the authorities for inspection, and the items inside may not be repacked as they were originally,” he told reporters while carrying out the City Check-In (CCI) operation here today.
Mohd Ridzuan said a more concerning risk is that pilgrims’ personal belongings may be misplaced or damaged during the inspection process if their luggage has to be opened.
He advised pilgrims to always comply with all regulations and not take unnecessary risks simply to bring back more Zamzam water.
On a related development, he said the CCI operation implemented by Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) in collaboration with airlines is aimed at facilitating pilgrims’ return journey, as luggage can be checked in 48 hours before departure.
He explained that with this facility, pilgrims no longer need to carry large bags to the airport, as their luggage will be handled in advance at their respective accommodation buildings.
“Pilgrims only need to bring themselves and permitted essential items when heading to the airport. This also helps reduce their burden after completing the haj pilgrimage,” he said.
Mohd Ridzuan also stressed that the maximum baggage allowance is 30 kilogrammes (kg) per pilgrim, even though they are allowed to bring two bags.
“For example, one bag weighing 12kg and another 18kg – the total must not exceed 30kg,” he said, adding that the CCI operation, introduced in 2013, has become one of TH’s key initiatives in enhancing the travel comfort of Malaysian haj pilgrims.
Source: thesun.my
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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/carrying-excess-zamzam-water-could-land-haj-pilgrims-in-trouble/
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MAF colours ceremony shows loyalty to king and nation
3 Jun 2026
The Trooping of the Colours ceremony reflects the Malaysian Armed Forces’ loyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and national sovereignty.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Trooping of the Colours ceremony is a manifestation of the Malaysian Armed Forces’ (MAF) supreme dedication and unwavering loyalty to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the nation, while symbolising the highest respect for military history and tradition.
Commander of the 12th Malaysian Infantry Brigade, Brig Gen Mahamad Fazli Mat Idris, said the colours represent sovereignty within the armed forces and are held in the highest regard by personnel as symbols of honour, dignity and unit identity.
The ceremony, he said, is one of the most significant events in the military calendar, traditionally held three times during the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s five-year reign, namely in the first, third and final years.
“These colours carry a long history and have always been regarded as the highest symbol to be defended under all circumstances. That is why every member entrusted with carrying or guarding them takes immense pride in the duty.”
Mahamad Fazli said this during an interview on Bernama Radio’s Fokus 30 programme today, discussing MAF colours as symbols of honour and military tradition.
This year’s ceremony is being held in conjunction with the third year of the reign of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, following its first staging in 2024. The next parade is scheduled for 2028, the final year of His Majesty’s reign.
The ceremony, to be held at Dataran Pahlawan Negara in Putrajaya on June 5, will feature five Colours of His Majesty, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, carried by a combined contingent from the Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy and Royal Malaysian Air Force.
A total of 41 officers and 635 other ranks will take part in the parade, while overall participation, including administrative and support personnel, will involve 148 officers and 1,192 other ranks.
Mahamad Fazli said the colours awarded by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to MAF regiments, corps and services are not merely marks of distinction, but also historical records of sacrifice reflected through the battle honours embroidered on them.
He said that the colours serve as a valuable medium for connecting the public with the history, sacrifices and role of the armed forces in defending the nation, in line with a whole-of-government and whole-of-society defence approach.
He also encouraged the public to watch the live broadcast of the ceremony on RTM on June 5 to gain a deeper understanding of its significance as a symbol of unity, sovereignty, peace, and the close bond among the royal institution, the armed forces, and the people.
Source: thesun.my
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South Asia
CPJ urges govt to act on press freedom pledge
3 Jun 2026
The Committee to Protect Journalists in a statement issued yesterday urged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to act on his government’s press freedom pledge by ending the cycle of partisan persecution of journalists and protecting newsrooms from mob attacks.
The New York-based rights body also asked the government to release detained journalists, drop politically motivated cases, and reform laws used against the press.
In the statement, the CPJ said meaningful progress remained limited 100 days into the BNP government’s tenure.
“Press freedom in Bangladesh has too often been treated as an opportunity for each new government to turn the law against journalists allegedly aligned with the previous administration,” said CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Programme Coordinator Kunal Majumder in the statement.
“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government pledged to be different, but 100 days in, meaningful progress remains limited.”
Bangladesh has had three governments in under two years. Through each transition, journalists have been detained, prosecuted, surveilled, attacked, and vilified, often for their perceived alignment with whichever government had just fallen, the statement said.
It also referred to a report by The Daily Star, which said police were conducting background checks and profiling journalists across the country.
The rights body listed 10 steps to restore press freedom, beginning with ending the use of the criminal justice system against journalists.
“The government could start by releasing imprisoned journalists, dropping politically motivated cases, ending political vendettas, protecting journalists from mob violence, halting smear campaigns, and fixing laws that make such actions possible,” it said, adding that dozens of journalists who produced coverage seen as supportive of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina had been detained or charged since August 2024.
Authorities often criminalise journalists through First Information Reports naming hundreds of people, or through cases filed against unidentified people and later used to “accuse reporters of wrongdoing”, CPJ said.
It mentioned Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, and Mozammel Babu of Ekattor TV; and Shyamal Dutta of Bhorer Kagoj, who have been detained since August-September 2024.
Farzana and Shakil were granted bail in most cases by the High Court on May 11, but remain detained in other cases.
The CPJ urged the government to review all cases against journalists, stop opposing bail in cases arising from journalistic work, and end mass FIRs and case-stacking.
On May 28, when PM Tarique marked 100 days in office, an Editors’ Council delegation handed the government a list of 282 journalists facing politically motivated cases, the rights body said.
Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said the prime minister expressed solidarity with the council and directed the authorities to take necessary measures regarding the lawsuits, the statement said, adding that acknowledgement must be followed by action.
CPJ also urged the government to stop using the International Crimes Tribunal against journalists.
“At least 25 journalists are under ICT investigation, many over genocide or crimes against humanity allegations tied to their alleged support for the Hasina government,” it said, adding that media liability precedents under international criminal law concerned direct and sustained incitement of mass killing, not editorial decisions on contentious coverage.
The CPJ called for accountability for crimes against journalists, regardless of politics, through transparent and independent investigations.
Referring to the December 2025 unrest, it said the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star were attacked and set on fire, trapping journalists inside burning newsrooms.
It also called for replacing or substantially amending the Cyber Protection Act, 2026, and dismissing politically motivated cybercrime cases.
The group further urged reforms to the Anti-Terrorism Act, Special Powers Act, and Official Secrets Act, saying these laws have frequently been used against journalists. It also asked the government not to adopt the draft broadcast and media commission ordinances in their current forms.
The CPJ also called for implementation of the Media Reform Commission’s recommendations, and for reforming accreditation, introducing safeguards against abusive litigation, repealing criminal defamation provisions, and reforming surveillance and interception laws.
It asked the government to end smear campaigns against journalists, including labels such as “pro-India”, “anti-Islam”, “traitors”, or agents of the former government.
“Journalism is protected under article 39 of the constitution and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” the statement added.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/cpj-urges-govt-act-press-freedom-pledge-4189381
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PM’s first visit abroad likely to be KL, then Beijing
3 JUNE 2026
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is likely to make his first overseas visit to Malaysia on June 21-22, ahead of a three-day China visit starting June 23.
The announcement follows prolonged government deliberations over the choice of the first destination amid a competitive regional and global geopolitical environment.
Initially, there were discussions on visits to Bhutan or Saudi Arabia instead of India or China. The decision to choose Malaysia, foreign policy observers say, reflects a balanced approach by the BNP government.
The new government is pursuing a foreign policy dictum of “Bangladesh First” in place of the previous Awami League slogan, “Friendship to all, malice to none.”
“Just days ahead of Eid, prime minister expressed interest that his first visit would be to Malaysia before China,” a senior government official told this correspondent.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has made official visits to India and China, while Expatriates Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury and the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Expatriates’ Welfare Mahdi Amin visited Malaysia in early April.
Foreign ministry officials said preparations are under way for both visits, but the agendas have not been finalised. The foreign minister is currently in the US for the UN General Assembly presidential election.
“More discussions will be held before finalising the agenda and the delegation,” an official said.
However, officials said key issues for the Malaysia visit are expected to include opening of the labour market, migrant welfare, education cooperation, and boosting trade and investment.
About 800,000 Bangladeshi migrants work in Malaysia, but the foreign labour market has remained closed since June 1, 2024, following allegations of irregularities in recruitment.
Around 12,000 Bangladeshi students, second only to Chinese students, are currently studying in Malaysia.
Malaysian authorities are also keen to expand cooperation in the education sector, officials said.
“There is significant scope to boost trade and investment, including in semiconductors and halal food, but we have not done enough beyond labour migration,” an official said.
China remains Bangladesh’s largest import source, with annual imports worth about $25 billion, and is also a key development partner in infrastructure.
Officials said Chinese investment in new projects slowed after the fall of the Awami League government amid political uncertainty. Following the formation of the BNP government, both sides are now discussing fresh funding.
China is keen on the prime minister’s visit to Beijing, which could open new avenues for investment and financing, officials said.
“Bangladesh sought Chinese support for the Teesta River management project during Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman’s visit to Beijing. This will be on the list,” an official said.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/pms-first-visit-abroad-likely-be-kl-then-beijing-4189396
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Afghanistan elected vice president of UN General Assembly’s 81st session
By Fidel Rahmati
June 3, 2026
Afghanistan has been elected as one of the vice presidents of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Afghanistan has been elected as one of the vice presidents of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, according to Nasir Ahmad Faiq, the acting head of Afghanistan’s mission to the United Nations.
Faiq said the General Assembly on Tuesday elected its president, vice presidents and members of the bureau for the upcoming session.
He welcomed the election of Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh as president of the 81st session and expressed hope that Afghanistan would play a constructive role in advancing the work of the Assembly.
“Afghanistan looks forward to working closely with the president-elect and member states in supporting the objectives and responsibilities of the General Assembly,” Faiq said in a statement posted on X.
The appointment marks a diplomatic role for Afghanistan at the United Nations despite the continued political dispute over the country’s representation following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
The United Nations has not formally recognized the Taliban administration as Afghanistan’s government, and the country’s UN seat continues to be held by diplomats appointed by the former Western-backed republic. Faiq has represented Afghanistan at the UN since the collapse of the previous government.
The General Assembly is the UN’s main deliberative body, bringing together all 193 member states to discuss international peace and security, development, human rights and other global issues.
Afghanistan remains a major focus of UN discussions because of its humanitarian crisis, economic challenges and human rights concerns. UN agencies estimate that millions of Afghans continue to require humanitarian assistance amid funding shortages and the return of large numbers of migrants from neighboring countries.
The upcoming General Assembly session is also expected to address a range of global conflicts and crises, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as international efforts to strengthen development and humanitarian cooperation.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-elected-vice-president-of-un-general-assemblys-81st-session/
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US in talks with five countries over Afghan refugees stranded in Qatar
By Fidel Rahmati
June 3, 2026
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Trump administration does not want Afghan refugees stranded in Qatar to be forced back to Afghanistan and has held discussions with at least five countries about accepting them for resettlement.
According to Reuters, Rubio made the remarks during a meeting with U.S. lawmakers, saying several countries had expressed willingness to receive the refugees, although he did not identify them.
More than 1,100 Afghan refugees remain at the Al-Sailiya facility in Qatar after the Trump administration suspended the resettlement of Afghans to the United States.
Many of those stranded are Afghans who worked with U.S. military forces, diplomatic missions or American-funded organizations and fear persecution if they return to Afghanistan.
Rubio’s comments come amid growing concern over the future of Afghan refugees awaiting relocation. Previous reports suggested that U.S. officials had explored transferring some refugees to third countries, including proposals that reportedly involved the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The uncertainty surrounding Afghan refugee programs has intensified as immigration policies have become a major political issue in the United States. Refugee advocacy groups have repeatedly warned that delays in processing and resettlement leave thousands of vulnerable Afghans in prolonged limbo.
The issue also comes as Afghanistan faces a worsening humanitarian situation. International agencies have reported increasing pressure on communities due to large-scale returns of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan, where authorities have accelerated deportations and repatriation efforts.
The influx of returnees has added to economic and humanitarian challenges inside Afghanistan, where millions already rely on aid. Humanitarian organizations say housing, employment, healthcare and education services are struggling to cope with the growing number of returning families.
At the same time, aid agencies have warned that funding cuts are undermining their ability to respond to rising needs. The United Nations and its partners have repeatedly reported significant shortfalls in humanitarian funding, forcing reductions in food assistance, healthcare services and support programs for vulnerable populations.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/us-in-talks-with-five-countries-over-afghan-refugees-stranded-in-qatar/
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Over 370 Afghan Families Return Home From Pakistan, Iran in One Day
June 3, 2026
KABUL: A total of 375 Afghan families, comprising 1,855 individuals, returned to the country from Pakistan and Iran in a single day, the High Commission for Addressing Migrants’ Problems said in a statement on Tuesday.
The commission said that 730 returnees were safely transported to their home provinces, while 303 families received cash assistance and 280 SIM cards were distributed to facilitate communication and access to services.
In addition, returning families were provided with healthcare services, food assistance, and public awareness programs aimed at supporting their reintegration into society.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://www.thekabultimes.com/over-370-afghan-families-return-home-from-pakistan-iran-in-one-day/
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Nearly Four Million Tourists Visit Afghanistan During Eid Holidays, Ministry
June 3, 2026
KABUL: Nearly four million domestic and foreign tourists visited the country’s recreational areas and natural attractions during the Eid holidays, the Ministry of Information and Culture said in a statement on Tuesday.
The highest number of visitors traveled to provinces known for their prominent natural, historical, and cultural landmarks, the statement said, adding that the figure represents a significant increase compared to previous years.
The growth has been attributed to the promotion of new tourist destinations by the Ministry of Information and Culture, improved facilities and services for visitors, infrastructure development projects, and enhanced security across the country.
The ministry said the rising number of visitors reflects the continued expansion of domestic tourism and growing international interest in Afghanistan’s tourism sector.
According to the statement, the tourists praised the country’s security, organization, hospitality, and scenic beauty, describing their experiences as memorable and enjoyable.
The ministry also urged visitors to respect the customs and traditions of Afghanistan’s diverse communities and to cooperate with authorities in protecting the environment, maintaining cleanliness, and preserving tourist attractions.
Notably, more than two million domestic and foreign tourists visited recreational and natural sites across Afghanistan during the Eid al-Fitr holidays earlier this year.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://www.thekabultimes.com/nearly-four-million-tourists-visit-afghanistan-during-eid-holidays-ministry/
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Afghan Delegation Travels to Uzbekistan for International Termez Dialogue
June 3, 2026
KABUL: A delegation led by Sayed Abdul Karim Hashimi, Chairman of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, has announced that traveled to Uzbekistan to participate in the Second Termez International Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia.
The chamber said in a statement on Tuesday that the visit aims to expand economic cooperation, strengthen trade relations, and explore new investment opportunities between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
The international forum, expected to bring together representatives from around 50 countries, will be held in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Termez.
Discussions will focus on regional cooperation, economic connectivity, and the promotion of trade and investment across the region.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://www.thekabultimes.com/afghan-delegation-travels-to-uzbekistan-for-international-termez-dialogue/
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