25 Popular Front Of India Members, Leaders Charged Under UAPA For Seeking To Establish Islamic Caliphate In India

New Age Islam News Bureau

06 June 2026

Image used for representational purposes. File | Photo Credit: iStockphoto/Getty Images

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·         25 PFI members, leaders charged under UAPA for seeking to establish Islamic Caliphate in India

·         Kuwait, Bahrain respond to second attack in days amid renewed Iran-US confrontation

·         Saudi Arabia, Russia forge green alliance in Moscow

·         Islamic extremist admits plotting Oxfordshire terror attack

·         Burner phones, spy fears: Pentagon flags Israel's counterintelligence as 'critical' threat

·         Muslims Reject Terrorists’ Demand for Sharia Law Over Oyo School Abduction

·         Final US Tariff on Indonesia to Reach 18%

·         UK Busts Human Smuggling Ring Linked to Trafficking of Afghan Migrants

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India

·         Cockroach Janta Party protest: Youth kept trapped in Hindu-Muslim politics, says Abhijeet Dipke

·         Waqf Board functioning without mandatory inclusion of non-Muslim members, says petition before HC

·         'Made to watch videos of Tariq Jamil and Zakir Naik': Chilling details in Nashik TCS case chargesheet

·         Punjab Muslim body urges PM Modi to declare cow as national animal

·         ‘Nilavilakku’ row in Kerala: Samastha clarifies position, says Muslims should avoid religious rituals of other faiths

·         Mehbooba Mufti's AIIMS Awantipora site visit sparks political controversy in J&K

·         ‘Grave suspicion… of conspiracy to establish Caliphate’: Delhi court orders framing of charges in terror case against top PFI leaders

·         Can adopted child inherit under Muslim Law? Madras High Court says no

·         India lodges protest over Gilgit-Baltistan polls, reiterates claim on J&K

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Mideast

·         Netanyahu faces plunging support in north Israel as voters demand tougher Lebanon stance

·         US strikes Iran radar sites after Iranian drone launch

·         UN peacekeeping chief outlines options for post-UNIFIL monitoring force in southern Lebanon

·         Gaza’s fishermen patch up dinghies with door frames to keep themselves afloat

·         7-month-old baby, teenager shot dead in separate West Bank killings

·         President Aoun tells Iran ‘not your job to interfere’ in Lebanon

·         IAEA: UAE nuclear plant attack ‘serious compromise of nuclear safety’

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Arab World

·         Riyadh Air takes delivery of first two custom-built Dreamliners

·         Saudi Arabia’s Jazan waterfront road enhances regional tourism

·         Seed banks emerge as backbone of Saudi restoration efforts

·         Saudi ambassador to US visits Boeing facilities in Charleston

·         Lebanese president thanks Saudi Arabia for its support in phone call with crown prince

·         Umm Al-Qura University launches multilingual digital project

·         Demand for Arabic proficiency grows among KSA expatriates

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Europe

·         Did Haringey’s new Labour leader once defend Jihadi John?

·         Honey Stone Cafe opens on Oxford Street, Moreton in Marsh

·         Ukraine pushes EU to send military-aged men back home – media

·         Critical parts shortage threatens German army capabilities – media

·         France opens ‘war crime’ probe over Israel treatment of flotilla activists

·         US backs out of Germany-Tomahawk missile deal over Russia fears – Politico

·         Putin says there is 'no point' meeting Zelensky over ending Ukraine war

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North America

·         NASA crew takes cover while Russian cosmonauts fix ISS leak

·         Court documents reveal motivations in Tacoma mosque standoff

·         CAIR Welcomes Federal Court Ruling Striking Down Trump Admin’s Asylum Freeze on 39 Countries

·         CAIR Reiterates Demand for Release of Salah Sarsour from ICE Detention Following Reports of Medical Neglect

·         US Senate approves $70bn for Trump immigration agencies

·         Ex-CIA official accused of stashing $40m in gold bars is 'master manipulator', prosecutors say

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Africa

·         Eight Soldiers Killed As Boko Haram Attacks Borno Army Base

·         Nigerian jihadists kill 3 troops in first raid since death of IS leader

·         Mali junta's offers $3.5M reward for jihadist leader

·         Jihadists Already At Nigerian Borders – Fayemi

·         Anti-migrant violence leaves even South Africans living in fear

·         Hundreds in Libya protest against migrants, refugees

·         Kenya’s president again defends US Ebola facility decision

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Southeast Asia

·         Indonesia, EU Push to Complete IEU-CEPA Ratification in 2026

·         Activist urges Air Borneo to prioritise affordable fares and flight connectivity

·         Anwar to launch National TVET Day 2026 celebration in Putrajaya today

·         Amir Hamzah assures Sultan Abdullah of consistent federal aid and ECRL boost for Pahang

·         Malaysia Embassy confirms no citizens affected in Lufthansa incident at Frankfurt Airport

·         Tuanku Muhriz performs Friday prayers at Masjid Kariah Gunung Pasir in Seri Menanti

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South Asia

·         CHT activists express concern over Dipen Dewan's resignation

·         6 Bangladeshi peacekeepers posthumously awarded UN Dag Hammarskjöld Medal

·         Jamaat, Turkish foreign minister discuss ties and regional stability

·         PM chairs meeting on nationwide 25 crore tree plantation drive

·         Matiullah Wesa Wins French Freedom Prize, Pledges Award Funds for Schools in Afghanistan

·         WFP Warns 17.4 Million Afghans Will Face Severe Hunger in 2026

·         Afghanistan’s Expanding Diplomatic Horizon

Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau

URL:  https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/pfi-members-charged-for-islamic-caliphate-india/d/140294​

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25 Popular Front of India members, leaders charged under UAPA for seeking to establish Islamic Caliphate in India

June 05, 2026

Ishita Mishra

Image used for representational purposes. File | Photo Credit: iStockphoto/Getty Images

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A Delhi court on Friday (June 5, 2026) ordered the framing of charges against 25 people associated with the banned Popular Front of India (PFI), including its chairman, holding that the investigation so far has disclosed a “grave suspicion” of a conspiracy to overthrow India’s secular democratic government and establish an Islamic caliphate governed by Sharia law by 2047.

Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma of the Patiala House Courts directed that charges be framed under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the accused including PFI chairman O.M.A. Salam, vice-chairman E.M. Abdul Rahiman, general secretary Anis Ahmed, founding chairman E. Abubacker, founding PFI National Executive Council (NEC) member P. Koya, NEC member Mohammed Ali Jinnah and several other national and State-level functionaries. Similar charges were framed on the PFI as an organisation.

“Considered as a whole, the material on record raises grave suspicion that the accused, acting through and on behalf of the Popular Front of India and its National Executive Council (NEC), agreed and acted in furtherance of a single conspiracy to overthrow the secular democratic Government of India and to establish an Islamic Caliphate under Sharia law in India by or before the year 2047 through an armed struggle against the State,” the orders reads.

The judge noted that the alleged conspiracy operated at multiple levels, with different accused assigned specific roles. According to the order, some members were involved in strategic decision-making at the NEC level, while others handled State-level execution, recruitment, arms training, terror financing and support activities linked to the Islamic State (ISIS).

The court referred to several meetings, training programmes and organisational activities relied upon by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to establish what it described as a “meeting of minds” among the accused.

Among the events cited were the 2018 Leadership Eligibility Course in Pune, where NEC members allegedly conducted specialised sessions; a 2017 NEC meeting in Aurangabad, where one accused was introduced as the all-India physical education coordinator; and a review visit to Hyderabad in 2021 by a senior PFI functionary.

The order also mentions meetings held during the Shaheen Bagh protests in Delhi in 2021, interactions relating to the organisation’s Mohalla Committee initiative in Madurai in Tamil Nadu, and gatherings at Freedom Hall and Mithur in Karnataka.

A key piece of evidence cited by the court was the confidential “Vision 2047” document, which the prosecution alleged outlined the organisation’s long-term objective of establishing Islamic rule in India. The court noted that the document purportedly identified one of the accused as the future Amir of the proposed caliphate.

During the hearings on framing of charges, Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi alleged that the banned organisation had sought to radicalise Muslim youth, promote hostility towards Hindus, and build a network capable of destabilising the country. He argued that the PFI had concealed its objectives behind welfare activities and was working towards establishing an Islamic state.

Mr. Tyagi was assisted by Assisting Public Prosecutor Vikas Walia, Jatin Khatri, advocate Amit Rohilla and advocate Shubham Goyal.

The defence challenged the prosecution’s claims by comparing PFI with RSS and contended that if the latter could advocate a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, the PFI could not be faulted merely for expressing support for an Islamic nation.

The NIA had registered a case of UAPA against PFI leaders in April 2022. The Union government subsequently banned the organisation and its affiliates. The ban was later upheld by the UAPA Tribunal.

Source: thehindu.com

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/25-pfi-members-leaders-charged-under-uapa-for-seeking-to-establish-islamic-caliphate-in-india/article71065914.ece

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Kuwait, Bahrain respond to second attack in days amid renewed Iran-US confrontation

June 06, 2026

This photo taken on June 3, 2026, shows Kuwaiti officials inspecting damage inside a terminal at Kuwait International Airport following a drone and missile attack. (Kuwait News Agency/Handout via REUTERS)

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KUWAIT CITY/MANAMA: Kuwait and Bahrain said early Saturday that their armed forces were responding to fresh missile and drone attacks, marking the second time in less than a week that the two Gulf states have come under fire amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.

“Kuwaiti air defenses are currently responding to hostile missile and drone attacks,” Kuwait’s military said in a statement posted on X, without immediately identifying the source of the projectiles.

The General Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces later said any explosions heard across the country were the result of interception operations by air defense systems.

In neighboring Bahrain, authorities issued an air raid alert and urged residents to seek shelter after reports of incoming threats and Kuwait’s announcement that it had intercepted missiles and drones.

“The siren has been sounded. Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said.

The attacks came hours after US Central Command (CENTCOM) said American forces intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones launched toward the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf.

According to CENTCOM, US forces first shot down four Iranian one-way attack drones headed toward the Strait of Hormuz, saying the aircraft posed an immediate threat to maritime traffic through one of the world's most strategically important energy corridors.

Iran subsequently launched seven ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain, CENTCOM said. Initial assessments indicated that six of the missiles were intercepted while a seventh failed to reach its intended target.

In response, US forces struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island, which CENTCOM said were being used to support maritime attacks and threats to shipping in the Gulf.

The latest exchange underscored the fragility of a tentative ceasefire and ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, with regional tensions remaining elevated despite diplomatic efforts to extend a truce between Washington and Tehran.

The new attacks also followed a major drone strike on Kuwait International Airport on June 3 that killed one person, wounded dozens and caused significant damage to a passenger terminal, briefly disrupting operations at one of the Gulf's busiest aviation hubs.

Iran claimed responsibility for coordinated attacks earlier this week targeting US military assets in Kuwait and Bahrain, including facilities associated with the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. The strikes prompted widespread condemnation from Gulf and Arab states, which accused Tehran of violating the sovereignty of neighboring countries and destabilizing the region.

Saudi Arabia strongly denounced what it described as repeated Iranian attacks against Kuwait and Bahrain, while the Gulf Cooperation Council called the strikes an unacceptable escalation and a threat to regional and international peace.

The UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon also condemned the attacks, expressing solidarity with the two Gulf states and urging efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict.

The latest developments come as Washington intensifies military and economic pressure on Tehran while attempting to preserve a ceasefire that has come under increasing strain from repeated attacks across the Gulf and renewed violence in Lebanon.

With air defense systems once again activated in Kuwait and Bahrain, military activity continuing around the Strait of Hormuz, and US and Iranian forces exchanging fire for a second time this week, concerns are mounting that the confrontation could expand into a wider regional conflict and threaten one of the world's most critical energy transit routes.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2646144/middle-east

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Saudi Arabia, Russia forge green alliance in Moscow

June 05, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has signed a memorandum of understanding with Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. (SPA)

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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has signed a memorandum of understanding with Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, committing both nations to a structured partnership on environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and the sustainable management of natural resources.

Signed by the Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al-Mushaiti — who is leading a high-level Saudi delegation to Russia — and Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov, the agreement will contribute to strengthening joint efforts to preserve natural resources and achieve environmental sustainability, in accordance with the legislation of both countries.

The memorandum seeks to expand collaboration between the two countries in protecting the environment as cooperation will span a broad range of areas, including expanding vegetation cover, curbing land degradation, and managing forests sustainably.

It also covers the development of systems to oversee protected areas and nature reserves, tighter environmental monitoring and waste management, and support for scientific research on protecting and rehabilitating rare and endangered species.

The two sides further agreed to step up efforts to combat the illegal trade in endangered flora and fauna and to protect the flyways and resting grounds of migratory birds in both countries.

The memorandum also emphasizes conserving ecosystems and biodiversity and exchanging technical expertise to advance environmental initiatives to build on each side’s successful experiences.

This cooperation will be implemented through the exchange of information, expert visits, and the organization of joint conferences, seminars, and training courses, supervised by a newly formed joint working group to follow up on future environmental opportunities.

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2646118/saudi-arabia

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Islamic extremist admits plotting Oxfordshire terror attack

5TH JUNE 2026

By Matt Simpson

An Islamic extremist has admitted planning a terror attack on the UK’s Defence Academy in Oxfordshire with the man who went on to kill two men during a knife rampage at a Manchester synagogue.

Mohammad Bashir, 31, admitted a charge of preparation of terrorist acts when he appeared in the dock of the Old Bailey on Friday.

The charge states that on August 14, 2025, with the intention of committing an act of terrorism or assisting Jihad Al‑Shamie to do so, he drove him to the UK Defence Academy to carry out hostile reconnaissance of the location.

The trip to the academy in Shrivenham, near Faringdon, came weeks before Al-Shamie launched his attack on the Heaton Park Synagogue in Crumpsall last October 2.

On that date, worshippers Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed after 35-year-old Al-Shamie, a Syrian-born UK citizen, drove his Kia Picanto into the gates of the synagogue and began attacking with a knife, wearing a fake suicide belt.

He was shot dead by armed police as he carried out the attack.

Bashir was arrested at Manchester Airport on November 27 but was not charged in relation to the synagogue attack.

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson told not to approach travellers at Cotswolds pub

The defendant had previously denied preparation of terrorist acts by assisting Al‑Shamie.

He had also pleaded not guilty to three counts of disseminating terrorist publications relating to Jihad and martyrdom on a WhatsApp chat group on dates in November and December 2024.

Prosecutor Jonathan Polnay KC told the court these charges were part of the background to the more serious charge, which Bashir had admitted.

He said that in these circumstances, the court could pass a sentence on Bashir that “reflects the seriousness of the offending behaviour”.

He invited the court to order the outstanding charges to lie on file.

Mr Polnay said he had received a basis of plea from the defence which would be considered by the prosecution.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb set a two-day sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court on July 20 and 21.

She ordered a pre-sentence report, telling bearded Bashir, of Shaftsbury Road, Manchester, he had pleaded guilty to a “very serious charge”.

Bashir entered his guilty plea on Friday, a month before his scheduled trial from July 6 in Manchester.

He was further remanded into custody.

Worshippers Melvin Cravitz and Adrian Daulby were killed when Jihad Al-Shamie, 35, a Syrian-born British citizen, drove into the gates of the Heaton Park synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester, in October last year, and then began attacking with a knife, wearing a fake suicide belt.

Three other men were treated in hospital for serious injuries and Al-Shamie, 35, was shot dead by armed police as he carried out his attack.

It was the first fatal antisemitic terror attack in the UK since the Community Security Trust, a British charity which provides security and advice to the Jewish community in the UK, began recording incidents in 1984.

Source: oxfordmail.co.uk

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https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/26171163.islamic-extremist-admits-plotting-oxfordshire-terror-attack/

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Burner phones, spy fears: Pentagon flags Israel's counterintelligence as 'critical' threat

Jun 6, 2026

The Pentagon has raised its counterintelligence threat assessment for Israel to the highest level – "critical" – amid escalating tensions between Washington and Israel over the way forward in the war with Iran, according to two current US officials and one former official who spoke to NBC News.

The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency posted an internal message in recent weeks detailing the change, which was viewed by one of the current officials. The designation stems from growing concerns within the Pentagon that Israel is making a targeted effort to surveil top US officials to gather intelligence on the Trump administration's internal deliberations and decision-making regarding Middle East conflicts.

The DIA assessment includes a seven-page document and features a specific chart, one of the current US officials said. The document notes that Israel's capabilities to conduct both human espionage and technical information collection have reached a "critical level." It also identifies a series of specific incidents that heightened US concerns, the official added.

Israel denies the claim

A spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Washington denied the report, calling it "completely false."

"Israel does not gather intelligence on American entities, let alone US government officials," the spokesperson said in a statement. "Israel intelligence collection efforts are aimed at its enemies, not its allies. Any claims to the contrary are either misinformed or politically motivated."

The Pentagon declined to comment. A White House official said in a statement: "This entire story is false and sourced to someone who doesn't have any knowledge of what's going on."

Rising tensions between allies

The heightened alert comes as President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have clashed over the war with Iran and Israel's military operations in Lebanon, including a tense phone call this past week. Trump acknowledged afterward that he called Netanyahu "crazy" during the call as questions mount about whether the two countries' objectives in the Middle East are beginning to diverge significantly.

Since a ceasefire took effect in early April, Trump has been pursuing a diplomatic deal with Iran to end the war that Israel and the US launched on February 28.

Israel has publicly expressed skepticism that Iran would abide by any negotiated deal, and Netanyahu has pushed for a resumption of bombing raids against Iran while disagreeing with Trump, who has pressed him to scale back attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Israel is keenly interested in whether Trump decides to resume major combat operations against Iran or end the conflict, the current and former US officials and outside experts said.

The US already takes extra precautions when visiting Israel, one of the current US officials said. "They're well-known to aggressively collect," the official said of Israel.

Top US officials often use burner phones and computers and exercise extreme caution when speaking in hotel rooms during official trips to Israel, the officials said.

The US and Israel remain close allies, and their intelligence services have forged a close working relationship over decades. But concerns about possible Israeli espionage at such a sensitive moment — when the two governments are not in full agreement about the war with Iran — carry the risk of undermining trust between the two countries, two additional former US officials said.

Source: indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/burner-phones-spy-fears-pentagon-flags-israels-counterintelligence-as-critical-threat/articleshowprint/131544928.cms

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Muslims Reject Terrorists’ Demand for Sharia Law Over Oyo School Abduction

Mfonobong Daniel

June 6, 2026

The Muslim community in Oyo State has distanced itself from the Sharia-related demands reportedly made by terrorists holding teachers and pupils abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

The group said the criminals behind the attack do not represent Islam and should not be allowed to hide under religion to justify their actions.

The position was made public as schools across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State shut down in solidarity with the victims still in captivity.

The latest development comes weeks after gunmen attacked schools in Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, abducting teachers and pupils in one of the worst security incidents recorded in the state in recent years.

Reports indicate that the abductors demanded the release of some detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law before the victims could regain their freedom.

Reacting to the demands, the Muslim Community of Oyo State described the action as criminal and completely against the teachings of Islam.

In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Sanvni, and Secretary-General, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, the group said kidnapping, terrorism and extortion of innocent people have no place in the religion.

The organisation stressed that genuine Sharia stands for justice, peace and the protection of human life, noting that the activities of the terrorists contradict those principles.

It also rejected any attempt to portray the abductors as representatives of the Muslim community.

“Terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims,” the statement said.

The group added that using religion to defend violent crimes was a deliberate distortion of Islamic teachings.

It cited the Holy Qur’an, saying the faith places great importance on the sanctity of human life and the protection of innocent people.

The Muslim community also called on security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure the safe return of the abducted teachers and pupils.

Concern continues to grow over the fate of the victims as families and residents wait for positive news from the authorities.

A traditional ruler in one of the affected communities, the Eleshi of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, appealed to both the Federal and Oyo State governments to do everything possible to secure their release.

According to the monarch, the communities are aware that the abductors have made demands, but they lack the capacity to handle the situation on their own.

He urged the government not to relent until every captive is rescued safely.

Source: politicsnigeria.com

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https://politicsnigeria.com/2026/06/06/muslims-reject-terrorists-demand-for-sharia-law-over-oyo-school-abduction/

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Final US Tariff on Indonesia to Reach 18%

Jayanty Nada Shofa

June 6, 2026

Jakarta. The US tariffs on Indonesian goods are projected to ultimately reach 18%, according to a senior official, after taking into account the two unfair trade practice-related probes.

The Donald Trump 2.0 has proposed tariffs of either 10% or 12.5% on dozens of countries, following an investigation into how they handle imported goods made with forced labor. Indonesia faces a lower rate of 10%. While Indonesia has rolled out a fresh ministerial regulation aimed at curbing such practices, the US notes that Jakarta has not seized any of the bad imports, hence the tariff.

Just recently, Jakarta made another attempt at allaying the tariff salvo when its senior economic minister Airlangga Hartarto met with Trump’s trade chief Jamieson Greer on the margins of an OECD gathering in Paris this week.

To the Jakarta Globe, Airlangga’s aide Susiwijono Moegiarso -- who was on that Paris trip -- revealed that the final tariff would hinge on another US probe into structural excess manufacturing capacity. The US is expected to announce whether Indonesia is guilty of this excess capacity, including the size of the additional duties, in the coming weeks. The forced labor and excess capacity probes combined are projected to push the final tariff on Indonesia to 18%.

However, their entry into force would take place in phases after the current 10% global tariff expires on July 24.

“After July 24, the [US] will gradually adjust the tariff structure, starting with the 10% forced labor levy. They will later add another [tariff] component related to structural excess capacity over the next several weeks," Susiwijono told the Globe.

“The final [18%] rate is still subject to legal and administrative processes in the US,” Susiwijono said, adding that Jakarta still had to go through further hearings.

Susiwijono claimed that the Trump government would exempt several items from the import taxes, while granting a “special mechanism” for textiles -- a key Indonesian export. In an earlier statement, Greer had said that Washington would reduce tariffs for “a certain volume of apparel and textile imports from certain economies”.

Trump has been wanting to rebuild his tariff wall after the Supreme Court declared his even broader double-digit levies illegal in February.

Source: jakartaglobe.id

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https://jakartaglobe.id/business/final-us-tariff-on-indonesia-to-reach-18

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UK Busts Human Smuggling Ring Linked to Trafficking of Afghan Migrants

By Fidel Rahmati

June 6, 2026

British police and prosecutors have dismantled an organized human smuggling network accused of illegally transporting 12 Afghan migrants, including a child, into the United Kingdom, authorities said.

According to local media outlet Essex Live, the suspects were identified and arrested following a lengthy investigation led by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and supported by police and security agencies.

Investigators allege that the Essex-based criminal network used a truck fitted with concealed compartments to smuggle the migrants into Britain. The group of 12 included Afghan Sikh migrants who were found hidden in dangerous conditions inside a secret compartment at the rear of the vehicle.

Authorities said the operation was led by a 69-year-old man from Clacton and his 52-year-old associate, who allegedly worked with other individuals, including members of an organized criminal group based in London, to coordinate the smuggling operation.

The case stems from a joint police and NCA operation carried out in west London in September 2019, when officers stopped the truck and discovered the migrants concealed inside the vehicle.

Prosecutors say the network exploited vulnerable migrants seeking to reach the United Kingdom and generated significant profits through illegal transportation operations. Investigators believe the group charged large sums of money for facilitating irregular entry into the country.

Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service said suspects have faced charges including facilitating illegal immigration and money laundering. Some defendants have admitted their involvement, while cases against other alleged members of the network remain before the courts.

Afghans have remained among the largest groups seeking protection and resettlement in Europe since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Human rights organizations and migration experts have warned that restrictive migration pathways and ongoing instability in Afghanistan have left many vulnerable to exploitation by trafficking and smuggling networks.

Source: khaama.com

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https://www.khaama.com/uk-busts-human-smuggling-ring-linked-to-trafficking-of-afghan-migrants/

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India

 

Cockroach Janta Party protest: Youth kept trapped in Hindu-Muslim politics, says Abhijeet Dipke

June 06, 2026

The Cockroach Janta Party, which began as a satirical political campaign, launched a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Saturday to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged mismanagement in the conduct of competitive exams.

The protest began after the campaign’s founder Abhijeet Dipke arrived in the national capital from the United States.

Dipke said that the only objective of the protest was to demand Pradhan’s resignation.

“It has been a month since we started demanding Pradhan’s resignation on social media,” PTI quoted Dipke as saying. “But these individuals are so shameless that instead of taking action, they have been focused on other distractions, like hacking our accounts and getting our posts deleted.”

He said: “You may be able to delete our posts, but you cannot erase us from this space.”

“For the past 10 to 12 years, these people have kept us trapped in Hindu-Muslim politics,” The Quint quoted Dipke as having told the protesters, asking who had benefited from it.

“Did Hindu-Muslim politics get jobs for anyone in the country?” he asked.

Dipke accused the government of focusing on the organisation’s social media activity instead of responding to its demands.

The campaign was “not a planned party”, he said, adding that it was “students’ outrage”.

“My mother was very scared that this government would throw me in jail,” he said. “In this country, every mother feels this fear when their child raises their voice against this government.”

Earlier in the day, the police had stepped up security at Dipke’s home in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city, PTI quoted a police officer as saying.

The Delhi Police on Saturday granted permission for the Cockroach Janta Party to protest at the site till 5 pm. Officials had earlier said that no request had been received from the group and that more than 1,000 personnel had been deployed in the national capital.

Some persons were detained for shouting slogans against the Cockroach Janta Party, The Hindu reported.

The Cockroach Janta Party describes itself as a “political front of the youth, by the youth, for the youth”.

It was launched on May 16 in response to reports of remarks by Chief Justice Surya Kant on the previous day comparing some unemployed youngsters to “cockroaches”. Since then, the campaign has garnered more than 22 million followers on Instagram.

The chief justice claimed on May 16 that he had been misquoted by sections of the media and that it was baseless to say that he criticised young people in general. Kant claimed he had specifically criticised “those who have entered professions like the Bar [legal profession] with the aid of fake and bogus degrees”.

Source: scroll.in

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https://scroll.in/latest/1093388/did-hindu-muslim-politics-bring-jobs-abhijit-dipke-at-cockroach-janta-party-protest-in-delhi

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Waqf Board functioning without mandatory inclusion of non-Muslim members, says petition before HC

June 06, 2026

The State Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Shone George has approached the Kerala High Court, alleging that the State Waqf Board is functioning without the ‘mandatory inclusion of non-Muslim members’.

The Waqf Amendment Act mandates that at least two members of the Board, excluding ex-officio members must be non-Muslims, in order to ensure secular oversight, professional diversity, and financial accountability in administration, he said.

The State has deliberately flouted this statutory requirement, by nominating a Board consisting entirely of Muslims. Through an order dated February 4, the State appointed nine members, all of whom are Muslims, while concluding the order with an assurance that the remaining two members would be appointed shortly. A mere promise of future compliance, cannot legitimize the Board’s current allegedly illegal functioning, the petitioner submitted before the HC.

Source: thehindu.com

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https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/waqf-board-functioning-without-mandatory-inclusion-of-non-muslim-members-says-petition-before-hc/article71066732.ece

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'Made to watch videos of Tariq Jamil and Zakir Naik': Chilling details in Nashik TCS case chargesheet

Jun 5, 2026

NASHIK: The chargesheet in a TCS sexual harassment and alleged forcible conversion case in Nashik has brought to light what investigators termed an orchestrated plan by the accused to target the victims.

One of them alleged that she was made to watch videos of Pakistani Islamic cleric and preacher Tariq Jamil and Indian preacher Zakir Naik.

The videos were shown so that the woman could learn about Islam, she said in her statement, which is part of the chargesheet submitted in a Nashik court last week.

In her statement, the victim told the police how the accused orchestrated a calculated psychological and religious manipulation campaign, exploiting her vulnerability under the guise of reducing her “mental stress”.

She said she was even “convinced” that if she accepted Islam, her mental stress would come down, and that she had slowly started believing in “those things”.

The chargesheet pertains to the case registered at Deolali camp police station based on a complaint filed by a 23-year-old employee of the IT firm.

The chargesheet also mentions AIMIM corporator Matin Patel from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar as an accused in the case for allegedly sheltering TCS employee while she was on the run.

As per the chargesheet, Patel had given shelter to TCS employee so that she could evade arrest and that he did so despite being aware that her anticipatory bail plea had been rejected.

During his questioning before Khan’s arrest, when the police inquired about her whereabouts, Patel repeatedly responded, “Imtiaz Jaleel Sahib ko poochna padega (we will have to ask former AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel).”

However, when interrogated thoroughly, he told the police about the place where he had given shelter to TCS employee along with her mother, father, brother and aunt, the chargesheet said.

The victim, in her statement, told the police how the three accused orchestrated a calculated psychological and religious manipulation campaign, exploiting her vulnerability under the guise of lowering her “mental stress”.

One of the accused who is married, sexually exploited her on the pretext of marrying her, the statement said.

When the victim feared for her future and family acceptance, he said, “Don't be afraid, trust me, Allah is with us. Stop listening to Bhagwan songs and going to the temple; your stress will decrease.” Then he told her to recite the Tasbeeh, the statement said.

According to the victim, the accused told her, “The more you take Allah’s name, your sins will be forgiven, and your good deeds will increase; if you read Astaghfar, meaning you will ask for forgiveness from Allah, your mental stress will decrease.”

Elaborating further, the woman told the police that one of the accused asked her to watch the video of Pakistani Islamic cleric, preacher and member of the Tablighi Jama’at Tariq Jamil and listen to his speeches.

The victim said The accused had taken complete information about her bank accounts and the UPI PIN, and that he was aware of the money in her bank.

“The accused used to tell me about the Islamic religion from time to time. They told me to search for videos of Zakir Naik and Dr Israr Ahmed (Pakistani Islamic scholar) on my mobile on YouTube and listen to them, and I watched them as per his instructions,” the victim said.

The chargesheet mentioned that the victim was subjected to Islamic theology, including stories of Ibrahim, Bakri Eid, Zamzam water, Qurbani, and the concepts of Jannah (heaven) and Jahannum (hell).

“I was convinced that if I accepted the Islamic religion, my mental stress would decrease. I slowly started believing in those things,” the victim said.

The chargesheet includes statements of 106 witnesses, including the complainant, her mother, TCS employees/management, Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) committee members and the investigating officers of the case.

Meanwhile, the victim's mother said in her police statement that her daughter was coerced into converting to Islam and sexually exploited after being threatened with harm to her family.

The family noticed changes in her lifestyle over the past year, including a shift from "modern clothes" to "full-covered salwar kurta" and irregular eating habits, the statement said.

The mother said that her daughter told the family that she had "accepted Islam" after three persons -- The accused "taught her Kalma" and warned of "doomsday" in the house if the family did not convert and remove idols of deities.

The Maharashtra government had formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) after several women employees at the Nashik unit of the IT major made allegations of exploitation, attempt at forceful conversion, hurting religious sentiments, molestation and mental harassment.

While one case was registered at the Deolali Camp police station here, eight FIRs have been registered at the Mumbai Naka police station in the city.

Some victims have also alleged that they were coerced or pressured into adopting religious practices, including praying, changing dietary habits, and adopting religious symbols.

TCS has made it clear that it adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, and the employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended.

Source: indiatimes.com

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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nashik/made-to-watch-videos-of-tariq-jamil-and-zakir-naik-chilling-details-in-nashik-tcs-case-chargesheet/articleshowprint/131523190.cms

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Punjab Muslim body urges PM Modi to declare cow as national animal

June 5, 2026

Neeraj Bali

APunjab-based Muslim organisation has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking enhanced measures for cow protection, including a proposal to accord the animal a special national status, while also calling for strict action against cattle smuggling and mob violence carried out in its name.

The representation was submitted through the office of Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Singh Walia and has been forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office for consideration.

Addressing the media, Naeem Khan, president of a Muslim organisation in Punjab and a human rights activist, said the initiative was aimed at promoting social harmony, mutual respect, and national unity. He stated that the cow occupies an important place in India’s cultural traditions and rural economy and deserves greater attention in public policy.

Khan said respect for the religious and cultural sentiments of all communities plays a vital role in strengthening the country’s social fabric. He noted that the cow is revered by millions of Hindus and argued that protecting such values can contribute to communal understanding and peaceful coexistence.

The memorandum also highlighted the economic importance of cattle, particularly in rural areas. It stated that apart from dairy production, cow-based resources continue to support organic farming, sustainable agricultural practices, and the livelihoods of farming communities.

Referring to Article 48 of the Constitution, Khan said the Directive Principles encourage the state to take steps for preserving and improving cattle breeds. He maintained that stronger institutional support for cow welfare would be consistent with the constitutional vision relating to livestock protection.

The organisation has urged the Union Government to consider measures that would strengthen the protection and welfare of cows across the country. According to Khan, the proposal is intended to encourage respect for cultural values while reinforcing social cohesion.

He also expressed concern over incidents of mob violence reported from different parts of the country in connection with allegations of cattle smuggling. Khan said unlawful acts committed in the name of cow protection should be dealt with firmly and that innocent individuals should not be targeted based on religion or community.

Calling for a balanced approach, he said authorities should act decisively against organised cattle smuggling networks while ensuring that the rule of law is upheld in all circumstances. He added that those involved in violence or vigilantism must face strict legal consequences.

Khan said the memorandum reflects an effort to promote dialogue, constitutional values, and communal harmony while addressing issues related to cattle protection through lawful and peaceful means.

Source: thestatesman.com

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https://www.thestatesman.com/india/punjab-muslim-body-urges-pm-modi-to-declare-cow-as-national-animal-1503602200.html

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‘Nilavilakku’ row in Kerala: Samastha clarifies position, says Muslims should avoid religious rituals of other faiths

June 05, 2026

Amid the controversy over Perambra MLA Fathima Thahiliya lighting a traditional ceremonial lamp (nilavilakku), the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama has reiterated that Muslims should avoid participating in religious rituals and customs of other faiths that have no basis in Islam.

The Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama Central Mushawara meeting, held in Kozhikode recently, discussed the ongoing controversy surrounding the lighting of the ‘nilavilakku’ and arrived at this position. Although Samastha did not mention Ms. Thahiliya by name, it is understood that the position was adopted in the backdrop of the recent controversy over her lighting a ‘nilavilakku’ at a private function.

According to Samastha, lighting the ‘nilavilakku’ has long been practised by followers of other faiths as a distinct religious ritual in certain contexts.

The meeting noted that if a Muslim participates in such a practice while accepting or endorsing the beliefs that are contrary to Islamic teachings, the act could amount to leaving the fold of Islam. However, if a person participates in the practice without subscribing to those beliefs and merely imitates the customs of non-Muslims, the act would still be considered prohibited and blameworthy in Islam.

‘Permissible just as source of light’

At the same time, Samastha clarified that using a ‘nilavilakku’ solely as a source of light, without any religious intention, is permissible.

The Mushawara also advised that “while preserving the national unity and communal harmony”, people should not treat such matters lightly and these must be approached with caution.

Strict restrictions

Meanwhile, Samastha leader Abdul Hameed Faizy Ambalakadavu, in a Facebook post on Friday, further clarified the organisation’s position. “Islamic laws are precise, clear and unambiguous. Islam instructs its followers to show friendship and tolerance towards people of other faiths. The companions of the Prophet would advise their family members that when a goat was slaughtered and cooked, the first portion should be given to their Jewish neighbour,” Mr. Ambalakadavu said.

However, he said, Islam has imposed a strict prohibition on following or practising the religious customs and rituals of other faiths.

“In a pluralistic society, such issues often become controversies. There are people among us who justify such practices by arguing that there is nothing wrong with participating in them without holding any religious belief in them,” the Samastha leader said.

“Kerala’s authoritative organisation of Islamic scholars (Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama) has issued a religious ruling that leaves no room for doubt and makes its position crystal clear,” Mr. Ambalakadavu said, while explaining the organisation’s stand on the matter.

Source: thehindu.com

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Mehbooba Mufti's AIIMS Awantipora site visit sparks political controversy in J&K

Fayaz Wani

06 Jun 2026

SRINAGAR: Mehbooba Mufti’s visit to the under-construction AIIMS Awantipora site in south Kashmir to assess the pace of work has sparked a political controversy in Jammu and Kashmir. A senior minister in the Omar Abdullah-led government and Peoples Conference chairman and MLA Sajad Lone questioned the authority under which the PDP chief and former chief minister conducted the review of the project.

Mehbooba, accompanied by PDP legislators Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra and Rafiq Ahmad Naik, visited the project site in Pulwama district to take stock of progress on the key healthcare infrastructure project.

The AIIMS Awantipora project was sanctioned in 2015 when late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, founder of the PDP and father of Mehbooba Mufti, was Chief Minister of erstwhile J&K state.

During her visit, officials gave her a detailed briefing on the status of construction, infrastructure development and the projected timeline for completion of the institution.

Seeking clarity on the project’s operational schedule, Mehbooba asked officials to specify when the healthcare facility would become functional and start serving patients.

The PDP chief reiterated her commitment to support every effort aimed at ensuring the timely completion of the health institution.

“We want that this institution should be ready and once people step in, they should feel it is Delhi-like AIIMS,” Mehbooba said.

The visit by Mehbooba, who is neither an MLA nor MP, drew criticism from the ruling NC-led government.

Senior NC leader and Health Minister Sakina Itoo in a post on X said, “Some people seem to be suffering from political amnesia. They still behave as if they are in power, even though they lost office in 2018 and have since been repeatedly rejected by the people.”

She said the elected government today is led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

“Yet, one wonders in what capacity former rulers are conducting reviews of the AIIMS Awantipora project,” she said. “More importantly, who is signalling them to undertake such exercises? Which power centre in Delhi is directing these actions?”

According to the minister, it is ironic that those because of whom the AIIMS project moved at a painfully slow pace are now trying to claim ownership of its progress.

She said the fact is that the project is moving towards completion because of focused efforts, monitoring and commitment of the present government under the leadership of CM.

“People of Jammu and Kashmir are wise enough to distinguish between those who delayed development and those who are ensuring its delivery,” added the minister.

Reacting to Health Minister’s statement, PDP MLA Waheed Para, who was accompanying Mehbooba, said J&K is in the midst of a health emergency. Cancer is taking lives every single day, yet those in power seem more concerned about who visits AIIMS than why it is still not fully functional.

“CM Omar Abdullah personally questioned the location of AIIMS Awantipora, never made it a priority to regularly review its progress, and has spent more time outside the state or managing party affairs than ensuring this critical institution becomes operational. Now the same government is reportedly upset because former CM Mehbooba Mufti visited the site along with local MLAs,” Para said in a post on X.

“What is even more shocking is that instead of demanding accountability for delays, AIIMS officials are being summoned to the CM’s private office tomorrow at 8 am and allegedly questioned about why a former Chief Minister visited a project that was conceived and initiated during Mehbooba Mufti’s tenure,” he said.

According to Para, a government backed by 50 MLAs should not be intimidated by a site visit.

“It should be ashamed that patients are still waiting for world-class healthcare while politics continues to take precedence over people’s lives,” added the PDP MLA.

However, Peoples Conference president and MLA Sajad Lone came in defence of the Omar government alleging it is direct hit at the constitutional competencies of the elected government. “And these constitutional competencies are the constitutional assets of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”.

“They are with the CM for a period of 5 years. He has no right to allow them to be trampled upon or allow to set a precedence for an unconstitutional trespass,” Lone said.

He said in what capacity did Mehbooba chair a review meeting of an institution, which comes under the domain of the BJP led central government.

“Did the authorisation come from Delhi. Constitutionally, she can’t head a review meeting of the local departments which function under the elected government. Chairing Central government institutions review meetings is a constitutional impossibility,” added the Peoples Conference chairman.

“Was there a fresh notification? A government order? A special authorization from BJP? Or are we now operating under a new constitutional arrangement where selected few can bypass constitutional protocol. Are we shifting from a dual power centre to a Troika. Is she the new shadow Chief Minster,” Lone questioned.

“Can Mamta Banerjee or Stalin both ex chief ministers, chair review meetings. What is the special arrangement in J and K. Under what law did she chair a meeting of AIIMS,” the PC chairman further questioned.

Source: newindianexpress.com

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‘Grave suspicion… of conspiracy to establish Caliphate’: Delhi court orders framing of charges in terror case against top PFI leaders

Nirbhay Thakur

Jun 6, 2026

Observing that there was a “grave suspicion” of a conspiracy to overthrow the Indian government and establish an Islamic Caliphate in the country by 2047, a Delhi court on Friday ordered framing of charges in a terror case against the top leaders of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).

“Considered as a whole, the material on record raises grave suspicion that the accused, acting through and on behalf of the Popular Front of India and its National Executive Council (NEC), agreed and acted in furtherance of a single conspiracy — to overthrow the secular democratic Government of India and to establish an Islamic Caliphate under Sharia law in India by or before the year 2047 through an armed struggle against the State,” Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma said in in his order.

The NIA’s case, lodged in 2022, pertains to allegations that PFI “conspired to overthrow the secular democratic Government of India” and to establish an Islamic Caliphate under Sharia law in India by or before 2047. The agency had claimed that the objective of PFI was to be achieved “through armed struggle against the state”.

“Each accused’s role, on the material at face value, fits into one or more limbs of the conspiracy,” Judge Sharma said, ordering framing of charges against PFI and 25 other accused persons. Formal framing of charges will take place on July 10 following which trial is likely to begin against all the accused persons.

The NIA was represented in court by Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi, assistant public prosecutors Vikas Walia and Jatin Khatri, along with advocates Amit Rohilla and Shubham Goyal.

Over 1,300 criminal cases have been registered against PFI members across the country by law enforcement agencies related to offences linked to the killing of leaders associated with Hindu organisations, organising suspected terror camps, alleged radicalisation of youth, and links with foreign terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State (IS).

In September 2022, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had published a gazette notification declaring the organisation and its associates unlawful.

Source: indianexpress.com

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Can adopted child inherit under Muslim Law? Madras High Court says no

Vineet Upadhyay

Jun 5, 2026

The Madras High Court has held that adoption is not recognised under Islamic law and cannot create inheritance rights under the Shariat and dismissed a partition claim filed by a woman seeking a share in property owned by her late maternal grandmother.

A bench of Justice N Sathish Kumar and Justice V Lakshminarayanan ruled that neither the woman, one Fousia, nor her siblings had any legal right to inherit the estate while the said grandmother’s closer heirs under Muslim law remained alive.

“Adoption and its legal effects were abrogated by the express words of the Quran and have never since found a place in Muhammadan jurisprudence in connection with marriage, inheritance, or for any other legal purpose,” the court said on June 2.

Madras High CourtMuslim inheritance law Shariat law Adoption under Muslim law The Madras High Court has ruled that adoption does not create inheritance rights under Muslim personal law, holding that succession must follow bloodline-based rules under the Shariat.

The high court was hearing a plea filed by Fousia against a 2023 trial court order dismissing her suit seeking partition of property owned by her late maternal grandmother, Piyaru Bi.

Fousia claimed a share in the property through her mother, Gulab John, who had been raised as Piyaru Bi’s daughter, while the court was required to decide whether such a relationship amounted to a valid adoption under Muslim law and whether it could confer inheritance rights on Gulab John and her children.

Family dispute over grandmother’s property

The dispute centred on about 3.76 acres of land purchased by Piyaru Bi in 1981. After her death on November 1, 2012, her granddaughter Fousia approached the civil court seeking partition of the property into six equal shares among herself and other family members.

According to the woman, Piyaru Bi had only one daughter, Gulab John, and the family members had orally agreed to divide the property equally.

She alleged that some relatives later attempted to exclude her from the property and executed various transactions, settlement deeds and powers of attorney without her consent.

The other heirs of Piyaru Bi contested the claim and raised rival claims over the property.

One of the heirs claimed ownership over a portion of the land through an oral “Hiba” (gift) allegedly made by Piyaru Bi in 2007.

Core issue: Was Gulab John adopted daughter?

The case ultimately turned on a fundamental legal question- whether Gulab John, who had been brought up by Piyaru Bi and her husband Basha Sahib, could be treated as their adopted daughter for inheritance purposes.

The high court noted that Gulab John was not the biological daughter of Piyaru Bi but was the daughter of her sister.

Though she had been raised by Piyaru Bi and had even been shown as a legal heir in certain revenue records, the court held that such documents could not override Muslim personal law.

The bench clarified that a legal heirship certificate issued by revenue authorities merely reflects an administrative opinion and cannot conclusively determine succession rights contrary to personal law.

Quran prohibits adoption, court says

In a detailed discussion running several pages, the bench examined Islamic jurisprudence, historical practices and Quranic verses dealing with adoption.

The judges explained that before Islam, Arabs followed a practice known as “Tabanni”, under which adopted children enjoyed the same inheritance rights as biological children.

According to the court, the Quran abolished this system and emphasised the preservation of biological lineage.

The judgment also recounted the example of Zayd ibn Harithah, who had been adopted by Prophet Muhammad before the revelations and was later directed to revert to his biological lineage following the Quranic injunctions.

‘Kafala’ permits care, not inheritance

The high court distinguished adoption from the Islamic concept of “Kafala”, under which a person may undertake responsibility for the upbringing, education and maintenance of a child.

Under Kafala, however, the child retains his or her biological identity and inheritance rights continue to flow through biological parents rather than foster guardians.

The bench observed that while Islam encourages care and protection of children, it does not create inheritance rights through adoption.

Why grandchildren’s claim failed

Even assuming the family relationship asserted by the woman, the court held that Islamic inheritance principles prevented the woman and her siblings from staking a claim.

The judges referred to the doctrine of “Al-Hajb” or exclusion, under which more distant relatives are barred from inheritance when closer heirs are alive.

Since Gulab John herself was alive, her children, including the adopted one and legal heirs, could not claim inheritance rights over Piyaru Bi’s estate.

The court further observed that after rejecting the theory of adoption, the property would actually devolve upon surviving relatives who were closer in blood relationship to Piyaru Bi than the plaintiff and her siblings.

During the hearing, lawyers informed the high court that the children of Piyaru Bi’s siblings were alive and residing in Tiruvannamalai.

Oral gift claim, settlement deeds

The judgment also dealt with competing claims based on an alleged oral “Hiba” and various settlement deeds.

The high court found fault with certain conclusions reached by the trial court regarding the oral gift claimed by one of the legal heirs.

It held that the trial court had relied on pleadings from another case without properly proving them in evidence.

However, the court clarified that these findings did not alter the outcome of the dispute.

The high court also examined the requirements of a valid gift under Muslim law and referred to Supreme Court precedent holding that declaration, acceptance and delivery of possession are essential elements of a valid gift.

Merely producing a registered settlement deed, the judges said, would not automatically satisfy the requirements of Islamic law.

Appeal dismissed

Ultimately, the high court upheld the dismissal of the partition suit, though for reasons different from those adopted by the trial court.

The court concluded that neither the woman nor her siblings had established any present legal right to seek partition of Piyaru Bi’s properties.

“If at all anyone has a right over the property of Piyaru Bi, it is only her heirs as per the Shariat,” the high court observed while dismissing the appeal.

The court added that any future proceedings concerning the property would have to be initiated by persons legally entitled under Muslim succession law and would also require impleading third parties who had acquired interests in the property through subsequent transactions.

Source: indianexpress.com

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India lodges protest over Gilgit-Baltistan polls, reiterates claim on J&K

06.06.26

India has lodged a strong protest with Pakistan about the “general election” scheduled to be held for the “Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly” in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Sunday, iterating New Delhi’s demand that Islamabad vacate these areas immediately.

In a statement on Friday, the external affairs ministry said India had lodged a protest but did not specify when. “The government of India reiterated its well-known position that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, including the so-called ‘Gilgit-Baltistan’, are integral and inalienable parts of India as a result of complete, legal and irrevocable accession of Jammu & Kashmir to India in 1947.”

While registering India’s protest over the elections, New Delhi emphasised that such endeavours by Islamabad cannot mask the underlying issues of grave human rights violations, political repression, economic exploitation and denial of freedom in territories illegally occupied by Pakistan.

“The government of India categorically rejects any attempts by Pakistan to bring material change to areas under Pakistan’s illegal occupation, and

underlines that such actions cannot hide the fact that Pakistan illegally remains in possession of Indian territories, which it must vacate,” the ministry said.

In a statement, Pakistan's foreign office said it "categorically rejects India's baseless remarks regarding the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan".

Formerly known as the Northern Areas, Gilgit-Baltistan was under direct federal administration of Pakistan till 2009. Billed as an autonomous region, elections were introduced there in 2009 as part of the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order.

Source: telegraphindia.com

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Mideast

 

Netanyahu faces plunging support in north Israel as voters demand tougher Lebanon stance

June 04, 2026

KIRYAT SHMONA: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces plunging support in the electorally vital north where Hezbollah rocket fire has been heaviest, a new poll has shown, putting pressure on him to take a more hawkish stance as elections loom. Wednesday night’s ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon — whether it holds or not — may not be what northern voters have in mind.

The May poll by Agam Labs at Israel’s Hebrew University, shared exclusively with Reuters, showed residents in the north abandoning Netanyahu’s Likud more quickly than voters elsewhere and faulting him more harshly over the war in Lebanon. With Iran demanding an end to Israel’s military campaign as part of any peace deal it agrees with the United States, the poll shows how Netanyahu is increasingly caught between domestic electoral considerations and the diplomatic efforts of his allies in Washington.

NORTHERN VOTERS WANT END TO HEZBOLLAH THREAT

The general election due by October could tip Netanyahu’s governing coalition from power, risking his long record as Israel’s arch political survivor.

While his government is widely seen as the most right-wing in Israeli history, many northern voters want a tougher military stance, unfettered by US pressure to end the conflicts in the Middle East.

For residents of ‌the northern city ‌of Kiryat Shmona, where some half of voters backed Likud in the last election, ending the threat from ‌Hezbollah and ⁠its near-daily rocket ⁠and drone attacks is the biggest issue.

When sirens start to wail, they have only seconds to seek shelter and voters there told Reuters they want the war against Hezbollah pursued until the group is dismantled.

“All night there are loud explosions,” said Kiryat Shmona resident Moshe Yifrah, 45, adding that he does not believe a ceasefire with Hezbollah would protect his family. “Who would we make it with? Murderers who want to kill us?” he said.

Hezbollah began firing into Israel after the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, and Israel waged an intense armed campaign in Lebanon, killing most of the group’s leaders and forcing it to accept a ceasefire.

However, Hezbollah fired again after Israel and the United States launched a war on Iran on February 28, prompting Israel to renew its assault and seize swathes of ⁠south Lebanon.

More than 50 civilians have been killed by Hezbollah fire in north Israel since October 2023, according ‌to Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies.

In Lebanon, more than 7,500 people have been ‌killed by Israeli military action since October 2023, statements by Lebanese officials that do not distinguish between civilians and combatants show.

Many northern voters, like Yifrah, want Israel to ‌intensify its campaign, which continued despite an April truce, but believe Netanyahu is buckling to pressure from US President Donald Trump to agree a ceasefire.

“I’m ‌not ashamed to say that I voted for this government, but it turns out that the one managing it is President Trump,” said Yifrah.

Trump, who wants a deal with Iran, said on Monday that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to de-escalate hours after Netanyahu ordered new strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs. Netanyahu’s electoral rivals almost immediately accused him of compromising on national security — adding to his political difficulties months before the election is due.

“Everywhere Hezbollah is deployed it must be struck and the hands of the IDF ‌should not be tied,” said former military chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot, a prime ministerial hopeful, in a speech on Monday. Then on Wednesday evening, a new truce agreement was struck requiring Hezbollah to leave south ⁠Lebanon. Netanyahu said soon afterwards that despite ⁠the ceasefire military operations would continue for now.

ELECTION RIVALS TARGET NORTH

The Agam Labs poll showed only 23 percent of voters in the north saying they would back Likud in the next election, down from the 35 percent it gained in the last election in 2022. Support for the wider right-wing bloc that makes up Netanyahu’s coalition has fallen yet further in the north, the poll showed.

The drop in support for Likud is around three times greater in the north, home to around a fifth of the electorate, than elsewhere in Israel and around 70 percent of the voters surveyed there said they disapproved of the handling of the war in Lebanon — more than elsewhere in Israel.

“We see a dramatic shift,” said Nimrod Nir of Agam Labs.

“It’s almost a mirror image of what we saw regarding the past elections, with two thirds intending to vote for the anti-Netanyahu bloc,” he added.

The chairperson of Kiryat Shmona’s Likud branch did not respond to a request for comment on the party’s reduced support in polls or agree to an interview.

Nestled amid lush green mountains, Kiryat Shmona had been a prosperous center of tourism and farming but residents now describe it as a ghost town with many residents having left.

Shops were shuttered and a playground was empty during a Reuters visit this week.

Netanyahu’s main rivals are trying a hawkish message in the north, with Eizenkot visiting more than 15 times in recent weeks. Netanyahu has stayed away.

“He should come visit,” said Yisrael Cohen, 40, who previously backed Likud but will not in the next election. “The government needs to see us.”

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2645958/middle-east

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US strikes Iran radar sites after Iranian drone launch

June 06, 2026

WASHINGTON: The US military said it shot down four Iranian drones that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz on Friday and then struck some of Iran’s radar sites in response.

“The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic,” US Central Command said on social media.

US forces subsequently struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island to defend against further attacks, CENTCOM added.

Earlier on Friday, CENTCOM denied Iran's claims that it fired warning shots at US  warships in the Gulf of Oman, forcing American vessels to “retreat” toward the Indian Ocean.

“US forces continue to operate freely in regional waters while fully enforcing the ongoing blockade against Iran," CENTCOM said.

The military is enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports in response to Tehran’s chokehold on the crucial corridor for global oil and natural gas shipments, which has sent energy prices spiking and posed political problems for President Donald Trump’s Republican Party ahead of the midterm congressional elections.

US Central Command said it hit the radar sites, including an island in the strait, “to defend against further attacks.”

It was the latest in back-and-forth attacks that have strained the tenuous ceasefire in the war and efforts to reach a deal to extend that truce. Earlier this week, Iranian drones heavily damaged a passenger terminal at Kuwait’s main airport, killing one person, wounding dozens and briefly closing the airfield.

Despite the attacks raising new concerns that the ceasefire could collapse, Trump told reporters Friday that “the situation with Iran seems to be going quite well.”

“We’re going to come out of Iran very quickly and it’s going to be very strong one way or the other, whether it’s a piece of paper or the very tough way,” Trump said at an event with farmers in Wisconsin. “The very tough way is maybe the easier way, but we’re going to come out, and your fertilizer prices are going to go way down, just like they were four months ago.”

Boxed in

Trump increasingly appears to be boxed in on a conflict that has settled into a holding pattern. US and Iranian negotiators reached a tentative agreement a week ago to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and start a new round of talks on Iran’s nuclear program. But Trump has called for unspecified changes and Iranian officials have shown no public signs of signing off on the deal.

Asked on Friday why it was taking so long, Trump told NBC’s “Meet the Press” it was because “it’s a very hard thing for them,” citing their “great independence” and the fact that “they’re strong, they’re proud.”

“There are things they never thought they’d be doing that they’re going to have to do. They’ve got no choice, and it takes a little while,” he said in the interview.

Iranian missile stockpile

Trump said the Iranians still have 21 percent to 22 percent of their missiles.

His administration also has touted the latest ceasefire agreed to this week by the Lebanese government and Israel after US-brokered talks in Washington. However, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group has rejected the agreement and new attacks have put it at further risk.

The Israeli military on Friday struck multiple parts of southern Lebanon and issued evacuation warnings for nine villages, including one that has sheltered thousands of people displaced by the fighting. The strikes killed nine people in six locations in southern Lebanon, the state news agency reported.

The Israeli military said two soldiers were wounded, one severely, in an encounter Friday with militants in southern Lebanon.

The fighting in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have seized large swaths of the south, also threatens efforts to end the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz because Iran has demanded that any lasting truce extend to Lebanon.

Besides the drone interception in the Strait of Hormuz, the US military said earlier Friday that its forces boarded a sanctioned oil tanker linked to Iran in the Indian Ocean as the United States seeks to prevent Iran from profiting off its oil and other goods.

The US also targeted Iran’s energy sector with new sanctions on a group of people, firms and tankers.

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UN peacekeeping chief outlines options for post-UNIFIL monitoring force in southern Lebanon

EPHREM KOSSAIFY

June 06, 2026

NEW YORK CITY: The head of UN peacekeeping used his final International Day of UN Peacekeepers address to issue an urgent call for the violence in Lebanon to end, as the organization mourned the death of yet another soldier killed while serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the under-secretary-general for peace operations, said that Sgt. Nilovan Ivanovic of Serbia died from critical injuries sustained when mortar shells struck his position in Lebanon. He would have celebrated his 37th birthday the following day. He was the seventh UNIFIL peacekeeper killed since March 2026.

“All these attacks against peacekeepers are unacceptable,” Lacroix told journalists at the UN headquarters in New York.

“The violence must stop for the civilians who are living under constant threat, it has to stop for the more than 1 million people displaced from their homes, and for the peacekeepers who are there, holding that position in Lebanon, liaising with the parties, doing their best to maintain stability.”

Lacroix was unequivocal about the UN’s commitment to UNIFIL, despite the dangerous environment in which it operates, as the force prepares for the end of its mission. Asked whether the force would remain deployed in the field until its mandate expires on Dec. 31 this year, he said: “Absolutely, yes.

“There is full commitment by us and, more importantly, our peacekeepers, all of them on the ground, to stay and continue to deliver until the end of the mandate.”

Describing what delivery of that mandate involves in practice, he said UNIFIL personnel had been supporting the work of the Lebanese Armed Forces and, over recent weeks, have been focusing to a significant degree on facilitating humanitarian assistance to those civilians who remain in areas south of the Litani River.

Lacroix paid tribute in particular to UNIFIL commander Maj. Gen. Diodato Abagnara, and highlighted a recent humanitarian operation conducted in Tyre, the latest in a series of such missions.

“You can see that there’s strong dedication to support the civilians and to support Lebanon in general,” Lacroix said. “Whatever may come next, it’s about supporting the Lebanese people, it’s about supporting political progress. This is really what peacekeeping is about, and that applies also to Lebanon.”

Lacroix also touched on the future of the UN presence in southern Lebanon, after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres provided the Security Council with a set of options for a possible successor mission to UNIFIL, framed around the continuing implementation of Resolution 1701.

Resolution 1701 was adopted by the Security Council in 2006 with the aim of resolving the conflict that year between Israel and Hezbollah. It calls for an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, the withdrawal of Hezbollah and other forces from parts of the country south of the Litani River, and the disarmament of Hezbollah and other armed groups.

Lacroix said the secretary-general’s proposals had been developed after extensive consultations with Lebanese authorities, who communicated two main priorities. Firstly, that Lebanon’s own institutions, the Lebanese Army and security forces, were ready to take an active and empowered role in the implementation of Resolution 1701, including efforts to work toward ensuring full governmental control over all weapons on Lebanese soil.

Secondly, that Beirut sees continued value in a post-UNIFIL UN presence in the country focused on monitoring, observing, reporting, liaison and deconfliction.

“In the context, where there continues to be a presence of foreign forces in Lebanon, that aspect of liaison and deconfliction is also important,” Lacroix noted.

The proposals under consideration by the Security Council are for between 200 and 375 unarmed military observers, although the total number of uniformed personnel envisioned would be considerably larger, up to 5,500, to provide the observers with protection, medical support mobility and the ability to react quickly.

“Those military observers, unarmed, will need to be protected,” Lacroix said. “Given the severity of the environment, the secretary-general is determined that that support needs to be sufficient for us to be comfortable that if those observers are deployed in southern Lebanon, they will receive adequate support.”

He added that the proposed force would be scalable, in other words designed to adapt and potentially be reduced if the political and security situation on the ground improves.

“The secretary-general is not proposing something that is meant to be there for … many years,” he said.

UNIFIL was established in 1978, and by the time its mandate ends in December it will have been present in Lebanon for almost 48 years.

Lacroix also underlined that any future UN presence would be only one component of the assistance that Lebanon requires.

“Lebanon will need a lot of international support: greater support to the Lebanese Armed Forces and security forces, and also increased humanitarian assistance to the more than 1 million Lebanese civilians who are currently displaced,” he said.

In a broader appeal for political and financial investment in peacekeeping efforts, Lacroix provided official figures that illustrated how little the world spends in relative terms on one of its most visible instruments of conflict prevention. The entire annual budget for UN peacekeeping worldwide is $5.38 billion. That amount, he noted, is equivalent to just 16 hours of global military expenditure.

He also pointed out that the peacekeeping budget for a full year, covering all operations globally, is less than half the cost of organizing the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

“Nothing against soccer,” he said, “but I think that this comparison is worth reflecting on, really: what is it that the world is investing in peacekeeping, and what the output is relative to that amount.”

Lacroix took pains to note that the costs equation also includes the downstream bill for inaction.

“It’s a fact that the cost of supporting peacekeeping is far lower than the cost of responding when conflict spirals out of control,” he said.

“Let us invest in peace. We need the political and financial backing of member states. We need parties to conflict to uphold international humanitarian law and the UN Charter.”

Lacroix acknowledged that peacekeeping missions had already been forced to absorb cuts in funding because assessed contributions from member states had not been paid on time or in full.

“If you have to close bases where civilians are in need of protection, then those civilians will be less protected or non-protected,” he warned, noting that reduced capacity had resulted in fewer patrols and less engagement on civilian-protection efforts in several mission areas.

He appealed directly to UN member states to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time, calling this a matter of consistency.

“The mandates of peacekeeping operations are decided by member states, so we expect member states to be consistent,” he said.

New budget proposals from all peacekeeping missions are currently under discussion and must be adopted by June 30.

Friday’s briefing was Lacroix’s last in his role as head of the Department of Peace Operations.

“The most meaningful moments have always been those that I have had with the men and women who work in these very difficult, dangerous environments; meeting with them, and meeting with the men and women in the communities that are protected by the peacekeepers,” he said of his experiences.

He had never, in all his field visits, heard a civilian ask for peacekeepers to leave, he added.

“They’re always telling us: do more and please stay. I think it’s a tribute to what our peacekeepers are doing on the ground, day in, day out.”

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Gaza’s fishermen patch up dinghies with door frames to keep themselves afloat

June 05, 2026

GAZA: In a Gaza workshop, a group of men patches up pleasure dinghies with reclaimed fiberglass, wood, and door frames pulled from the rubble, racing to get the boats ready for a tougher line of work.

The small vessels, which were used by families and swimmers before the war, have become a lifeline for the enclave’s fishing industry, which has been struggling to keep up its fleet.

Israeli restrictions on new fiberglass and other materials entering Gaza have made it increasingly difficult and expensive to repair the larger, purpose-built boats, fishermen said.

“A kilo of fiberglass in the era before the war ‌was 50 ‌or 60 shekels (approximately $17 or $21),” said fisherman Mohammed Al-Hissi. The ‌cost today was around 800 shekels, he added.

COGAT, the Israeli military agency that controls access to Gaza, said the bans cover items that could have a military as well as a civilian use. It did not directly comment on restrictions on fiberglass. Even before the war that began with attacks on southern Israel in October 2023, Gaza’s fishermen faced strict Israeli restrictions on how far they ‌could go out to sea.

Now, they ‌say they keep even closer to shore to avoid shooting that they report ‌has continued since last year’s ceasefire.

More than 900 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the truce began, according to figures from Gaza health officials that do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Four ‌Israeli soldiers have been killed by militants during the same period, Israel’s military has said.

The Gaza fishing industry’s total catch has shrunk to less than 15 tonnes a month — the amount they used to take every day before the war, Gaza Fishermen Syndicate member Zakaria Baker said.

Fishing provided an important source of food before the conflict.

The hunger crisis in Gaza has eased since famine was declared in parts of the tiny, crowded territory before the ceasefire last year.

But aid agencies say most children still don’t get a diverse enough diet, and the UN reported that 3,500 children were admitted for malnutrition treatment in April.

“We repair and maintain boats, and serve fishermen in any way we can,” worker Musab Baker said at the repair shop.

“But we are unable to do anything apart from the small boats.”

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7-month-old baby, teenager shot dead in separate West Bank killings

June 05, 2026

RAMALLAH: Israeli forces shot dead an 18-year-old Palestinian man in the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Friday, while the military said it had killed someone who threw firebombs at vehicles.

In the early hours of Friday, the Health Ministry said it had been informed of “the martyrdom of the young man Haitham Ezzedine Omar Hmeida, 18, by occupation gunfire in the village of Beitin,” northeast of Ramallah.

It added that the man’s body was being withheld.

In a statement, the Israeli military said its forces had “identified several terrorists throwing Molotov cocktails at Israeli vehicles traveling on a major roadway” near the village of Beitin.

“The soldiers opened fire at the terrorists and eliminated one of them,” the military said, adding that its forces were “currently pursuing the remaining suspects.”

Since the war in Gaza broke out in October 2023, near-daily violence has rocked the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.

Israeli soldiers or settlers have killed at least 1,078 Palestinians since then, including many militants, according to an AFP tally based on Palestinian Health Ministry data.

Also on Friday, a Palestinian youth was injured by shrapnel from Israeli occupation forces’ live ammunition during a military raid on the village of Dura Al-Qari,’ northeast of Ramallah.

Sources said that Israeli infantry forces stormed the village and opened live fire toward the Al-Ain area, injuring a young man in the head with shrapnel from live fire.

His condition was described as stable.

Infant killed by Israeli fire in West Bank

The Palestinian health ministry said Israeli gunfire killed an infant and wounded his parents on Friday in the occupied West Bank.

Sam Fahd Abou Haikal, aged seven months, died and his parents were lightly injured “after the occupation forces opened fire on them on Friday evening” in the south of the city of Hebron, the ministry said. The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Dr. Tareq Barbarawi, the director of a Hebron hospital, had earlier told AFP the child had been taken into care with “serious” injuries.

According to Palestinian news agency Wafa, the Israeli army fired toward the family’s car.

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President Aoun tells Iran ‘not your job to interfere’ in Lebanon

June 05, 2026

BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged Iran not to interfere in his country in an interview broadcast on Friday, also telling the Tehran-backed Hezbollah that diplomacy was the only solution to the conflict with Israel.

“It’s not your country, it’s our country... It’s not your job to interfere into our country,” Aoun said in the interview with CNN, addressing Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

“They are using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in their negotiation with the United States. It’s unacceptable,” he said.

Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war with rocket fire at Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing days earlier of Iran’s supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes. Israel responded with massive strikes and a ground invasion.

Lebanon says Israel has killed more than 3,500 people since the conflict started and clashes and airstrikes continued on Friday.

An Israeli strike in the south in the town of Zebdine killed five people including a woman and an emergency worker, Lebanon's health ministry said. The ministry condemned "the targeting of paramedics carrying out rescue operations."

Lebanese state media earlier reported fresh Israeli strikes on more than 40 locations on Friday, while Hezbollah claimed new attacks on Israeli troops who have invaded the south

On Wednesday, Lebanese and Israeli envoys in Washington agreed to a truce which according to a statement is conditional on a “complete cessation” of Hezbollah fire, without mentioning a halt to Israeli attacks.

Tehran insists the fighting in Lebanon and the war in the Gulf are linked, and on Thursday the head of the Guards’ foreign arm said Israel must pull back from its front lines in Lebanon.

“Hezbollah must understand that (there is) no other way but to sit and talk, no other way to solve this problem and to save what’s left except through negotiation and diplomacy,” Aoun added.

“It’s the Lebanese people, they are not Naim Qassem(’s) people,” he said, referring to the Hezbollah chief, who on Thursday rejected the truce deal.

“The majority of the Lebanese people are fed up with war,” the president added.

Neither side has respected an April 17 ceasefire.

Israel “can flatten the whole country, but they will never be able to achieve their objective,” he said, adding: “They’ve tried it in Gaza. Hamas still exists.”

Hezbollah is Lebanon’s only militant group that refused to surrender its arsenal after the 1975-1990 civil war, arguing it was fighting Israel’s occupation of south Lebanon.

Aoun said that “we have a great opportunity to end the state of hostility between Lebanon and Israel,” but that Hezbollah could only be dealt with domestically.

“It’s the job of the state... but, on one condition — that we remove the root causes of the existence of its weapons,” meaning Israel’s withdrawal and ending the state of hostility, he said.

Addressing Israeli authorities, he said: “You need to show some willingness and commitment to end this war... We are willing, we are committed. Are you?“

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IAEA: UAE nuclear plant attack ‘serious compromise of nuclear safety’

June 05, 2026

VIENNA: Last month’s drone attack on the UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant was a “serious compromise of nuclear safety, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Friday, adding any such attack “is unacceptable, a no-go, taboo.”

The UAE blamed pro-Iran militants in Iraq for the incident, which followed weeks of attacks by Iranian drones and missiles during the Middle East war.

The May 17 attack hit an electricity facility at the plant, risking potentially shutting it down, and IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned that “attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes are unacceptable.”

“The strike caused a fire in an electrical generator located outside the inner site perimeter of the NPP (nuclear power plant), prompting the need for emergency generators to provide power,” Grossi told an IAEA board meeting in Vienna.

The meeting was held at the request of Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.

During a visit to the plant last Tuesday Grossi said the attack could have interrupted the external power supply.

On Friday he hailed the “professionalism and alertness” of the IAEA-trained on-duty team at the site who he said were able to “respond promptly and effectively to the unthinkable: a direct impact caused by a drone with an explosive payload.”

He said the IAEA would closely support the plant to ensure its safety, having during his visit said that the plant had been the victim of a “very carefully targeted operation” by attackers seeking to cause a major incident.

In any case, “the incident was a serious compromise of nuclear safety and undermined several of the IAEA’s seven indispensable pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict,” Grossi said.

‘Perilous’ time

Even if radiation levels at the plant remained normal and no injuries were reported he stressed that such attacks could lead to a high release of radioactivity.

He added he had spoken immediately after the attack to UAE leaders to assure them of the agency’s support and “given the general concerns caused by these developments, I have been in close and frequent touch with leaders throughout the Gulf region” to discuss nuclear safety and security in the region at a “perilous” time.

The Barakah plant, built by a South Korean consortium led by energy supplier Kepco and which came online in 2020, meets up to a quarter of the UAE’s electricity needs.

In a statement on Friday to the IAEA board, Iran said the United States and Israel had carried out “17 waves of attacks against Iranian safeguarded nuclear facilities,” including near its Bushehr nuclear power plant.

Ahead of the board of governors’ meeting, Iran, and its allies China and Russia, held a meeting with Grossi.

The IAEA chief later told a news conference the three countries had asked for the meeting to underline that “it’s very difficult for Iran to comply with its obligations (to the IAEA) in the current circumstances.”

Grossi also said that the IAEA needed to be allowed to verify the amount of enriched uranium Iran has.

Iran’s mission to the IAEA released a statement afterwards saying the meeting “because it’s been a long time and without a clear baseline.”

Without such verification, any agreement over Iran’s nuclear program “might be less... I would say probable.”

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Arab World

 

Riyadh Air takes delivery of first two custom-built Dreamliners

June 06, 2026

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier Riyadh Air has taken delivery of its first two custom-built Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, marking a major milestone in the airline’s preparations for commercial expansion and the Kingdom’s broader efforts to establish Riyadh as a global aviation hub, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.

The twin aircraft arrived at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh at about 10 a.m. local time and were greeted with a ceremonial water cannon salute. Registered as HZ-RXAA and HZ-RXAB and operating under the call signs “Riyadh 1” and “Riyadh 2,” the jets are the first deliveries from Riyadh Air’s order of 72 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

The arrival represents a significant step for the airline, which is wholly owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and forms part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy and strengthen its aviation and tourism sectors.

Chief Executive Tony Douglas described the delivery as a historic moment for both the airline and Saudi aviation.

“Not only are we building an airline, we are opening a new gateway to the world from the heart of the Kingdom,” Douglas said in a statement released by the carrier.

The airline plans to expand its fleet to more than 180 narrow-body and wide-body aircraft and connect Riyadh to more than 100 destinations worldwide by 2030. Riyadh Air expects to serve nearly 20 destinations by the end of this year, leveraging the Kingdom’s location at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe.

The aircraft arrive weeks after Riyadh Air opened public ticket sales for flights operated by its new Dreamliners on the Riyadh-London route, with full-service operations scheduled to begin on July 1.

The London Heathrow service will become the first route flown exclusively by Riyadh Air’s new Boeing 787-9 fleet and is expected to serve as a cornerstone of the airline’s international network.

According to the carrier, the aircraft feature a four-class cabin configuration comprising Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy and Economy, alongside next-generation in-flight entertainment systems, Bluetooth connectivity and high-speed digital services designed to support the airline’s technology-focused business model.

Riyadh Air was launched by the PIF in 2023 as part of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to boost air connectivity, tourism and trade. The airline received its Air Operator Certificate from the General Authority of Civil Aviation in April 2025, authorizing it to begin commercial operations after completing an extensive regulatory and operational certification process.

Saudi aviation authorities have projected that Riyadh Air will eventually contribute nearly $20 billion to the Kingdom’s non-oil economy and support more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The carrier is chaired by PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and led by former Etihad Airways chief executive Tony Douglas. Riyadh Air positions itself as a digitally driven, full-service airline combining advanced technology with Saudi hospitality as it seeks to compete with established regional and international carriers.

The arrival of the first Dreamliners signals the beginning of fleet deliveries ahead of the airline’s planned expansion and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become one of the world’s leading aviation and travel hubs over the coming decade.

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Saudi Arabia’s Jazan waterfront road enhances regional tourism

June 05, 2026

JAZAN: Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region is becoming a major tourist destination.

The region continues to strengthen its position as a growing destination for development through high-quality municipal projects along the Red Sea coast.

Chief among these is the Jazan waterfront road, an urban project implemented by the Jazan Municipality that has become a year-round attraction, embodying the region’s continuous infrastructure and recreational development.

Stretching 2.1 km, the waterfront road integrates comprehensive facilities to enhance the visitor experience.

The site features dedicated parking areas, pedestrian walkways, accessible spaces for people with disabilities, and a series of coastal cafes and restaurants, offering diverse options for leisure and recreation against open-sea views.

The promenade serves as an open space for sports, recreation, and photography, particularly during coastal sunsets.

These continuous municipal initiatives to develop parks, walkways, and waterfronts support urban infrastructure, enhance the local quality of life, and boost the region’s broader appeal, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

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Seed banks emerge as backbone of Saudi restoration efforts

GHADI JOUDAH

June 05, 2026

RIYADH: Seed banks are emerging as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s ecological restoration efforts, safeguarding native plant species and supplying locally adapted seedlings for rehabilitation projects across the Kingdom.

The success of these restoration ambitions depends on processes that begin long before a seedling reaches the ground — particularly how seeds are collected, preserved and reintroduced into the landscape.

A seed bank is a facility or program that collects seeds, typically from native plants, then cleans, treats and stores them for future use in growing seedlings for conservation and restoration purposes.

Globally, one of the most prominent examples is the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, which preserves duplicate seed samples from genebanks as a safeguard for global plant genetic diversity.

Saudi Arabia’s seed banking efforts operate in a different ecological context, but follow the same principle: preserving genetic material today to enable ecosystem recovery in the future.

As restoration and afforestation initiatives expand across the Kingdom — driven by programs linked to the Saudi Green Initiative and broader national efforts to increase vegetation cover — seed banks and native plant nurseries are increasingly being treated as essential infrastructure rather than supporting components.

In Dawadmi, the Association for the Preservation of Trees and Parks established a seed bank after observing the decline of certain native tree species.

Saleh Al-Raqraq, president of the association, told Arab News: “The primary goal of establishing the seed bank is to preserve trees threatened with extinction.”

He explained that the process begins with collecting seeds from native trees, which are then treated and stored to ensure long-term viability.

In practice, seed banking is closely aligned with field operations. Seeds and seedlings are distributed to groups engaged in afforestation campaigns and the rehabilitation of natural sites.

Al-Raqraq said the association participates in national campaigns linked to the Saudi Green Initiative and broader efforts to increase vegetation cover.

The impact of seed banks is ultimately measured beyond storage facilities. Al-Raqraq noted that the association has implemented afforestation and cultivation projects across several sites in Al-Dawadmi governorate and its surrounding districts, while producing and collecting significant quantities of native seeds for environmental rehabilitation.

For some native species, he said “good germination rates were achieved after applying appropriate storage and treatment methods, particularly for desert plants adapted to drought.”

He added that seed dispersal and afforestation campaigns have also helped raise environmental awareness and increase volunteer participation. However, he also pointed to gaps that could shape long-term outcomes.

“These include the need for more specialized local seed banks, long-term research support, expanded studies on how climate change is affecting native plants, and the importance of building integrated national databases for suitable plants and seeds,” he said.

Al-Raqraq emphasized that improved research and site data are essential because restoration draws on two seed banks simultaneously — “what we store, and what the land already holds.”

On May 6, the King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, in collaboration with King Saud University, published a study on Rawdat Nourah showing that soil seed banks — seeds already present in the ground — do not always correspond with visible surface vegetation.

The finding has direct implications for restoration planning: managers must determine when ecosystems can regenerate naturally through protection alone, and when active intervention through stored seeds and nursery-grown plants is necessary.

Alongside community initiatives, Saudi Arabia is also building large-scale capacity through specialized nurseries and seed banks designed to support restoration at scale.

The AlUla Native Plant Nursery and Seed Bank operates a 58,750-square-meter facility producing more than 1.5 million seedlings annually from over 100 native species.

This capacity enables restoration to move beyond isolated campaigns, ensuring a continuous supply of locally adapted plants for multi-season rehabilitation projects.

While seed banks provide the biological foundation, restoration outcomes are often determined after planting — through site selection, maintenance and long-term monitoring.

Saad Al-Ajmi, chairman of Wasm Environmental Association, told Arab News: “The group selects afforestation and ecological restoration sites based on scientific criteria and genuine environmental need, focusing on degraded areas where vegetation cover can be strengthened.”

Al-Ajmi said each site is evaluated according to soil conditions, topography and existing vegetation, in coordination with relevant authorities to ensure regulatory compliance.

“The association’s work emphasizes what happens after planting, including irrigation during establishment, periodic field visits, protection from overgrazing or encroachments, and monitoring to track survival rates and address challenges,” he said

Rather than focusing solely on the number of trees planted, Al-Ajmi said success is measured through multiple indicators. “Such as seedling survival and growth, restored area, improvements in vegetation cover, biodiversity signals such as the return of some wildlife species, community participation, and long-term site sustainability.”

He added that ongoing challenges include limited water availability in some locations, overgrazing and high seasonal temperatures.

Al-Ajmi said the association has attracted more than 11 supporting entities for projects valued at over SR8 million ($2.1 million), and has led dozens of volunteer initiatives involving more than 11,000 participants across afforestation, environmental awareness and natural resource conservation.

Seed banks may appear to be quiet, technical spaces defined by storage conditions and labeling systems. Yet their impact is tangible in the landscapes that eventually emerge.

They preserve native genetic diversity, support climate-resilient propagation, and reduce the risk of restoration failure caused by a lack of suitable planting material.

Across Saudi Arabia, a multi-layered restoration ecosystem is taking shape — from community groups identifying local ecological decline and collecting native seeds, to large-scale nurseries and seed banks ensuring consistent supply, to field programs that treat survival rates, aftercare and monitoring as central measures of success rather than afterthoughts.

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Saudi ambassador to US visits Boeing facilities in Charleston

June 05, 2026

WASHINGTON: Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar visited Boeing’s facilities in Charleston, South Carolina.

Princess Reema toured the company’s facilities and viewed several aircraft designated for Riyadh Air.

The visit underscores the strength of the partnership between the Kingdom and the US and reflects Riyadh’s ongoing efforts to develop the aviation sector and advance national development objectives under Saudi Vision 2030.

The Boeing Co. designs and manufactures aeroplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, and missiles worldwide. The company also provides leasing and product support services.

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Lebanese president thanks Saudi Arabia for its support in phone call with crown prince

June 05, 2026

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun discussed regional developments and efforts to promote security and stability during a phone call on Friday.

During the conversation, the two leaders reviewed the situation in Lebanon and the wider region and efforts made toward security and stability, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Aoun expressed his appreciation to the crown prince and the Saudi leadership for the Kingdom’s support for Lebanon and its efforts to promote stability and peace across the region.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly voiced support for Lebanon’s security, stability and sovereignty amid ongoing regional challenges.

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Umm Al-Qura University launches multilingual digital project

June 05, 2026

MAKKAH: The Cultural Front at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah is utilizing digital technologies to enrich the pilgrim experience with diverse educational and historical content.

Available in multiple languages, the university launched a project that introduces visitors to the Kingdom's Islamic, historical, and cultural sites through reliable information and interactive media.

Part of the university’s efforts to harness technology for Hajj and Umrah services, the project aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 goals to enhance service quality. By providing accessible historical data, the platform fosters cross-cultural communication and showcases the Kingdom’s rich heritage.

The project highlights the vital role of academic institutions in combining knowledge and technology to deliver a comprehensive cultural experience for global visitors during their stay in Makkah.

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Demand for Arabic proficiency grows among KSA expatriates

HEBSHI ALSHAMMARI

June 05, 2026

Riyadh: Learning Arabic has become essential for expatriate employees seeking professional and social integration in Saudi Arabia.

Prof. Saad Al-Qahtani, head of the educational programs sector at the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, confirmed plans to expand the scope of the “Wesal” program to include other Saudi cities, following the success of its first two courses.

 

The program, designed for non-Arabic-speaking employees in both the government and private sectors, aims to enable effective communication.

It delivers 60 training hours over three months using a blended learning model (in-person and online).

Al-Qahtani said that the program had achieved a notable impact, enhancing the diversity of nationalities and developing language skills. As a result, the potential for Wesal to expand into other Saudi cities, such as Jeddah and Dammam, continued to grow.

Building on these successes, Al-Qahtani said that the need for Arabic language programs for communication purposes was no longer confined to a specific city. Instead, it was increasingly recognized as a requirement in various work environments across the Kingdom.

To meet this growing demand, he said that the academy was working to build partnerships with government and private entities to ensure the program reached a wider audience.

Al-Qahtani said that while Arabic was an essential gateway to integration, on its own it was not sufficient for full inclusion of residents.

He emphasized that language learning was part of a broader experience, which also included cultural understanding and human interaction.

The program extended beyond language teaching to include cultural activities, he said. For example, the interactions of previous trainees with expressions such as “absher” and “sam” had helped them to connect more closely with colleagues and communicate more smoothly during daily work.

Al-Qahtani said that the program’s success in improving employee performance after only 60 hours was not only reflected in the hours spent but also in the positive impact on trainees’ working lives.

He cited examples of trainees who started with almost no knowledge of Arabic, yet by the end of the second edition were able to deliver speeches to the audience in Arabic.

Al-Qahtani described the transformation as reflecting the impact of continuity and an educational methodology based on practice and genuine communication.

Yasser Aljuwysir, director of public relations and media at KSGAAL, highlighed significant growth in the private sector’s awareness of the program’s value.

Aljuwysir said that the academy was now receiving increased interest from entities and companies seeking to implement it.

The National Policy for the Arabic Language, recently approved by the Council of Ministers, represents an important step in enhancing Arabic’s presence and in raising awareness among entities about the importance of empowering their non-Arabic-speaking employees, he said.

Source: arabnews.com

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Europe

 

Did Haringey’s new Labour leader once defend Jihadi John?

6 June 2026

It’s not just the Greens who attract people with shameful records of extremism. In the London borough of Haringey, Labour has appointed a former spokesman for the terrorist-sympathising group Cage as its new group leader.

Cllr Ibrahim Ali, also known as Ibrahim Mohamoud, was for at least two years communications officer at Cage. The organisation became notorious after its research director, Asim Qureshi, described Britain’s Islamic State executioner and former Cage client Mohammed Emwazi – otherwise known as ‘Jihadi John’ – as a ‘beautiful young man’. Qureshi said Emwazi’s transition to sadistic murderer was a search for ‘belonging’ triggered by Britain’s ‘alienating’ national security policy. As Qureshi put it:

When are we going to finally learn that when we treat people as if they’re outsiders, they will inevitably feel like outsiders and they will look for belonging elsewhere? Our entire national security strategy for the last 13 years has only increased alienation… And when somebody [i.e., the Islamic State] is giving them a message, come, we will give you a sense of belonging, then how can we argue against that?

As Cage spokesman, the future Cllr Ali defended these comments to a parliamentary committee. Asked what he thought of them, he replied:

[Emwazi’s] teacher called him… hard-working, a lovely boy. Another member of staff, a former headteacher, said he was a very hard-working, aspirational young man.

He claimed Qureshi’s comments did not refer to ‘the person [Emwazi] became and the acts he committed’. Asked why Cage had not condemned the Paris terror attacks, which killed 130 people the week before the committee hearing, Ali replied: ‘On the Friday of the attacks, we were very busy.’

Ali’s other contributions to community harmony include describing the UK as an ‘Orwellian police state’ and claiming that the Prevent counter-extremism programme fosters ‘an environment of hate’. He also amplified a claim that Prevent ‘openly targeted…normal Muslim religious practice’; praised the Cordoba Foundation, linked to the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood; and described the Muslim anti-extremism group, Quilliam, as ‘scum’.

Ali served as the vice president of student affairs for the Federation of Student Islamic Societies, which hosted numerous extremist speakers and was condemned by the government for its failure to ‘fully challenge terrorist and extremist ideology’. In this capacity, he claimed that intimidation was used to silence Muslim students, who were also being surveilled in their prayer rooms and that they felt threatened by the security services’ attempts to blackmail them into spying on their fellow students.

When he was first elected to Haringey council in May 2022, his comments about Jihadi John got Ali suspended from the Labour party. By September that year, he was back, though his statement announcing the fact contained no expression of regret or apology for his ealier words, or any sense that he’d repudiated them. He spent the next four years as a backbencher and was briefly appointed to the council’s cabinet this year until Labour lost power at last month’s local elections. He’s now leader of the opposition, though the ruling Greens are one seat short of a majority, meaning that a return to power is not completely out of the question.

One other fascinating thing about Cllr Ali is that he declares he has another job – but withholds all details about what it is from his official council declaration of interest on the grounds that it’s ‘sensitive’. It’s quite common and understandable for councillors to withhold their home addresses from such declarations – but it surely defeats the entire object of registers of interest if they’re allowed not to tell us what other activities they carry out for money.

Given Ali’s record, I think it’s fair to assume that this ‘sensitive’ job of his is not with, for instance, MI5. Could he still be working for Cage, or another Islamist organisation, in some capacity?

The Spectator contacted Cllr Ali to ask whether he had changed his views since working for Cage or whether he would now apologise for them. We have received no reply.

Source: spectator.com

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https://spectator.com/article/haringeys-new-labour-leader-once-called-jihadi-john-a-lovely-boy/

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Honey Stone Cafe opens on Oxford Street, Moreton in Marsh

By Daniel Kelly

6 June 2026

A NEW café, which is hidden from the hustle and bustle of the High Street, has opened in Moreton.

Honey Stone Café opened on Oxford Street in May after owner, Aminul Islam, saw a 'gap in the market.

Just off Moreton High Street, Honey Stone Café offers a selection of homemade sandwich fillings, which Mr Islam claims no other business in the town offers.

Aminul Islam, owner of Honey Stone Café, said: "The business is doing good.

"We opened on May 19.

"We are doing very good.

"I opened a new café because these kinds of sandwich fillings, I checked in other cafes, they do not do these kinds of fillings.

"They are all homemade, and I saw a gap in the market.

"We do cold fillings, sandwiches, toasties, paninis, baguettes, chipatta, all different variations. You cannot find these kinds of fillings in other cafes."

Honey Stone Cafe is one of two businesses to open in May alongside Annabella Floral and Home on Moreton High Street.

Mr Islam added: "It is very exciting.

"I've been in this industry for the last 15 years in Oxfordshire before moving here.

"We have had a lot of tourists and local working people over the last couple of weeks.

"They come for lunch, they say we are very good, and very generous with the portions.

"Other cafes do not do this kind of fillings."

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Source: cotswoldjournal.co.uk

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Ukraine pushes EU to send military-aged men back home – media

6 Jun, 2026

Ukraine has asked Brussels to exclude military-aged Ukrainian men from temporary protection measures, EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner has said, according to Deutsche Welle. Kiev has been seeking to replenish troop numbers amid mounting manpower shortages.

Tens of thousands of Ukrainians have fled abroad to avoid conscription since the conflict with Russia escalated in 2022. As of spring 2026, 4.33 million Ukrainians were living under temporary protection in the EU, including up to 1 million men of fighting age, according to Eurostat data.

The issue was raised as EU member states discussed extending temporary protection for Ukrainians beyond its current March 2027 expiry date. Most member states reportedly support prolonging the scheme until 2028.

Brunner said one option under consideration is excluding Ukrainian military-aged men from the protection scheme. “This is also what the Ukrainians are asking us to do,” he stated.

The European Commission will present proposals “in the coming weeks.” Any changes would require approval from all EU member states.

The Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly said they want individuals of military age to be returned from abroad. Ukraine announced a general mobilization shortly after the escalation of the conflict in 2022, barring men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country. Last year, Kiev relaxed the restrictions, allowing men aged 18 to 22 to cross the border.

Around a quarter of Ukrainians living under temporary protection in the EU are men aged 18 to 64, according to statistics.

Ukraine has had to rely on mandatory – and often forced – mobilization to replenish its military ranks amid chronic troop shortages, mass desertions, and draft dodging. The nationwide ‘bussification’ campaign, in which draft officers ambush military-aged men on the streets, at workplaces, and outside their homes, has often led to violent altercations and public outrage.

In recent months, several member states, including Poland, Germany, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, have moved to curb social programs for Ukrainian migrants.

Moscow has accused Kiev’s Western backers of waging a proxy war against Russia “to the last Ukrainian.”

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/news/641097-ukraine-draft-age-refugees-eu/

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Critical parts shortage threatens German army capabilities – media

5 Jun, 2026

The German Armed Forces could see their operational capabilities severely limited by a growing repair backlog caused by a critical shortage of spare parts, according to media reports citing internal documents from a key military maintenance provider.

The situation is particularly serious for heavy equipment, the newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) and public broadcasters WDR and NDR reported this week, citing data from HIL, the state-owned company responsible for much of the military’s repairs.

Only around half of Germany’s PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and Boxer armored personnel carriers were operational as of May, the outlets reported, citing HIL sources. The remaining equipment was reportedly stuck in lengthy maintenance and repair cycles.

According to its website, HIL is expected to ensure that at least 70% of the army’s heavy equipment is combat ready and operational. The company’s executives told SZ, WDR and NDR that this rate could drop to 30% for certain equipment types after military exercises.

A HIL report cited by the media stated that the lack of long-term supply contracts makes obtaining enough spare parts almost impossible. The situation is so serious that some “essential weapon systems” could face permanent “limitations to their operational readiness.”

The report further states that the Defense Ministry constantly prioritizes short-term repair demands that are “primarily aimed at quick, externally observable effects.” The ministry did not comment on the reports.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government is pursuing a major military buildup, citing the supposed Russian threat, which Moscow has dismissed as “nonsense.” Since taking office in May 2025, Merz has stepped up support for Ukraine and vowed to make the German military Europe’s strongest conventional army.

Source: rt.com

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France opens ‘war crime’ probe over Israel treatment of flotilla activists

June 05, 2026

PARIS: France has opened an investigation into an alleged “war crime” and “torture” over Israel’s treatment of French activists who took part in a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, a prosecutor’s office said Friday.

The probe was opened at the government’s request, the national counterterrorism prosecutor’s office (PNAT) said, after activists accused Israeli authorities of mistreatment during their detention last month.

Israel detained more than 430 activists from countries around the world after intercepting them in international waters on May 18 as they made the latest in a string of attempts to break the blockade of the Palestinian territory.

Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir sparked widespread condemnation after he posted a video mocking the flotilla activists while they were bound.

France banned Ben Gvir from entry over the incident.

Several French activists described what they said was a violent and humiliating ordeal when eight of them returned to France on May 22.

Two of the more than 30 French people who were on board the flotilla were still in hospital in Turkiye, they told reporters.

One returnee described a soldier groping and slapping her in a dark container, and being terrified that she would be raped.

Another recounted detained activists being put in what she called a “stress position,” on their knees with their foreheads on the ground for several hours, while the Israeli national anthem played on repeat.

Asked by AFP to respond to the claims of physical and psychological violence, sexual harassment, assault and rape, the Israeli prison service said the accusations were “entirely without factual basis.”

Francesca Albanese, an outspoken UN expert on the Palestinian territories, has said the treatment of the flotilla activists “is a luxury compared to what is inflicted on Palestinians in Israeli prisons.”

Source: arabnews.com

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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2646141/middle-east

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US backs out of Germany-Tomahawk missile deal over Russia fears – Politico

5 Jun, 2026

The Pentagon is set to cancel a Biden-era agreement to deploy Tomahawk cruise missiles to Germany due to fears that it would provoke a Russian retaliation and concerns over depleted weapons stockpiles, Politico reported on Thursday, citing sources.

According to two European officials and one US official interviewed by the outlet, the US believes that Russia would view plans to send the missiles, with a range of up to 1,600 km, as an escalation. Politico added that the cancellation could be interpreted as part of a broader trend of the US withdrawing from NATO defense commitments.

Another reason cited by the outlet is dwindling supplies of Tomahawk and other high-tech missiles, which were used up by the hundreds during the Iran war. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told Congress last month that it will take “months and years” to replace them.

The original plan was announced in July 2024 by then-US President Joe Biden and then-German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and envisaged “episodic deployments” of long-range SM-6 missiles, Tomahawks, and developmental hypersonic weapons from 2026 onward.

At the time, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov called the planned deployment “just a link in the chain of escalation” and “an intimidation tactic, which is pretty much the bedrock of the policy that NATO and the US pursue towards Russia these days.” He also warned that Moscow would respond accordingly, while not ruling out deploying nuclear missiles to Russia’s westernmost exclave of Kaliningrad.

The decision to shelve the Tomahawk deployment plans was confirmed in early May by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said at the time that “the Americans themselves don’t currently have enough.” He also insisted that it was not linked to his feud with Trump over the Iran war.

Merz called the US-Israeli strikes on Iran “completely unnecessary” and said the US was being “humiliated” by Tehran’s negotiating tactics. Trump fired back, saying the chancellor “doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” Following the war of words, the Pentagon announced plans to withdraw around 5,000 troops stationed in Germany within several months.

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/news/641064-us-germany-tomahawks-russia-escalation-fears/

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Putin says there is 'no point' meeting Zelensky over ending Ukraine war

5 Jun, 2026

Dan Sales

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he does not see any point in meeting Volodymyr Zelensky after the Ukrainian leader requested face-to-face talks over ending the war between the two nations.

Zelensky sent an open letter on Thursday calling for direct negotiations with Putin, writing that it was "wrong to simply wait" for the war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, to become the focus of US attention once more.

The Ukrainian president also requested a ceasefire, while striking a defiant, at-times mocking tone.

Putin called the note "rude" and refused the request for a meeting, reiterating his position that peace talks should precede any ceasefire.

"I don't see any point for now," he said when asked whether he would take up Zelensky's offer while speaking at Russia's annual economic forum in St Petersburg on Friday.

"Was it a way to create the conditions for a face-to-face meeting or a way not to set up a face-to-face meeting? I think it was the second."

After hearing Putin's response Zelensky said Russia "was choosing war again" .

"He just doesn't want to end the war. I think that many in the world were disappointed by this answer," he wrote on Telegram.

During his remarks addressing Zelensky's letter, Putin restated his position that a ceasefire would only allow Ukraine to regroup, while concessions Moscow is seeking from Kyiv remain unmet.

"The only point is for the Ukrainian side to halt the advance of our armed forces. But we need agreements - not for six months, not for three months, but for the long term," he said.

"Let the experts get to work and come up with some solutions. After that, we can meet."

Putin said he would only end the war when Russia's goals had been met.

"Military actions will end some day, we assume. Without a doubt, they will end once we have achieved the goals we have set for ourselves."

Russia's longstanding position is that Ukraine should withdraw from the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, as well as abandon efforts to join Nato.

But Kyiv has refused to give up any territory, arguing that any concessions to Moscow would embolden it to invade again in the future, noting its full-scale invasion came eight years after it annexed the Crimean peninsula.

Zelensky had stated in his letter that "after 26 years in power, age is beginning to take its toll" on Putin, while drawing attention to a recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory - including one on St Petersburg on Thursday he described as "paying a visit".

Putin said the letter contained "some rather rude remarks".

The content of Zelensky's letter had raised hopes of peace in some quarters, including the White House.

US President Donald Trump said "it would be great" if the two leaders did meet.

Ukraine said on Friday that it had struck five ships with illegal cargo in the Sea of Azov and in coastal waters of territories occupied by Russia.

Robert Brovdi, Ukraine's drone commander, said they had been involved in "stealing" Ukrainian grain, and transferring fuel and military supplies.

Azerbaijan's foreign ministry said five people had been killed in attacks on two of the ships in the sea of Azov. It did not indicate who it thought had carried out the attack and said the boats did not belong to Azerbaijan.

One drone operated by Ukraine exploded in the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta. Ukrainian operators said it was knocked off course by Russian electronic interference.

At least 13 people have been killed and 70 others injured in a series of Russian attacks on Ukraine in the past day, officials have said.

Four died after a dairy factory was hit outside Kyiv, while a drone strike on a petrol station in Kherson killed a 35-year-old woman.

Source: bbc.com

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North America

 

NASA crew takes cover while Russian cosmonauts fix ISS leak

6 Jun, 2026

NASA temporarily moved its astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) into an evacuation spacecraft on Friday after an air leak was detected in one of the modules, while Russian cosmonauts worked to repair it.

According to NASA spokeswoman Bethany Stevens, “out of an abundance of caution,” members of the agency’s Crew-12 mission were instructed to don their spacesuits and take shelter inside a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft – a vessel used for transport missions to and from the ISS – while repairs were carried out.

Russian space corporation Roscosmos said that two potential leak sites had been identified during routine pressure checks inside the transfer chamber of the Zvezda service module, known as PrK, a key component of the station. One was quickly fixed using a special sealant, while preparations began to repair the second site in the conical section of the compartment.

Stevens said that NASA and Roscosmos have long monitored cracks in the Zvezda module and have been working together to determine the cause of recurring pressure losses. She added that Roscosmos decided to undertake an extensive repair operation after the latest leak was detected. Reuters, citing a senior NASA official, reported that the leak rate had doubled from roughly half a kilogram of air per day to nearly a kilogram earlier this week.

Roscosmos stressed that the situation posed no threat to either the crew or the station’s onboard systems, adding that pressure aboard the ISS remained stable and within normal operating parameters.

In a follow-up post, Stevens said that Roscosmos had paused work on the remaining leak while specialists analyzed additional measurements and data. Following the decision, NASA instructed its astronauts to leave the Dragon spacecraft and resume normal operations aboard the station.

Launched in 1998, the ISS is operated by five space agencies from Russia, the US, Europe, Japan, and Canada, with day-to-day operations coordinated by NASA and Roscosmos. Seven crew members are currently aboard the station, including Russian cosmonauts Sergey Mikaev, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Andrey Fedyaev; NASA astronauts Chris Williams, Jessica Meir, and Jack Hathaway; and European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot.

Source: rt.com

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https://www.rt.com/news/641069-nasa-iss-evacuation-leak/

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Court documents reveal motivations in Tacoma mosque standoff

By Bonny Matejowsky

June 5, 2026

The man who pointed a gun at Islamic Center of Tacoma employees and caused an hours-long standoff Wednesday afternoon was a “community member” experiencing potential mental health issues, court documents indicate. The 24-year-old intruder’s arrest affidavit details the incident, which began around 1 p.m. Wednesday when he allegedly pointed a semiautomatic pistol at a front desk employee.

 

Read more at: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/crime/article316026506.html#storylink=cpy

The employee told Tacoma Police the suspect had been “acting erratically” throughout the day and was asked to leave the Islamic Center. The worker also noticed the suspect carrying what appeared to be a mason jar with dried mushrooms, and suspected he was high on them, the police report said. When police entered the facility, they were advised that the suspect went upstairs and took control of the building’s public address system. Police describe hearing the suspect “speaking and singing incoherently” over the public address system. After all occupants of the Islamic Center and the next door Zenith West Gymnastics Academy were evacuated, officers cleared the building and established containment positions outside, the report said. About an hour later, the suspect exited the center for the first time and began to yell, “Worship Allah!” the report said. Officers advised that he was under arrest and instructed him to show his hands. In response, he mocked the commands, waved his hands then returned to the center and closed the doors, according to the police report. While inside, officers observed him lying on the ground, rolling on the floor, climbing a small rock wall in the building and placing an item emitting a small amount of smoke near a window. After exiting the building a second time, the suspect laid on the sidewalk refusing to comply while officers again issued verbal commands. The suspect then reportedly stated, “Shut up [expletive],” and placed his hands in his pockets while moving back toward the building. In response to officers asking to take his hands out of his pockets, he began taking off his clothes, the report said. The suspect realized the doors to the center locked behind him, and began to walk away from the building and scan the area for escape routes. While officers moved in to arrest him, the suspect continued to refuse commands and attempted a cartwheel, the report said. At that point an officer fired a 40mm less lethal impact weapon which struck the suspect’s body, but didn’t stop him from Police pursued the suspect, and he was taken into custody after a short struggle, the report said. Officers later obtained possession of the suspect’s backpack, which contained a black Glock 17 firearm and a 27-round magazine with 27 live rounds, the report said. A records check of the firearm’s serial number revealed the weapon was stolen out of Auburn. The suspect faces five charges: second degree assault, first degree unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful carrying of a weapon, obstructing police and resisting arrest. He also holds previous convictions in Pierce County Superior Court from 2021 of second-degree assault, first degree attempted robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Source: thenewstribune.com

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CAIR Welcomes Federal Court Ruling Striking Down Trump Admin’s Asylum Freeze on 39 Countries

June 5, 2026

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a federal court ruling striking down a Trump administration policy that effectively froze asylum, work permit, green card, and citizenship applications for immigrants from 39 countries, many of them Muslim-majority nations.

A federal judge ruled that the policy was unlawful, arbitrary, and exceeded the authority of federal immigration officials. The policy had left thousands of immigrants and asylum seekers in legal limbo.

In a statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR said:

“This ruling is a victory for the rule of law, due process, and the principle that people should not be denied legal protections based on their nationality or religion. Policies that target immigrants and asylum seekers from predominantly Muslim, African, Middle Eastern, and other marginalized communities undermine America’s commitment to justice and equal treatment under the law.

“We welcome the court’s decision and urge the administration to immediately comply with the ruling, restore normal processing of all affected applications, and abandon discriminatory immigration policies that have caused unnecessary suffering for thousands of families.”

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.      

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.           

Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.                  

Source: cair.com

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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-welcomes-federal-court-ruling-striking-down-trump-admins-asylum-freeze-on-39-countries/

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CAIR Reiterates Demand for Release of Salah Sarsour from ICE Detention Following Reports of Medical Neglect

June 5, 2026

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), today reiterated its call for the immediate release of Milwaukee Muslim community leader Salah Sarsour, who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March, after reports indicate that his medical needs are being neglected and that his health is deteriorating while in detention.

According to attorneys representing Sarsour, he has experienced worsening health conditions while being held in ICE custody and has allegedly been denied adequate medical care despite serious medical concerns.

In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad said:

“The reported neglect of Salah Sarsour’s medical needs in ICE detention is deeply alarming and unacceptable. No one should be forced to suffer declining health while being unjustly held in immigration detention, especially a respected community leader who poses no threat to anyone. The Trump administration must immediately release Salah Sarsour and ensure that all individuals in immigration custody receive appropriate medical care and humane treatment.”

He said Sarsour’s continued detention raises serious concerns about due process, civil liberties, and the targeting of community leaders.

In April,CAIR joinedAmerican Muslims for Palestine (AMP), the Muslim American Society (MAS) and the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO), at a press conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to demand Sarsour’s immediate release.

Source: cair.com

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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-reiterates-demand-for-release-of-salah-sarsour-from-ice-detention-following-reports-of-medical-neglect/

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US Senate approves $70bn for Trump immigration agencies

Jun 6, 2026

Maia Davies

The US Senate has approved more than $70bn (£52bn) in funding for President Donald Trump's immigration agencies.

The package would fund bodies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol for the remaining three years of the Trump administration. It now heads to the House of Representatives for a vote, and then if approved will go to Trump to sign.

The 52-to-47 vote fell closely along party lines, with just one Republican joining the Democrats to reject the bill in a marathon overnight session.

Democrats brought up a series of unsuccessful amendments seeking to limit Trump's controversial $1.8bn "anti-weaponisation fund", pushing the final vote into the early morning.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche had said on Tuesday that plans for the fund were being dropped - although Trump later suggested it was not entirely dead, telling reporters he would "have to ask the lawyers".

Much of the roughly $72bn spending package would go to ICE and Border Patrol, the agencies carrying out Trump's immigration crackdown.

Democrats had refused to support funding earlier this year for ICE or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) following two deadly shootings in Minnesota involving federal immigration officers, leading to the partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Friday's vote used a procedure allowing lawmakers to pass spending-related matters with a simple majority. The one Republican to vote against the bill, Alaska's Lisa Murkowski, criticised its use. One Democrat did not vote.

During the 18-hour-long process known as a "vote-a-rama", senators could propose changes to the bill - and Democrats sought to add provisions unrelated to immigration.

Many of the amendments focused on Trump's $1.8bn fund, which would compensate those allegedly harmed by government overreach but critics condemned as a slush fund for Trump's allies.

Earlier this week, senators had agreed to remove $1bn (£745m) in funding for Trump's new White House ballroom from the bill.

Source: bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g4g3zxp79o

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Ex-CIA official accused of stashing $40m in gold bars is 'master manipulator', prosecutors say

Jun 6, 2026

Nardine Saad

A former CIA official accused of stashing millions in gold bars at his Virginia home is a "master manipulator" who lied to his neighbours about being a pilot and leveraged his "access to seniority", US prosecutors say.

Siding with the federal government, a judge ruled on Friday that David Rush, 49, was a severe flight risk with the means and motive to evade detection, and must remain in jail until his trial.

His defence pushed back on "sensational" allegations against him, arguing that some claims "sound bizarre and secretive" because the nature of intelligence work "can be bizarre and secretive".

The government also says it found millions in cash and dozens of luxury watches during its search.

At a hearing in Virginia on Friday, government lawyers said Rush "cannot be trusted" and was "fully willing and able to skirt the rules", according to the BBC's US media partner, CBS News.

Rush is a former senior executive in a US government agency in Virginia and had top secret clearance and access to classified information, court documents state.

CBS News reported he worked for the CIA, while the FBI has said it conducted the investigation and search after receiving a referral from the CIA.

Rush was charged with criminal theft of public money in a complaint filed last month and currently faces a single charge related to allegedly fraudulent time-sheets amounting to around $70,000 (£52,424).

Between November 2025 and March 2026, Rush received gold bars and foreign currency for "work-related expenses", according to court filings. But he allegedly did not document what he did with them and the CIA was unable to locate the bars.

The FBI found more than 300 gold bars worth about $40m (£29.6m) at his home last month, as well as $2m (£1.48m) in cash and more than 30 luxury watches.

Prosecutors have alleged that Rush was moving funds into commodities that could be traded, citing "strong evidence" he was trying to hide the money.

They have also alleged he fraudulently took military leave with pay after being honourably discharged from the US Navy, and that he lied about his education and military service when applying for his job. Rush is accused of falsely telling employers he had been a navy pilot.

The government says large sums of the funds it believes were stolen are still unaccounted for.

But Rush's defence lawyer Jessica Carmichael said all the gold bars were accounted for and were a "non issue", CBS reported.

She said that when the FBI searched his home, Rush told investigators about the bars, which were locked and stored in his basement, and gave them codes to access them.

Carmichael said he never claimed the gold was his and argued that the government "parading around gold bars is a flaw".

Rush has been held in solitary confinement, only allowed out for two hours a day. Carmichael argued he should be moved to home detention with an ankle monitor.

US magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick cited Rush's professional career in deciding he was a flight risk.

"He's in a different position than most people to flee and avoid detection by law enforcement," he said.

Source: bbc.com

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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjwpw8w6dnwo

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Africa

 

Eight Soldiers Killed As Boko Haram Attacks Borno Army Base

By Enioluwa Adeniyi

June 5, 2026

Boko Haram insurgents have attacked a Nigerian Army base along the Mandara-Buratai Road in Borno State, killing at least eight soldiers and injuring several others.

Military sources who spoke with Sahara Reporters said the attack occurred in the early hours of Friday during heavy rainfall.

The affected base was identified as 162 Battalion on Mandara-Buratai Road.

A military source at the base confirmed the incident, saying the insurgents struck around 4 a.m.

“162 Battalion Mandara Buratai Road, eight soldiers were killed in action. They attacked us at 4 a.m. today when it was raining,” the source said.

Another military source said the attackers overran parts of the facility and launched a violent assault on troops stationed there.

“They killed eight soldiers. Several others were injured during the attack,” the source said.

Sources said the terrorists stormed the military position in large numbers, taking advantage of the bad weather to catch troops off guard.

Security sources said reinforcement teams had been deployed to the area after the attack.

Naija News reports that the latest attack adds to a series of renewed assaults by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters targeting military formations in the North-East, despite ongoing counterinsurgency operations by the Nigerian military.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/05/eight-soldiers-killed-boko-haram-attacks-army/

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Nigerian jihadists kill 3 troops in first raid since death of IS leader

June 6, 2026

Islamic State-affiliated jihadists in northeast Nigeria killed three troops in their first raid on a military base since the killing of an IS deputy chief in the region, security sources and a local resident told AFP Friday.

The northeast has been gripped by an Islamist insurgency since 2009, started by Boko Haram and joined by its offshoot rival Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

US and Nigerian forces last month killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, an IS second-in-command described as the "most active terrorist" in the world, at a remote village in the northeast of Africa's most populous country.

Intelligence sources expressed their concern to AFP shortly after Al-Minuki's death about a possible uptick in ISWAP attacks on military bases to avenge his death.

Late on Wednesday, fighters from ISWAP stormed a base in the town of Gajiganna, 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Borno state capital Maiduguri, and dislodged soldiers after an intense gun fight, local and intelligence sources said.

"Three soldiers were killed in the attack by ISWAP terrorists who carted away weapons and burnt down the base," said Ibrahim Liman, an anti-jihadist militia member assisting the military.

"They came in several trucks and on motorcycles and engaged the soldiers in prolonged battle and succeeded in overrunning the base," Liman said.

An intelligence source in the region gave the same toll and confirmed the base was "completely razed" by the jihadist fighters after troops were forced to withdraw.

A military spokesman told AFP they would look into the incident.

A resident of Gajiganna, who only gave his first name, Modu, said the fighters moved round the town, firing shots in the air before they withdrew, causing panic among residents.

"No one in the town was injured in the shooting, as we were all indoors, but everybody was scared," Modu said.

The United States has deployed troops to aid in training and intelligence to help Nigeria fight jihadists.

Tens of thousands have been killed and more than two million displaced in the 17-year old jihadist violence in the northeast.

The conflict spilled into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting the four countries to raise a joint military operation to fight the militant groups.

However, the military coalition lost steam after the withdrawal of Niger following its 2023 military coup.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2026/06/05/nigerian-jihadists-kill-3-troops-in-first-raid-since-death-of-is-leader/

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Mali junta's offers $3.5M reward for jihadist leader

June 6, 2026

Mali's military government has placed a multi-million-dollar bounty on the head of one of the Sahel's most wanted jihadist leaders.

Authorities are offering two billion CFA francs, about 3.5 million dollars, for information leading to the capture or killing of Iyad Ag Ghaly.

Ghaly leads the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, or JNIM, the Al-Qaeda-linked force behind some of the region's deadliest attacks. The former Tuareg rebel and diplomat is also wanted by the United States and the International Criminal Court.

Mali is offering an additional reward for intelligence on Ghaly's deputy, Amadou Kouffa, as well as two Tuareg rebel leaders. Officials say the wanted men are accused of planning and carrying out terrorist attacks that threaten lives and property across the country.

The announcement comes as Mali, under military rule since the 2020 coup, continues to battle jihadist insurgents, Islamic State-linked fighters, and armed criminal groups across the Sahel.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2026/06/05/mali-juntas-offers-35m-reward-for-jihadist-leader/

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Jihadists Already At Nigerian Borders – Fayemi

By Justina Otio

June 5, 2026

Former governor of  Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has stated that insurgency in the nation is gradually getting closer to government houses.

Naija News reports that Fayemi made the observation during an interview on State Affairs, a podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo.

He was speaking on the current surge in insecurity bedevilling the countlry.

The former governor warned that the government needs to re-strategise before the situation gets out of hand.

“Terrorists are gradually getting closer to Government Houses. The Jihadists are not far from us. They are already at our borders.

“We must be interested in how to salvage that because of our own national interest. The Jihadists are in Benin Republic, Togo and Burkina Faso.

They are not far from us. That’s why we need to re-strategise and ensure that our foreign relations is more robust,” Fayemi said.

Meanwhile, Fayemi has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has not progressed as much as he would have expected.

Fayemi stated this during an interview on State Affairs, a podcast hosted by Edmund Obilo, while speaking on the state of Nigeria and the country’s development challenges.

The former governor, who is also the author of If This Giant Must Rise, said that although some progress had been recorded, the pace remained too slow for a country with Nigeria’s potential.

Speaking on the performance of the APC, Fayemi said he remained a member of the ruling party but admitted that its progress had not met his expectations.

He said, “I am a member of the All Progressives Congress. Yes, we are not progressing. I would have loved us to have progressed further than where we are.

“It’s not as if we are not making progress at all, but it’s so slow for a nation that has a manifest destiny to lead the African continent.”

Fayemi’s comments come amid growing public debate over the country’s economic direction, governance structure and the performance of political parties in addressing national challenges.

The former governor said Nigeria must become more deliberate in how it organises itself as a country.

According to him, nation-building is a continuous process, but countries must remain committed to improving their systems and institutions.

He said, “I think what we really ought to do is to be intentional about organising our country. Yes, nation-building is always going to be unfinished. There’s no perfect union. Every nation is in search of this perfect union.”

Fayemi added that Nigeria’s size, population and influence on the continent placed a major responsibility on its leaders to pursue reforms that could strengthen governance and development

The former Ekiti governor noted that Nigeria still has the capacity to play a leading role in Africa, but said such leadership would require a stronger commitment to progress, institutional reform and national cohesion.

He argued that the country’s development should not be left to chance, stressing that deliberate planning and purposeful leadership were necessary if Nigeria must fulfil what he described as its continental destiny.

Source: naijanews.com

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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/05/jihadists-nigerian-borders-fayemi/

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Anti-migrant violence leaves even South Africans living in fear

June 6, 2026

The coastal town of Mossel Bay along South Africa’s Western Cape was the site of last week’s anti-migrant rampage. Nineteen-year-old South African national Nhlamulo Sambo died amid that violence. His family say he was attacked because he was Tsonga and blame his death on what they call a “tribal war.”

The charred remains of torched homes scarred a crowded settlement of shacks where South Africa's anti-migrant tensions exploded into violence, leaving two Mozambicans dead and hundreds fleeing for their lives.

Other homes attacked in last weekend's rampage in an informal area of the southern coastal town of Mossel Bay stood in ruins, already looted, or were being dismantled by locals planning to take them over.

"I'm taken, Xhosa" was scrawled on the thin doors of a few shacks in the sprawling Giyani settlement, a signal that they are occupied by South Africans from the Xhosa ethnic group and should be left alone.

Among the makeshift dwellings, a South African woman stood in her dressing gown outside a shack of corrugated metal.

A man had just told her to leave, falsely accusing her of living with a man from the Shangaan group, another of South Africa's many ethnicities, she told AFP.

"They said (they are coming) to destroy the house because, 'you were staying with a Shangaan'," she said, afraid to give her name but presenting her South African identity document.

"They said they don't care about IDs," said the woman, aged in her 30s. "Now it seems like nobody is safe."

"A lot of my neighbours, they are citizens, they just ran," she said, recalling the night of violence.

Fifty-five homes were destroyed in the unrest that followed a protest last Friday against foreign nationals accused of taking jobs from locals.

Every day since then, other homes abandoned in fear have been dismantled by locals and cleared for new occupation, locals said.

'Tribal war'

Nearly 600 Mozambicans fled Mossel Bay and returned home in the days following the violence, according to the border management authority.

Nearly a week later, around 100 foreign nationals from Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe were still crammed into a Mossel Bay community hall with their belongings, guarded by police.

With them were several South Africans from another province, Limpopo, who feared they could also be targets because they are not Xhosa.

"Seventeen South Africans were chased away from their house," said Ernest Sithole, who had been at the centre since Sunday.

They spoke Tsonga, a language widely used in Limpopo, he said.

A 19-year-old South African was stabbed to death on the night the two Mozambicans were killed, but police are reluctant to link his killing to the anti-migrant tensions.

His stepfather insisted the teenager was attacked because he was Tsonga.

"I understand they killed my son because of a tribal war," Steve Winston Kamwendo told AFP after prayers over the young man's coffin before it was taken to Limpopo for burial.

Hundreds displaced

The Mozambicans, aged 27 and 43, were the first foreigners known to have been killed in a months-long campaign against undocumented African migrants that has seen protests across the country and a torrent of online xenophobic hate.

Tensions soared after a citizen-led group opposed to irregular migration last month ordered all undocumented foreign nationals to leave by June 30.

Ghana and Mozambique have repatriated hundreds of their citizens; Malawi and Nigeria have announced they would do the same.

The unrest in Mossel Bay, a normally calm town in the Western Cape province, has sent shock and fear through other towns along South Africa's southern coast.

Around 400 displaced foreign nationals were taking refuge on Friday in community centres in Kleinmond, Gansbaai and Stanford around 250 kilometres away, municipal authorities said.

In the morning, around 100 locals went door-to-door in an informal settlement in Gansbaai to warn all African foreigners to leave by the month's end, whether they had documentation to be the country or not.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2026/06/05/anti-migrant-violence-leaves-even-south-africans-living-in-fear/

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Hundreds in Libya protest against migrants, refugees

June 6, 2026

Hundreds of Libyans gathered outside the UN refugee agency headquarters in Tripoli on Thursday to protest against irregular migrants and refugees whom they say should leave Libya.

Demonstrators chanted "Libya belongs to Libyans" among other chants and called for the closure of the UNHCR headquarters in the capital.

They accused the UN agency of seeking to settle irregular migrants in the North African country.

Protesters were seen holding signs reading: "Our love for our country is not racism" and "Libya is not the world's garbage bin".

Libya is a key departure point for irregular migrants seeking to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean.

As of mid-2024, the International Organization for Migration estimated that around 900,000 migrants and refugees were living in Libya.

Many of them are Sudanese refugees who have fled war in their home country.

The UN mission in Libya in a statement said it "refutes allegations of migrant resettlement to Libya".

"The UN in Libya reiterates that none of its agencies, including UNHCR, implement any resettlement programmes to Libya," it said.

The mission said it was "concerned about the spread of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech regarding the work of the UN" in the country.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2026/06/05/hundreds-in-libya-protest-against-migrants-refugees/

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Kenya’s president again defends US Ebola facility decision

June 6, 2026

Kenya’s President William Ruto has again defended his government’s decision to let the United States build an Ebola quarantine facility for Americans about 200 kilometres north of Nairobi.

He was speaking during a one-day state visit to South Africa where he held talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“The American government has supported us in this Ebola set-up, infrastructure, health infrastructure, to the tune of 1.8 billion Kenyan shillings,” he said.

The facility in central Kenya is due to host a 50-bed unit for Americans who ⁠might be exposed to the deadly haemorrhagic virus.

Hundreds of people have been infected in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the epicentre of the outbreak, while cases of the have also been reported in neighbouring Uganda.

Kenyans have been protesting against the planned US facility saying bringing people with Ebola into the country could endanger public health.

“The Ebola situation in eastern DRC is a source of concern for any country, including Kenya that is mindful of matters health of its citizens,” Ruto said, adding that “the most responsible thing to do is to prepare".

Ramaphosa, for his part, assured Ruto that South Africans are not xenophobic.

He described government plans to deal with concern over growing anti-immigrant sentiment and attacks in parts of South Africa.

"Yes, there will be envoys. Yes, there will be people that we will send around, not only on the continent, but also around the world,” he said.

“What we seek to do is to get the issue of migration broadly and properly addressed and where we should get as many key role players and countries to work together to address the challenge of migration."

"South Africa has become an oasis, an oasis of people who want to come here for a whole number of reasons, we need to be working with all other sister countries to see how best this challenge is resolved," Ramaphosa said.

Both leaders hailed the strong trade partnership built between the two countries over the past three decades.

They signed six new agreements to deepen bilateral cooperation, including on trade, maritime transport, education, and culture.

Kenya is South Africa’s largest trading partner outside the Southern African Development Community region with more than $675 million flowing between the two countries annually.

Source: africanews.com

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https://www.africanews.com/2026/06/05/kenyas-president-again-defends-us-ebola-facility-decision/

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Southeast Asia

 

Indonesia, EU Push to Complete IEU-CEPA Ratification in 2026

The Jakarta Globe

June 6, 2026

Brussel. Indonesia and the European Union are accelerating efforts to finalize the ratification of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA), a key initiative aimed at expanding market access, boosting trade, and strengthening investment cooperation between the two economies.

During a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Brussels Economic Security Forum in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday, Chief of Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic discussed the next steps to ensure the ratification process remains on track for completion in the second half of 2026.

“We are targeting the ratification process for the IEU-CEPA to be completed in the second half of 2026, allowing implementation to begin in early 2027,” Airlangga said.

Both sides agreed to advance the necessary procedures to keep the ratification process on schedule. The discussions also covered preparations ahead of the planned visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic to Jakarta.

The IEU-CEPA is regarded as a strategic instrument for strengthening economic ties between Indonesia and the European Union. As such, completing the ratification process has become a priority to ensure businesses on both sides can begin benefiting from the agreement.

One of the agreement's key provisions is the elimination of tariffs on around 98% of tariff lines. For Indonesia, the deal is expected to significantly expand access to the European market by providing zero-tariff treatment for most Indonesian exports, enhancing the competitiveness of domestic products and supporting national export growth.

In addition to the IEU-CEPA, Airlangga and Maros discussed the European Union's Global Gateway program, which is designed to support strategic projects, including investments in the critical minerals sector.

The sector presents significant opportunities for cooperation as Indonesia continues to accelerate its natural resource value-added industrialization strategy to increase domestic value creation, while the European Union seeks reliable supplies of strategic minerals to support its energy transition and green technology industries.

“We also discussed investment cooperation opportunities through various strategic programs, including the development of the critical minerals sector, which is a priority for both sides,” Airlangga said.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of Indonesia and the European Union to deepen a mutually beneficial economic partnership. The completion of the IEU-CEPA ratification process in the second half of 2026 is expected to mark a significant milestone in bilateral economic relations and pave the way for the agreement's full implementation in early 2027.

Source: jakartaglobe.id

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https://jakartaglobe.id/special-updates/indonesia-eu-push-to-complete-ieucepa-ratification-in-2026

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Activist urges Air Borneo to prioritise affordable fares and flight connectivity

6 Jun 2026

Peter, founder of the non-governmental organisation Saya Anak Sarawak, said Air Borneo should focus on addressing the immediate needs of communities in Sarawak and Sabah.

KUCHING: Social activist Peter John Jaban has called on state-owned carrier Air Borneo to prioritise resolving flight connectivity issues and rising airfares in Sarawak, saying the challenges are affecting a large number of people across the state.

Peter, founder of the non-governmental organisation Saya Anak Sarawak, said Air Borneo should focus on addressing the immediate needs of communities in Sarawak and Sabah following its takeover of regional airline operations from MASwings.

“Air Borneo must give top priority to the needs of ordinary people in Sarawak and Sabah as it has assumed the role previously played by MASwings.

“Air travel in Sarawak and Sabah is not a luxury. It is a basic necessity and often the fastest means of transportation across these two large states.

“Air Borneo should place the highest priority on resolving the issues of expensive airfares and insufficient flight frequencies because it is part of its responsibility to the people,” he said in a statement.

Peter argued that affordable air travel and dependable flight services are matters of social equity for residents in East Malaysia, particularly those who rely on air transport to travel between towns and rural areas.

He also urged the airline to focus on strengthening domestic connectivity before expanding attention to international routes.

His comments come after Abang Johari Openg recently acknowledged public concerns over flight shortages and increasing ticket prices, particularly during the recent Gawai Dayak festive season.

The Sarawak Premier said Air Borneo requires additional time to address the challenges as the airline continues its transition following the takeover from MASwings.

“I hope that by next year we will be able to resolve the flight issues we are facing today.

“The management of Air Borneo is still in a transitional stage after the state government assumed control of the airline.

“Hopefully by next Gawai there will be more Air Borneo flights within Sarawak and from other states into Sarawak.

“We may need to introduce a subsidy mechanism to help reduce fares.

“Give Air Borneo more time to solve these issues as its management remains in transition,” he said during a Gawai Dayak open house at the UNIFOR Complex in Kuching.

Public frustration has grown in recent weeks amid reports of limited flight availability and sharply higher ticket prices on several domestic routes.

Travellers have reported fares approaching RM1,000 on routes such as Kuching–Sibu and Kuching–Miri during peak travel periods.

Abang Johari attributed part of the increase in airfares to rising global aviation fuel costs and broader international market developments.

Air Borneo officially assumed full operations from MASwings on Jan 1 following the Sarawak government’s acquisition of the regional carrier from Malaysia Airlines.

At the time of the transition, Air Borneo stated that existing MASwings routes and fare structures would initially remain unchanged to ensure continuity of services across the network.

The airline has since indicated that any future fare adjustments would depend on operational requirements and ongoing discussions relating to regional air service arrangements.

Source: thesun.my

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https://thesun.my/news/malaysia-news/people-issues/activist-urges-air-borneo-to-prioritise-affordable-fares-and-flight-connectivity/

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Anwar to launch National TVET Day 2026 celebration in Putrajaya today

06 Jun 2026

PUTRAJAYA, June 6 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will officiate the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Day 2026 celebration at Dataran Putrajaya today, underscoring the government’s continued commitment to developing a highly skilled workforce.

Anwar is scheduled to deliver an address at 10 am and officially launch the three-day event, which began yesterday under the theme TVET Pilihan Utama Kerjaya (TVET, The Preferred Career Path).

The celebration is expected to attract 500,000 visitors and will highlight TVET’s role in developing a highly skilled workforce and strengthening the nation’s economic competitiveness.

More than 107 agencies, institutions and industry players from nine key sectors will participate in the event, including aerospace, electronics and digital technology, agriculture, transportation and automotive, advanced manufacturing, services, rail, maritime and energy.

Running daily from 9 am to 10 pm, the celebration features six main hubs focusing on institutional and industry engagement, TVET seminars, career opportunities, entrepreneurship, skills challenges and educational entertainment.

National TVET Day is observed annually on June 2 to recognise the role of technical and vocational education and training in supporting the country’s human capital development.

Under the Malaysia MADANI framework, the government has continued to strengthen TVET through programmes aligned with technological advancements and evolving industry needs.

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/06/06/anwar-to-launch-national-tvet-day-2026-celebration-in-putrajaya-today/222704

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Amir Hamzah assures Sultan Abdullah of consistent federal aid and ECRL boost for Pahang

06 Jun 2026

PETALING JAYA, June 6 — Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan met with the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, last week to provide clarification on federal allocations and assistance channelled to the state.

He said the audience enabled him to give a comprehensive briefing covering federal allocations to Pahang, which have shown yearly increases, as well as focusing on priority projects proposed by the state government.

“From the briefing, His Royal Highness was able to see that there is indeed a commitment from the federal government to assist states, including Pahang, through the implementation of development projects, as well as allocations for the state, which have been increasing consistently year by year.

“There were several other proposals expressed by His Royal Highness, and we will review them further. If there is room to improve existing processes, we will work on it,” he told reporters after attending the Micro Credit Outreach Programme here today.

The programme was also attended by Treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Johan Mahmood Merican, along with strategic partners including Bank Simpanan Nasional, Agrobank, Bank Rakyat, Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, Companies Commission of Malaysia, Tekun Nasional, the Credit Counselling and Debt Management Agency and Majlis Amanah Rakyat.

Amir Hamzah said that during the meeting he explained that assistance to the people of Pahang is not only channelled through the state government, but also includes various direct federal initiatives such as the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA).

He added that the federal government’s commitment to Pahang’s development is clearly demonstrated through the implementation of strategic projects on the East Coast, including the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), which is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

He said the high-impact project will serve as a catalyst to attract new investments, thereby boosting infrastructure development and industrial areas.

“Once the ECRL is completed, we will also focus on developing industrial zones along the East Coast. Infrastructure has been built, and we want to ensure more new industries can be brought into the area.

“Besides that, we are also looking at how supporting infrastructure can be further improved so that investors can more easily utilise the facilities provided,” he said.

On May 8, the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, questioned federal allocations to the state while opening the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 15th Pahang State Legislative Assembly.

Following that, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim instructed Amir Hamzah to provide a comprehensive explanation to be presented to His Royal Highness. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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Malaysia Embassy confirms no citizens affected in Lufthansa incident at Frankfurt Airport

05 Jun 2026

KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 — No Malaysians were affected after a Lufthansa Boeing 787-9 aircraft suffered a nose landing gear failure while preparing for departure at Frankfurt Airport on June 4, the Embassy of Malaysia in Germany confirmed.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the embassy said that, according to information provided by the relevant German authorities and Lufthansa, the aircraft experienced a nose landing gear failure while parked at a gate in preparation for its scheduled departure to Los Angeles.

“The incident occurred prior to passenger boarding.

“At the time of the incident, only Lufthansa crew members and ground personnel were on board the aircraft,” the statement read.

Several airline staff members were injured and are receiving medical treatment, it added. The embassy conveyed its sincere hope for their swift and full recovery.

German Press Agency (dpa) reported that several employees were injured when a Lufthansa aircraft collapsed while parked at the gate at Frankfurt Airport, for reasons yet unknown. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/06/05/malaysia-embassy-confirms-no-citizens-affected-in-lufthansa-incident-at-frankfurt-airport/222691

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Tuanku Muhriz performs Friday prayers at Masjid Kariah Gunung Pasir in Seri Menanti

05 Jun 2026

KUALA PILAH, June 5 — The Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir today performed Friday prayers at Masjid Kariah Gunung Pasir in Seri Menanti.

His Royal Highness was accompanied by his sons, Tunku Besar of Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin and Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin.

The prayers were led by Masjid Kariah Gunung Pasir's Imam 1, Wan Muhammad Saifuddin Wan Salim.

After the prayers, Tuanku Muhriz attended a luncheon with more than 500 members of the public at Luak Tanah Mengandung. — Bernama

Source: malaymail.com

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South Asia

 

CHT activists express concern over Dipen Dewan's resignation

06 Jun 2026

Leaders of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Peace Accord Implementation Movement today expressed deep concern over the recent resignation of Dipen Dewan as CHT affairs minister.

In a statement issued today, the platform's joint coordinators and right activists, Zakir Hossain and Professor Dr Khairul Islam Chowdhury, said Dipen's resignation had triggered widespread discussion, speculation and debate over its reasons.

This resignation has once again brought to the fore the existing uncertainty surrounding the CHT Affairs Ministry and the implementation of the CHT Peace Accord, the coordinator said.

They noted that although the government has completed its first 100 days in office, it has yet to present a clear roadmap or demonstrate visible progress in implementing the accord. As a result, people in the hill tracts remain uncertain about prospects for lasting peace, they said.

Dipen Dewan resigned from his post on June 1, citing health complications. His resignation was accepted by the president the same day.

The activists called for the urgent reconstitution of the Accord Implementation and Monitoring Committee and the activation of the Hill Tracts Land Dispute Resolution Commission.

They also reiterated their demand for the removal of State Minister for CHT Affairs Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, alleging that his role is inconsistent with the spirit of the peace accord.

The statement urged the government to announce a time-bound roadmap for implementation and initiate meaningful dialogue with the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council and the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Sanghati Samity, one of the accord's signatories.

n the statement, they further said that the Chittagong Hill Tracts issue is not merely a regional or administrative matter; it is an important national political issue related to Bangladesh’s democracy, its multi-ethnic reality, and the BNP’s vision of building a “rainbow nation.” They therefore called for an all-party dialogue to build a national consensus on the issue.

They expressed hope that the government would soon demonstrate visible progress in implementing the accord through political initiatives and dialogue.

Source: thedailystar.net

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6 Bangladeshi peacekeepers posthumously awarded UN Dag Hammarskjöld Medal

06 Jun 2026

Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers, who lost their lives while serving with the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in Kadugli, Sudan, were posthumously honoured with the prestigious Dag Hammarskjöld Medal yesterday.

The ceremony marking the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers was held at UN Headquarters in New York.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres handed over the medals to Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury during a commemorative ceremony marking the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers at UN Headquarters in New York.

The fallen peacekeepers Corporal Md Masud Rana, Private Md Jahangir Alam, Private Md Sobuj Mia, Private Md Mominul Islam, Private Shamim Reza and Private Santo Mondol were killed in a drone strike on 13 December 2025 while serving under the UN flag, said the Bangladesh Permanent Mission in New York today.

During the commemorative event, the secretaryg-general laid a wreath in honour of nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1948 and called for a minute of silence in their memory.

He also highlighted the contributions of more than 50,000 UN peacekeepers currently serving in missions worldwide to protect civilians and support peace in conflict-affected regions.

This year, the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal was awarded to 68 military, police and civilian peacekeepers from 33 Member States who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Following the ceremony, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury paid tribute to the fallen peacekeepers by signing the Book of Condolence in their memory.

The United Nations paused yesterday to pay tribute to the more than 4,500 peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty over the past 78 years.

The commemoration of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers came hours after another blue helmet serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) died from injuries suffered in a mortar attack, as hostilities continue between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants.

The day began with UN Secretary-General António Guterres laying a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial on the Secretariat grounds in New York before presiding over a solemn ceremony in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) attended by senior officials, the diplomatic community, and bereaved family members and colleagues.

Source: thedailystar.net

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Jamaat, Turkish foreign minister discuss ties and regional stability

6 JUNE 2026

A delegation led by Opposition Leader and Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Shafiqur Rahman, held a courtesy meeting with visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Dhaka on Friday night.

According to a party press release, the six-member delegation met Fidan at InterContinental Dhaka hotel in the evening.

The two sides discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, including regional and global geopolitical developments, and stressed the importance of further strengthening the longstanding diplomatic and historical relations between Bangladesh and Türkiye.

The discussions also covered cultural exchanges, education, scientific research, trade and economic cooperation, and technological partnerships.

Participants underscored the need for joint efforts to promote regional peace and stability and address global challenges.

According to the press release, Shafiqur thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his government for their support on the Rohingya issue and urged Türkiye to take further initiatives towards a lasting solution to the crisis.

During the meeting, a goodwill letter addressed to Erdoğan was handed over to Fidan on behalf of the opposition leader, the release said.

Others present included Deputy Opposition Leader Syed Abdullah Mohammed Taher, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar, Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan, central executive council members Nurul Islam Bulbul and Md Selim Uddin, and Jamaat's foreign affairs adviser Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem Arman.

Source: thedailystar.net

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PM chairs meeting on nationwide 25 crore tree plantation drive

6 JUNE 2026

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today chaired a meeting on the launch of a nationwide programme to plant 25 crore trees and activities marking World Environment Day.

The meeting on climate messages for different implementation stages of the tree plantation campaign and World Environment Day programmes was held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon in the morning, said a release issued by the PM’s press wing.

Officials concerned attended the meeting and discussed preparations for the campaign and related environmental awareness activities.

Source: thedailystar.net

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Matiullah Wesa Wins French Freedom Prize, Pledges Award Funds for Schools in Afghanistan

By Fidel Rahmati

June 6, 2026

Afghan education activist Matiullah Wesa, founder of the Pen Path organization and a prominent advocate for children’s education, has received France’s 2026 Freedom Prize, an award recognizing efforts in education, human rights and freedom.

Wesa announced the award on Saturday in a post on Facebook, saying he received the prize during a ceremony in the French city of Caen. He thanked the people of Afghanistan for supporting his work and advocacy on behalf of education, particularly for children deprived of schooling.

The activist said the cash component of the award belongs to him personally but that he intends to use the funds to build schools in remote areas of Afghanistan, where access to education remains limited.

The Freedom Prize is awarded by the Normandy Region and the International Institute for Human Rights and Peace in France. Organizers said Wesa was selected after receiving support from 18,708 young voters from 75 countries in an online ballot held earlier this year.

Wesa has become one of Afghanistan’s best-known campaigners for education, gaining international recognition for traveling across the country to encourage families to send children to school and for advocating equal access to education for girls and boys.

 

His recognition comes at a time when Afghanistan faces one of the world’s most severe education crises. Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, girls have been barred from attending secondary schools and universities, making Afghanistan the only country in the world where girls are prohibited from education beyond the sixth grade.

In March 2023, Wesa was arrested by the Taliban and held for approximately seven months. His detention drew widespread criticism from international human rights organizations, education advocates and foreign governments, many of which called for his immediate release.

The restrictions on girls’ education have prompted repeated condemnation from the United Nations, rights groups and Muslim-majority countries, which have urged Taliban authorities to reopen schools and universities to female students. International agencies warn that continued limits on education could have long-term consequences for Afghanistan’s economic development and social stability.

Despite the challenges, Afghan education advocates inside and outside the country have continued to campaign for broader access to schooling. Wesa’s latest international recognition highlights ongoing global concern over the state of education in Afghanistan and the efforts of activists seeking to preserve learning opportunities for future generations.

Source: khaama.com

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WFP Warns 17.4 Million Afghans Will Face Severe Hunger in 2026

By Fidel Rahmati

June 6, 2026

More than 17 million people in Afghanistan are expected to face severe food insecurity in 2026, while nearly 5 million mothers and children are projected to suffer from malnutrition, the World Food Programme (WFP) said, warning that the country remains one of the world’s worst hunger crises.

In a report released on Friday, the U.N. agency said an estimated 17.4 million people in Afghanistan will experience acute food insecurity next year. The organization also warned that 4.9 million mothers and children are expected to be affected by malnutrition, describing the situation as the most severe malnutrition crisis ever recorded in the country.

According to the WFP, Afghans continue to struggle with the cumulative impact of four decades of conflict, a prolonged economic crisis, widespread poverty, recurrent droughts and natural disasters that have weakened livelihoods across the country.

The agency said a magnitude-6 earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan in August 2025 further worsened humanitarian conditions, leaving hundreds dead and thousands more affected.

WFP warned that women and girls remain among the groups hardest hit by the food crisis. The agency said existing restrictions have increased their vulnerability and limited their access to opportunities and resources, forcing many families to rely increasingly on humanitarian assistance.

The organization added that female-headed households remain a priority for food assistance programs due to their heightened exposure to poverty and food shortages.

The warning comes as humanitarian agencies grapple with a sharp decline in international funding. WFP said budget shortfalls have severely constrained its operations in Afghanistan, limiting its ability to reach vulnerable communities at a time when needs remain exceptionally high.

Afghanistan remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies. The United Nations estimates that millions of people continue to depend on aid for survival, with many households unable to meet basic food and healthcare needs amid economic stagnation and high unemployment.

Aid agencies have repeatedly cautioned that reductions in donor funding could force further cuts to food assistance, nutrition programs and emergency relief efforts. Humanitarian organizations say sustained international support will be critical to preventing a further deterioration in food security and protecting vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.

The WFP said it continues to prioritize life-saving assistance but warned that without additional funding, its capacity to respond to growing needs across Afghanistan could face further challenges in the months ahead.

Source: khaama.com

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Afghanistan’s Expanding Diplomatic Horizon

June 6, 2026

The recent handover of Afghanistan’s embassy in Kuwait to the Islamic Emirate marks another important step in the Islamic Emirate’s growing diplomatic presence abroad. With the appointment of new leadership at the mission, Afghans living in Kuwait will now have greater access to consular and diplomatic services, strengthening ties between the two nations. This development reflects a broader trend. Despite opposition from certain malicious groups and hostile governments, Afghanistan’s relations with regional and global partners continue to expand.

Over the past four years, the Islamic Emirate has steadily built political and economic connections with neighboring and friendly countries. More than forty Afghan diplomatic missions are currently operating worldwide, a clear indication of the government’s determination to engage constructively with the international community. Nations such as Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Oman, and Qatar have already accepted diplomats appointed by Kabul, demonstrating that Afghanistan’s voice is increasingly being heard in important capitals.

The establishment of relations with Kuwait carries particular significance. As a respected Islamic country with strong economic potential, Kuwait’s cooperation with Afghanistan can open new avenues for investment and development. Expanding ties with Islamic nations not only strengthens Afghanistan’s position but also helps the country overcome isolation imposed by certain powers. These partnerships are mutually beneficial helping Afghanistan gain opportunities for trade and assistance, while partner countries secure access to a nation strategically located at the crossroads of Central and South Asia.

Diplomatic engagement is also a matter of sovereignty. Every independent state has the right to operate embassies and consulates, and Afghanistan is no exception. By expanding its diplomatic footprint, the Islamic Emirate underscores its legitimacy and its commitment to serving the Afghan people abroad. For citizens living outside the country, functioning embassies provide essential services, from travel documents to consular support, ensuring that their needs are met.

While some governments continue to resist formal recognition of Afghanistan’s current administration, the reality on the ground is clear. The Islamic Emirate has established effective governance and is actively pursuing constructive relations. Russia has already taken the step of formal recognition, and others are engaging through practical cooperation. These actions demonstrate that Afghanistan cannot be ignored and that its stability is vital for regional peace and prosperity.

In conclusion, the handover of the embassy in Kuwait is more than a symbolic gesture, it is part of a broader process of Afghanistan’s reintegration into the international community. Despite conspiracies and opposition from certain quarters, the Islamic Emirate continues to expand its diplomatic and economic relations. This trajectory reflects Afghanistan’s resilience and its determination to build a future based on sovereignty, cooperation, and mutual respect.

Source: thekabultimes.com

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