Delhi Court Dismissed Umar Khalid Interim Bail Plea Despite Supreme Court Rebuke Order
New Age Islam News Bureau
20May2026
Umar Khalid
File picture
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· Delhi court dismissed Umar Khalid interim bail plea despite Supreme Court rebuke order
· Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon kill 19, including children and women, officials say
· Saudi Arabia launches ‘Hajj Without Luggage’ service for pilgrims
· Russia and China are building something America cannot break
· CAIR-Houston Welcomes Arrest of Suspect Who Threatened to ‘Kill all the Muslims and Jews’
· ‘Terrorists Sympathizers Are Terrorists’ – Adeyanju Demands Immediate Arrest Of Gumi
· Malaysia demands immediate release of 25 citizens detained by Israeli forces after Gaza flotilla interception
· Pakistan PM Says Operations Against Kabul Will Continue ‘With Full Force’
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India
· On 1st Tuesday after HC ruling, prayers bring Bhojshala alive
· Asansol violence: Bengal govt begins compensation process for damage to public property
· Ulhasnagar man arrested after wife accuses him of ‘love jihad’
· ‘Both communities facing distress’: Naushad Siddiqui writes to CM SuvenduAdhikari over Bengal slaughter rules
· LG's demolition drive razes Gujjar homes, termed barbaric by Jammu and Kashmir minister
· ‘I could not call myself an engineer’: How Maharashtra’s aborted Muslim quota left a Beed man without his degree for nine years
· India rejects claims of human rights violations
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Mideast
· Palestinians in Gaza mark anniversary of 1948 mass uprooting and say today’s catastrophe is worse
· Israeli war plan sought to install Ahmadinejad in Iran — New York Times
· Board of Peace will ask the UN Security Council to press Hamas to disarm
· US sanctions several over Gaza aid flotillas, alleged Hamas support
· Tankers exit Hormuz as Trump, Vance talk up Iran deal prospects
· Israeli minister orders West Bank hamlet evicted after hearing he may face arrest warrant overseas
· State Dept says US resident released from Iranian prison
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Arab World
· Holy cities unified 911 centre enhances services for Hajj
· Built to last: Expo 2030 Riyadh showcases delivery progress, legacy plans
· Saudi ambassador presents credentials to Chadian president
· Saudi Arabia’s EP governor receives Oman’s ambassador
· New monologue series in Riyadh’s creative hub blends music, storytelling
· Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative eases journey for Hajj pilgrims
· International Museum Day turns Red Sea galleries into an interactive journey
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Europe
· Most popular German party disproportionally targeted by violent attacks
· NATO state rejects Israeli ambassador
· Hastings mosque unveils plans for major extension with new community spaces and roof terrace
· Ingush imam rails on men wearing short-sleeved shirts and ‘insufficient control’ over women
· Eid In Trafalgar Square: Muslim Celebrations Return In May
· UK loosens Russian oil sanctions as fuel prices rise
· ‘Not logical’ to give protection to Ukrainian males – EU special envoy
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North America
· CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Suspect Following Knife Threat Incident Targeting Muslim Men at Brooklyn Restaurant
· CAIR-NY Condemns Egg-Throwing Targeting Worshippers at Brooklyn Mosque During Friday Prayer
· CAIR, MPAC Demand Cancellation – Not Postponement – of Ted Cruz’s Anti-Muslim Hate Hearing After Terror Attack on San Diego Mosque
· CAIR Calls on Local Police to Step Up Security at Mosques Nationwide After Deadly San Diego Terror Attack
· Trump-backed challenger defeats Republican rebel Massie in primary
· Trump endorses Paxton in Texas, gambling on a challenger with baggage in a crucial race
· US to cut wartime troop commitments to NATO – Reuters
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Africa
· 175 ISIS Terrorists Eliminated In Fresh Nigeria-U.S Military Operation – DHQ
· Adelabu’s Aide Speaks On Former Minister Being Disqualified From Oyo Governorship Race
· You Did Not Reply Me – Gani Adams Blasts South-West Governors Over Rising Insecurity
· No Terrorist Base In South-west – DHQ Assures Nigerians
· Civil War: Gowon Reveals How Obasanjo Refused To Serve Under Murtala
· Rwanda tightens border controls over deadly Ebola outbreak in DR Congo
· Kenya strike over rising fuel prices pauses after mass shutdown
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Southeast Asia
· Malaysian Haj pilgrims urged to limit outdoor activities as heat hits 48°C in Mecca
· Sultan Ibrahim confers state honours to Johor Regent’s wife and Raja Muda
· Malaysia still has no info on Global Sumud Flotilla activists 48 hours after Israeli abduction
· Telekom Malaysia says cooperating with US DOJ over alleged misconduct by former TM USA employees
· Malaysia steps up Ebola preparedness after WHO declares global health emergency
· SNCC confirms all 10 Gaza flotilla vessels intercepted by Israeli forces
· PM Anwar: Haj is a school of spiritual upbringing to purify the soul
· Singapore seeks IAEA review next year as it weighs advanced nuclear energy options
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South Asia
· 175,000 Afghan Migrants Returned from Pakistan in First Quarter of 2026, IOM Says
· Jamaat draws up initial structure of shadow cabinet
· UN Launches $529 Million Plan for Afghan Returnees From Iran and Pakistan
· Former Afghanistan Minister Criticizes Clerics Over Muslim World Decline
· Beradar Kicks Off Second Abu Ali SinaBalkhi National, International Exhibition in Kabul
· MawlaviJalali Holds Online Meeting with PLC Board and International Health Officials
· Afghan Delegation Attends Global Urban Forum in Azerbaijan
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Delhi court dismissed Umar Khalid interim bail plea despite Supreme Court rebuke order
20.05.26
Umar Khalid
File picture
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A Delhi court on Tuesday dismissed the interim bail plea of activist Umar Khalid in the 2020 Delhi riots case, a day after the Supreme Court disagreed with its own decision denying relief to him and co-accused Sharjeel Imam.
On Monday, the Supreme Court said a two-judge bench had violated “judicial discipline” by denying bail to Khalid and Imam earlier this year, despite a three-judge bench ruling in the K.A. Najeeb case underlining that bail should be the rule even
in offences with stringent conditions.
A day later, additional sessions judge Sameer Bajpai refused to grant Khalid 15 days’ interim bail to attend the 40-day post-death ritual (chehlum) of his uncle and to care for his mother, who needs a lump surgery.
Khalid’s uncle passed away last month and the chehlum is scheduled to be observed on May 24. His mother is to undergo the surgery on June 2.
Denying the relief, the judge said: “The court is of the view that attending the chehlum of his uncle is not that necessary. Things would have been different if the ceremony was of a person who was in immediate relation with the applicant (Khalid).”
The court noted that Khalid had not sought any relief immediately after his uncle’s death, underlining a time gap in seeking interim bail.
“If the relationship was so immediate and thick, the applicant would have asked for the release at the time of the death of his uncle, and not now, after such a long time. Therefore, the court does not find this reason to be just,” the court said.
The court was also not convinced of the grounds for seeking interim relief concerning his mother’s surgery. According to Khalid, he has five sisters but they do not live nearby. The court observed that his sisters are definitely expected to come to their mother’s help. “Further, the father of the applicant is also there to take care of the mother of the applicant,” the court said.
Countering Khalid’s bail plea, the prosecution argued that the surgery for lump removal is simple and there is no requirement for the applicant’s help. “Accordingly, finding the reasons unreasonable, the court doesn’t deem it appropriate to grant the desired relief to the applicant. The application is dismissed,” the court said.
Khalid has been out of jail for brief periods thrice. In December 2025, he got bail to attend his sister’s wedding. He was out on bail for a week from December 28, 2024, to January 3, 2025, to attend his cousin’s wedding. In 2022, he was out for a week to attend his elder sister’s wedding.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/delhi-court-rejects-umar-khalid-interim-bail-plea-in-2020-delhi-riots-case-prnt/cid/2161397
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Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon kill 19, including children and women, officials say
May 20, 2026
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted the village of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr in southern Lebanon on May 19, 2026. (AFP)
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BEIRUT: Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Tuesday killed at least 19 people, including four women and three children, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said, the latest in near-daily attacks from both sides that have not stopped despite the fragile, US-brokered ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war.
Israel did not comment on the reports of casualties in Lebanon.
The Israel-Hezbollah latest fighting began on March 2 with the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group firing rockets at Israel, two days after the United States and Israel attacked Iran.
In Beirut, the government said a single strike on the village of DeirQanoun al Nahr in the coastal Tyre province killed 10 people, including three children and three women. Three were wounded, including a child.
The ministry provided no further details about the strike but state-run National News Agency said it destroyed a house, leaving several people under the rubble. Their bodies were pulled out later in the day.
According to the ministry, another airstrike — this one on the southern city of Nabatieh — killed four people and wounded 10 others, including two women. A third strike in the nearby village of Kfar Sir killed five people, including one woman.
The latest deaths came a day after the death toll in the latest round of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah surpassed 3,000, and two days after the US-brokered truce that has been in place since April 17, was extended for 45 days.
Israel has since invaded southern Lebanon and bombarded its capital, Beirut, and other areas, saying it is targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. Hezbollah, both a militant group and a powerful political organization in Lebanon, has resisted pressure to disarm, including by the Lebanese government.
More than a million people have been displaced in Lebanon by the fighting, with some sheltering in tents along roads and the Mediterranean Sea in Beirut.
Israel, meanwhile, has struggled to halt frequent Hezbollah drone attacks targeting its troops on Lebanese soil and northern Israeli border towns.
Israel’s military said one of its soldiers was killed on Tuesday in battle in southern Lebanon, raising the Israeli troops’ death toll to 21 since the latest conflict started.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2644229/middle-east
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Saudi Arabia launches ‘Hajj Without Luggage’ service for pilgrims
SALEH FAREED
May 19, 2026
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a new service allowing pilgrims to ship luggage directly from their home countries to their accommodations in the Kingdom. (Supplied)
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JEDDAH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has introduced a new service allowing pilgrims to ship luggage directly from their home countries to their accommodations in the Kingdom, reducing the need to carry bags during the Hajj journey.
The “Hajj Without Luggage” initiative for 2026 aims to ease travel logistics and improve mobility during the pilgrimage season.
According to the ministry, the service is being implemented in cooperation with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and other entities as part of efforts to improve pilgrim services.
Under the system, luggage is collected at departure airports through specialized companies, shipped to the Kingdom, received at airports including Jeddah and Madinah, and delivered directly to hotels.
The ministry said the service allows pilgrims to proceed directly to transportation buses upon arrival without waiting for baggage collection, helping reduce congestion during peak times of the Hajj season.
Bader Al-Juaid, a member of the advisory committee for the hospitality department at King Abdulaziz University’s College of Tourism, told Arab News the initiative represents “a fundamental shift in how we think about service, as it focuses not only on transporting pilgrims from one point to another, but also on alleviating the operational burdens that can affect their comfort from arrival to departure.”
The initiative significantly enhances the overall pilgrimage experience by reducing congestion at airports and minimizing physical strain on pilgrims.
He noted that the idea began in 2017 as a limited service under the Makkah Route Initiative for a group of Malaysian pilgrims before expanding into the current program.
“Today in 2026, this journey has reached a more comprehensive stage through the ‘Hajj Without Luggage’ initiative,” he said.
Al-Juaid continued: “It is an experience that reflects a shift in services from mere operational performance to a more integrated design for the pilgrim’s experience, making them feel more at ease and less preoccupied with logistical details, through a system that includes transportation, tracking, and institutional coordination among relevant entities.
“In short, it’s not just about luggage service … it’s a practical model of how small details can have a significant impact on the experience of the pilgrims.”
Saad Al-Qurashi, an investor and expert in the Hajj and Umrah sector, also said: “We implemented this service during the past two seasons, and it showed us many positive outcomes for the pilgrims.
“This means less physical strain and more focus on the spiritual journey, especially for elderly pilgrims and large groups. It’s a modern step toward making Hajj more comfortable, organized, and accessible for everyone.”
Saudia confirmed its involvement in the scheme this week, with digital integration aimed at reducing airport congestion during peak travel periods.
The airline said the service will cover more than 400,000 pilgrims across its network of 145 destinations in coordination with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Matarat Holding, the Nusuk platform and the HalaBag system.
Saudi Post is also part of the scheme, offering integrated logistics solutions that ensure the easy transportation of luggage from accommodation to final destinations inside or outside the Kingdom, without the need to carry it whilst traveling between the holy sites.
The service is expected to handle 1.1 million bags from seven countries participating in the Makkah Route Initiative, with delivery to Makkah hotels within 24 hours.
Source: arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2644163/saudi-arabia
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Russia and China are building something America cannot break
By Fyodor Lukyanov
19 May, 2026
© Mikhail Metzel/Mikhail Metzel
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The current choreography of great-power diplomacy has prompted a familiar round of speculation. Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives in China only days after his US counterpart Donald Trump’s own high-profile visit to Beijing, and commentators are already speaking of a new “great triangle” between Russia, China and the United States.
The timing, however, is largely coincidental because Putin’s visit was planned long in advance. Meetings between the Russian and Chinese leaders are now routine and form part of an increasingly institutionalized partnership. Trump’s trip, by contrast, had already been postponed several times, most recently because of the war with Iran. The American president was clearly reluctant to arrive in Beijing while trapped in the role of a wartime leader unable to control events. Even so, he didn’t manage to come to town as a triumphant statesman because Iran hasn’t yielded, and Washington’s position remains uncertain.
Yet from the perspective of the broader international system, the triangular comparison is understandable. Russia, China and the United States are today the three powers with the greatest capacity to shape global affairs. Their strengths differ as America retains unmatched military and financial reach, while China possesses industrial and economic weight on a historic scale. Meanwhile, Russia continues to wield enormous geopolitical and strategic influence far beyond the size of its economy. Thus, any interaction between the three inevitably affects the wider international balance.
Still, the similarities end there and, in practice, the relationships themselves are fundamentally different in character.
The United States and China are strategic rivals, and that rivalry isn’t temporary, and Trump’s latest visit to Beijing underlined how deeply the relationship has changed. For decades, both sides benefited from a kind of economic symbiosis in which commercial interests outweighed political disagreements but that era is now over.
Washington’s attempts to restructure the relationship in its own favor, while simultaneously restricting China’s technological rise, have pushed Beijing toward a far more assertive position. China’s restrictions on rare-earth exports last year demonstrated that it possesses leverage to which the United States has yet to find an effective response. More importantly, Beijing’s perception of the US has changed. Chinese leaders increasingly appear to believe that pressure on China is not simply the product of one administration or one president’s personality, but rather a structural feature of American policy itself.
As a result, the Trump–Xi relationship is becoming one defined by managed divergence rather than convergence, but tensions will rise and fall and escalation and partial stabilization will alternate. Neither side wants a catastrophic rupture, because the economic consequences would be enormous, but both now seem to accept that long-term competition is unavoidable.
The Russia–China relationship is built on an entirely different foundation.
Moscow and Beijing view themselves not primarily as rivals, but as strategic partners shaped by a shared geopolitical environment across Eurasia. Both countries see the Eurasian landmass as the central arena of 21st-century politics and the most dangerous military conflicts are already unfolding there, from Eastern Europe to the Middle East, while the most consequential future confrontation could emerge in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Against that backdrop, Russia and China increasingly regard stable cooperation as a strategic necessity.
Their partnership now extends across politics, trade, energy, finance, science, technology and military coordination. The full potential of the relationship hasn’t yet been reached, but the direction is unmistakable. What matters most is that the strengthening of Russian-Chinese ties has itself become one of the defining factors of global politics.
That’s also why weakening that relationship has become a major objective for Washington. Many American strategists openly insist that the United States must drive a wedge between Moscow and Beijing in order to preserve global primacy. In practice, however, US pressure has often produced the opposite result, pushing the two Eurasian powers into even closer alignment.
None of this means the relationship is free of friction and it’s clearly not. Russia and China are both major powers with long histories, strong national interests and their own strategic ambition which means disagreements over trade, investment, logistics and regional influence are inevitable. But the crucial difference is that these disagreements aren’t existential in nature.
Unlike US-China relations, where competition increasingly revolves around limiting and constraining the other side, Russia and China don’t fundamentally view each other as adversaries so while practical disputes may cause irritation, delays or bargaining, but they don’t threaten the relationship itself.
Both sides may occasionally exercise restraint in directly supporting the other if circumstances become too risky or complicated. But neither Moscow nor Beijing is prepared to undermine the broader partnership for the sake of tactical advantage elsewhere because the relationship is seen as strategically valuable in its own right.
That stability is precisely why meetings between Putin and Xi generate less global drama than summits involving Trump. There’s little suspense because the basic direction of the relationship is already clear. The two countries have spent years building a relatively deep level of political trust, something increasingly rare in international affairs.
In today’s world, predictability has become an unusual commodity, yet that may ultimately be one of the greatest advantages of the Russian-Chinese partnership. While relations between Washington and Beijing are defined by uncertainty and suspicion Moscow and Beijing have constructed something far steadier: a relationship whose trajectory no longer depends on atmospherics or temporary political moods.
And in an increasingly unstable international environment, that alone makes it significant.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/640157-putin-trump-xi-triangle/
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CAIR-Houston Welcomes Arrest of Suspect Who Threatened to ‘Kill all the Muslims and Jews’
May 19, 2026
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the arrest of a suspect accused of making violent threats against Muslims and Jews targeting Houston’s Ismaili Center.
Jacolby Poindexter, 29, was arrested on a terroristic threat charge Sunday. According to reports, the suspect allegedly threatened to “kill all the Muslims and Jews” before being taken into custody.
CAIR-Texas noted that this incident comes amid rising hate incidents targeting houses of worship nationwide, including the recent deadly shooting attack at the Islamic Center of San Diego, where investigators reportedly examined anti-Muslim writings connected to the suspects.
In a statement, Imran Ghani, CAIR-Houston Director of Operations, said:
“We welcome the arrest of the suspect and thank law enforcement for taking these threats seriously. In a climate where hateful rhetoric is increasingly normalized, threats against any faith community must never be dismissed. We urge community members to remain vigilant and to report suspicious or threatening activity immediately.”
RawanHarirah, President and Chair of CAIR-Texas, added:
“What happened in San Diego, and what nearly happened here in Houston, are painful reminders that hateful rhetoric has real-world consequences for our communities and our houses of worship. Here in Texas, we moved quickly when we learned of the threat to the Ismaili Center, coordinating with community leaders, elected officials, and law enforcement. Rapid response is essential, but it is not enough. We need vigilance, reporting, and solidarity across all communities to fortify our shield and protect every house of worship in our state.”
CAIR-Texas is calling on elected officials and community leaders to publicly and unequivocally condemn the rising tide of anti-Muslim rhetoric, especially political rhetoric, and to ensure robust safety resources for vulnerable houses of worship. Public servants must take a proactive stance by ensuring local law enforcement treats violent threats with urgency while working directly with community members to foster safety, respect, and civil rights protections for all Texans.
CAIR-Texas urges community members to document and report any instances of bigotry, harassment, or intimidation.
Earlier today, CAIR called on local law enforcement authorities to step up security at mosques and Islamic institutions nationwide after yesterday’s deadly terror attack on a San Diego mosque that left five people dead, including the two attackers, who died from self-inflicted wounds.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR also called on Muslim community leaders to utilize its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” bookletto help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to all houses of worship.
Last night, CAIR demanded that politicians end their “campaign of hate” targeting American Muslims after the San Diego terror attack.
Earlier yesterday, CAIR and its San Diego office (CAIR-San Diego) condemned the attack and said CAIR-San Diego representatives are on the scene monitoring developments.
Also yesterday, CAIR’s Texas chapter (CAIR-TX) joined with a number of Dallas–Fort Worth Muslim organizations in calling for an end to the hateful rhetoric and fear-mongering by some Texas politicians.
Last week, CAIR commended Democratic members of Congress who defended American Muslims and constitutional religious freedom during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on “Sharia law.” CAIR also condemned Republican members and witnesses for promoting anti-Muslim fearmongering and dangerous smear tactics amid rising anti-Muslim hate incidents nationwide.
According to CAIR’s most recent civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination have continued to rise nationwide, reflecting an ongoing pattern of Islamophobia impacting communities across the country.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR encourages community members facing bias or hate incidents to report them to law enforcement and to CAIR.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR esproteger las libertadesciviles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a losmusulmanesenlosEstadosUnidos.
Source: cair.com
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https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-houston-welcomes-arrest-of-suspect-who-threatened-to-kill-all-the-muslims-and-jews/
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‘Terrorists Sympathizers Are Terrorists’ – Adeyanju Demands Immediate Arrest Of Gumi
May 20, 2026
Nigerian activist lawyer, DejiAdeyanju, has urged the Nigerian government to immediately arrest controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, over his inflammatory comments on the rising security crisis in the country.
Naija News reports that the call follows Gumi’s recent interview on AIT, stating that herdsmen would not have a source of financing their war machine if they leave banditry.
Gumi said the herdsmen have endured a lot of hardship, with no government sitting down to look into their plight and modernise their lives.
According to the Islamic cleric, bandits are not living a luxurious life, stressing that they sometimes drink from the stream.
He said, “The terrorists need all the money they’re getting from kidnapping. It’s not like they are living luxurious lives. The government is putting too much pressure on them so they need money to finance their war machines.”
Reacting to the viral video of the clergy defending bandits, Deji, in a post via his 𝕏 handle, said terrorists sympathizers should be treated as terrorists, adding that people like Gumi can only survive in a country without government.
He wrote, “People like Gumi can only survive in a country without a government. Terrorists sympathizers are terrorists.
“His words and actions promote terrorism in Nigeria. I call on the government to arrest him to serve as a deterrent to others”.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/05/20/terrorists-sympathizers-are-terrorists-adeyanju-demands-immediate-arrest-of-gumi/
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Malaysia demands immediate release of 25 citizens detained by Israeli forces after Gaza flotilla interception
20 May 2026
PETALING JAYA, May 20 — Malaysia is demanding for the Israeli Zionist regime to immediately release 25 of its citizens who are members and crew of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) detained off the coast of Cyprus on May 18.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the action runs counter to basic human rights and international law, as the group were not within Israeli waters when they were intercepted by the country’s authority.
“We demand that the Israeli Zionist regime accord them proper treatment and release them immediately as this is against basic human rights and international law.
“They did not intrude… they were (located) far off (the coast of Cyprus). And yet they were intercepted, and there were citizens of many other countries who were also detained by the Israeli Zionist regime,” he said, during a media conference at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Subang, on Tuesday.
Mohamad said he also would like to thank his counterpart from Türkiye, Foreign Minister HakanFidan, and the government of Turkiye for successfully bringing home 10 Malaysia citizens who were detained earlier.
“But now we have more detained.
“We ask for them to be accorded proper treatment and be released immediately,” he said.
Mohamad said for other Malaysians were earlier detained by the Greek authority when their vessel sank while in the process of bringing it back.
Mohamad said three other crew or participants have been released while two more – the captain and first officer — have been detained and tried before being freed by the court.
“They have all returned to Istanbul.
“We would like to again thank my counterpart, HakanFidan, and the government of Turkiye,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/05/20/malaysia-demands-immediate-release-of-25-citizens-detained-by-israeli-forces-after-gaza-flotilla-interception/220607
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Pakistan PM Says Operations Against Kabul Will Continue ‘With Full Force’
By Fidel Rahmati
May 20, 2026
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s military operation “Ghazab-ul-Haq” against Afghan Taliban will continue “with full determination” to protect national security and counter armed groups operating near the Afghanistan border.
Speaking during a visit to Quetta, Sharif said the operation targets “terrorist proxy groups based in Afghanistan” and vowed that Pakistani forces would continue striking militant hideouts and infrastructure.
Pakistan launched the operation after border tensions and clashes with the Taliban escalated sharply in recent months.
Sharif praised the Pakistani military for its “professionalism and sacrifices” and reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to defending the country against growing security threats.
Pakistan claims more than 700 militants have been killed during the operation, though Taliban authorities have rejected those figures and denied allowing Afghanistan territory to be used against neighboring countries.
Pakistan’s army chief AsimMunir recently warned that any future attacks against Pakistan would receive a “broader and painful” response beyond conventional military limits.
Security concerns have intensified after a deadly explosion in the Bannu area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and several recent militant attacks targeting Pakistani security forces and civilians.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused militant groups, including factions linked to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, of operating from Afghanistan territory, allegations the Taliban administration continues to deny.
Despite multiple rounds of talks in Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Urumqi, both sides have failed to reach a lasting agreement to reduce tensions along the border.
Source: khaama.com
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https://www.khaama.com/pakistan-pm-says-operations-against-kabul-will-continue-with-full-force/
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India
On 1st Tuesday after HC ruling, prayers bring Bhojshala alive
May 20, 2026
DHAR: The first rays of the Tuesday morning sun had barely touched Dhar when the sound of conches began rending the air. Devotees were already streaming in, many draped in saffron and yellow, filling corridors that have relatively stood in quiet, contested silence for decades. The Bhojshala complex, with its intricately carved pillars still bearing the scars of time, was alive again with prayers. It was the first Tuesday after the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh high court declared Bhojshala a temple and centre of learning on May 15, quashing a 2003 ASI order, which allowed Hindus to offer prayers at the site only on Tuesdays and Muslims on Fridays.
The court also observed continuity of Hindu worship at the monument, a site built during the Parmar dynasty around 1034 CE and long claimed by Muslims as Kamal Maula mosque.
The atmosphere inside was a blend of devotion and vindication. Elaborate security arrangements had been made, with tent walls lining the path to Bhojshala, forming a passageway that blocked the view to the mosque and the shrines dotting the complex.
Behind those walls, inside the ancient corridors, rows of children were reading out Sanskrit verses in the presence of their gurus and priests seated before a cardboard 3D image of the Vagdevi statue. The original idol, taken to the British Museum in London, has been absent from its site for generations. In its place stood this symbolic image, worshipped with the same reverence.
Devotees recited the Hanuman Chalisa and SaraswatiVandana, distributed sweets, and walked the corridors with visible joy. Tributes were paid to those who waged a "four-decade struggle" for worship rights.
"It is a complete victory of the truth," said Ruchi Shukla, a teacher who had come to offer prayers. "It's a historic day." Outside, firecrackers were burst in the streets. "It feels like Deepawali," said Vijayrani Solanki, a homemaker who had come to the site with her entire family. "Now, we wish to see the Vagdevi idol installed," she said.
Gopal Sharma, convenor of the BhojshalaMuktiYajna, said the day would honour those who sacrificed their lives for the cause. Ashish Goyal, president of the Hindu Front for Justice, said the outfit has written to the PMO, MEA and other authorities seeking the idol's return from the British Museum.
Sharma also called for reinstatement of 94 idols, including those of Shiva, Brahma, Vishnu and MahisasurMardini, found during the 2024 ASI survey of the Bhojshala complex. Idols of Kubera, Ardhanarishwar and other deities housed in museums in Mandu and Dhar fort should also be reinstalled at the site, he added.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/on-1st-tuesday-after-hc-ruling-prayers-bring-bhojshala-alive/articleshowprint/131210847.cms
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Asansol violence: Bengal govt begins compensation process for damage to public property
May 19, 2026
Days after the violence in Asansol, the West Bengal government has begun the process for compensation for damage to public property by the miscreants.
On Tuesday, a team from the Asansol North police station made a public announcement using loud speakers in the Jahangir Mohalla where the violence had broken out last week.
The violence had broken out on Friday after a mob allegedly pelted stones and vandalised a police post over a dispute related to the volume of loudspeakers at a mosque.
According to reports, the incident occurred after some locals reached out to the police and complained about the high volume of the loudspeakers at a nearby mosque.
Following this, a police team urged the mosque authorities to reduce the volume of the loudspeakers, triggering anger among the local Muslim community members.
A group of people gathered outside the police outpost late on Friday night to stage a protest. Soon, more people gathered in the area, and a scuffle broke out in front of the police post.
The angry mob allegedly pelted stones and vandalised the police outpost, damaging several government and private vehicles.
The police have so far arrested seven people in connection with the violence and efforts are underway to nab the remaining miscreants.
Source: thestatesman.com
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Ulhasnagar man arrested after wife accuses him of ‘love jihad’
May 19, 2026
Pradeep Gupta
Ulhasnagar: In an alleged case of ‘love jihad’ to have emerged from Ulhasnagar, a 27-year-old Hindu woman has accused a Muslim man of concealing his identity, posing as a Hindu to develop a relationship with her in order to marry her and forcing her after their marriage to follow Muslim customs and traditions.
The accused, Imran Sheikh, 33, has been arrested by officers of the Central police station here along with two of his brothers, who are among seven named as accused in the case filed by the woman on Monday. The accused have been booked for cheating and hurting religious sentiments, among other sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
According to the woman’s complaint, Imran, who works at a garage, allegedly introduced himself to her in 2019 as ‘Vijay’. Police said the accused allegedly befriended her, developed a relationship with her and later the same year took her to his native place in Bihar, where he then revealed his real identity and got married to her in keeping with Muslim rituals.
Police said according to the complainant, after the marriage she was allegedly pressured to adopt Muslim customs. In her complaint, she claimed she was forced to wear a burqa and hijab and to stop worshipping Hindu deities and follow Islamic traditions against her wishes.
She further alleged she was pressured to consume beef and the accused frequently made objectionable remarks against Hindu gods and goddesses. The complainant stated that Imran’s family members, including his two brothers, parents and other relatives, also forced her to follow Muslim practices.
According to the complaint, the alleged harassment intensified after the birth of their child. The victim also accused Imran of marrying another woman. When she questioned him about it, he allegedly told her that the second woman was also his wife and that he was permitted to marry multiple times.
The family eventually returned to Ulhasnagar, and the woman claimed that even after returning, she continued to face mental and physical harassment from the accused and his family. Feeling cheated and traumatised, she said, she finally approached the police.
Based on her statement, the Central police registered a case against Imran, his brothers Salman Sheikh and Shahbaz Sheikh, their parents and two others.
Senior police inspector Shankar Awtade of Central police station said the case has been registered under various sections of the BNS, including Section 85 (cruelty by husband or relatives), 75(2) (sexual harassment), 299 (hurting religious sentiments), 318(4) (cheating), 351 (criminal intimidation) and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace).
The three accused arrested in the case were produced before a court, which has remanded them to police custody.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police said.
In March 2026, the state assembly passed the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill which aims to prevent religious conversion carried out through coercion, inducement, fraud or deception. According to the Bill, persons involved in unlawful conversions on pretext of marriage will be punished with imprisonment of seven years and shall also be liable for a fine.
Any marriage with the sole purpose of unlawful conversion shall be declared as null and void by the court on a petition and any child born out of such marriage shall be deemed to belong to the religion on mother before such marriage, the law states.
In April, Maharashtra governor Jishnu Dev Varma sent the Bill to President DroupadiMurmu for consideration and assent.
Source: indiatimes.com
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‘Both communities facing distress’: Naushad Siddiqui writes to CM SuvenduAdhikari over Bengal slaughter rules
Ravik Bhattacharya
May 20, 2026
Following in the footsteps of senior Congress leader AdhirRanjan Chowdhury, Indian Secular Front (ISF) leader and Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddiqui Monday wrote to Chief Minister SuvenduAdhikari, raising concerns regarding West Bengal’s new animal slaughter guidelines.
Siddiqui has highlighted that both Hindus and Muslims who depend on the seasonal trade of cows are facing financial distress due to the recent guidelines. He requested the chief minister to intervene by deploying veterinary doctors at the panchayat level. These doctors can provide the necessary certificates for the animals to be slaughtered.
The state government’s guidelines, which are being strictly enforced this year under the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act of 1950, mandate that only animals aged 14 years and above can be legally slaughtered. Traders must obtain a joint certificate from either the chairman of a municipality or the sabhapati of a panchayat samiti, alongside a government veterinary surgeon, declaring the animal “fit for slaughter”. The administration has also strictly prohibited animal sacrifice in public spaces, limiting the practice to designated locations.
“It is respectfully submitted that Section 12 of the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950 empowers the State Government to grant exemption for slaughter of animals for religious purposes,” the letter, a copy of which is with The Indian Express, stated.
“In view of the forthcoming Eid-ul-Adha festival, I further request your good office to kindly make necessary arrangements so that veterinary doctors remain available at all Panchayat Offices till Eid for issuance of required fitness certificates and for smooth implementation of the legal procedure prescribed under the Act,” it added.
Siddiqui noted that due to the lack of timely veterinary certification and administrative challenges, low-income individuals from both Hindu and Muslim communities who are involved in the buying and selling of cattle and sacrificial animals are experiencing significant financial hardship and uncertainty.
“Many families are dependent upon such seasonal trade for their livelihood and survival. Delay in issuance of certificates and lack of administrative arrangements are causing substantial loss to poor cattle traders, farmers, transport workers, and members of the general public,” the letter said.
He also said that the timely deployment of veterinary doctors at panchayat offices will help maintain proper legal compliance, public hygiene, and administrative supervision, and will help avoid unnecessary public suffering and inconvenience during the religious festival.
On May 17, Chowdhury wrote a letter to CM Adhikari highlighting “unease and confusion among the Muslim community on the issue and suggested that in places like Murshidabad, the district administration may undertake measures to identify and demarcate specific locations where people could practise the customs associated with the religious faith they profess.
Source: indianexpress.com
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https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/west-bengal-animal-slaughter-guidelines-naushad-siddiqui-letter-eid-rules-10697791/
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LG's demolition drive razes Gujjar homes, termed barbaric by Jammu and Kashmir minister
Muzaffar Raina
20.05.26
Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha's administration on Tuesday demolished dozens of homes of members of the Gujjar and Bakerwal communities on the outskirts of Jammu as part of an anti-encroachment drive, triggering outrage and prompting forest minister Javed Rana to allege barbarity and selective targeting of tribal Muslims.
The forest department’s involvement in the eviction drive enraged Rana, who vowed action against the officials concerned.
The Sinha-led administration is already facing allegations of disproportionately targeting Kashmiris in its anti-drug campaign, leading to the demolition of dozens of properties of alleged drug peddlers in the Valley.
Tuesday’s drive took place at Sidhra in Jammu amid a large presence of police personnel. The victims were members of the region’s minority community.
Officials said around 20-30 structures were demolished to retrieve nearly 60 kanals of prime forest land.
The victims resisted, but could not save their homes from being flattened during the nearly four-hour operation.
Rana said people had been residing in the area for decades and claimed it was government and not forest land.
The affected families staged protests and alleged that the drive was carried out without any prior notice.
According to official data, over 17 lakh kanals of government land have been encroached across Jammu and Kashmir, with the Jammu division accounting for over 14 lakh kanals.
“Deeply shocked & outraged by the clandestine, unilateral demolition of homes in Sidhra, Jammu, by the LG Administration. Decades of heritage of our innocent Gujjar-Bakarwal families have been reduced to rubble without taking the elected, popular Government or my Ministry into confidence,” Rana posted on X.
“This is not a mere regulatory drive; it is a targeted, cruel eviction explicitly aimed at terrorising and marginalising our nomadic tribal communities who have protected these lands for over half a century. We will not stand by as silent spectators to this selective harassment and high-handedness. I am immediately taking this up at the highest level with Chief Minister @OmarAbdullahsb to demand an immediate halt, an institutional inquiry against the responsible officers & officials, and full rehabilitation for the affected families. Our people deserve justice, not displacement!” he added.
Rana told reporters the drive was “barbaric” and promised that the victims would be compensated.
“The march of the might of the State with bulldozer as judge, jury and executioner,” Jammu-based journalist ZaffarChoudhary wrote on X, posting a video of a police contingent and bulldozers headed towards the locality.
Anantnag MP MianAltaf Ahmad condemned the “demolition of several residential structures belonging to poor tribal people in Sidhra”. He said the “high-handedness” of the administration and forest department was “unacceptable”.
Both Rana and Ahmad are Gujjar leaders.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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‘I could not call myself an engineer’: How Maharashtra’s aborted Muslim quota left a Beed man without his degree for nine years
Zeeshan Shaikh
May 19, 2026
For nine years, FarukhIlahi Sayyad carried the qualifications of an engineer without the degree certificate to prove it.
A beneficiary and later a casualty of Maharashtra’s brief and controversial 5 per cent Muslim reservation policy, the 33-year-old from Beed spent nearly a decade caught between changing governments, a lapsed ordinance and bureaucratic deadlock before the Bombay High Court finally directed the University of Mumbai to release his engineering degree earlier this month.
Sayyad’s ordeal traces back to 2014, when the then Congress-NCP government announced 16 per cent reservation for Marathas and 5 per cent reservation for Muslims in government jobs and educational institutions ahead of the Assembly elections. To navigate constitutional restrictions against religion-based reservation, the quota was structured under a Special Backward Category-A (SBC-A), covering around 50 socially and educationally backward Muslim communities.
It was under this category that Sayyad, then 21 years old and a resident of Jawalben village in Beed district, secured admission to Finolex Academy of Management and Technology in Ratnagiri for a degree course in electrical engineering.
The youngest son of a daily wage worker in a family with little formal education, Sayyad completed Diploma in Electrical Engineering with 72.71 per cent marks, making him eligible for direct second-year admission to an engineering course.
“With the reservations announced, I was initially allotted a Pune-based college based on the marks. However, I opted out as the fees of Rs 1.13 lakh was too high. In the second round of selection, I was allotted a seat in the Finolex Academy of Management and Technology in Ratnagiri under the SBCA category and I accepted as the fee was Rs 63,000 per year and affordable,” FarukhIlahi Sayyad told The Indian Express from Dubai.
"I could not call myself an engineer": How Maharashtra's aborted Muslim quota left a Beed man without his degree for nine years FarukhIlahi Sayyad
In July 2014, he obtained a caste certificate confirming his SBC-A status. But when he applied for a caste validity certificate in February 2015, the political and legal landscape had changed.
The BJP-led government had come to power in Maharashtra in October 2014, and the reservation policy was challenged before the Bombay High Court. In November that year, the High Court struck down Maratha reservation but permitted 5 per cent reservation for Muslims in educational institutions, observing that denying such reservation would impede efforts to bring Muslim youth into the mainstream of secular education.
However, the ordinance was never converted into a permanent law and lapsed in December 2014 after the new government chose not to preserve the Muslim quota framework.
Soon after, Sayyad said the state scrutiny committee informed him that it could not issue a caste validity certificate because the reservation itself was no longer in force.
“I made various representations to authorities but to no avail. I was told that I would be able to continue my studies if I paid the fees that was being charged for open category students. I agreed, hoping that the issue would get resolved,” he said.
Although he completed the course in 2017, the college and the University of Mumbai withheld his final-year marksheet and engineering degree because he had not submitted the caste validity certificate.
Unable to resolve the issue, Sayyad moved to Kuwait in 2018 on the basis of his diploma qualification before finding work in Dubai. He returned briefly during the Covid pandemic.
“What pinched me is that in spite of being an engineer, I could not call myself one or get the desired jobs because I did not hold a physical copy of my degree,” Sayyad said. “With companies tightening norms on whom they hired for engineering jobs, I felt it was time that I took from the state what was rightfully mine.”
Earlier this year, during a visit to India, Sayyad approached advocates AmolGhuge and Gaurav Ugale and moved the Bombay High Court seeking release of his degree and results.
“Our contention before the court was that repeal of a law does not automatically extinguish rights, liabilities or proceedings that arose under it. We argued that withholding our client’s degree was preventing him from practising his profession and infringing upon his right to livelihood. We also submitted that the petitioner could not be penalised for a subsequent shift in the government’s legal position and that education already imparted ought to be protected,” advocate said.
The state argued that since the 2014 ordinance had lapsed without becoming law, all related government resolutions and circulars automatically stood cancelled.
Earlier this year, the Maharashtra government formally scrapped a decade-old resolution linked to the Congress-NCP government’s 2014 Muslim reservation policy in education, triggering a political sparring match between the ruling BJP and the Opposition. While Opposition parties termed the move anti-minority, the BJP dismissed the quota as an unimplemented “appeasement” measure announced ahead of elections.
In its May 6 verdict, the Bombay High Court directed the University of Mumbai to release Sayyad’s eighth semester results along with his original degree, passing and leaving certificates after recording his statement that he was not seeking the benefit of the 5 per cent reservation under the February 17, 2026 Government Resolution, and had already paid fees applicable to the open category. Sayyad also undertook to pay any additional fees, if required. Accepting the statement, the bench of Justices Advait M Sethna and R I Chagla disposed of the petition.
“It is a huge relief,” Sayyad said. “It has been a harrowing nine years trying to get hold of my degree. I do not know how many other Muslim students got admission during this four-month window and are facing similar problems. I feel strange fighting for a right that was granted by the state. In spite of not doing anything illegal, I had to suffer for nine years.”
Source: indianexpress.com
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India rejects claims of human rights violations
May 20, 2026
NEW DELHI: Faced with questions from Norwegian media about human rights in India, govt strongly rejected allegations of violations, highlighting the country's constitutional values of justice, liberty and freedom of expression. This was the second time MEA rejected such allegations during PM Modi's ongoing Europe tour, responding earlier to queries in the Netherlands about Dutch PM Rob Jetten's remarks on press freedom and minority rights in India.
"India is a civilisational country which offered something unique to the world and it continues to offer (it)," said MEA secretary (west) Sibi George. He said the Constitution guarantees sovereign, socialist, secular democratic republic, and ensures justice, liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship as well as equality of opportunity through fundamental rights and principles.
He was briefing the media Monday night on Modi's bilateral talks with Norwegian PM Jonas GahrStoere. He was responding to a query from Norwegian journalist HelleLyngSvendsen, who had earlier unsuccessfully attempted to ask Modi a question after his media statement on Monday.
Later, the Indian embassy in Norway responded to Sve-ndsen's post and said she was "most welcome to come and ask your questions" at a press briefing by it. TNN & Agencies
Source: indiatimes.com
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Mideast
Palestinians in Gaza mark anniversary of 1948 mass uprooting and say today’s catastrophe is worse
May 19, 2026
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip: Blink and you might miss the few stone walls that are all that’s left of the village that Yusuf Abu Hamam’s family was forced to flee when he was an infant in 1948.
The village, Al-Joura, was demolished by the Israeli military at the time. It has since vanished under neighborhoods of the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon and the grounds of a national park.
The neighborhood where Abu Hamam’s family ended up — and where he spent most of his life — now lies also largely in ruins. Buildings in the Shati Camp in the northern Gaza Strip have been razed and wrecked by Israeli bombardment and demolitions during the past 2½ years of war.
On Friday, Abu Hamam and millions of Palestinians mark the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, Arabic for “catastrophe,” referring to the mass expulsion and flight of some 750,000 Palestinians from what is now Israel during the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation. It’s the third commemoration of the Nakba since the war in Gaza began.
The 78-year-old Abu Hamam, one of a dwindling number of Nakba survivors, says the current war is an even greater catastrophe.
Israel’s military has pushed deep into Gaza, now controlling 60 percent of the territory, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday, during a Jerusalem Day celebration.
“Today it is 60 percent, tomorrow we will see, tomorrow we will see,” he told a cheering crowd in Jerusalem.
More than six months after an October ceasefire, Gaza’s more than 2 million people are now crammed into less than half of the 25-mile-long strip along the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by the Israeli-controlled zone.
“There is no country left,” Abu Hamam said, speaking next to his home, which was heavily damaged by Israeli shelling earlier in the war. “A square kilometer and a half extending from the sea, this is what we are living in … It’s indescribable, unbearable.”
What was the Nakba?
For Palestinians, the Nakba meant the loss of most of their homeland. Some 80 percent of the Palestinians who lived in the area that became Israel were driven from their homes by forces of the nascent state before and during the war. The fighting began when Arab armies attacked following Israel’s establishment as a home for Jews in the wake of the Holocaust. Palestinians who remained behind hold Israeli citizenship.
After the war, Israel refused to allow Palestinian refugees to return to ensure a Jewish majority within its borders. Palestinians became a seemingly permanent refugee community that now numbers some 6 million, with most living in refugee camps in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Gaza.
Around 530 Palestinian villages in what became Israel were destroyed, according to the Palestinian Bureau of Statistics.
Abu Hamam’s birth village was one of them. Al-Joura was seized by the Israeli military as it advanced against Egyptian forces in November 1948. Soldiers were ordered to destroy every home in Al-Joura and neighboring villages to ensure their Palestinian populations couldn’t come back, according to military archives cited by Israeli historian Benny Morris.
Refugees swelled the population of the tiny patch of territory along the southern coast that became the Gaza Strip. They stayed in tent camps, run by a newly created UN agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, which provided aid and schooling. Those camps, like Abu Hamam’sShati Camp, grew into dense urban neighborhoods over the decades, before many were flattened during the latest Gaza war by Israeli bombardment.
In Gaza, Palestinians say they live a new Nakba
The ancestors of Ne’man Abu Jarad and his wife, Majida, were already living in what would become the Gaza Strip in 1948. They both recall stories from their families about refugees streaming in by foot from areas further north, like the village Abu Hamam came from.
Though they avoided the original Nakba, there was no escaping from what Majida now calls “our Nakba.”
Their hometown has been wiped off the map. Over the past year, Israeli bulldozers and controlled detonations have razed nearly every building in the northern Gaza towns of Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun. A new Israeli military base stands about 700 meters (765 yards) from where the Abu Jarads’ house once stood, according to satellite photos.
Also gone is the southern Gaza city of Rafah, once home to a quarter million people, and other villages and neighborhoods located in the Israeli-held half of the Gaza Strip. The military says it is destroying positions used by Hamas and preparing the area for reconstruction. Satellite photos show nearly every structure reduced to rubble.
Over the last 31 months of war, the Abu Jarads and their six daughters have been displaced more than a dozen times as they fled Israeli bombardment and offensives. They currently live in a camp in the southern city of Khan Younis. Their tent offers little shelter from biting winter winds or summer heat, Majida said.
Their daughters have been out of school for over two years now.
“The Nakba of ‘48, I don’t think it can be compared to our Nakba,” Majida said. “In ‘48, they say people were displaced once and settled in one place, and they are still there until now. But our Nakba, honestly, is more severe because our displacement has happened multiple times. There is no stability.”
Around 90 percent of Gaza’s more than 2 million people have lost their homes, according to UN estimates, with most of them now sheltering in huge tent camps with rat infestations and pools of sewage. They are dependent on aid to survive.
Israel’s offensive has killed over 72,700 Palestinians, according to local health officials. It was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel that killed some 1,200 people. Militants also abducted 251 hostages.
In the northern West Bank, tens of thousands of Palestinians are entering their 15th month of displacement, after the Israeli military ordered them out of their refugee camps as it launched an operation it said was targeting militant groups.
Since then, troops have demolished or heavily damaged at least 850 structures across the refugee camps of Nur Shams, Jenin and Tulkarem, according to an analysis of satellite imagery by Human Rights Watch released in December.
Saving what was lost, again and again
The 1948 Nakba also brought the loss of Palestinians’ history, as those fleeing struggled to keep hold of the documents and possessions tying them to their homes.
One of the largest archives of Palestinian documents dating back to the Nakba belongs to UNRWA.
UNRWA staff members, who fled their offices in Gaza after Israel ordered the north evacuated, had to leave behind the agency’s extensive archive.
The staff then launched a mission to rescue the most crucial documents — birth, death and marriage certificates and refugee registration cards, according to Juliette Touma, a former senior UNRWA official.
Without those documents, Palestinians could lose their rights and refugee status. Staffers crammed their personal suitcases full of papers and carried them through checkpoints and out of the territory, Touma said.
The current war has cost Palestinians in Gaza what little remained of their personal histories. Majida’s parents’ home in Beit Hanoun was destroyed, and with it family photos.
“There is nothing left,” she said.
Abu Hamam, too, says everything has been lost.
“When this war came, it devoured trees, stones and people,” he said. “Entire families were erased from the civil registry. Hundreds of families are still buried under the rubble.”
Source: arabnews.com
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Israeli war plan sought to install Ahmadinejad in Iran — New York Times
May 20, 2026
DUBAI: In the early stages of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, officials explored a plan to reinstall former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to US sources qouted by the New York Times.
The proposal, developed by the Israeli’s, included a high-risk strike intended to free Ahmadinejad from house arrest in Tehran, as well as the use of Kurdish forces and the bombing of energy infrastructure to force regime collapse.
Ahmadinejad, who served as Iran’s president from 2005 to 2013, built his reputation on deeply adversarial positions toward both Israel and the United States. He strongly supported Iran’s nuclear ambitions and was widely criticized for authoritarian policies and inflammatory rhetoric during his time in office.
Although he later fell out with Iran’s ruling establishment - clashing with senior leaders, facing political restrictions, and eventually being placed under house arrest.
US President Donald Trump had indicated that a successor emerging from within Iran would be the preferred outcome. According to the Times, Trump favoured an outcome similar to the successful removal of Maduro in Venezuela.
However, the choice if Agmadinejad reportedly surprised many within Washington including those within Trump’s circle.
Details surrounding his involvement remain unclear with US officials saying Ahmadinejad had been consulted about the plan, though the extent of his cooperation is not fully known. On the first day of the war, an Israeli airstrike targeted his residence, aiming to eliminate the security forces guarding him and effectively secure his release.
Ahmadinejad survived the attack but was reportedly injured. The strike destroyed a nearby security post while leaving much of the property intact. In the immediate aftermath, Iranian media incorrectly reported that he had been killed, before clarifying that several guards had died and that Ahmadinejad remained alive.
The Ahmadinejad proposal was part of a wider, multi-phase strategy developed by Israeli planners. The approach envisioned an initial military campaign to degrade Iran’s capabilities, followed by internal destabilization efforts designed to weaken the regime.
According to officials familiar with the plan, these combined efforts were intended to trigger a collapse of Iran’s theocratic system, paving the way for an alternative leadership structure.
In practice, much of this strategy did not materialize as expected. While the initial strikes inflicted damage and eliminated key figures, Iran’s government proved more resilient than planners had anticipated. Broader efforts to spark internal unrest or fracture the regime fell short.
Within the United States, some officials had expressed skepticism from the outset, particularly regarding the viability of reinstalling Ahmadinejad. Critics questioned whether he could gain legitimacy among Iranians or unify political factions given his polarizing history.
Ahmadinejad’s own trajectory in recent years has been complex. After leaving office, he became increasingly critical of Iran’s leadership, accusing officials of corruption and mismanagement. He made multiple attempts to return to power, but was repeatedly barred from running by the country’s vetting authorities.
He also engaged more openly with foreign audiences, at times signaling a more pragmatic tone. In past interviews, he praised Trump’s approach to decision-making and called for improved relations between Iran and the United States, further complicating perceptions of his political alignment.
Source: arabnews.com
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Board of Peace will ask the UN Security Council to press Hamas to disarm
May 20, 2026
GENEVA: The body overseeing the US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza will ask the United Nations Security Council to press the Hamas militant group to disarm, according to a report seen by The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The report by the Board of Peace, an international body set up by US President Donald Trump and tasked with overseeing the fragile ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, is expected to be discussed by the Security Council on Thursday when it meets on the situation in the Middle East.
“At this stage, the principal obstacle to full implementation (of the ceasefire) remains Hamas’ refusal to accept verified decommissioning, relinquish coercive control, and permit a genuine civilian transition in Gaza,” the report said.
Hamas in a statement rejected the report and said it contains “fallacies.”
A diplomat familiar with the report confirmed its authenticity, speaking on condition of anonymity because it has not been made public.
Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan calls on Hamas to surrender its weapons and destroy its vast network of tunnels. It also envisions Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza, the arrival of a new technocratic Palestinian government, deployment of an international security force and the rebuilding of the battered Palestinian enclave after more than two years of war.
Board of Peace head has said the ceasefire has stalled
Last week, the head of the Board of Peace, former UN Mideast envoy NickolayMladenov, acknowledged that the truce had stalled since taking effect in October, saying the deadlock over disarming Hamas had paralyzed progress.
“Reconstruction cannot commence where weapons have not been laid down,” the board’s report to the Security Council says. “The critical variable — the single factor that unlocks every other element of the plan — is the conclusion of an agreement on the Roadmap for the full implementation of the plan that includes full decommissioning by Hamas and all armed groups in Gaza.”
The Palestinian militant group, which led the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza, has accused Israel of failing to meet its obligations under the first phase of the ceasefire and has sought to link any demilitarization to Israeli troop pullbacks. Israel’s military has expanded its control of Gaza since the truce took effect and now controls some 60 percent of the territory.
The new report calls on the Security Council to “reiterate publicly, clearly and consistently that the decommissioning of weapons in Gaza is not merely a requirement (of the UN’s resolution to end the war) but critical for reconstruction to begin, for a timebound Israeli forces withdrawal, and for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood to be pursued.”
The Security Council endorsed the Board of Peace in a resolution in November.
Hamas says the report tries to derail the ceasefire
Hamas said the report “contains a number of fallacies that absolve the occupying government of its responsibilities for the daily violations of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.”
The group said the report ignored Israel’s “failure to uphold the majority of its commitments” in the ceasefire deal, including the continued restrictions on crossings into the Palestinian territory and preventing the entry of material and equipment needed to repair basic infrastructure and shelter for the largely displaced population.
“The report’s adoption of the occupation’s conditions regarding disarmament is a dubious attempt to muddy the waters and derail the ceasefire agreement,” Hamas said in a statement.
It called on the Security Council and Mladenov to compel Israel to fulfill its commitments under the ceasefire’ deal’s first phase, “foremost among them the cessation of the daily aggression against our Palestinian people in Gaza.”
The ceasefire has seen numerous violations
The report noted near-daily ceasefire violations, “some of which are serious, and their human consequences — civilians killed, families living in fear, and continued impediments to humanitarian access — cannot be minimized.”
Israel’s military still carries out airstrikes in Gaza despite the ceasefire and has pushed deeper into the territory, where it now controls more than it was granted under the ceasefire agreement. Living conditions are dire, with most of the territory’s 2 million people living in tent camps lacking basic services.
Mladenov last week said his office is addressing violations by both sides on a daily basis. But he repeatedly cited the disarmament issue as a central sticking point, saying Hamas’ obligation to give up its arsenal is “not negotiable” and that progress on all other issues was being held up.
Source: arabnews.com
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US sanctions several over Gaza aid flotillas, alleged Hamas support
May 19, 2026
WASHINGTON, United States: The United States on Tuesday issued sanctions against four people associated with a humanitarian aid flotilla to the besieged Palestinian territory of Gaza, accusing them of being “pro-terrorist.”
Israeli forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on Monday after it sailed from Turkiye last week, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denouncing the mission as a “malicious scheme” intended to support Hamas.
The flotilla was part of the broader Global Sumud initiative, an international activist and humanitarian coalition that organizes civilian boats attempting to deliver aid to Palestinians in Gaza and challenge Israel’s naval blockade of the territory.
“The pro-terror flotilla attempting to reach Gaza is a ludicrous attempt to undermine President (Donald) Trump’s successful progress toward lasting peace in the region,” said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Despite a ceasefire, Israeli operations in Gaza have continued and the Palestinian territory continues to face a humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations.
US authorities said the sanctioned individuals were associated with the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA), a group that Washington says works as a front for armed Palestinian groups, including Hamas.
Some were accused of association with the Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network, which Israel and the United States accuse of being a front for armed groups.
The sanctioned individuals include Saif Abu Keshek, a Spanish national of Palestinian origin who was detained in Israel for several days earlier this month after Israeli forces seized him from a previous flotilla off the coast of Greece. He was deported on May 10.
Israel’s foreign ministry has accused Abu Keshek of being a leading member of PCPA. An Israeli rights group that represented him in court denied this, arguing that he had resigned from the group more than a year ago.
The others to be sanctioned in connection with the aid flotillas included Belgium-based Mohammed Khatib, and Spain-based Hisham Abdallah Sulayman Abu Mahfuz and JaldiaAbubakraAueda.
HAMAS SANCTIONS
As part of the same announcement on Tuesday, the United States also sanctioned several individuals and entities it accuses of supporting Hamas.
These included Marwan Abu Ras and the Palestinian Scholars Association that Washington said he leads. Abu Ras is accused of leading a body that aligns religious discourse in Gaza with Hamas’s ideology.
Three individuals accused of being operatives of Hamas or HASM, an Egypt-based group accused of being a “violent offshoot” of the Muslim Brotherhood, were also sanctioned.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said those being sanctioned were “enablers” that Hamas uses “to sustain its position in Gaza, finance its operations, and engage in terrorist violence beyond its borders.”
Israel’s war on Gaza — triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 — reduced much of the Palestinian territory to rubble, with an estimated death toll of more than 72,000, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which is under Hamas authority and whose figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
More than 770 Palestinians have been killed since an October 10 ceasefire, according to the ministry.
Hamas’s October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.
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Tankers exit Hormuz as Trump, Vance talk up Iran deal prospects
May 20, 2026
SINGAPORE: Two Chinese tankers laden with oil exited the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, shipping data showed, brightening hopes that the US-Israeli conflict with Iran may soon be resolved after positive comments from the US president and his deputy.
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the war would be over “very quickly” while Vice President JD Vance talked up progress in talks with Tehran about an agreement to end hostilities.
“We’re in a pretty good spot here,” Vance told a White House press briefing.
Trump made his comments a day after saying he had paused a planned resumption of hostilities following a new proposal by Tehran to end the conflict.
“I was an hour away from making the decision to go today,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.
Iran’s leaders are begging for a deal, he said, adding that a new US attack would happen in coming days if no agreement was reached.
The United States has been struggling to end the war it began with Israel nearly three months ago. Trump has repeatedly said during the conflict that a deal with Tehran was close, and similarly threatened heavy strikes on Iran if it did not reach an accord.
The US president is under intense political pressure at home to reach an accord that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz — a key route for global supplies of oil and other commodities. Gasoline prices remain high and Trump’s approval rating has plummeted with congressional elections looming in November.
The conflict has caused the worst-ever disruption to global energy supplies, blocking hundreds of tankers from leaving the Gulf while damaging energy and shipping facilities across the region.
Two Chinese ships, among a handful of supertankers carrying Iraqi crude, exiting the Gulf this month, passed through the narrow strait carrying around 4 million barrels of crude, according to data from LSEG and Kpler.
Oil prices eased on the positive signals from the White House and in the Gulf, with Brent crude falling to as low as $110.16 a barrel, before regaining much of its losses.
“Investors are keen to gauge whether Washington and Tehran can actually find common ground and reach a peace agreement, with the US stance shifting daily,” said Toshitaka Tazawa, an analyst at Fujitomi Securities.
DIFFICULTIES IN NEGOTIATIONS
Speaking to reporters at a White House briefing, Vance acknowledged difficulties in negotiating with a fractured Iranian leadership. “It’s not sometimes totally clear what the negotiating position of the team is,” he said, so the US is trying to make its own red lines clear.
He also said one objective of Trump’s policy is to prevent a nuclear arms race from spreading in the region.
EbrahimAzizi, head of the Iranian parliament’s national security committee, said on X that Trump’s pausing of an attack was due to the realization that any move against Iran would mean “facing a decisive military response.”
Iranian state media said Tehran’s latest peace proposal involves ending hostilities on all fronts including Lebanon, the exit of US forces from areas close to Iran, and reparations for destruction caused by the US-Israeli attacks.
Tehran also sought the lifting of sanctions, release of frozen funds and an end to the US marine blockade, according to Deputy Foreign Minister KazemGharibabadi as cited by IRNA news agency.
The terms as described in the Iranian reports appeared little changed from Iran’s previous offer, which Trump rejected last week as “garbage.”
CEASEFIRE MOSTLY HOLDING
The US-Israeli bombing killed thousands of people in Iran before it was suspended in a ceasefire in early April. Israel has killed thousands more and driven hundreds of thousands from their homes in Lebanon, which it invaded in pursuit of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.
Iranian strikes on Israel and neighboring Gulf states have killed dozens of people.
The Iran ceasefire has mostly held, although drones have lately been launched from Iraq toward Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, apparently by Iran and its allies.
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they launched the war to curb Iran’s support for regional militias, dismantle its nuclear program, destroy its missile capabilities and create conditions for Iranians to topple their rulers.
But the war has yet to deprive Iran of its stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium or its ability to threaten neighbors with missiles, drones and proxy militias.
The Islamic Republic’s clerical leadership, which had faced a mass uprising at the start of the year, withstood the superpower onslaught with no sign of organized opposition.
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Israeli minister orders West Bank hamlet evicted after hearing he may face arrest warrant overseas
May 20, 2026
JERUSALEM: Israel’s finance minister has ordered the eviction of a Palestinian village in the Israeli-occupied West Bank that has long been a target of Israeli authorities, saying the measure is a response to reports that he may be a target of international war crimes prosecutors.
It was not clear whether the International Criminal Court is mulling an arrest warrant for the minister, Bezalel Smotrich. The Hague court said it keeps requests and plans for warrants confidential.
But the ICC already has issued arrest warrants for other Israeli figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to face war crimes charges connected to Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip. Israel does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction but the warrants could make international travel difficult.
Smotrich, who heads a far-right religious party and has led an aggressive expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, did not say whether he had been formally informed by the court of the warrant or whether he was merely responding to media reports. Nevertheless, he said attempts to arrest him marked a “declaration of war.”
“From today, any economic or other target that I have the power to harm within the framework of my powers as Minister of Finance and as a minister in the Ministry Defense will be attacked,” he said.
He said his first target would be Khan Al-Ahmar, a village of Palestinian Bedouins long caught up in a legal battle to remain on their land. Smotrich, who oversees West Bank settlement policy, signed a directive calling for the immediate evacuation of the village.
It was not clear if the order could be legally challenged and when it would take effect. Israeli media reported that the order still requires approval by Israel’s security cabinet. But past attempts to empty the village and relocate its inhabitants have been challenged in court. An anti-settlement watchdog group, Peace Now, said that demolition of village structures could take place within weeks.
“Minister Smotrich seeks to take revenge on The Hague and the international community at the expense of one of the most vulnerable communities, which for years has struggled simply for the right to live on the small piece of land in its possession,” Peace Now said. It called the destruction of the village “part of a broader government plan to take control of the entire central West Bank area” and remove Palestinians from the area.
Khan Al-Ahmar lost its legal protection in 2018 when the Israeli Supreme Court rejected an appeal to block its demolition, sparking massive international outcry.
Israel says that the hamlet, home to nearly 200 Palestinians and an EU-funded school, was built illegally on state land. But critics say it is nearly impossible to get a construction permit from Israel, and that the village’s demolition and the removal of its residents is a ploy to clear the way for new Jewish settlements.
The village lies in a tract of land where Israel’s government is establishing a new settlement bloc called E1, a project that is particularly controversial because Palestinians and rights groups say its strategic location would make it virtually impossible to establish a viable and contiguous Palestinian state.
Israel has already published a tender for the development of the area.
Smotrich was sanctioned by Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in June 2025, along with Israel’s hard-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, for “inciting extremist violence” against Palestinians in the West Bank.
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State Dept says US resident released from Iranian prison
May 20, 2026
WASHINGTON: An Iranian citizen who holds permanent US residency has been released from prison in Iran and has returned to the United States, the State Department confirmed Tuesday.
“The State Department happily welcomes the safe return of Shahab Dalili from his detention in Iran,” a department spokesperson said in a statement.
“Iran should immediately release all those unjustly detained in Iran,” the official continued, adding that President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio “will continue to work for the release of all unjustly detained Americans.”
Iran and the United States are currently embroiled in a war that has shaken the Middle East and elevated energy prices.
Negotiations on a deal to end the conflict have gone on for weeks but neither side has accepted the other’s peace proposals.
Earlier Tuesday, the Human Rights Activists News Agency said: “Shahab Dalili, an Iranian citizen and US permanent resident who had been imprisoned in Evin Prison, was released after serving 10 years in prison. Following his release, he returned to the United States.”
The rights group said the man, who was sentenced for allegedly “cooperating with a hostile government,” traveled after his release from Iran to the Armenian capital Yerevan before returning to Washington “where he is now safe and reunited with his family.” It did not specify the date of his return.
Dalili was jailed in 2016 when he visited Iran for his father’s funeral.
He strongly denied the charges he was detained on.
Both he and his son went on hunger strike in 2023 after he was not included in a deal to free American citizens.
That deal saw the United States authorize the transfer of $6 billion in Iranian funds frozen in South Korea and the release of five Iranians to facilitate the release of five Americans jailed by Iran in 2023.
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Arab World
Holy cities unified 911 center enhances services for Hajj
May 20, 2026
RIYADH: The Unified Security Operations Center in Makkah and Madinah has enhanced its services for pilgrims during this year’s Hajj.
The center, which can be reached by calling 911, receives emergency security and humanitarian calls, deploys the latest technologies, and responds to calls in less than two seconds.
Qualified and trained personnel who speak multiple languages operate the service.
All calls and reports are handled confidentially, the center said, and reports are referred to the relevant authorities with complete confidentiality and without any liability for the caller.
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Built to last: Expo 2030 Riyadh showcases delivery progress, legacy plans
NADA ALTURKI
May 19, 2026
RIYADH: The anticipation for Expo 2030, set to be held in Riyadh, has sparked curiosity among prospective visitors, expected to exceed 42 million people.
During a walkthrough of the site in its early excavation phase, construction activity continues to scale across the Expo 2030 Riyadh grounds as preparations advance for one of the world’s largest and most ambitious world expos.
Murad Al-Sayed, chief delivery officer of Expo 2030 Riyadh, told Arab News: “What we need to invest in for the post-expo legacy phase is mainly the infrastructure. Today we are sizing the electrical work, water system, and data and communication networks to meet expo demand as well as the first phase of the legacy stage … most of the central area that will accommodate the event is built to last.
“All the facilities built by the Expo 2030 Riyadh Co., including partner countries’ pavilions, rented countries’ pavilions, F&B and retail, as well as the KSA pavilion and the fan pavilions, will be built to last, including planning from today how these assets will be repurposed and utilized.”
At least 95 percent of what is built by Expo 2030 Riyadh Co. will be repurposed as a Global Village in Riyadh, building on the spirit of the World Expo.
“Riyadh during 2030 will be a melting pot of 197 cultures, nations, ideas, and expertise … it will be a Global Village focused on mixed use, culture, retail, F&B, entertainment, education, residential, and business. It will be an integrated community for Riyadh residents and visitors,” CEO of Expo 2030 Riyadh Co. Talal Al-Marri told Arab News.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being developed under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow,” serving as a global platform to advance innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration.
The project is expected to welcome 42 million visitors and participation from 197 countries between October 2030 and March 2031.
It is also expected to contribute $67 billion to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product, create 171,000 direct and indirect jobs, and train 52,000 volunteers.
The expo site will span over 6 million sq. meters, 4 million of which will include logistical and serviced areas, and 2 million within the gated area.
“Significant progress has been achieved across the Expo 2030 Riyadh site, including the completion of approximately 6.2 million cubic meters of earthworks and the handover of 77 percent of the development areas for subsequent stages. Construction of storage tanks and main utility corridors has also commenced,” Al-Sayed said.
For accessibility, the site will include a dedicated metro station for direct transfers to the expo grounds from King Khalid International Airport and other key points across the city, as well as a nearby hotel currently under development.
An expansion of King Salman Road is also underway, which will improve access not only to the expo but also to other key projects such as Roshn and King Salman International Airport.
The meeting also highlighted Expo 2030 Riyadh’s continued commitment to operational excellence, site safety, and disciplined execution. The collective achievement of more than 1.5 million safe man-hours across participating contractors reflects a strong focus on safety and workforce commitment across the site.
“The permanent 400 MW power connection agreement has been signed, targeting completion by Q1 2029 through National Grid, with the required bulk supply point and primary substation plots already handed over to support timely execution. Such progress reflects the scale of coordination, expertise, and commitment being demonstrated across our delivery ecosystem,” Al-Sayed said.
Further discussions during the walkthrough covered enabling works, site logistics, utilities infrastructure, internal roads, and civil development packages supporting the next phase of delivery.
The meeting also served as a platform to reinforce coordination and alignment across interconnected workstreams, supporting the efficient delivery of works across a project of this scale, complexity, and pace.
The tour was attended by senior leadership from key delivery partners involved in the development of the Expo 2030 Riyadh site, including Nesma& Partners CEO Rami Al-Turki, Binyah CEO Fahad Al-Mesfir, Abyatona CEO Nasser Al-Hammad, and Al-Yamama board member and VP Hamad Al-Ammar.
Other editions of the expo, as well as larger projects like the World Cup in the Middle East, have received criticism regarding the treatment of workers.
In response, Al-Sayed said: “We were very keen to accurately reflect the work environment through our contractors. Safety isn’t limited to the work site itself, but also extends to training and worker qualification. Contractors were diligent in inspecting workers’ accommodations to ensure they were suitable. Hotlines were established for any worker facing a problem or needing assistance, and neither we nor our colleagues would hesitate to help.”
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Saudi ambassador presents credentials to Chadian president
May 19, 2026
RIYADH: Atallah bin Zaied Al-Zaied became the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Saudi Arabia to Chad on Tuesday.
Al-Zaied presented his credentials to the Chadian president, MahamatIdrissDeby, in the capital N’Djamena. He conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the Saudi leadership for the continued progress and prosperity of the Chadian government, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Al-Zaied replaces the outgoing ambassador, Amer bin Ali Al-Shahri.
Chad borders Sudan and Libya, both members of the Arab League. Over the years, Saudi Arabia’s charitable arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, has provided medical, food, and humanitarian aid to communities in Chad, while the Saudi Fund for Development supported the government with loans for various projects.
In February, the SFD provided a $50 million loan to the Chadian government for the construction and equipping of a cardiac center at Al-Nahda Hospital. Since 1976, SFD has financed six development projects in Chad with concessional loans exceeding $131 million, according to the SPA.
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Saudi Arabia’s EP governor receives Oman’s ambassador
May 19, 2026
DAMMAM: Eastern Province Gov. Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received Oman’s Ambassador to the Kingdom SayyidNajib bin Hilal Al-Busaidi in Dammam on Tuesday.
Prince Saud welcomed Al-Busaidi to the region, where they exchanged cordial talks, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Meanwhile, Jeddah Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi received Ambassador of Georgia to the Kingdom NikolozRevazishvili in Jeddah on Tuesday, and they discussed various topics of mutual interest.
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New monologue series in Riyadh’s creative hub blends music, storytelling
NADA ALTURKI
May 19, 2026
RIYADH: One Monday evening in Riyadh, musicians, writers, actors and directors gathered in the city’s creative district, JAX, to deliver a one-of-a-kind monologue sequence that drew audiences in with its humor, wit and sincerity.
“Unspoken,” a series produced collaboratively by Writers in Riyadh, Aurora Theater and The Warehouse, saw nine monologues performed on stage, offering an intimate and unfiltered look at the quiet tensions that shape modern life.
“It was truly inspiring to attend the talent show — the energy and creativity on stage were incredible. What stood out most to me was the passion and authenticity each performer brought to their act. It is exciting to see such a groundbreaking event in Saudi Arabia, celebrating self-expression and artistry in such a bold way,” audience member Khalid Al-Tattan told Arab News during the first of the two-night show.
In “Unspoken: Episode 1 — Permission Not Granted,” monologues written by Nicole Garbellini, David Ogilvie and ShrutiParasuraman tackled subjects including the woes and wins of motherhood, the grief of losing one’s body to time, the struggles of finding real love in the modern age, and all the feelings left unsaid.
Aurora Theater’sGarbellini told Arab News: “You can come from a different culture, a more conservative culture, sure, but the struggles are similar because we are humans.”
“A lot of the monologues were oriented around family relationships and dynamics. You cannot get more universal than that,” Ogilvie added.
Among the performances were “It’s Me, Kit,” written by Jane Engelmann and adapted by Garbellini and Ogilvie, featuring a gut-wrenching moment as a son struggles to uncover his resentment toward his bedridden father as he faces his last moments. Parasuraman’s “It’s a Man’s World” gave us a humorous take on a hopeless romantic’s experience on a first date, while Garbellini’s “Just a few Questions,” in contrast, offers a glimpse into a seemingly perfect marriage.
The monologues were woven together with musical interludes, demonstrating a blend of different art forms on one stage.
“A monologue is one of the purest forms of storytelling. It challenges you to be fully present, fully truthful, and completely connected to your audience. It is also a powerful space to explore the depth of character while creating a direct and human connection,” said Soha Khan, the actress who delivered “It’s a Man’s World.”
Lubna Ahmed-Haque, founder of Writers in Riyadh, told Arab News: “I feel so happy, emotional and proud of it, just because our community started with only 15 of us, and now it is more than 600 individuals, creatives who are genuinely passionate individuals from different backgrounds. The fact that we can bring people from different cultural and creative industries together, whether it be writers, actors, musicians, I think that is just beautiful.
“That is community at its best. That is creativity at its best. I just feel beyond proud of what everyone has achieved in doing this. And that is what art is. That is what creative expression is. Whether you are writing, whether it is music, whether it is spoken word, that is art, that is expression.”
Aurora Theater, a theater company from Hong Kong, has been around for 15 years. “Once I moved to Saudi, I was eager not so much to start a company here, but to replicate the idea of a theater community. This project (Unspoken) is the starting point,” Garbellini said.
“I remember this back in the days in Hong Kong — everybody loves a good community project, because everyone wants to be involved somehow. I think, especially in a place like JAX district, we crave this. We love it. It’s stories, it’s music, it’s fun. There will be more of this.”
While some of the topics were difficult to deal with and are often considered taboo, such as miscarriage, mental health and resentful familial bonds, the collaborators made sure to stay outspoken while respecting the space in which the works were performed.
Ahmed-Haque said the writers’ group was built on being an expressive space for sharing topics that are often sidelined: “Having a platform like this, to reach people in a spoken word form, just felt like the perfect opportunity to take that to the next level, while being respectful of certain things,” she said.
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Saudi Arabia’s Makkah Route Initiative eases journey for Hajj pilgrims
RASHID HASSAN
May 19, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has always placed serving the Two Holy Mosques and pilgrims at the forefront of its priorities.
The Hajj pilgrimage, which is mandatory for all able Muslims, once took months and weeks to complete.
However, the journey is now easier for the millions of pilgrims taking part in today’s digital age, thanks partly to the Kingdom’s Makkah Route Initiative.
Those arriving as part of the initiative spend only a few minutes at the Saudi immigration counters, having completed entry requirements in their country of departure.
This pioneering initiative was officially introduced as part of Saudi Vision 2030’s Pilgrim Experience Program.
Announced in 2018 and activated in 2019, the Makkah Route Initiative has proved to be a revolutionary program that travelers say enables them to be fully committed to performing one of their holiest duties while enhancing the experience for what will be a once-in-a-lifetime journey for many.
Several pilgrims benefiting from the service have praised the high level of organization, noting that it created an atmosphere of comfort and reassurance and facilitated their journey to the Kingdom to perform Hajj rituals with ease.
Najmul Hassan, a Bangladeshi pilgrim, told Arab News: “The smooth and efficient service pilgrims experience during their Hajj journey enables them to be fully committed to performing one of their holiest duties with peace of mind.
“Previously it used to take a lot of time and pilgrims were supposed to stay in a long queue at the Hajj terminal upon arrival in the Kingdom, as pilgrims from all the countries were arriving and following the immigration process here. Now, there are more dedicated lounges which make the Hajj journey easy and efficient for them.”
The initiative is led by the Ministry of Interior in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, with support from the ministries of health and media. The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority are also collaborators.
The Ministry of Interior has expanded the service to 17 entry points across 10 countries, and the initiative this year includes Senegal and Brunei Darussalam for the first time as they join Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Ivory Coast and the Maldives.
HajjahKhairiyah, an Indonesian pilgrim, praised the initiative, saying the organization of Hajj services in Indonesia had seen a significant improvement.
She highlighted that she and fellow pilgrims were swiftly transferred to their accommodation on arrival in the Kingdom, while their luggage followed designated delivery routes.
She added that by streamlining procedures in the country of departure and reducing waiting times on arrival in the Kingdom, the initiative offered pilgrims a more comfortable journey, allowing them to begin their rituals with peace of mind.
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, has the biggest Hajj quota, and will send 221,000 pilgrims to the Kingdom this year.
With Hajj expected to begin on May 25, special flights from Indonesia began on April 22 and are scheduled to run until May 21.
The Makkah Route Initiative is also transforming the Hajj experience for a fourth consecutive year for pilgrims departing from Turkiye, providing integrated services to pilgrims from Istanbul at a dedicated terminal.
The initiative also involves the cooperation of qualified personnel fluent in several languages, including Turkish, Arabic and English, to facilitate communication with pilgrims and provide clear guidance.
The first Hajj flight from Bangladesh this year landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on April 18 with 419 pilgrims. The pilgrims were welcomed by Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Delwar Hossain and a team that welcomed those arriving with flowers.
Hossain assured travelers that the Bangladesh Embassy, consulate and Bangladesh Hajj Mission were always supportive if needed.
Mohammed Mohsin, a Bangladeshi pilgrim, told Arab News: “The Makkah Route Initiative made my Hajj journey so efficient. Completing all the necessary procedures before leaving my home country saved me a lot of time.
“I am thankful to the Saudi government which is committed to easing pilgrims’ travel at every step of the journey.”
The Makkah Route Initiative has served a total of 1,254,994 pilgrims since its launch, according to the MoI.
Saudi Arabia is also expanding digital services through the national super app Tawakkalna, allowing beneficiaries of the Makkah Route Initiative to access and display their Hajj permits electronically before departing from their home countries.
The move is part of the Kingdom’s broader push to streamline the pilgrims’ journey through integrated digital platforms powered by the SDAIA.
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International Museum Day turns Red Sea galleries into an interactive journey
AFSHAN AZIZ
May 19, 2026
JEDDAH: The Red Sea Museum marked International Museum Day on Monday with a vibrant, family-focused program designed to turn the galleries into spaces of exploration.
Throughout the day, visitors engaged with hands-on activities inspired by the Red Sea’s history, biodiversity, pilgrimage routes and maritime heritage.
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Hammad, CEO of the Museums Commission, told Arab News: “International Museum Day serves as an important reminder of the role museums play in preserving and celebrating the stories, identities, and shared heritage that connect communities across generations.
“In Saudi Arabia, museums are increasingly becoming dynamic cultural spaces that invite discovery, dialogue, and deeper engagement with the Kingdom’s rich history and evolving cultural landscape.”
He said collaboration was vital: “As the cultural sector continues to evolve, International Museum Day also highlights the importance of collaboration between museums, artists, academics, and cultural institutions in enriching public understanding and strengthening cultural participation.”
The program featured six pop-up creative stations spread across the museum’s galleries.
Each station invited children and families to engage with curated activities using simple materials such as drawing sheets, printed cards, coloring tools, masks and educational visuals drawn from the museum’s own resources.
The experience began at the ground floor with “Al-Bunt,” showcasing traditional Red Sea architecture and materials, including Mangaby stone and wood, and drawings of historic buildings.
Another exhibit, “You Are the Artist” placed a drawing station in front of a maritime anchor, encouraging children to observe and interpret museum objects through sketching, with their work later displayed in the Discovery Room.
Further stations took visitors beneath the surface of the Red Sea, where “Underwater World” introduced marine biodiversity through educational videos and coloring activities inspired by sea creatures.
Also, “Murjan& Sunken Treasures” guided children through the temporary exhibition using storytelling-led exploration and interactive brochures.
Likewise, “Sacred Cities” connected visitors to themes of pilgrimage and movement across the Red Sea, linking cultural journeys with hands-on creative expression.
The day concluded in the Discovery Room with hourly storytelling sessions titled “In the Heart of the Red Sea,” where educators invited families to listen, imagine and reflect on the region’s layered history and environment.
Hammad Saleh, who attended the program said the experience offered a refreshing way for his children to engage with culture and history noting that “the activities made the museum feel alive for my children.
“They were not just looking at objects, they were interacting with them, asking questions and creating their own stories.”
Another visitor, Maria Rehman, added that the storytelling and stations helped bring the themes together in a meaningful way.
She said: “Each stop connected to the next station, and by the end of the visit my family felt like we had travelled through different parts of the Red Sea’s history in a very simple and enjoyable way.
“It was definitely a learning experience and I am glad we are getting a chance to explore it with the children.”
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Europe
Most popular German party disproportionally targeted by violent attacks
20 May, 2026
Almost two out of three violent attacks against politicians in Germany in 2025 targeted members of Alternative for Germany (AfD), government data shows. An MP from the right-wing party blamed the development on what he called a years-long defamation campaign.
AfD politicians were targets in a total of 121 cases last year, almost twice as many as all other major German political parties combined, the federal government said in a response to a parliamentary inquiry by AfD MP Martin Hess. The party was also the most frequent target of non-violent politically motivated offenses, the data suggested. The total number of crimes committed against the AfD in 2025 surpassed 1,800.
Around 60% of violent politically-motivated crimes were committed by left-wing suspects, Nius media outlet reported, citing police data provided by the government. Only 11% of offenses were reportedly attributed to right-wing suspects.
The police also recorded 1,171 crimes against Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), making it the second most targeted party when it comes to politically motivated offenses, according to dpa. The number of crimes against the CDU more than doubled in comparison to 2024, when there were just 420, data shows. However, only 12 were violent, Nius reported.
Hess, the MP and a former police officer, blamed the “unacceptable development” on what he called a targeted effort to discredit his party.
“Those who constantly defame, delegitimize and dehumanize the AfD and its supporters shouldn’t be surprised when enemies of democracy see in this a call to violence,” he said. The government maintained it saw no indication that the attacks on the AfD were “systematically planned,” according to Nius.
The right-wing party professes an anti-immigration platform and opposes Berlin’s sanctions on Russia. It has faced a boycott from the mainstream German parties, with some of its opponents labeling it “unconstitutional.” The AfD has nevertheless surpassed the CDU in terms of public support, becoming the most popular party in Germany, according to a poll last month.
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NATO state rejects Israeli ambassador
19 May, 2026
Croatian President Zoran Milanovic has refused to approve Israel’s new ambassador to Zagreb, citing disagreements with the Israeli government’s actions.
The presidential office announced the decision on Monday.
“The proposed Ambassador of the State of Israel has not received, nor will he receive, the consent of the President of the Republic Zoran Milanovic due to the policies pursued by the current Israeli authorities,” it said in a statement.
Israel deviated from established diplomatic norms by announcing their proposed ambassador before he was approved by the Croatian president, it added. “Public or political pressure, in this case from the Israeli side, will not alter the President of the Republic’s decision.”
The term of Israel’s current ambassador to Zagreb, Gary Koren, expires at the end of the May. Israeli diplomat Nisan Amdor, whom West Jerusalem last year selected to replace him, will instead arrive in Croatia next month as charge d’affaires, a post not requiring presidential approval, Ynet reported on Monday.
Milanovic and Koren have feuded in recent months, with the president summoning the Israeli ambassador after the latter made comments suggesting that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could be conducting espionage activities from within the Iranian Embassy in Zagreb. “We don’t want other people’s infections and germs in Croatia, neither Iranian nor Israeli,” Milanovic said in March after the incident.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar responded by accusing the president of using “hate-filled language about Israel and Zionism.”
Milanovic has long been sharply critical of the Israeli government, accusing it of carrying out “bestial war crimes” in its military operation in Gaza. The enclave’s authorities say the war has left nearly 73,000 Palestinians dead since its onset in October 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping more than 250.
Moscow has also been critical of the Israeli blockade and bombing of the Palestinian enclave, likening it to collective punishment of both Hamas and the local civilian population. The only way out the crisis is to enact a two-state solution, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/640196-croatia-president-rejects-israeli-ambassador/
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Hastings mosque unveils plans for major extension with new community spaces and roof terrace
By Richard Gladstone
19th May 2026
Hastings Mosque has submitted plans for an extension, which it says will provide 'much-needed additional space for worship, community gatherings and educational activities'.
The scheme involves a proposed single-storey rear extension to the mosque buildings with outdoor roof terrace and landscaping at Mercatoria in St Leonards.
A design and access statement, on behalf of the application, to Hastings Borough Council said: “The proposed extension occupies most of the rear courtyard and nearly all of the south-facing courtyard. The extension will feature a flat roof, purpose-designed as an outdoor living and recreation space.
“The new facilities will include a gym area, changing room, washroom and disabled WC, ensuring that the needs of all users are met. These additions will support a wider range of activities and reflect the mosque’s commitment to providing inclusive, modern amenities for the community.
“One of the defining features of the proposed design is the lower terrace, which will be dominated by extensive planting. This lush, green border will serve to soften the built environment, providing a gentle and visually appealing transition between the mosque and its urban surroundings. The planting will also create a natural screen, ensuring a sense of enclosure and privacy for users of the terrace and helping to shield the external space from neighbouring properties.
“Currently, all the existing outdoor space on the site is comprised of concrete or hard paved surfaces, offering no opportunity for engagement with nature. The introduction of substantial green space is therefore a critical enhancement for the project.
“The extension will provide much-needed additional space for worship, community gatherings, and educational activities, supporting the social and cultural life of the Hastings and St Leonards Muslim community. The improved facilities will enable the mosque to better serve existing users and accommodate growth in demand.
“The new extension will enhance the capacity for the mosque to host events, workshops, and meetings that bring together people of different beliefs, fostering understanding and unity. Dedicated spaces within the extension will be adaptable for a range of communal uses, from educational seminars to health and wellbeing sessions, reflecting the mosque’s commitment to inclusivity and neighbourliness.”
Source: sussexexpress.co.uk
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https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/news/people/hastings-mosque-unveils-plans-for-major-extension-with-new-community-spaces-and-roof-terrace-8553025
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Ingush imam rails on men wearing short-sleeved shirts and ‘insufficient control’ over women
19 May 2026
A prominent Ingush imam, Ahmed Ugurchiev, has criticised men for wearing ‘incorrect’ clothing — including short-sleeved shirts — and for not being strict enough towards women.
During the sermon, Ugurchiev said that modern men in the republic were moving away from traditional standards of appearance. According to him, men should not wear tight-fitting short-sleeved T-shirts.
‘Our men used to wear fur hats or skullcaps and long garments. But what has happened to us now? We wear these tight short-sleeved shirts. This is literally sleepwear. Do not corrupt our people. Are you not men? Wear long-sleeved shirts’, he said in Ingush, as independent Ingush media outlet Fortanga translated.
Ugurchiev separately addressed the issue of women’s appearance. He stated that men were obliged to monitor how their female relatives dress and should not allow women to walk without hijab or with their hair uncovered.
‘If you have honour and if you are men, pay attention to the fact that our women have begun exposing themselves. Spring and summer are coming soon. Do you know who these women are? They are your sisters. The women of your household’, he said.
Ingushetia is considered one of Russia’s most conservative and religious regions. According to census data and regional studies, the overwhelming majority of the republic’s residents identify as Muslim. Alcohol is sold only minimally in the region, while many public norms are regulated not only by legislation but also by religious views and adat — traditional customs.
In recent years, public debates have repeatedly arisen in Ingushetia over statements by religious figures concerning acceptable behaviour for men and women.
In early May 2026, a scandal erupted in the republic over a billboard in Nazran showing a woman in lingerie. After photographs of the advert appeared on social media, the Deputy Chair of the republic’s government, MagomedEvloev, demanded explanations from local officials, threatening them with dismissals. Representatives of the authorities then stated that such advertising ‘does not correspond to the traditions of Ingush society’.
In August 2025, a sermon by the imam of the central mosque in Malgobek, Ibrahim Batyrov, also caused widespread controversy. He criticised men who work as waiters and serve women in cafés and restaurants.
‘It would be one thing if all the customers were men, but there are women there as well. And who serves Ingush women? Ingush men! This is abnormal. This is dirty’, Batyrov said at the time.
His opinion was later supported by the head of the Muslim community in Malgobek, YakubKurskiev, who said that women should not visit catering establishments at all because ‘they may exchange glances with a man and accidentally touch his hand’.
Later, Ingushetia’s Ministry of Justice took notice of these statements. As reported by Russian media outlet Regnum, the ministry identified signs of extremism in some of Batyrov’s remarks, stating that they could restrict women’s rights. According to the publication, the ministry issued warnings to the religious figures about the inadmissibility of violating legislation.
Earlier, in August 2025, a group of Ingush men travelled 300 kilometres to the coastal Daghestani town of Izberbash in order to ‘inspect’ beaches and cafés for Ingush women who were allegedly meeting men of other nationalities. According to the participants, they found no evidence supporting these rumours during the night, but stated that they would continue to ‘monitor’ the behaviour of Ingush women.
In 2024, Ingush theologian Adam Aushev said in a sermon that women who visit beauty salons ‘bring a curse’ not only upon themselves but also upon the men who allow them to go there. He called on women to refrain from using beauty industry services.
Source: media.org
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https://oc-media.org/ingush-imam-rails-on-men-wearing-short-sleeved-shirts-and-insufficient-control-over-women/
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Eid In Trafalgar Square: Muslim Celebrations Return In May
By Londonist
19 May 2026
Eid celebrations return to Trafalgar Square on Saturday 30 May 2026, with a day of Islamic-inspired music, food and family activities.
Eid al-Adha — one of the two Eids, the other being Eid al-Fitr — marks the end of Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. This year it takes place between 26-30 May, with London's big celebration happening at the end of this period.
Eid on the Square 2026 features, among other things:
🎤 Main stage action throughout the day, featuring performances from London Arab Orchestra, London Turkish Association Dance Group and Khan Brothers Qawwali Group, plus Q&As, calls to prayer and more.
🪶 A Family Zone, with lantern and headdress making, and calligraphy and stencil workshops.
🗡️ Live demos from Muslim Girls Fence, with a chance to pick up fundamental fencing skills from them.
🎪 Stalls from the likes of confectioners Ambala and the Desi Doll Company, as well as face painting.
🍗 Eats from Afghan Grill, Korean Fried Chicken, Halal German Hot Dogs and Fries and loads more.
Says the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan: "Eid on the Square provides a wonderful opportunity for Londoners and visitors of all backgrounds to unite and celebrate the huge contribution Muslim Londoners make to our city. Together we can continue to show that our diversity is our greatest strength, as we build a better London for everyone. Eid Mubarak!"
Source: londonist.com
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https://londonist.com/london/things-to-do/eid-trafalgar-square-celebrations
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UK loosens Russian oil sanctions as fuel prices rise
20 May 2026
Faisal Islam
The UK government has loosened strict sanctions on Russian oil refined into diesel and jet fuel in third countries as prices rise.
The waiver begins on Wednesday and reflects growing supply concerns over certain fuels due to the effective blockade of the key Strait of Hormuz waterway since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.
Some sanctions on the transport of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) were also lifted.
The government said that overall sanctions had got tougher but extra flexibilities were required. A similar move by the US was widely criticised.
European jet fuel prices more than doubled after the war started but are now around half higher while UK pump prices continue to rise.
According to motoring firm the RAC, the average price of unleaded petrol reached 158.52p a litre on Monday, the highest since the start of the war.
Several airlines operating in the UK and around the world have cancelled flights and raised prices in response to sky-high jet fuel prices.
For years the UK led international efforts to put economic pressure on Russia for its war on Ukraine.
Only on Tuesday it signed a G7 statement reaffirming its "unwavering commitment" to impose "severe costs" on Russia.
The government announced in October that it planned to ban oil products, such as diesel and jet fuel, which had been refined from Russian crude oil in third countries.
Easing sanctions now will effectively allow imports of jet fuel from India, which was previously a key supplier to UK and Europe. A lot of Russian crude is also refined in Turkey.
The new rules for sanctioned processed oil products will be of "indefinite duration", though they will be reviewed periodically and may be amended or revoked, the government said.
The UK also issued a time-limited licence covering the maritime transportation of LNG and related services under Russia sanctions rules, running until 1 January.
Treasury minister Dan Tomlinson told BBC Breakfast the "small and specific" and "time-limited" change was being made to "protect the security of supply for really important foundational goods in our economy such as jet fuel".
While the government remained "steadfast in its commitment to supporting Ukraine", he said, it had to "make the right and sensible decisions" when it came to vital products so that it could support families up and down the country struggling with the cost of living.
However, Robin Mills, chief executive of Dubai-based energy consultancy Qamar Energy, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was not a good move to back down on the sanctions and that it would not bring down prices in the UK.
"It is sending a negative signal that sanctions on Russia are potentially weaker because of the crisis in the gulf and that countries including the UK and the US will back down on sanctions because of other issues," he said.
He added he doubted that "there was ever a real prospect of physical shortages" of jet fuel.
"In that sense this measure looks unnecessary, its not going to bring down prices but its also not going to attack the shortage that probably wasn't going to happen anyway," he said.
The Labour chair of the foreign affairs select committee, Dame Emily Thornberry, said she opposed the government's decision to loosen some sanctions on Russian oil.
She told Today she had heard from people in Ukraine overnight and they were "very disappointed".
"We're talking about our allies in Ukraine who have been fighting a war bravely against Russia for years and years, with our support, and they have looked to Britain as one of their most important allies, and they don't understand," she said.
Responding to the point that the UK is following similar measures pursued by Spain and the US, Dame Emily added: "Just because other countries are behaving in the wrong way, does not mean we should join them."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also criticised the move, saying that "after 18 months of 'standing up to Putin'", the government had "quietly issued a licence allowing imports of Russian oil refined in third countries".
She pointed out that on Tuesday Labour MPs had voted against issuing new UK oil and gas licences, but now the country was "importing from Russia instead of drilling in the North Sea".
Earlier this week, the US extended a similar waiver, first introduced in March, which loosened sanctions preventing other countries buying Russian oil and petroleum already loaded on vessels at sea.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in March the "short-term measure" was aimed at promoting "stability in global energy markets".
The policy has been criticised by many US and UK allies who say it helps the government of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has been ongoing since 2022.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that the Strait of Hormuz's shutdown "in no way" justified lifting the sanctions on Russia while Ukraine's President VolodymyrZelensky has said "every dollar paid for Russian oil is money for the war".
However, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper refrained from criticising the US decision in March, describing it as a "specific, targeted issue".
A UK government spokesperson said on Tuesday it had "introduced a range of new prohibitions under the Russia sanctions regime".
"This includes further export and import bans against Russia, including restrictions on the sale of refined oil products derived from Russian crude oil and the import, supply and delivery to third countries of Russian uranium," they added.
"These sanctions also include a maritime services ban on Russian LNG. This will gradually restrict Russia's access to the UK's world-leading shipping and insurance services, disrupting their ability to transport Russian LNG.
"We are committed to strengthening our sanctions on Russia to degrade its ability to wage war in Ukraine, whilst protecting critical supply chains and maintaining market stability."
Source: bbc.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy42x3g7r89o
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‘Not logical’ to give protection to Ukrainian males – EU special envoy
19 May, 2026
Brussels should strip fighting-age Ukrainian men of “temporary protection” status, Ylva Johansson, the bloc’s special envoy for Ukrainians in the EU, has said.
A total of 4.33 million Ukrainians were living under temporary protection status in the EU as of March 31, 2026, according to the bloc’s statistics agency, Eurostat. Around a quarter of them were men aged between 18 and 64, the data showed, indicating that the bloc could be hosting up to a million of men Kiev deems to be of fighting age.
Ukraine announced a general mobilization shortly after the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022, barring men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country. Last year, Kiev relaxed the restrictions, allowing men aged 18 to 22 to cross the border.
“It does not seem quite logical that many fighting-age men, who have no right to leave Ukraine, immediately get temporary protection once they cross the border, maybe even illegally,” Johansson told the German state-funded DW broadcaster last week. “I think this is a bit of a controversial signal that we are sending to Ukraine, because we are also supporting Ukraine in a military way,” she added.
According to Johansson, the issue is now being discussed by the bloc members but a consensus has yet to be reached.
Ukraine has had to rely on mandatory – and often forced – mobilization to replenish its military ranks amid chronic troop shortage and mass desertions as well as draft dodging.
The recruitment drive has grown increasingly brutal over the years, with hundreds of videos showing draft patrols abducting men from streets and even shops. Tens of thousands of Ukrainians have fled to the EU to avoid being conscripted.
CNN reported in December that over 30,000 people had crossed into Romania alone since the Ukraine conflict escalated in February 2022. Moscow has previously accused Kiev’s Western backers of waging a proxy war “to the last Ukrainian” against Russia.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/640197-not-logical-protection-ukainian-eu/
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North America
CAIR-NY Welcomes Arrest of Suspect Following Knife Threat Incident Targeting Muslim Men at Brooklyn Restaurant
May 19, 2026
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the arrest of an individual accused of threatening four Muslim men with a knife as they exited an Applebee’s location in Brooklyn Sunday night and called for a full hate crime investigation into the incident.
According to the victims, the incident occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 18 after they finished dining at the restaurant located at 2505 Emmons Avenue in Brooklyn. As the group exited the establishment, they noticed a man seated near the exit staring aggressively in their direction. One member of the group recognized the individual from prior protest-related encounters during which the man was allegedly seen wearing an Israeli flag and yelling racist statements including, “I hate black people.”
Moments later, the man allegedly shouted at the group to “come back inside,” followed them toward the entrance, and then brandished a knife near the doorway. A member of the group began recording the incident on his phone, at which point the suspect allegedly concealed the weapon and returned inside the restaurant. The victims then contacted the police and remained at the scene until officers arrived.
Police reportedly recovered a knife from the suspect’s possession, placed the individual in handcuffs, and escorted him into a police vehicle.
The victims were informed that prosecutors are currently pursuing charges including menacing, harassment, and an order of protection. Currently, there has been no mention of hate crime charges.
In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director AfafNasher said:
“We welcome the arrest made in this alarming incident and commend the victims for remaining calm, documenting the encounter, and immediately contacting law enforcement. The fact that the suspect was allegedly previously observed making racist remarks at anti-Palestinian protests raises additional concerns about possible bias-motivated violence. Brandishing a knife menacingly is a serious threat to public safety, and authorities must thoroughly investigate whether bias played a role in this disturbing encounter.”
CAIR-NY is urging law enforcement authorities to investigate the incident as a possible hate crime and to take all appropriate steps to ensure the safety of the impacted individuals and the broader community.
CAIR-NY’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY esproteger las libertadesciviles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a losmusulmanesenlosEstadosUnidos.
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
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ny-welcomes-arrest-of-suspect-following-knife-threat-incident-targeting-muslim-men-at-brooklyn-restaurant/
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CAIR-NY Condemns Egg-Throwing Targeting Worshippers at Brooklyn Mosque During Friday Prayer
May 19, 2026
The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a disturbing act of intimidation targeting worshippers at BaitulMamur Masjid (Mosque) and Community Center in East New York, Brooklyn, after eggs were allegedly thrown at congregants during Jummah (weekly communal) prayer on Friday, May 15.
According to masjid leadership, the incident occurred at approximately 1:50 p.m. while worshippers were performing Friday prayer services. Approximately three to four congregants were directly impacted when eggs were thrown.
No verbal threats or slurs were reportedly made during the incident. The number of individuals involved remains unknown, and it is currently unclear whether the eggs were thrown from the sidewalk, a vehicle, or another nearby location.
The incident was reported to law enforcement approximately one hour later. Two officers and a supervising officer from the NYPD responded to the scene. Masjid leadership stated that the matter is currently being investigated by the NYPD Hate Crime Unit.
In a statement, BaitulMamur Masjid and Community Center President Arman Chowdhury said:
“We are extremely grateful to the 75th Precinct, under the leadership of Deputy Inspector Dion Hinds, for their prompt response and thorough attention to this matter. The community feels much safer knowing they are being looked after.”
Chowdhury also expressed appreciation to elected officials and community leaders who stood in solidarity with the masjid community, including Roxanne Persaud, Erik Dilan, Nikki Lucas, Chris Banks, and Sandy Nurse, along with interfaith partners, neighborhood advocates, and civic organizations who condemned the incident. He said their collective responses “sent a clear message that hatred and intimidation have no place in East New York.”
In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director AfafNasher said:
“Muslims should never have to fear harassment or intimidation while attending prayer. Acts targeting houses of worship strike at the heart of our communities and must be taken seriously. We welcome the swift response from local officials and community leaders and remain committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers can practice their faith free from fear.”
CAIR-NY noted that houses of worship must remain safe spaces for all communities and urged law enforcement to fully investigate the incident and determine whether bias motives were involved.
CAIR-NY’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY esproteger las libertadesciviles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a losmusulmanesenlosEstadosUnidos.
Subscribe to CAIR-NY’s Email List
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
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ny-condemns-egg-throwing-targeting-worshippers-at-brooklyn-mosque-during-friday-prayer/
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CAIR, MPAC Demand Cancellation – Not Postponement – of Ted Cruz’s Anti-Muslim Hate Hearing After Terror Attack on San Diego Mosque
May 19, 2026
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) today called for the Senate Judiciary Committee to permanently cancel – not merely postpone – the anti-Muslim hate hearing that Senator Ted Cruz had scheduled for this week. The hearing has reportedly been pulled from the calendar in the wake of the terror attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego, which law enforcement is treating as a hate crime.
The organizations warned that members of Congress are continuing to spread dangerous conspiracy theories and anti-Muslim hate rhetoric about American Muslims, mosques, Muslim charities, Muslim schools, and Muslim civic organizations, helping fuel escalating anti-Muslim hate and violence nationwide.
This week, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz planned to host a Senate Judiciary hearing advancing the long-debunked conspiracy theory that there exists a “hidden” network of American Muslim organizations and leaders plotting to somehow take over America. CAIR and MPAC warned that postponing, rather than permanently canceling, the hearing means congressional leaders still intend to promote the same dangerous anti-Muslim conspiracy theories at a later date.
Last week, the anti-Muslim, so-called “Sharia-Free America Caucus” under the leadership of Congressman Chip Roy held a second congressional hearing promoting similar conspiracy theories. During that hearing, Representative Bob Onder and Republican witnesses, including anti-Muslim hate group leader Amy Mek, portrayed mosques, imams, and Islamic community institutions as “beachheads” for a supposed foreign invasion.
In a joint statement, CAIR and MPAC said:
“It was always dangerous and unconscionable for Ted Cruz and other anti-Muslim hate politicians to hold congressional hate hearings meant to foment hate against American Muslim mosques, institutions and even schoolchildren attending private schools. In the wake of the deadly hate crime terror attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego, such congressional hearings should be unacceptable.
“These anti-Muslim hate hearings in the House and Senate are fueling the same climate of paranoia, dehumanization, and anti-Muslim hatred that violent extremists consume. Politicians cannot spend months depicting Muslim communities as suspicious ‘beachheads,’ warning of hidden Muslim ‘networks,’ and portraying ordinary Muslim civic participation as a national security threat and then pretend there is no connection when extremists target mosques and worshipers with violence.
“These are not legitimate congressional oversight hearings. They are taxpayer-funded election-year propaganda spectacles rooted in the same anti-Muslim conspiracy theories that have circulated for years within the white nationalist movement and among organized anti-Muslim hate groups.
“It is shameful that elected officials in Congress, and governors in states like Texas and Florida, are abusing the power of government and taxpayer resources to demonize American Muslims simply for participating visibly in American public life.
“These hearings and hate groups like the so-called ‘Sharia-Free America Caucus’ are actively painting a target on the backs of Muslim communities. Anti-Muslim members of Congress like Senators Cruz and Tommy Tuberville, and Representatives Keith Self, Andy Ogles, Brandon Gill, and Randy Fine must stop their dangerous campaign of normalizing threats, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination against Muslim families, children, houses of worship, schools, and civic institutions.
“We are calling on Republican congressional leadership to cancel Ted Cruz’s planned hate hearing, stop platforming anti-Muslim hate groups and extremist speakers, end the normalization of anti-Muslim hate in the United States Congress.”
The organizations said elected officials should be defending constitutional religious freedom and the safety of all Americans, not mainstreaming conspiratorial rhetoric that stigmatizes an entire faith community.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR esproteger las libertadesciviles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a losmusulmanesenlosEstadosUnidos.
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
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-mpac-demand-cancellation-not-postponement-of-ted-cruzs-anti-muslim-hate-hearing-after-terror-attack-on-san-diego-mosque/
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CAIR Calls on Local Police to Step Up Security at Mosques Nationwide After Deadly San Diego Terror Attack
May 19, 2026
Muslim civil rights group urges Muslim community leaders to utilize its ‘Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety’ booklet
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/19/26) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on local law enforcement authorities to step up security at mosques and Islamic institutions nationwide after yesterday’s deadly terror attack on a San Diego mosque that left five people dead, including the two attackers, who died from self-inflicted wounds.
The Mirror (UK) reports: “Investigators probing the incident from the San Diego Police Department uncovered a petrol canister emblazoned with the logo of the SS, the Nazi paramilitary organisation, anti-Islam scrawlings and weapons engraved with hate speech.”
One of the attackers reportedly left a suicide note referencing “racial pride.”
Washington, D.C., based CAIR also called on Muslim community leaders to utilize its “Best Practices for Mosque and Community Safety” booklet to help keep religious facilities safe. The advice in the booklet is applicable to all houses of worship.
In a statement, CAIR National Executive Director NihadAwad said:
“This horrific terror attack is the deadly consequence of years of anti-Muslim hate, demonization and dangerous rhetoric targeting American Muslims and other marginalized communities. Mosques and Islamic institutions across the country are facing heightened threats, and local law enforcement agencies must act immediately to increase patrols and coordinate with community leaders to help protect worshipers. We also urge elected officials and public figures to stop fueling hatred and division that inevitably inspire acts of violence.”
Last night, CAIR demanded that politicians end their “campaign of hate” targeting American Muslims after the San Diego terror attack.
Earlier yesterday, CAIR and its San Diego office (CAIR-San Diego) condemned the attack and said CAIR-San Diego representatives are on the scene monitoring developments.
Also yesterday, CAIR’s Texas chapter (CAIR-TX) joined with a number of Dallas–Fort Worth Muslim organizations in calling for an end to the hateful rhetoric and fear-mongering by some Texas politicians.
Last week, CAIR commended Democratic members of Congress who defended American Muslims and constitutional religious freedom during a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on “Sharia law.” CAIR also condemned Republican members and witnesses for promoting anti-Muslim fearmongering and dangerous smear tactics amid rising anti-Muslim hate incidents nationwide.
According to CAIR’s most recent civil rights report, complaints of anti-Muslim bias and discrimination have continued to rise nationwide, reflecting an ongoing pattern of Islamophobia impacting communities across the country.
Washington, D.C., based CAIR encourages community members facing bias or hate incidents to report them to law enforcement and to CAIR.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR esproteger las libertadesciviles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a losmusulmanesenlosEstadosUnidos.
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
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-calls-on-local-police-to-step-up-security-at-mosques-nationwide-after-deadly-san-diego-terror-attack/
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Trump-backed challenger defeats Republican rebel Massie in primary
May 20, 2026
Max Matza
Congressman Thomas Massie, one of the most vocal Republican critics of Donald Trump, has lost his fight for re-election to a challenger endorsed by the president.
Ed Gallrein, a former Navy Seal, will now compete in November's midterm election after his victory in the Kentucky primary on Tuesday.
The contest, the most expensive primary in the history of the House of Representatives, had been widely seen as a key test of President Trump's decade-long grip on the Republican Party.
Trump repeatedly called for voters to back Gallrein over the incumbent Massie, who he described as a "major sleazebag" and "the worst Republican congressman in history".
Massie, who has been in office since 2012, publicly broke with Trump by voting against his "big, beautiful" tax and spending bill last year over concerns about the national debt. He has also voted to curtail Trump's attacks on suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and his ongoing war in Iran.
Massie also joined with Democrats - and a handful of Republicans - to force Trump's Department of Justice to release all of its files on Jeffrey Epstein.
He lost by 55 percent to 45 percent in the vote on Tuesday, marking a major victory for Trump who has successfully ousted a number of dissenting Republicans by endorsing a more loyal challenger.
At his victory party, Gallrein told supporters he had come "a long way" from his childhood at his family's dairy farm to become the nominee.
"The winner of the race tonight is not so much Ed Gallrein," he said. "It's the Republicans of Kentucky district four and their families who I will be a champion for in Washington."
He went on to thank Trump for his support and his "counsel" during the race.
Many of the president's biggest donors backed Gallrein, and more than $32m (£23m) was spent on campaign advertising in the Kentucky district.
In his concession speech, Massie said voters had indicated they wanted someone who would "go along to get along", but added: "There is a yearning in this country for somebody who will vote for principles over party."
He criticised the administration's foreign aid spending, the plans to build a White House ballroom, the large donations to his opponent and a decision by Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth to campaign in Kentucky for Gallrein on Monday.
"They panicked and sent the Secretary of War here, and you stopped the war for a day," he said, as his supporters cheered his name and chanted "America first".
On Monday, Trump criticised Massie in a series of social media posts, calling him "an obstructionist and a fool".
Massie then touted his record of voting with Trump "90% of the time," but added that the president and his allies "want 100% compliance".
"It's only the 10% of the time they're mad about - when I won't vote for a war, when I won't vote for warrantless spying and when I won't vote to bankrupt the country," he said.
In a separate development in Kentucky on Tuesday, Congressman Andy Barr won the Republican nomination to replace retiring Senator Mitch McConnell who has been in the Senate for more than 40 years.
Trump had endorsed Barr, and his victory did not come as a surprise after Trump intervened to offer an ambassadorship to his main Republican challenger.
Trump has been aggressively wielding his influence with recent Republican endorsements, including by helping to tank the campaign of an incumbent senator who had voted to convict him during his 2021 impeachment trial.
In Texas, he has also given his endorsement to Ken Paxton rather than longtime Republican Senator John Cornyn.
"John Cornyn is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough," Trump said of his decision to back Paxton on Tuesday.
Source: bbc.com
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Trump endorses Paxton in Texas, gambling on a challenger with baggage in a crucial race
May 20, 2026
Anthony Zurcher
US President Donald Trump has endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his bid to unseat incumbent Senator John Cornyn in next Tuesday's Republican primary run-off race.
By siding with Paxton, Trump is supporting a Texas politician who has long been a close ally of the president – but also one who comes with considerable political baggage.
Many Democrats have viewed Paxton as the weaker of the two candidates and relish what they believe is an opportunity to flip a Senate seat in a state that has a long history of electing Republicans.
Trump's move dismayed Cornyn's fellow Senate Republicans, many of whom have served with the Texan for decades and view him as a friend and ally.
Maine Senator Susan Collins called Paxton "ethically challenged". Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski said she was "supremely disappointed".
Trump, however, appears to have different preferences.
The president is supporting a Texas politician who has long been a close ally of the president.
As attorney general, he backed Trump's efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
Paxton also travelled to New York City to rally for Trump during his 2024 trial – and conviction – over hush-money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Like Trump, Paxton has a political history marked by scandal and legal challenges – and has established a reputation as a survivor.
He recently settled a federal corruption indictment without admitting misconduct.
In 2023, he was impeached by the Republican-controlled Texas legislature for alleged fraud and obstruction of justice – but acquitted in a state Senate trial.
Last year, his wife filed for divorce amid allegations that Paxton had had multiple affairs.
"I know Ken well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a winner!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social website.
"John Cornyn is a good man, and I worked well with him, but he was not supportive of me when times were tough."
On Tuesday, Cornyn posted on X that he had voted with Trump more than 99% of the time.
He said: "It is now time for Texas Republican voters to decide if they want a strong nominee to help our GOP candidates down ballot and defeat Talarico in November, or a weak nominee who jeopardizes everything we care about."
This is not the first recent example of Trump backing a challenger against an incumbent Republican.
On Saturday Senator Bill Cassidy lost to a Trump-endorsed opponent in Louisiana's Republican primary.
On Tuesday evening, voters in Kentucky are projected to have chosen Ed Gallrein over incumbent congressman Thomas Massie in that state primary. Trump recruited Gallrein to run against Massie.
Those Republicans, however, had made clear breaks with the president.
Cassidy voted to convict Trump on impeachment charges in his 2021 Senate impeachment trial.
Massie irked the president for voting against key parts of his legislative agenda, including military operations in Venezuela and Iran.
By contrast, the 74-year-old Cornyn served in the Senate Republican leadership from 2012-24 and is viewed as a party loyalist – albeit one more allied to the Republican establishment.
But he didn't endorse Trump's re-election bid until January 2024 – well over a year after the president entered the race – a delay that Trump also noted in his endorsement post.
During the campaign, Paxton had highlighted Cornyn's votes for new gun regulation and accused him of being insufficiently aggressive in supporting immigration enforcement along the Texas-Mexico border.
Cornyn's side focused on Paxton's past political and legal scandals and perceived personal shortcomings.
Early voting is already under way in Texas for what polls had indicated was a close run-off race.
In their original matchup in early March, Cornyn had finished narrowly ahead of Paxton, but short of the 50% necessary to secure the nomination - despite outspending Paxton by more than $65m.
A day after those results, Trump promised to endorse a candidate and urge the other to drop out.
Months passed, however, before the president finally weighed in.
By siding with Paxton, he may have delivered a fatal blow to Cornyn's electoral chances.
The winner of Tuesday's primary will go on to face Democrat James Talarico, a Texas state legislator who secured his party's nomination over congresswoman Jasmine Crockett without a run-off.
It has been 32 years since a Democratic candidate won a statewide election in Texas, although Beto O'Rourke's 2018 Senate campaign came within 215,000 votes of ousting Senator Ted Cruz with more than eight million ballots cast.
Trump won the state in 2024 by 14%, but public opinion polls suggest a close contest heading into November's general election vote.
Source: bbc.com
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US to cut wartime troop commitments to NATO – Reuters
19 May, 2026
The administration of President Donald Trump is reportedly set to tell European NATO members that the US will reduce the military capabilities available to the bloc in the event of a major crisis, including an attack on a member state.
Although the composition of the forces assigned under the NATO Force Model is classified, the Pentagon has decided to “significantly scale down” its commitment, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
The plan is expected to be announced at a meeting of defense policy chiefs in Brussels on May 22, according to three anonymous sources familiar with the matter. The US is expected to be represented at the meeting by Alex Velez-Green, a senior aide to Undersecretary of War Elbridge Colby.
The adjustment of the NATO Force Model has reportedly become a key priority for Colby’s team ahead of the next NATO leaders’ summit, which will take place in Türkiye in July. Despite pushing the Europeans to take the lead on conventional forces, Colby previously said the US would “strenuously oppose” them in developing nuclear weapons to replace the US nuclear umbrella.
The report comes amid a broader scaling back of the US military presence in Europe, where more than 80,000 US troops were stationed in 2025 under a decades-old system of combined territorial defense and deterrence dating back to the end of World War II.
The White House has reportedly drawn up a NATO “naughty and nice” list to reward those who supported the US-Israeli war against Iran and punish those who did not, including by shifting troops, scaling back exercises, or redirecting military cooperation.
Earlier this month, the Pentagon canceled the planned rotation of 4,000 troops into Poland, shortly after announcing the withdrawal of 5,000 soldiers from Germany. US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has also reportedly canceled the deployment to Germany of a battalion specializing in long-range missiles.
European NATO members remain heavily dependent on the US for key capabilities, including intelligence satellites, long-range missiles, heavy airlift, and undersea warfare capacity, though they have drastically increased their military budgets in recent years on the pretext of a looming Russian threat.
Moscow has condemned the militarization of Europe, arguing that Western governments are using “ostentatious Russophobia” to justify turning the EU into a military bloc and to divert attention away from domestic issues.
Source: rt.com
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Africa
175 ISIS Terrorists Eliminated In Fresh Nigeria-U.S Military Operation – DHQ
By OladipoAbiola
May 19, 2026
No fewer than 175 ISIS terrorists have been killed during a fresh counter-terrorism operation between the troops of the Nigerian Military and their United States counterparts.
This was made known on Tuesday by the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in a statement released by the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen SamailaUba.
According to the DHQ, the latest assessment as of May 19, 2026, showed that 175 ISIS militants had been eliminated from the battlefield through sustained ground and air assaults in the Northeast region of Nigeria.
The statement noted that the operations had also led to the destruction of terrorist checkpoints, weapons caches, logistics hubs, military equipment, and financial networks used to sustain insurgent activities.
It further disclosed that several high-profile terrorist commanders were among those neutralised, including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of the most significant ISIS operatives globally.
“The Defence Headquarters wishes to announce major successes in continuing counterterrorism operations in close coordination with the United States Africa Command against ISIS terrorists in North-East Nigeria.
“It will be recalled that the joint strikes started a few days ago. As of May 19, 2026, assessments indicate that 175 ISIS militants have been eliminated from the battlefield.
“The joint strikes have resulted in the destruction of ISIS checkpoints, weapons caches, logistical hubs, military equipment, and financial networks used to sustain terrorist operations,” the statement said.
The DHQ explained that al-Minuki played a strategic role in ISIS external operations, coordinating terrorist financing, recruitment, logistics, and attack planning targeting Nigerians and other civilians across the world.
“His death severely disrupts ISIS command structure, operational coordination, and external attack networks,” the military stated.
Other terrorist leaders reportedly killed during the operations include Abd-al Wahhab, an ISWAP commander responsible for coordinating attacks and propaganda activities; Abu Musa al-Mangawi, a senior ISWAP member; and Abu al-Muthanna al-Muhajir, a senior media production manager and close associate of al-Minuki.
Source: naijanews.com
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Adelabu’s Aide Speaks On Former Minister Being Disqualified From Oyo Governorship Race
May 20, 2026
An aide to All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Oyo State, BayoAdelabu, has said reports that the former Minister of Power has been disqualified from the party’s governorship primary are not true.
Naija News reports that the aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, said Adelabu remains in the race and has not been stopped from taking part in the exercise scheduled in the state.
He said the information being shared about disqualification did not come from any official source of the party.
Awogboro described the reports as misleading and said they were being spread to cause doubt among supporters of the aspirant and members of the public.
He added that the aim was to weaken support for Adelabu ahead of the primary election.
Awogboro called on party members, supporters, and residents of Oyo State to ignore the claim and focus on the party’s process. According to him, opponents are only trying to create confusion because they see Adelabu as a strong contender in the contest.
He said there is no reason for the party at any level to remove Adelabu from the race, pointing out that his record in both public service and private work speaks for him.
He added that Adelabu is still fully prepared for the primary election and remains confident of his chances as party members decide who will represent them in 2027.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/05/20/adelabus-speaks-disqualified-from-oyo-governorship-race/
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You Did Not Reply Me – Gani Adams Blasts South-West Governors Over Rising Insecurity
May 19, 2026
By Justina Otio
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has accused South-West governors of ignoring his repeated warnings and proposals on regional security.
He lamented that despite growing threats of kidnapping and banditry across the region, governors in the southwest have refused to take action.
Adams made the remarks on Tuesday while reacting to the recent attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where gunmen abducted pupils, students and teachers, with one teacher later reportedly killed.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, the Yoruba leader described the incident as tragic and a signal that the South-West could no longer treat insecurity with complacency.
“What happened in Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State a few days ago is very sad and highly condemnable,” he said.
According to him, although cases of kidnapping had been recorded in parts of the region, the latest mass abduction showed that criminal groups were becoming more daring in the South-West.
“We have had a series of kidnappings in different states, but we have not witnessed mass kidnapping in Yorubaland, and that shows that the Yoruba race in the South-West must prepare for this issue of insecurity,” Adams stated.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo said he had consistently alerted authorities about the activities of criminal elements operating within the region, stressing that some states had already been infiltrated.
“Precisely, in November last year, I mentioned four states that these criminals had infiltrated. I mentioned Ondo State, Ekiti State, Osun State and Oyo State,” he said.
Adams also disclosed that he had formally written to South-West governors, urging closer collaboration with traditional and socio-cultural groups to strengthen the region’s security architecture, but claimed his appeals were ignored.
“I had written to the South-West governors that there is a need for collaboration on the issue of security; all hands must be on deck on these issues. But for the past two years, they have not replied to me,” he said.
He explained that beyond the Oodua People’s Congress, other Yoruba organisations were willing to work with governments to tackle insecurity across the region.
“We held a world press conference on this issue about five months ago, that there is a need for the Aare Ona Kakanfo, through the Aare-in-Council and 14 different organisations, not only the Oodua People’s Congress, to collaborate with the government,” Adams added.
The Yoruba leader further questioned why many stakeholders had remained silent amid increasing security threats, lamenting that some people still blamed him for the worsening situation, even though he had no constitutional control over the security agencies.
Gunmen had invaded the Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday, abducting staff and pupils from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and LGEA Primary School.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/05/19/gani-adams-south-west-governors-insecurity/
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No Terrorist Base In South-west – DHQ Assures Nigerians
May 19, 2026
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Tuesday debunked claims that a terrorist base exists in the southwest region of Nigeria.
The denial was contained in a statement in Abuja by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, who spoke against the backdrop of the recent terrorist attack on some schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to him, the incident is an isolated case.
Naija News reports that Onoja urged Nigerians to remain calm, united and continue to support security agencies with credible information.
He said the military had earlier conducted a comprehensive clearance operation in the Old Oyo National Park, neutralising criminal elements operating within the area.
According to him, current intelligence does not support claims of any established or structured terrorist base in the South-West region.
“The incident in Oyo State remains an isolated criminal act and does not indicate the presence of an entrenched insurgent structure in the region.
“The Armed Forces caution against narratives capable of creating unnecessary panic or emboldening criminal elements,” he said.
The defence spokesman disclosed that troops had already made contact with the perpetrators and were sustaining pursuit operations across forest corridors.
He added that joint operations involving other security agencies and local vigilantes were ongoing to flush out criminal elements and restore normalcy.
He emphasised that community cooperation remained critical, noting that human intelligence from residents would aid ongoing rescue efforts.
“The Armed Forces will not relent until all abducted victims are rescued and those responsible are brought to justice,” he added.
The DHQ also extended the condolences of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. OlufemiOluyede, to the government and people of Oyo State, as well as the families of victims affected by the recent attack on some schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The CDS described the abduction of innocent children and staff as reprehensible, assuring that the Armed Forces were deploying all necessary resources to ensure their safe and unconditional rescue.
“The full weight of the Armed Forces is being brought to bear to ensure the safe return of all abducted victims,” he said.
Source: naijanews.com
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Civil War: Gowon Reveals How Obasanjo Refused To Serve Under Murtala
May 19, 2026
Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), has revealed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo initially rejected a wartime posting that would have placed him under the command of the late Col. Murtala Muhammed.
Gowon said Obasanjo objected to the arrangement during the Nigerian Civil War, insisting that he would “never” serve under an officer he considered his junior.
The former Head of State made the disclosure in Chapter 14 of his 859-page autobiography, My Life of Duty and Allegiance, titled “No Going Back,” at the book launch in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to Gowon, he had created a Rear Command for the newly formed 2 Division under Murtala Muhammed, with Obasanjo, then Sector Commander in the Western State, expected to serve as Rear Commander in Ibadan.
The role required Obasanjo to coordinate relief materials, equipment and reinforcements, while also helping to secure the Western Region.
But Gowon said Obasanjo opposed the arrangement because it placed him in a supporting role under Murtala.
Gowon wrote, “He believed he was more senior and should not be expected to serve under his junior.
“His reaction made it obvious that he was not well disposed to any idea that appeared to present him as playing second fiddle to Murtala.
“As a result, he strongly stated that he would never serve under Colonel Murtala Muhammed for any reason.”
‘I Stood My Ground’ – Gowon
Gowon said he overruled Obasanjo by invoking his authority as Commander-in-Chief.
He wrote, “I stood my ground that, as Commander-in-Chief, I reserved the right to send people to where I believe they could be most useful to the country at any material time.
“I told him his main task was not to be Murtala’s deputy but to ensure the general security of the Western Region. He relented and took on the role assigned to him.”
The retired general said Obasanjo eventually performed creditably in the position.
He added that Obasanjo particularly impressed him by rejecting an alleged attempt by Nobel laureate, Prof.Wole Soyinka, to persuade him to allow Col. Victor Banjo to enter the West through Benin to Ibadan.
“He performed well to my expectations, especially by rebuffing Wole Soyinka’s attempt to get him to allow Colonel Victor Banjo to come to the West through Benin to Ibadan. I deeply appreciate Obasanjo’s loyalty and sense of patriotism,” Gowon wrote.
How I Became Obasanjo’s ‘Guardian Angel’
Gowon also traced his relationship with Obasanjo to March 1958, when both men were undergoing officer training in the United Kingdom.
He recalled meeting Obasanjo at the Officers’ Mess after arriving in London with limited funds and being unable to immediately settle his bills.
Gowon said he considered seeking help from two Nigerian officers, Obasanjo and FolusoSotomi, whom he described as a Lagos-born officer with a flashy reputation.
“Whereas Obasanjo was a frugal person, Sotomi was a spendthrift and, as his nickname confirmed, a typical Lagos ‘Show Boy’ who looked smarter but was more of a bigmouth and certainly more bombastic than Obasanjo,” he wrote.
According to him, Sotomi had no money to spare, while Obasanjo readily assisted him.
“Obasanjo, on the other hand, was much different. He had more than enough money to pay for himself and to offset my initial bills. I saw that as a great display of a sense of responsibility,” Gowon said.
He said the gesture made him take a special interest in Obasanjo’s military career.
Gowon said, “That singular act made me take more interest in Obasanjo and what he did. I advised him to ensure that he remained on the right track in the Army.
“I became his informal guardian angel right up to the time I appointed him to take over the command of 3 Marine Commando from Adekunle.”
Gowon described Obasanjo as “a quiet, respectable and intelligent officer,” although he said he did not consider him as naturally sharp as some younger officers, including Alani Akinrinade.
Gowon Speaks On Murtala
In the chapter, Gowon also explained why he appointed Murtala as Commander of the 2 Division.
He described Murtala as his “preferred choice,” saying he showed “extraordinary zeal and courage” in accepting the assignment.
However, Gowon admitted that Murtala sometimes struggled to control his emotions. The late Murtala led the 1975 coup that removed Gowon from power.
Gowon also alleged that the Biafran leader, Lt. Col. OdumegwuOjukwu, pledged the mineral wealth of Biafra to the Rothschild banking family in exchange for support during the civil war.
He said the deal was worth about $10m, estimated at N5m at the time.
According to Gowon, France supported the Biafran side through some of its former African territories, with expectations of benefiting if the secessionist effort succeeded.
“Indeed, he had pawned the mineral wealth of Biafra to Rothschild for about $10m or an estimated ₦5m at the time,” Gowon wrote.
He said the Nigerian government became aware of the arrangement after its consulate in New York intercepted information about the planned purchase of a B-26 aircraft meant for Biafra.
“Our knowledge of this deal was fortuitous because the Nigerian Consulate in New York had intercepted information regarding the purchase of a B-26 aircraft that was to have been sent to Biafra through a South American country,” he added.
Gowon said the intelligence was passed to Lagos by Moses Ihonde, who later became his Press Secretary, after negotiators in the aircraft deal approached the Nigerian Consulate in New York for information on exchange rates.
Source: naijanews.com
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Rwanda tightens border controls over deadly Ebola outbreak in DR Congo
May 20 2026
Rwandan authorities have intensified health screenings and tightened movement along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo as a deadly Ebola outbreak linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain continues to spread across the region. At least 131 people have died and 531 suspected infections have been reported in eastern DR Congo, prompting the World Health Organization to declare an international public health emergency.
At border crossings near the Congolese city of Goma, health workers are checking temperatures and screening travellers entering Rwanda.
The measures come amid fears that the outbreak could spread further across East Africa. Rwanda has also restricted cross-border movement since the outbreak was confirmed.
Residents in Rwanda’s Rubavu district say the tighter controls are affecting livelihoods and disrupting trade.
“We would like the government to find a solution so that we can transport our goods normally across the border while still taking precautions,” said local trader NsengiyaremyeKigendi.
Another resident, Twiringirimana Daniel, said traders are now forced to leave goods at the border for transporters on the Congolese side to collect, reducing profits and increasing losses.
Bundibugyo strain raises alarm
Health authorities say the outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare variant for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
The strain was previously responsible for outbreaks in Uganda in 2007 and in DR Congo in 2012, with mortality rates ranging from 30 to 50 percent.
The current outbreak is centred in Ituri province in northeastern Congo, a region plagued by armed violence and mass displacement.
Conflict complicates Ebola response
Efforts to contain the outbreak are being hampered by insecurity across eastern Congo, where multiple armed groups remain active.
The outbreak’s epicentre, Mongbwalu, lies in territory controlled by the CODECO militia, while attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces, linked to the Islamic State group, continue in nearby areas.
Further south, fighting persists between Congolese forces and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels despite a peace agreement signed last year.
A confirmed Ebola case has also been reported in Goma, a strategic city under M23 control near the Rwandan border.
US issues travel warning
Amid growing regional concern, the United States has raised its travel advisory for DR Congo, South Sudan and Uganda to Level Four — “Do Not Travel.”
Washington has also advised Americans to reconsider travel to Rwanda because of the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak.
Health experts warn that continued conflict, displacement and limited humanitarian access could accelerate the spread of the virus across the region.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/05/20/rwanda-tightens-border-controls-over-deadly-ebola-outbreak-in-dr-congo/
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Kenya strike over rising fuel prices pauses after mass shutdown
May 20 2026
A Kenyan transport strike triggered by rising fuel prices from to the Middle East war was paused on Tuesday after causing four deaths and major economic disruption, raising concerns about potential wider unrest across Africa.
One of many African countries dependent on fuel imports from the Gulf, Kenya has hiked petrol prices by 20 percent and diesel by almost 40 percent since Iran choked off traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil normally passes.
The transport sector, especially operators of the "matatu" buses that provide most public transport in Kenya, called the strike on Monday after another steep price rise last week.
"The strike that is going on is suspended for a period of one week to provide an avenue for consultations and negotiations between the government and stakeholders," interior minister KipchumbaMurkomen told reporters on Tuesday.
Albert Karakacha, the president of Matatu Owners Association, confirmed the suspension -- although other representatives warned they would protest again if the negotiations were not serious.
Earlier in the day, while the strike was still on, Cornelius Chepsoi, chairman of the Rig Owners Association, told AFP they would not be satisfied by a political move "lowering the price of diesel by a very tiny margin".
Analysts warned that soaring oil prices could be sign of more protests across the continent.
Last week, rising fuel prices sparked protests in Comoros, paralysing the Indian Ocean nation, where one person was confirmed dead.
"We think the unrest in Kenya is an early indicator of what could unfold elsewhere across the continent if elevated oil prices persist," warned political analyst Jervin Naidoo.
"As the conflict in the Middle East enters its third month, the risk of further supply disruptions and sustained price increases remains high."
In Nairobi's nearly empty central business district, Faith, a nurse who declined to give her surname, said she spent 24 hours at Poplar Hospital as she was unable to get home.
"I did not expect this... It's really affecting patient care, big time," she said, adding that despite the transport shutdown she still supported the strike "because the fuel prices don't make sense".
Schools and embassies in the capital Nairobi were also closed.
- 'They're scared' -
The government said four people were killed and more than 30 injured nationwide on Monday, while police confirmed on Tuesday that over 700 people had been arrested during the violent protests.
Rights groups denounced lethal violence by police, with Amnesty International urging "maximum restraint".
Motorbike taxi driver Fred Makarani, 59, told AFP he did not support the strike, saying he had had no customers for two days, and called for a return to work.
"They're scared of goons," he said, referring to people paid to violently disrupt political events and protests.
Kenya's vital trade corridor was also disrupted, with local media reporting truckers had refused to drive over fears their vehicles would be attacked and torched by demonstrators.
The government's treasury and economic planning minister John Mbadi said the strike was "completely uncalled for".
"This is a war that we have not caused," he told the NTV broadcaster on Monday.
Critics argue Kenya has high taxes on fuel that could be reduced, although it is also reliant on them to service mountains of debt and a strained budget.
A day of protests such as Monday's can cost Kenya's economy around 50 billion shillings ($390 million) a day, economist XN Iraki told AFP.
"This is a massive headache for the government. Fuel taxes are easy to collect and heavily anchor public spending," economist Kwame Owino posted on X.
The energy regulator said last week that the government had spent $38.5 million to cushion consumers from rising diesel and kerosene prices.
Last month, Kenyan authorities also suspended fuel quality standards to maintain supply in the face of shortages.
While Kenya is among east Africa's most dynamic economies, around a third of its 50 million citizens still live in poverty and unemployment remains high.
Source: africanews.com
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https://www.africanews.com/2026/05/19/kenya-strike-over-rising-fuel-prices-pauses-after-mass-shutdown/
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Southeast Asia
Malaysian Haj pilgrims urged to limit outdoor activities as heat hits 48°C in Mecca
20 May 2026
MECCA, May 20 — Malaysian Haj pilgrims have been advised to take care of their health and limit outdoor activities following extreme heat in Saudi Arabia, with temperatures expected to reach up to 48°Celsius.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan, said peak Haj rituals and Masyair (peak phase for Haj pilgrimage) operations will take place amid high temperatures.
He said pilgrims are advised to use covered walkways or carry umbrellas when heading to Masjid al-Haram (the Grand Mosque), and to stay well hydrated to avoid heatstroke.
“Pilgrims are also encouraged to remain inside their tents during the Masyair operations to avoid exposure to extreme heat, especially during the day of Arafah (wukuf),” he told reporters here today.
Zulkifli said Malaysia’s Haj medical teams are now on high alert, with a range of proactive measures in place in coordination with Saudi authorities to ensure the safety and comfort of pilgrims throughout the Haj season, especially during the Masyair operations.
Yesterday, Saudi Arabia’s National Meteorological Centre issued an extreme heat warning, with temperatures in and around Makkah expected to rise to as high as 48°Celsius.
The Saudi government has announced that the 1st of Zulhijah 1447H fell on Monday, while the day of Arafah (wukuf), the peak of the Haj pilgrimage, is expected to be held in less than a week (9th of Zulhijjah). — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/05/20/malaysian-haj-pilgrims-urged-to-limit-outdoor-activities-as-heat-hits-48c-in-mecca/220625
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Sultan Ibrahim confers state honours to Johor Regent’s wife and Raja Muda
20 May 2026
JOHOR BAHRU, May 20 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today conferred the ‘Darjah Sultan Ibrahim Johor Yang AmatDisanjungiPangkatPertamaDato’ Sri Mulia Sultan Ibrahim Johor (SMIJ)’ state title upon Che’ PuanMahkotaKhaleeda Johor, wife of Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim.
According to a post on the official Facebook page of HRH Crown Prince of Johor, His Majesty also conferred the ‘DarjahKerabat Johor Yang AmatDihormatiPangkatPertama (DK I)’ upon the Raja Muda of Johor, Tunku Iskandar Tunku Ismail.
The investiture ceremony was officiated by Tunku Ismail at Istana Besar here.
Also in attendance were TunkuTemenggong of Johor, Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj Sultan Ibrahim, and Tunku Abu Bakar Ibrahim Tunku Ismail. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Malaysia still has no info on Global Sumud Flotilla activists 48 hours after Israeli abduction
20 May 2026
SEPANG, May 20 — The Sumud Nusantara Control Centre (SNCC) confirmed it has yet to receive any updates on participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 detained by Israeli forces on Monday and Tuesday.
SNCC director-general Datuk Sani Araby Abdul Alim said the organisation remained in the dark over the fate of the humanitarian activists nearly 48 hours after their detention.
“We have not received any official information on their condition.
“They could have been assaulted or subjected to aggressive treatment. If there is still no official confirmation within 48 hours of their arrival at Ashdod Port, this is an incident that the world must pay attention to and intervene in,” he told a press conference on the GSF 2.0 mission here today.
Earlier reports said the mission had entered its final phase after 54 vessels departed from Marmaris Port, Turkiye, for Gaza. SNCC had also updated the yellow and red zone boundaries based on the latest security risk assessment in the operational area.
Sani Araby said participants were believed to have been placed in a “prison ship” before being taken to Ashdod Port, although official information remained limited.
“As practised last year, participants were instructed under the standard operating procedure (SOP) to dispose of their mobile phones during critical moments to avoid confiscation. Once they were abducted, all communication with the Malaysian and international delegations was completely cut off,” he said.
He urged the international community, including human rights organisations and the United Nations (UN), to pressure Israel to provide information and guarantee the activists’ safety.
“We demand transparency and safety guarantees for all humanitarian activists involved in this mission. They are there on humanitarian grounds, not as a military threat,” he said.
Sani Araby said the incident occurred as the International Criminal Court (ICC) was issuing arrest warrants against five senior Israeli forces leaders over alleged war crimes.
“This shows our delegation is now under the control of individuals accused of war crimes and wanted internationally,” he said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Telekom Malaysia says cooperating with US DOJ over alleged misconduct by former TM USA employees
20 May 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) said it will continue to extend its full cooperation with the US Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning former employees of TM USA Inc.
The telecommunications company said in a statement today that it had earlier initiated its own investigation pursuant to the suspicion of misconduct by the individuals, which led to their dismissal.
“Information from the investigation was then shared with the relevant authorities. The matter is currently under the purview of the DOJ and the US court,” it added.
TM said it upholds strict governance and compliance standards and does not tolerate any form of misconduct. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Malaysia steps up Ebola preparedness after WHO declares global health emergency
20 May 2026
PUTRAJAYA, May 20 — The Health Ministry (MOH) has stepped up preparedness and monitoring measures following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration of an Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17.
The MOH said in a statement today that no Ebola cases have been reported in Malaysia so far, but preparedness measures are being further strengthened, taking into account the risk of imported cases through international travel following outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
“The MOH is monitoring travellers entering Malaysia from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, including those transiting through international hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Singapore. There are currently no direct flights from either country to Malaysia,” the statement said.
The ministry said monitoring and screening efforts are being intensified to support public health risk assessments and enable early preventive measures.
According to the statement, eight laboratory-confirmed cases and 246 suspected cases had been reported to the WHO as of May 16, along with 80 suspected deaths in Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda, two confirmed cases, including one death, were reported in Kampala, involving an individual with a travel history to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ebola is a serious infectious disease that can be fatal and is spread through close contact with the blood or body fluids of infected people or animals, with common symptoms including fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhoea, and in some cases, bleeding.
To strengthen the country’s preparedness, the MOH said various measures are being implemented, including enhanced surveillance at all international entry points, improved early case detection, and greater readiness of healthcare facilities to isolate and manage suspected cases.
In addition, the ministry said personal protective equipment (PPE) preparedness and training for healthcare workers are being kept at an optimal level, while laboratory diagnostic capacity is being strengthened in collaboration with the Institute for Medical Research and the National Public Health Laboratory.
The Health Ministry (MOH) is also strengthening coordination and global risk monitoring with the WHO, the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency, airlines and other relevant agencies.
“Individuals who have travelled to affected countries are advised to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, body aches, vomiting or bleeding within 21 days of returning,” the statement said.
The ministry also urged the public to rely only on official information from MOH and WHO, and to avoid sharing unverified information that could cause public concern. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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SNCC confirms all 10 Gaza flotilla vessels intercepted by Israeli forces
20 May 2026
PUTRAJAYA, May 20 — The Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) has confirmed that all 10 vessels involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 mission have been intercepted by the Israeli forces as of 8.25pm Malaysian time.
SNCC said the latest intercepted vessel, Alcyone, was carrying two Malaysians, namely Muhammad HareezAdzrami and Chin ShiauWeai.
“Further developments will be officially announced by SNCC. A press conference will be held tomorrow,” SNCC said in a brief statement last night.
Separately, the GSF said it had received confirmation that hundreds of civilian participants abducted during yesterday’s alleged illegal Israeli naval assault on the high seas were currently being forcibly transported by Israeli forces to a port in occupied Palestine.
“The naval vessel carrying our kidnapped participants, including doctors, journalists and human rights defenders from more than 40 nations, is scheduled to dock within approximately two hours,” it said.
GSF added that the organisation demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all participants, alongside more than 9,000 Palestinian political prisoners, while also calling on world leaders to demand the release of flotilla participants, Palestinian political prisoners and hostages, as well as an end to the genocide and blockade on Gaza.
The organisation also expressed grave and immediate concerns over the physical safety and well-being of those detained following testimonies from the April 29 alleged illegal abduction of GSF participants in international waters, which detailed patterns of torture, severe physical abuse and invasive sexual violence allegedly perpetrated by Israeli forces. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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PM Anwar: Haj is a school of spiritual upbringing to purify the soul
19 May 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — The Haj pilgrimage is not merely a spiritual journey; rather, it is a school of education and spiritual upbringing that shapes the soul, purifies the heart, and breathes new spirit into returning to serve religion, the people, and the nation with greater sincerity and compassion.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that history also teaches us that the spirit of freedom and courage among Muslims is often awakened after pilgrims returned from Makkah, as documented when studying the uprising of the people of Aceh against Dutch colonialism.
“Alhamdulillah, today I had the opportunity to spend time with the Haj pilgrims from PermatangPauh and Tambun who will soon become the guests of Allah SWT.
“During this occasion, I also shared the story of Malcolm X, who returned from the Holy Land with a soul and outlook on life that was far broader, more peaceful, and more deeply aware of the brotherhood of mankind,” he said in a Facebook post today.
He also prayed that all pilgrims would be granted an accepted Haj (haji mabrur), have all their affairs eased, and return home bringing a renewed spirit for their families, society, and our beloved Malaysia. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Singapore seeks IAEA review next year as it weighs advanced nuclear energy options
20 May 2026
SINGAPORE, May 20 — Singapore will undertake the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) Phase 1 Mission next year to assess its preparedness for the possible deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies.
The Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) said the assessment would determine the republic’s readiness to make an informed decision on the possible future deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies.
“As part of efforts to assess the suitability of advanced nuclear energy technologies for power generation, Singapore has been progressively building capabilities in nuclear science, safety, and technology in line with international best practices.
“The INIR Phase 1 Mission will support the government in validating our progress and ensuring our capability development is advancing in the right direction, based on an internationally recognised assessment framework known as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Milestones Approach,” it said in a statement yesterday.
According to the ministry, the assessment via the INIR Phase 1 Mission will be a key milestone of Singapore’s nuclear capability-building journey.
It will also enable the IAEA to better understand Singapore’s current stage of development and provide more tailored support for capability-building efforts in the future, it added.
Singapore has not made a decision on the adoption or deployment of nuclear energy.
“We will continue to monitor global developments and work with international partners to build capabilities in nuclear safety and regulation, as part of efforts to study all potential pathways for decarbonisation,” the ministry said. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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South Asia
175,000 Afghan Migrants Returned from Pakistan in First Quarter of 2026, IOM Says
May 20, 2026
KABUL: International Organization for Migration said in a statement on Tuesday that 175,000 Afghan migrants returned from Pakistan to Afghanistan during the first three months of 2026.
According to the organization’s latest report, 98 percent of the returnees left Pakistan due to fear of arrest by Pakistani authorities.
The report stated that the majority of returning migrants entered Afghanistan through the Torkham border crossing.
The International Organization for Migration also noted that despite restrictions and periodic border closures between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the return process has continued at a high level.
The organization warned that the growing number of returnees has increased the need for humanitarian assistance, shelter, healthcare, and reintegration support for Afghan families returning to the country.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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Jamaat draws up initial structure of shadow cabinet
20 MAY 2026
Bangladesh Jamaat‑e‑Islami, opposition party, has moved closer to forming a shadow cabinet designed to offer constructive criticism of government decisions and present alternative policy proposals, say several senior leaders of the party.
The preliminary structure of a shadow cabinet, covering all ministries, has already been drawn up, they told The Daily Star recently. The party, however, has not yet made any announcement on the matter.
Alongside the party’s top leaders, policy experts, lawyers, university teachers, businesspeople and former bureaucrats were involved in drafting the structure.
Party leaders said they want to further assess the structure before rolling it out, as the concept is new in Bangladesh. Based on the outcome, an operational framework may be finalised ahead of the next parliamentary session beginning on June 7. If everything goes according to plan, the names of shadow cabinet members will be announced during the session.
Jamaat Assistant Secretary General AhsanulMahboobZubair, who heads its central publicity department, said, “Initially, there were discussions about forming it jointly [with alliance partners], but then we decided to proceed independently.”
According to the initial structure, each ministry-based team will consist of three to five members. Each team will be led by either a lawmaker, a senior party leader or an expert, he said.
“They will regularly hold seminars, symposiums, and press briefings on emerging issues. The shadow cabinet will not only offer constructive criticism but also provide suggestions and guidance to the government when necessary,” he said.
When asked why Jamaat is leaving its allies out of the shadow cabinet, Zubair said that such a decision stems from the nature of the initiative.
He explained that a coordinated, alliance-based approach was needed for the national election. “However, other matters -- such as local government issues or policy perspectives -- are shaped by each party’s own thoughts and priorities.
“We are working on this initiative with our own experts. Over time, we may consider whether a more coordinated format can be worked out.”
Maulana Abdul Halim, assistant secretary general and a member of Jamaat’s central executive council, said an announcement in this regard may come before the next session of the JatiyaSangsad.
The party chief will decide on the date, he added.
The concept of a shadow cabinet originates from the Westminster parliamentary system in the United Kingdom, where it is formally known as the shadow cabinet.
Under the system, the opposition monitors, critiques, and proposes policy alternatives to the government. It is aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in parliamentary democracy. Similar practices exist in other countries, including Australia and Canada.
Like the government’s cabinet, the shadow cabinet assigns members to specific portfolios, allowing them to oversee the corresponding ministries. However, it is not mandatory to mirror every ministry; the composition remains a strategic choice for the opposition.
In Bangladesh, the idea of forming a shadow cabinet gained attention soon after the February 12 parliamentary election in which the BNP emerged victorious with 209 seats. The Jamaat-led alliance won 77 seats, of which the Islamist party secured 68 seats alone.
On February 17, the day lawmakers were sworn in, Jamaat Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman posted on the party’s verified Facebook page, “As part of efforts to ensure accountability and transparency, we will form a shadow cabinet that will analyse all decisions taken in public interest, challenge them responsibly when needed, and strengthen the overall process.”
The BNP welcomed the move.
Speaking in parliament on April 30, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said, “There are two benefits of having a shadow cabinet -- it increases a sense of responsibility and offers the satisfaction of holding ministerial roles, albeit informally … As counterparts, we will exchange information, maintain communication, and engage in discussions.”
WHAT EXPERTS SAY
Sabbir Ahmed, a professor of political science at Dhaka University, said, “A shadow cabinet enables constructive engagement, enhances government accountability and makes the opposition’s role in parliamentary politics more effective.”
But for that, the opposition must have a strong internal unit capable of working consistently on various policy issues. At the same time, the government needs to adopt a cooperative approach, he observed.
“Whenever the government introduces a policy, the opposition can offer a counterproposal, fostering a competitive environment in policymaking that can ultimately improve policy quality.”
Political analyst AltafParvez said, “If a shadow cabinet functions properly, it can create space for fact-based discussions between relevant ministers and their counterparts.
“At present, much of political discourse revolves around rhetoric or historical debates, while critical contemporary issues -- ranging from agriculture to education to infrastructure -- receive little attention.”
A functioning shadow cabinet could bring these sectoral issues to the forefront of politics, making discourse more relevant to people’s everyday life, he added.
Source: thedailystar.net
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UN Launches $529 Million Plan for Afghan Returnees From Iran and Pakistan
By Fidel Rahmati
May 19, 2026
United Nations and humanitarian organizations on Tuesday launched a US$529 million response plan to support an estimated 2.7 million Afghan returnees expected to arrive from Iran and Pakistan between April and December 2026.
The new 2026 Response Plan for Afghan Returnees focuses on emergency border assistance and long-term reintegration support for Afghans returning to communities across Afghanistan.
UN officials said nearly 5.9 million Afghans have returned since September 2023, including 2.9 million in 2025 and another 600,000 during the first four months of 2026.
“This is not a short-term border event. It is a profound demographic and development challenge,” said TajudeenOyewale, warning that insufficient funding could increase poverty, displacement and social tensions.
The plan allocates about US$100 million for emergency aid at border crossings, including food, health care, cash support, transport and protection services.
Another US$428 million is aimed at helping returnees rebuild their lives through housing, education, healthcare, water access and livelihood support in 35 high-priority districts.
Oyewale said more than half of the returnees are women and children, many of whom were born outside Afghanistan and have limited connections to their areas of origin.
Iran and Pakistan have intensified deportations and returns of undocumented Afghans during the past two years, placing growing pressure on Afghanistan’s fragile economy and humanitarian system.
International aid agencies have repeatedly warned that Afghanistan is facing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with widespread unemployment, food insecurity and shrinking international assistance.
Aid organizations also warned that funding shortages could undermine emergency operations as large numbers of vulnerable Afghans continue arriving through major border crossings daily.
Source: khaama.com
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Former Afghanistan Minister Criticizes Clerics Over Muslim World Decline
By Fidel Rahmati
May 19, 2026
Abdul Bari Jahani, a former Afghanistan information minister and prominent Pashto poet, criticized religious clerics, saying they have played a major role in decline and divisions across Islamic societies.
Speaking in an interview with Sufi Podcast, Jahani said history, religion and Islamic texts themselves show that clerics have often contributed to conflict and social stagnation.
He also linked Afghanistan’s current crisis to the influence of religious leaders, saying the country’s longstanding problems were largely connected to their role in politics and society.
Afghanistan continues facing severe economic and humanitarian challenges, with millions of people dependent on international aid amid widespread unemployment, poverty and restrictions on public freedoms.
Religious clerics currently hold dominant influence across Afghanistan’s political and judicial institutions under Taliban rule, while critics argue that rigid religious governance has contributed to social isolation and deepening internal crises.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed wide-ranging restrictions on women, media, education and civil society, drawing criticism from Afghan activists, religious scholars and international organizations.
Critics of the Taliban say the group’s strict interpretation of Islam has deepened Afghanistan’s economic isolation, worsened social restrictions and contributed to growing concerns over human rights and governance.
Afghanistan has experienced decades of conflict, restrictions and political instability linked to the rise of extremist groups and hardline religious movements across the country.
Jahani is widely known in Afghanistan as the writer of the country’s former national anthem and as one of the best-known contemporary Pashto literary figures.
Debates over the role of clerics and religion in governance have remained highly sensitive in Afghanistan, where decades of war and political instability have frequently involved religious factions and militant movements.
Source: khaama.com
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Beradar Kicks Off Second Abu Ali SinaBalkhi National, International Exhibition in Kabul
May 20, 2026
KABUL: Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate, inaugurated the Second Abu Ali SinaBalkhi National and International Specialized Exhibition on Tuesday, highlighting the importance of strengthening Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical sector and supporting domestic production.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Beradar said significant progress has been made in Afghanistan’s medicine production sector and that a large portion of the country’s pharmaceutical needs is now being met through domestic manufacturing, according to a statement from the Office of the Deputy PM for Economic Affairs.
He stated that supporting local production is the most effective response to external pressure and economic sanctions, adding that the recent decline in medicine imports has contributed to the rapid growth of Afghanistan’s pharmaceutical industry.
The deputy PM emphasized that although progress has been made, further efforts are needed to standardize pharmaceutical factories and expand production in accordance with internationally accepted standards.
He also urged the public and health sector officials to trust and use locally produced medicines and called on medicine traders to avoid overpricing and hoarding.
The Deputy Prime Minister assured investors that the Islamic Emirate supports investment in Afghanistan and is working to simplify investment procedures and gradually establish electronic systems for investors.
Beradar further noted that the Islamic Emirate seeks not only to strengthen the domestic economy but also to expand regional and international economic relations, saying economic cooperation with neighboring and regional countries has increased.
Dozens of pharmaceutical factories are displaying their products at the four-day exhibition.
Officials said that 134 pharmaceutical factories are currently operating across Afghanistan, producing around 1,170 types of medicine. More than $450 million has been invested in the sector, which now supplies 38 percent of the country’s pharmaceutical needs, compared to 25 percent eight months ago.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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MawlaviJalali Holds Online Meeting with PLC Board and International Health Officials
May 20, 2026
KABUL: Mawlavi Noor Jalal Jalali, Minister of Public Health of the Islamic Emirate, in an online meeting with executive members, donors, and senior officials of the Polio Legacy Challenge (PLC) Board, discussed health cooperation.
The online meeting discussed ongoing cooperation aimed at strengthening Afghanistan’s healthcare system and intensifying efforts to eradicate polio, the ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
Participants also emphasized the importance of regular vaccination campaigns, community-based healthcare services, and enhancing the capacity of health workers across the country.
Minister Jalali expressed appreciation for the continued support and commitment of PLC partners and donors, stating that their cooperation has played an important role in improving access to essential healthcare services for vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, PLC representatives reaffirmed their support for continued collaboration with Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Health and stressed the importance of coordinated efforts to address various health challenges.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue close cooperation in advancing Afghanistan’s health priorities and strengthening the country’s healthcare system in the long term.
Officials from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, along with representatives of several international health organizations, also participated in the meeting.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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Afghan Delegation Attends Global Urban Forum in Azerbaijan
May 20, 2026
KABUL: MawlaviMatiulHaqKhalis, Director General of the National Environmental Protection Agency, and his accompanying delegation attended the World Urban Forum (WUF13) held in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The Afghan delegation is taking part in various technical and specialized sessions of the forum to share Afghanistan’s views and needs regarding environmental conditions, climate change, drought, air pollution, urban environmental challenges, and the importance of developing sustainable cities, the agency said in a statement on Tuesday.
The delegation is also expected to hold discussions on the sidelines of the forum with representatives of international organizations, aid agencies, and several countries to strengthen relations, exchange experiences, and attract joint cooperation in environmental protection and sustainable urban development.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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