Demolition Of At Least 14 Mosques, Dargahs In Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh Draws Opposition Criticism
New Age Islam News Bureau
22 June 2026
Wave of Mosque , Eidgaah, Mazar demolitions under BJP government in India.
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· Demolition of at least 14 mosques, dargahs in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh draws Opposition criticism
· Syrian security forces capture alleged Daesh bomb-maker linked to Al-Bukamal attacks
· Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Turkiye back US-Iran talks at Cairo meeting
· New Grand Mufti and Supreme Muslim Council Chairman Elected at National Conference
· 'You won't make it back to your country': Amid US-Iran talks, Trump warns Tehran against closing Strait of Hormuz
· ‘There Will Be Mass Killings, Bloodshed’ – Terrorist Threatens Adamawa Communities, Nigeria
· Malaysia and Bangladesh vow to push Asean for lasting Rohingya solution, engage Myanmar authorities directly
· Germany Plans More Deportation Flights to Afghanistan Despite Rights Concerns
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India
· UP-style scrutiny on unregistered madrasas over funding, curriculum in Bengal
· Owaisi urges Amit Shah to halt 'targeted' demolition of mosques in Rajasthan border districts
· We will go to war: Pakistan Defence Minister’s warning to India over Indus waters
· ‘No locus standi’: India rejects Pakistan President’s statement on Varanasi mosque notice
· J&K congress, youth leader criticise MP Shashi Tharoor’s ‘normalcy’ remarks after meeting LG Sinha
· Kolkata’s Suhrawardy Avenue renamed. But has BJP govt confused Hassan with Huseyn Suhrawardy?
· Protest on till Dharmendra Pradhan resigns: CJP founder Dipke tells NEET leak rally
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Mideast
· Israeli soldiers shoot dead two Palestinian teens in West Bank
· Israeli strikes leave Lebanon’s ancient coastal city of Tyre shaken
· Explosion as Qatar restarts gas export terminal hurts 54 and leaves 18 missing
· Israeli forces detain 7 Palestinians in Ramallah
· Mediators announce a new de-conflicting mechanism aimed at containing violence in Lebanon
· Syria president denies wanting to intervene in Lebanon after Trump remarks
· Syria arrests former general, 3 others in crackdown on Assad-era abuses
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Arab World
· Saudi Arabia highlights global support for vulnerable people on World Refugee Day
· GCC secretary general receives Iraqi ambassador to Saudi Arabia
· Makkah exhibition displays historic marble tiles from Grand Mosque
· Saudi Arabia enables access to academic results via Tawakkalna
· AlUla, UNESCO program safeguards living heritage
· Interactive map helps visitors explore Asir
· Milky Way illuminates Northern Borders skies at peak summer observing season
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Europe
· Central Bank of Azerbaijan and IFSB discuss strategic cooperation prospects
· Faith leaders unite against suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh
· CCTV shows moments leading up to arrest in anti-Muslim attacks probe
· At National Muslim Conference, Deputy PM Hristov Says All Bulgarians Share Goal of Nation's Unity, Well-being
· Fuel sales halted in occupied Crimea as Ukraine targets oil facilities
· Tributes to driver killed in Bedford train crash
· Zelensky doubles down on ultimatum to Russian ally
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North America
· 'Will hit harder': Trump threatens fresh military action against Iran amid Switzerland peace talks
· Only US could impose Hormuz tolls – Trump
· US-Iran talks in Switzerland: What is known so far?
· Trump threatens to sue NYT for ‘treason’ over Iran reporting
· ‘Anti-Hindu bigotry’: Tulsi Gabbard linked to ‘cult’ allegations in bombshell report as she exits DNI role
· 'Keir Starmer will resign': Donald Trump makes bold claim, accuses UK PM of 'failing badly' on 2 subjects
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Africa
· ‘Most Persecuted Faith’ – US Congressman Alleges Mass Anti-Christian Violence In Nigeria
· Bello Turji’s Alleged Acquisition Of Sophisticated Weapons Stirs Fresh Panic In North-West
· Heavy Losses As 265 Nigerien Troops Reportedly Killed In Coordinated Attacks
· Only Negotiation Door With Bandits Is Closed Permanently – Gumi
· Nigeria’s New High Commissioner Assumes Duty In Ghana
· We Are Ready For War – Bello Turji Sends Fresh Warning To FG
· ‘I Faced Spiritual Pressure’ – Gov. Diri Speaks On Choice Of New Deputy
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Southeast Asia
· Economy minister says inflation still moderate despite Hormuz disruption, but food and logistics costs under pressure
· Malaysia conveys condolences as ex-Timor-Leste president Francisco Guterres, 71, dies in Kuala Lumpur
· Deputy minister warns Sabah’s RM16 pig price surge piles pressure on pork traders and families
· Court in Ipoh sets July 1 for case involving woman accused of attacking Sultan Nazrin Shah
· PM Anwar stresses migrant welfare as Tarique seeks more jobs, both demand fairer recruitment process
· Azalina sets out seven reforms to separate powers and tighten Public Prosecutor accountability
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South Asia
· More Than 2,700 Afghans Return from Pakistan, Iran in a Single Day
· Tarique Rahman, Anwar Ibrahim hold one-to-one meeting
· ‘No one will benefit from me taking revenge’
· Union-level Shibir leader stabbed to death over school committee dispute in Gaibandha
· Abdul Ahad Momand, Afghanistan’s First Astronaut, Dies in Germany at 67
· Kabul, Tashkent Discuss Expanding Cooperation in Pharmaceutical Sector
· Kabul, Tehran Hold Talks on Health Cooperation
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
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Demolition of at least 14 mosques, dargahs in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh draws Opposition criticism
Jun 22, 2026
Wave of Mosque , Eidgaah, Mazar demolitions under BJP government in India.
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The demolition of at least 14 mosques and dargahs in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh has sparked a political row, with Opposition leaders alleging selective targeting of Muslim places of worship.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi said on Sunday that he had been informed by his party’s Bikaner unit that four masjids in the district, and nine mosques and dargahs in Rajasthan’s Phalodi, Jaisalmer and Barmer had also been demolished.
In Uttar Pradesh, the authorities last week demolished a mosque in Moradabad, alleging that it had been built illegally on gram sabha land. Separately, a notice was pasted on the wall of the Ganj Shahida mosque in Varanasi on June 12, alleging that it had been illegally constructed on railway land. The notice asked the mosque committee to vacate the premises by June 20, warning that the structure would be demolished, Maktoob Media reported.
Opposition leaders, including Congress’ Ashok Gehlot and Owaisi, have alleged that the demolitions disproportionately target Muslim religious sites.
Owaisi also alleged on social media that notices have been issued to hundreds of other religious sites, including the 250-year-old shrine of Hazrat Mahmood Shah Jilani in Jaisalmer.
“These demolitions are being justified on national security grounds,” the Hyderabad MP said. “However, none of the people in these areas have ever been involved in any such activities. Only Muslim places of worship are being targeted.”
He called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah to immediately stop the “discriminatory and targeted demolitions”.
Gehlot accused the Bharatiya Janata Party government in Rajasthan of targeting “historical religious sites that are several decades old” as part of “this coercive action”.
“Despite the presence of a diverse religious population in these sensitive areas along the India-Pakistan border, there has never been any communal tension in their history,” the former chief minister said. “Places of worship of all faiths here are interconnected and enjoy deep reverence among all sections of society.”
He said that there are several mosques and shrines in the area that have been cared for and maintained by the Hindu community for years. “The vocal opposition by local Hindus to this one-sided administrative action is itself a unique example of the deep communal harmony that exists here,” he said on social media.
The demolition “while specifically targeting one religion” appeared to be motivated by the objective of “creating political polarisation and disrupting the social fabric”, Gehlot said.
Since May, at least 23 Muslim religious structures have been demolished in Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, according to the Muslim Mirror.
On Saturday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs rejected comments made by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, saying that the remarks about the demolition of the Muslim religious sites in India were unwarranted.
Zardari had expressed concern about the demolitions, including that of Varanasi’s Ganj Shahida mosque, which he claimed was 1,000-year-old. He had urged India to stop the demolitions, “warning that they risk leading to the disintegration and perennial chaos” of India.
New Delhi said that Zardari had no locus standi, or a legal standing, to comment on matters that are internal to India.
The Indian ministry said that Zardari’s comments were “particularly absurd given Pakistan’s own abysmal record on human rights, which is a matter of global commentary”.
Pakistan’s “long history of systematically targeting and victimising minorities across various faiths is notorious”, the ministry spokesperson added.
The president’s remarks are a “deliberate political attack, driven by Pakistan’s national policies of bigotry and hatred”, New Delhi said.
Barmer demolition
On Thursday, a mosque in Malana village of Rajasthan’s Barmer district was bulldozed as part of a drive to remove allegedly illegal structures within a 15-km radius of India’s border with Pakistan.
During a meeting in Bikaner in May with district collectors and superintendents of police on border security, the Union home minister had directed the authorities to remove encroachments in the border areas, The Indian Express reported.
Following this, the administration in Barmer conducted a survey of the areas near the border to identify allegedly unauthorised structures.
The mosque in Malana was demolished as part of the drive, with the authorities claiming that it had been built on grazing land.
Maulvi Hasam Khan said that while the mosque had been constructed about two years ago, a madrasa had been functioning at the site since 2009, The Indian Express reported.
Khan said that the land had been classified as residential when the madrasa was built. He was quoted as having claimed that the madrasa had been issued a lease deed by the gram panchayat.
Uttar Pradesh demolition
On Wednesday, the authorities in Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad bulldozed a mosque that had been allegedly constructed illegally on land belonging to the gram sabha, PTI reported.
After verifying the land records and the ownership status, the administration found that the structure was allegedly unauthorised and initiated action following a legal process, the news agency reported.
The mosque was razed as part of a drive to remove alleged encroachments from government land.
Source: scroll.in
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Syrian security forces capture alleged Daesh bomb-maker linked to Al-Bukamal attacks
June 22, 2026
Among those seized by security officers from Akram Saleh Al-Hamad were ammunition, explosive belts, detonators and bomb-making materials, the Interior Ministry said. (SANA photo)
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DAMASCUS: The Syrian Arab Republic’s security forces have arrested an alleged Daesh explosives specialist in the east of the country during a joint operation by the Interior Ministry and General Intelligence Service.
In a statement carried by the Syrian Arab News Agency, the Interior Ministry identified the suspect as Akram Saleh Al-Hamad, whom it described as a key operative responsible for manufacturing explosives for Daesh operations in the country’s eastern region.
The ministry said preliminary investigations, including information obtained from previously detained members of the same cell, indicated that Al-Hamad was involved in producing improvised explosive devices and landmines used in attacks carried out by the militant group.
According to the ministry, Al-Hamad was linked to a motorcycle bomb attack in the city of Al-Bukamal, an explosive attack targeting a Syrian Arab Army vehicle, and the planting of a device intended to target a member of the Internal Security Forces.
Security personnel seized ammunition, explosive belts, detonators and other materials during the operation, the ministry said.
The arrest follows another operation in April in which Syrian authorities, working with the General Intelligence Service, detained members of a Daesh-affiliated cell in the Al-Safira area east of Aleppo.
The Interior Ministry said the operations form part of ongoing efforts to track down terrorist groups and dismantle their networks across Syria.
Persistent threat
Despite losing the last territory of its self-declared caliphate in Syria in 2019, Daesh continues to pose a security threat through sleeper cells operating mainly in eastern Syria and the vast Syrian Desert, or Badia, SANA reported.
Analysts and Western officials estimate that between 1,500 and 2,500 Daesh fighters remain active in Syria and Iraq, while roughly 10,000 are being held in detention facilities guarded largely by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that the combination of political instability, remote desert safe havens and the presence of thousands of detained militants continue to create opportunities for Daesh to regroup and launch attacks.
The group has shifted from governing territory to conducting insurgent operations, relying on bombings, ambushes and clandestine cells.
Counterterrorism officials have also expressed concern over the possibility of prison breaks involving detained Daesh fighters, particularly at facilities in northeastern Syria that house thousands of high-risk detainees.
Source: arabnews.com
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Turkiye back US-Iran talks at Cairo meeting
June 21, 2026
Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Turkiye reaffirmed their support for ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran during a meeting in Cairo on Sunday. (X/@KSAMOFA)
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CAIRO: Foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Turkiye reaffirmed their support for negotiations between the US and Iran during a meeting in Cairo on Sunday aimed at addressing regional tensions and promoting diplomatic efforts.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan joined Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan for the fourth meeting of the four-country consultation mechanism.
According to the Saudi Foreign Ministry, the ministers reviewed the latest regional developments and efforts to reduce tensions, including Pakistan’s mediation role following the memorandum of understanding signed between Washington and Tehran.
The ministers also discussed Israel’s military escalation in Lebanon and highlighted the importance of intensifying coordination and consultation to support diplomatic efforts aimed at containing the crisis and preventing further instability.
In a joint statement issued after the meeting, the four countries expressed their full support for the US-Iran negotiations and highlighted the importance of ensuring the success of the talks.
The ministers said progress in the negotiations would contribute to strengthening regional security and stability, while helping to reduce tensions across the Middle East.
They also emphasized the need to continue pursuing diplomatic solutions to regional conflicts and to work collectively to mitigate the repercussions of crises.
Later, the ministers were received by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi who welcomed the convening of the meeting and said that recent regional developments have highlighted the pivotal role of the Kingdom, Egypt, Pakistan and Turkiye as key pillars of regional stability and security.
He commended the intensive coordination among the four countries over the recent period and underscored the importance of continuing efforts to support the implementation of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding and ensuring the success of the negotiation process between the two sides.
Source: arabnews.com
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New Grand Mufti and Supreme Muslim Council Chairman Elected at National Conference
21.06.2026
National Muslim Conference elects Ahmed Hasanov as Grand Mufti of the Muslim denomination in Bulgaria, Sofia, June 21, 2026 (BTA Photo/Minko Chernev)
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Ahmed Hasanov was elected Grand Mufti and Mustafa Hadzhi Chairman of the Supreme Muslim Council at a National Muslim Conference held in Sofia on Sunday. Until now, Hasanov served as Deputy Grand Mufti, while Hadzhi was Grand Mufti.
There were two candidates for each position: Ahmed Hasanov and Supreme Muslim Council Chairman Vedat Ahmedov for Grand Mufti, and Mustafa Hadzhi and Murad Boshnak, the Regional Mufti of Pleven (Northern Bulgaria), for Supreme Muslim Council Chairman.
During the forum, Vedat Ahmed and Murad Boshnak withdrew their bids, citing disagreement with open voting.
Ahmed Hasanov and Mustafa Hadzhi were nominated by several regional mufti's offices, including Blagoevgrad, Varna, Kardzhali, Pazardzhik, Ruse and Silistra.
In an address to the conference, President Iliana Iotova said the forum is an expression of respect for the tradition of dialogue and for the democratic principles on which the work of religious communities in Bulgaria is based. "Over the years, the Muslim denomination has been an integral part of the spiritual life of the country, contributing to the preservation of faith, the strengthening of mutual respect among people, and the building of a society based on tolerance and empathy," the President added.
Addressing the National Muslim Conference, Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov said all Bulgarians, regardless of faith or origin, have equal rights and a shared goal - the unity and well-being of the nation. Religious freedoms are guaranteed in Bulgaria by the Constitution and the law, and the State does not interfere in any way in the life of religious communities," Hristov said, adding that this is one of the greatest achievements of Bulgaria's transition.
Ahmed Hasanov was born in Omurtag (Northeastern Bulgaria) in 1977. He completed his primary education in the village of Zelena Morava and secondary education at the Nuvvab religious school in the northeastern town of Shumen, according to the website of the Muslim denomination. He graduated from the Higher Islamic Institute in Sofia in 2002. In 2002-2003, he was an imam in Fandak mosque in Omurtag. He earned a Master's Degree in the Department of Basic Islamic Studies of the Social Sciences Institute at the University of Ankara. In 2008-2010, he was a vaiz (preacher) at Regional Mufti's Office in Targovishte (Northeastern Bulgaria). In 2010-2012, he was a teacher and Director of the Gul Training Center in Aalen, Baden-Wurttemberg.
Mustafa Hadzhi was born in the village of Draginovo, in the southern Pazardzhik Region, in 1962. He served as imam in his native village and later as Deputy Grand Mufti at the Grand Mufti's Office in Sofia. He graduated in theology from Jordan's Yarmouk University in 1997. He earned a master's degree from New Bulgarian University in Sofia and a doctorate from Marmara University in Istanbul. He first served as Grand Mufti in 1997-2000 and then between 2005 and 2026, becoming the longest serving Grand Mufti of the Muslim denomination in Bulgaria. He was Chairman of the Supreme Muslim Council in 2000-2003 and Rector of the Higher Islamic Institute in 2003-2005.
Source: bta.bg
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'You won't make it back to your country': Amid US-Iran talks, Trump warns Tehran against closing Strait of Hormuz
Jun 21, 2026
As the United States and Iran opened talks in Switzerland aimed at ending their war, US President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday that he had spoken overnight with Iranian officials and recounted an expletive-filled warning he allegedly delivered to them: if the Strait of Hormuz was shut again, they "wouldn't make it back to their f*****g country."
Read more: Click here for live updates
"You close it, and you won't have a country. You won't even make it back to your f***ing country," Trump told Fox News.
The US president also floated the possibility of Washington taking direct operational control of the Strait of Hormuz to safeguard maritime traffic and potentially impose transit charges on oil shipments passing through the strategic waterway.
"We may take over the Strait if we have to. I'll blow the sh*t out of them," he added.
Signalling possible economic measures if negotiations fail, Trump further warned: "If they don't make a deal, we'll collect tolls."
The Republican had arlier suggested that the United States could impose its own transit fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz if a comprehensive agreement with Iran is not reached within 60 days.
Iran has effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz since early March in response to the February 28 US-Israeli strikes that sparked the current conflict. Roughly a fifth of the world's crude oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, making any disruption there a major concern for global energy markets
Trump's remarks came in response to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's assertion earlier in the day that Tehran would not give up its right to enrich uranium — a key US demand — and that Washington would eventually have to accept that position.
Taking aim at Pezeshkian, Trump told Fox News: "He better watch his mouth. He better shape up, or we will take over the rest of the country."
The exchange unfolded as senior American and Iranian officials met in Switzerland on Sunday for their first face-to-face talks in more than 10 weeks. Iran's nuclear programme and efforts to prevent a wider regional conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon are at the heart of the negotiations.
US Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the American delegation, said Washington was prepared to "fundamentally transform" its relationship with Tehran if Iran agreed to stop being "a driver of regional instability".
Source: indiatimes.com
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‘There Will Be Mass Killings, Bloodshed’ – Terrorist Threatens Adamawa Communities, Nigeria
June 21, 2026
By Enioluwa Adeniyi
A suspected militant claiming to speak for the Chobo ethnic group has threatened night-time attacks on Bachama-speaking communities in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
In a viral video circulating on social media, the suspected militia leader claimed Chobo fighters had adopted what he called a “night mode operation.”
He allegedly said the fighters would move from village to village under the cover of darkness.
The man reportedly declared, “There will be mass killings, there will be mass bloodshed, there will be wailing across Bachama land.”
He also identified himself as a pastor and likened the Chobo ethnic group to Israel, saying the group would overcome its opponents despite its size.
The threat comes amid lingering tensions between Bachama and Chobo communities in Lamurde, where a land and communal crisis has led to deaths, displacement and destruction of property over the past year.
Despite several peace agreements brokered by authorities, hostilities have repeatedly resurfaced in the area.
In the video, the suspected militia leader also accused Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, of sponsoring Bachama fighters and fuelling the crisis.
The allegations were made without evidence and had not been independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
Source: naijanews.com
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Malaysia and Bangladesh vow to push Asean for lasting Rohingya solution, engage Myanmar authorities directly
22 Jun 2026
PUTRAJAYA, June 22 — Malaysia and Bangladesh will strengthen cooperation through Asean mechanisms to find a lasting solution to the longstanding Rohingya refugee issue, including engagement with Myanmar’s authorities, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said both countries share a strong commitment to resolving the plight of Rohingya refugees currently residing in Bangladesh and Malaysia.
Anwar said the two countries would work through the good offices of their respective foreign ministers and Asean platforms to engage with the Myanmar authorities.
“Through our common effort, (we will) try and work to resolve the predicament of refugees, Rohingyas, in Bangladesh and Malaysia through the good offices of the Foreign Minister and Asean mechanisms to engage with the Myanmar authorities, resolving part of the issue,” said Anwar during a joint press conference with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman here today.
Tarique expressed deep concern over the humanitarian situation faced by the Rohingya people sheltered in Bangladesh and thanked Malaysia for its continued support towards ensuring their safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.
He said Bangladesh looked forward to closer regional cooperation on several issues.
“I express deep concern for the Rohingya people sheltered in Bangladesh and thank Malaysia for its continued support for their safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar,” he said.
Earlier, Anwar and Tarique held bilateral talks to discuss the progress of Malaysia-Bangladesh relations and explore opportunities to further strengthen cooperation in key sectors, including trade and investment, human resource management, semiconductors, energy, agriculture and education.
They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The two leaders later witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cultural Cooperation, as well as two Exchanges of Notes (EoNs) on Counter-Terrorism Research and Investment Promotion and Facilitation.
Tarique arrived here last night for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Anwar, marking his first bilateral official visit abroad since assuming office in February 2026.
In 2025, total trade between Malaysia and Bangladesh reached RM12.18 billion (USD2.84 billion), with Malaysia’s exports valued at RM10.08 billion (USD2.35 billion), driven mainly by petroleum products. Imports from Bangladesh amounted to RM2.10 billion (USD0.50 billion), comprising primarily textiles, apparel and footwear.
Bangladesh was Malaysia’s 28th largest trading partner globally in 2025 and its second largest trading partner, export destination and source of imports in the South Asia region, after India. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Germany Plans More Deportation Flights to Afghanistan Despite Rights Concerns
By Fidel Rahmati
June 21, 2026
Germany plans to expand the deportation of Afghan nationals convicted of serious crimes, with authorities seeking to increase charter flights to Afghanistan to as many as three per month, according to German media reports.
The move would significantly accelerate Germany’s deportation program, with around 100 Afghan nationals currently in German prisons awaiting removal orders. German authorities said deportations would continue through both charter and regular commercial flights.
German media reported that the planned increase follows technical-level discussions between German officials and representatives of Taliban authorities. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said individuals convicted of serious crimes should be returned to their country of origin and that the policy would be implemented consistently.
The decision comes as Afghanistan continues to face one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. According to international aid agencies, millions of Afghans depend on humanitarian assistance, while economic hardship, unemployment and displacement remain widespread. Human rights organizations have also documented continuing restrictions on women and girls, including limits on education, employment and public participation.
The debate over deportations has intensified as neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran, continue large-scale returns of Afghan migrants. The International Organization for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have repeatedly called for returns to be voluntary, safe and dignified, warning that many returnees face difficult conditions upon arrival.
Advocacy groups have strongly criticized Germany’s policy. The refugee rights organization Pro Asyl argued that deportations risk legitimizing the Taliban administration and could expose returnees to serious human rights concerns.
The development coincides with broader efforts across Europe to tighten migration policies. The European Parliament recently approved tougher return rules, opening the way for the creation of migrant return hubs in third countries. Several European governments have backed proposals aimed at expanding deportation mechanisms and reducing irregular migration.
Supporters of the measures argue that individuals convicted of serious crimes should be removed from European countries, while critics warn that deportations to Afghanistan raise legal, humanitarian and human rights concerns given conditions on the ground. Human rights advocates say the policy risks returning people to a country where humanitarian needs remain acute and protections remain limited.
Source: khaama.com
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India
UP-style scrutiny on unregistered madrasas over funding, curriculum in Bengal
22.06.26
The BJP-led Bengal government has begun mapping the state’s unrecognised, unregistered and privately managed madrasas, and officials say institutions that refuse to share details of their funding, curriculum, teachers and student rolls could face sanctions — including closure orders and, where structures stand on government land, demolition.
“The previous governments never forced them to share their details as they did not want to disturb their vote bank,” said a senior state government official. The official spoke on condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to brief on sensitive matters.
“The new government would not hesitate to issue sanctions if these establishments don’t comply,” he added.
The government directed district magistrates on June 5 to prepare district-wise lists of such madrasas, along with affiliated and recognised but non-aided ones. The DMs have been asked to submit their reports by July 5.
Once the reports reach Nabanna, the authorities of unrecognised or privately run institutions will be asked to furnish details within a stipulated timeframe. Failure to do so will invite sanctions, sources aware of the development said.
The government could also set up a special investigation team to audit the revenue streams of non-compliant madrasas — a course of action that has precedent: an SIT formed by the Uttar Pradesh government recommended the closure of more than 8,000 unauthorised madrasas after their funding sources could not be established.
The scale of the task is formidable. No one in the current Bengal government can offer a reliable count of the unregistered and khariji madrasas operating in Bengal. A retired bureaucrat, however, said that an intelligence report from 2015 put the figure at around 11,000 across the state.
The security dimension lends the exercise particular urgency. After the 2014 Khagragarh blast in Burdwan, the National Investigation Agency claimed that terror organisations such as Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh were operating in
Bengal through certain khariji madrasas. The agency’s chargesheet alleged that militants were using these institutions to radicalise youths and even train women in violent jihadi ideology.
“Central agencies repeatedly send reports to Nabanna stating that cross-border groups could turn the khariji madrasas into breeding grounds of militants,” said a source.
Bengal’s madrasas fall into two broad categories. The first, formal madrasas, includes 628 state-aided institutions — 615 Bengali-medium and 13 English-medium — whose teachers’ salaries and development funds are paid by the state government, and which follow the state curriculum.
A second sub-group of 601 registered but unaided madrasas follows a state-approved curriculum but receives no direct aid, though it is eligible for MP and MLA local area development funds.
A third sub-group — unregistered and unaided — is classed as ”formal” because its curriculum broadly mirrors that of the recognised madrasas rather than being exclusively religion-based. It was this category that first surfaced when some of these institutions applied for recognition in 2012; how many more are operating today is precisely what the current survey hopes to establish.
The government-aided madrasas and the registered unaided madrasas, which are part of the first category, follow the curriculum of the West Bengal boards of secondary and higher secondary education. Additionally, they teach two subjects: Arabic and theology. Senior government officials said the curriculum of the government-aided and registered unaided madrasas offered a balanced blend of moral teaching-learning (theology and Islamic culture) and modern education (science and technology). The curriculum was modernised following recommendations fromthe Madrasa Education Committee, which then chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee set up in 2001 with Bengal’s former governor A.R. Kidwai at its helm.
The second broad category is the khariji madrasas: traditional Islamic seminaries functioning outside any formal board, managed mainly by mosque committees, waqf bodies and ulema networks. Their curriculum is oriented towards producing qualified moulavis, and most are aligned with specific schools of Islamic thought — Deobandi, Barelvi, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind or Ahle Hadis.
In the 141-page report submitted in 2002, Kidwai stressed the need for affiliation of unrecognised madrasas, but recommended that recognition should be granted to such institutions only if they met the standards laid down by the government.
While suggesting the formation of a special task force to promote madrasa education in the state, Kidwai had advocated upgrading the standard of the madrasa board to ensure that students passing from these institutions were eligible to appear in competitive examinations like the joint entrance.
The unrecognised madrasas had come under the radar of earlier governments too, but political considerations consistently blocked action. In 2002, then chief minister Bhattacharjee had stated — on the basis of intelligence reports, according to a retired bureaucrat who served in the administration at the time — that certain unrecognised madrasas in the border districts were operating as hubs for anti-national activities and potential ISI centres.
He was forced to retreat after Islamic organisations and Left Front allies turned on him, eventually claiming he had been misquoted.
The picture changed little under the Trinamool Congress. After coming to power in 2011, then chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her government would grant recognition to 10,000 madrasas across the state.
Officials acknowledge the move had a certain shrewdness to it: any madrasa applying for recognition would have to share its details with the government. In practice, only around 1,400 unrecognised madrasas applied, of which 235 were given recognition. A further 366 were recognised in the run-up to the 2026 elections, a move that originated from Mamata herself.
According to sources in the minority affairs and madrasa education department, the then chief minister wanted to recognise around 700 madrasas before the polls to send a signal to the minority electorate. The department proceeded cautiously, and after a thorough investigation found that only 366 met the bar: following the West Bengal board’s curriculum, possessing their own structures, and able to account for their funding.
The vast majority of unrecognised madrasas, however, chose not to apply at all — unwilling to open their books to the state.
Not everyone in the madrasa community is opposed to scrutiny. A political leader who runs a madrasa in Murshidabad told The Telegraph, on condition of anonymity, that while the state could not close madrasas arbitrarily, periodic checks were acceptable.
“We don’t need any recognition from the government to operate. But the government can check our curriculum, funding pattern and student welfare periodically. We are ready to cooperate — we have nothing to hide,”he said.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Owaisi urges Amit Shah to halt 'targeted' demolition of mosques in Rajasthan border districts
22 Jun 2026
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene and stop the "discriminatory and targeted" demolition of mosques, dargahs and other Muslim religious structures in Rajasthan's border districts.
The Hyderabad MP said he had spoken to AIMIM's Bikaner district president, Shafi Jameel Qasmi, who informed him that four mosques in Bikaner and nine mosques and dargahs in Phalodi, Jaisalmer and Barmer have already been demolished.
In a post on X, Owaisi alleged that the authorities were selectively targeting Muslim places of worship and warned that many more religious sites could face similar action.
"Notices have also reportedly been issued to hundreds of other religious sites. These demolitions are being justified on national security grounds. However, none of the people in these areas have ever been involved in any such activities. Only Muslim places of worship are being targeted."
According to Owaisi, officials initially claimed that some of the structures had been built on grazing land. However, he alleged that when documents showed certain sites were located on private property, the grounds for action shifted to alleged deficiencies in permissions or approvals.
Calling for immediate intervention, Owaisi tagged the Union Home Minister and said: "@Amit Shah, these discriminatory and targeted demolitions are illegal and must be stopped immediately."
Source: newindianexpress.com
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We will go to war: Pakistan Defence Minister’s warning to India over Indus waters
22 Jun 2026
Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Islamabad could resort to military action against India if it believes the country’s water security is under serious threat, escalating rhetoric amid the ongoing dispute over the Indus river system.
In an interview with ARY News, Asif said Pakistan considered water resources a part of its national security and would not hesitate to respond if it felt its access to river waters was being affected.
“The moment we feel that our national security, and water is part of our national security, is being threatened, we will go to war against India. Definitely,” Asif said.
He alleged that India was moving towards using water as a strategic instrument and claimed that any attempt to interfere with water flows meant for Pakistan would have serious consequences.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions over the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, a World Bank-mediated agreement that regulates the sharing of the Indus river system between India and Pakistan.
India placed the treaty in abeyance after the April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed. New Delhi accused Pakistan-backed terrorists of carrying out the attack and said the treaty would remain in abeyance until Islamabad takes credible and verifiable action against cross-border terrorism.
The development followed a series of strong statements from Indian leaders on the issue of river waters. Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil said India would ensure that its water resources were used in the national interest and asserted that “not a single drop” of India’s share of Indus waters should flow outside the country.
The Indus Waters Treaty has long been considered one of the most important agreements between the two neighbours. Under the pact, India has control over the eastern rivers, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, while Pakistan has rights over the western rivers — Indus, Jhelum and Chenab.
The western rivers are crucial for Pakistan’s agriculture and irrigation network, making any dispute over their flow politically and economically sensitive for Islamabad.
During the interview, Asif also claimed that Pakistan had previously conducted multiple inspections related to water-sharing arrangements and accused India of withholding information on river flows. However, he acknowledged that he was not aware of all developments that may have taken place over the past year.
Pakistan has repeatedly objected to India’s decision to keep the treaty in abeyance, arguing that any disruption to river flows could affect millions dependent on the Indus basin.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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‘No locus standi’: India rejects Pakistan President’s statement on Varanasi mosque notice
Jun 22, 2026
India has rejected Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s statement on Kashmir saying he has no locus standi to comment on internal matters of the country.
“India categorically rejects the unwarranted comments made by the President of Pakistan. He has, in any case, no locus standi to comment on matters that are internal to India,” the Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
“These comments are particularly absurd given Pakistan’s own abysmal record on human rights, which is a matter of global commentary,” Jaiswal said.
Pakistan’s “long history of systematically targeting and victimising minorities across various faiths is notorious”. “Given this reality, the President’s remarks can only be read as a deliberate political attack, driven by Pakistan’s national policies of bigotry and hatred,” he said.
The MEA’s response came after Zardari issued a statement on alleged demolitions and threats to historic Muslim religious sites in India.
In a statement posted on X, Zardari referred to the alleged demolition threats facing the historic Masjid Ganj Shaheeda in Varanasi and urged Indian authorities to halt such actions.
“President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep concern over the demolitions and threats to historic Muslim religious sites in India, including the 1,000-year-old Masjid Ganj Shaheeda in Varanasi. He asked India to immediately stop such actions, warning that they risk leading to the disintegration and perennial chaos of India. He called for an immediate halt to such actions and urged the protection of minority rights and shared cultural heritage,” the statement said.
India has consistently maintained that issues relating to domestic matters fall within its sovereign jurisdiction and has repeatedly rejected comments from Pakistan on such subjects.
Source: indianexpress.com
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J&K congress, youth leader criticise MP Shashi Tharoor’s ‘normalcy’ remarks after meeting LG Sinha
Fayaz Wani
22 Jun 2026
SRINAGAR: In an usual move, Jammu and Kashmir Congress has slammed the remarks of party’s senior leader and MP Shashi Tharoor that “there was encouraging progress towards normalcy” after his meeting with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in Srinagar.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor met J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar yesterday.
In the post on X, Tharoor said, “In Srinagar! Had the honour of an excellent meeting with Lieutenant-Governor Shri @manojsinha_ at Lok Bhavan today”.
“We discussed the situation in the state and the encouraging progress towards normalcy. When I arrived he was chatting to the President of the Kashmiri Writers’ Association and the Women’s Organisation — a positive outreach that I welcomed. Many challenges remain and much remains to be done, but I left the meeting feeling more positives than I have felt for a while,” he further said.
Surprisingly, the office of LG did not issue any official statement about the meeting.
J&K Congress spokesman Ravindra Sharma took to X to hit back at Tharoor over his remarks.
“People of Kashmir too were expecting you to meet them to have a better understanding of the ground realities. Atleast could've spared sometime to meet own partymen fighting for statehood snatched from us 7 years ago (sic),” Sharma said.
Youth leader and J&K Students Association national convenor Nasir Khuehami also slammed Congress MP saying it is deeply disappointing that a parliamentarian of Tharoor’s stature chose not to engage in any meaningful dialogue with the people whose voices have been consistently sidelined. “Kashmir deserves more than symbolic visits and carefully curated interactions”.
According to Khuehami, “India today is grappling with serious challenges; paper leaks, recruitment scams, examination fraud, rising unemployment, shrinking democratic spaces, and institutional erosion. Kashmir has, unfortunately, become a laboratory where many of these injustices have been experienced in their most acute form. Thousands of young people have seen their aspirations shattered by recruitment irregularities, scams and prolonged delays in public examinations, and the absence of meaningful political and democratic engagement.”
“Many Kashmiris genuinely hoped that your visit would provide an opportunity to listen to these concerns firsthand. We expected you to meet students, unemployed youth, civil society representatives, opposition leaders, and other stakeholders who continue to struggle with the realities on the ground. Instead, your interactions appeared selective, avoiding those who could have presented a more nuanced and uncomfortable picture of Kashmir,” he said.
The student leader said constructive dialogue cannot be confined to conversations that merely reinforce government narrative. “A responsible public representative must also engage with dissenting voices and those who have been denied a platform. Ignoring these perspectives does not make the problems disappear; it merely distances policymaking from reality.”
He reminded Tharoor that as a MP, “your responsibility extends beyond diplomatic messaging. Parliament is meant to be the voice of the unheard, the marginalized, the oppressed, and those denied justice. But meaningful advocacy begins with listening”. “Without engaging with people on the ground, the realities they live through inevitably remain invisible in the national discourse.”
“Your remarks about "normalcy and All is well" have left many Kashmiris like me wondering; whose normalcy are we speaking of? Can there be normalcy when democratic institutions remain weakened, political representation remains constrained, youth continue to battle unemployment and recruitment scams, and meaningful political dialogue remains absent? Normalcy cannot simply be measured by tourist arrivals or official narratives while fundamental political and constitutional questions remain unresolved,” he added.
“Kashmir does not need optics or carefully choreographed narratives. It needs empathy, engagement, honest dialogue, constitutional safeguards, democratic restoration, political representation, and sustained efforts towards reconciliation and healing!,” added Khueham
Source: newindianexpress.com
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Kolkata’s Suhrawardy Avenue renamed. But has BJP govt confused Hassan with Huseyn Suhrawardy?
Sweety Kumari
Jun 22, 2026
In a first since the BJP came to power in West Bengal, Kolkata’s Suhrawardy Avenue, a prominent arterial road in the city’s heart, has been renamed Gopal Mukherjee Road, after “Gopal Patha”, a polarising figure associated with the 1946 communal riots preceding India’s partition in 1947.
Welcoming the Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s move, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari called it a “historic decision” towards “rectifying a historical wrong”.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation, which is being run by IAS officer Smita Pandey after the resignation of TMC mayor Firhad Hakim, renamed Suhrawardy Avenue on Saturday on the occasion of Paschimbanga Divas.
In a post on social media, the chief minister wrote, “For decades, a major artery of our city bore the name of someone who wilfully misused state power as a weapon, orchestrating the massacre of innocent citizens for sheer political gain.”
Although Adhikari did not specify which Suhrawardy he was talking about in his post, it appeared to referred to Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, a Muslim League leader who was the Prime Minister of Bengal during the 1946 riots and later went on to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
However, historically, the road was never named after the controversial political leader, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy.
Instead, it was named after his uncle, Hassan Shaheed Suhrawardy – a highly regarded Bengali academic, diplomat, and art critic.
The public discourse surrounding Suhrawardy Avenue, which connects the Park Circus 7-Point Crossing to Don Bosco Circle, has frequently faced scrutiny and debate.
Nearly a decade ago, a wave of social media outrage erupted when an online right-wing outlet published a fiery piece titled, “It’s A Crying Shame That ‘The Butcher of Bengal’ has a road named after him in Kolkata. The article argued that the city shouldn’t be honouring Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, the political figure heavily blamed for enabling mass atrocities, violence, and displacement of the city’s Hindu population during the mid-1940s.
The Calcutta Municipal Gazette of March 1933 mentions that the Calcutta Municipal Corporation held a meeting on March 8, 1933 and decided to name Suhrawardy Avenue “the new (100 ft) road constructed by the C.I.T. (Calcutta Improvement Trust) from Park Circus to the junction of Kasaipara Lane (and lying north of the Park) on which stands the house of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, Vice-Chancellor of the Calcutta University”. The name of the road was notified through the Calcutta Municipal Gazette on April 20, 1933.
The street’s new name is after Gopal Chandra Mukherjee, also known as “Gopal Patha”, associated with the “Great Calcutta Killings” that began on August 16, 1946, following the call for “Direct Action Day” by the All-India Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Mukherjee, then a 33-year-old meat shop owner from College Street, mobilised local youths into an armed resistance unit later called the Bharater Jatiya Bahini (Indian National Force), and gained prominence for organising community defense measures during the peak of the riots.
“By renaming it (Suhrawardy Avenue) after Gopal Mukherjee, the fearless soul who stepped up as a protector-in-chief to defend and save thousands of innocent lives, finally, the restoration of historical justice will be achieved by honouring a true guardian and saviour. It’s time West Bengal remembers, corrects, and honours the Real Heroes,” Adhikari wrote on Sunday.
However, Opposition leaders slammed the move, saying that the BJP government was “overlooking historical facts”.
Congress leader Pawan Khera said the BJP leaders confused Hassan Suhrawardy with Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy. “These BJP leaders do not even know the difference between Hasan Suhrawardy and Huseyn Suhrawardy. Such is their ignorance,” he said in a social media post.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Hassan Suhrawardy had served as vice-chancellor of the University of Calcutta and was succeeded by Syama Prasad Mookerjee, arguing that the historical record was clear.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra, in a social media post, said, “Suhrawardy Avenue was named after Hassan Suhrawardy, Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University before Shyamaprasad Mookerjee. What cheap political points is the BJP trying to score? And Bengalis are buying this?.
The CPI(M) said the renaming was based on a “historically incorrect narrative” that the avenue had been named after Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy.
Source: indianexpress.com
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Protest on till Dharmendra Pradhan resigns: CJP founder Dipke tells NEET leak rally
Amiya Kumar Kushwaha
22.06.26
The protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar here on Saturday continued on Sunday, with supporters refusing to leave the venue till education minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns over exam lapses.
“The protest will continue tonight,” CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced on Sunday after holding forth through Saturday night despite Delhi police’s refusal to extend the 5pm deadline.
“I urge everyone to stage a sit-in near the stage, holding the Tricolour. I believe the Delhi police will not attack people holding the national flag. The police will not do anything that will bring shame and insult to the nation,” Dipke said, asserting that he is open to talks with the government, provided Pradhan steps down.
“If we leave the protest site without Pradhan’s resignation, we will not be able to face the family members of those students who committed suicide due to the NEET paper leak,” he said.
On Saturday, members and supporters of the online satirical platform made makeshift arrangements at the venue to sleep and rest. As the night progressed, they sang songs, recited poems and held discussions. Around midnight, Dipke announced that they would continue the protest on Sunday.
On Sunday morning, some protesters were seen playing cricket, while others were spotted exercising or enjoying morning tea sessions.
Later in the day, Dipke appealed to farmers across the country to come and stand with the students. “When farmers were fighting for their rights, students stood shoulder to shoulder with them. Students need the same solidarity today. Please join us at Jantar Mantar,” Dipke said.
Student organisations, including AISA, SFI, All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and Krantikari Yuva Sangathan, have joined the protest.
The AISF has opened a library from which protesters can collect books for free and return them after reading. The SFI is operating a fund-raising stall selling books, posters and bookmarks at a nominal price.
Vinod Notiyal, an engineer residing in Delhi, said he had come with his son, who could not appear in the NEET retest after failing to get a confirmed rail ticket to Lucknow, where his exam centre was located. “He does not want to leave the protest site. I keep coming back with food in between my work,” he said.
Sumitra, who came with her husband and 10-year-old daughter, was seen distributing Melody toffees, thrust into the limelight after Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted them to his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni.
“We have come for our daughter’s future. We have come for students of this country,” Sumitra said.
Source: telegraphindia.com
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Mideast
Israeli soldiers shoot dead two Palestinian teens in West Bank
June 22, 2026
RAMALLAH: Israeli ?soldiers shot dead two Palestinian teenagers in the occupied West Bank on Monday, Palestinian officials said, while the Israeli military said ?the two had attacked a nearby Jewish settlement with fire bombs and burning tires.
There was no immediate further comment from Palestinian officials about the fatal incident in the area of Beit Ummar. Official Palestinian news agency WAFA said the teens were aged 15 and 19 and a relative ?confirmed their ?ages to Reuters.
Reuters was ?unable ?to ?independently verify ?the ?Israeli military’s account. It said its forces had shot at three people who were throwing fire bombs and burning tires near the settlement Karmei Tzur.
One of the three was wounded and two killed, the military said. WAFA said the third person was hospitalized ?in a stable condition. The Palestinian Red ?Crescent Society (PRCS) said he is ?15 years old.
Israeli troops carry ?out frequent raids ?in the West Bank and have tightened movement restrictions ?in recent months on Palestinian villages that sit near settlements.
UN bodies and most countries view Israel’s settlements as illegal under international law and a primary obstacle to Palestinian ?statehood. Israel rejects this, viewing the territory as disputed rather than occupied and saying ?a ?Jewish presence has existed there for thousands of years.
Attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians and their villages have also risen sharply. In incidents involving settlers and the military, at least 57 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the year, according to UN data.
Palestinians have also carried out attacks on Israeli soldiers and settlers in the West Bank, at least one of them deadly in ?2026, according to ?Israel’s Shin Bet domestic security service.
Source: arabnews.com
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Israeli strikes leave Lebanon’s ancient coastal city of Tyre shaken
June 22, 2026
TYRE: The dust has barely settled in Tyre after weeks of Israeli airstrikes on the ancient city along Lebanon ‘s Mediterranean coast.
Despite the relative calm, life remains largely at a standstill.
A new ceasefire between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group is in effect. But previous ceasefires have broken down. Uncertainty and fear linger, even as the US and Iran meet for talks in Switzerland that Lebanese residents hope will bring calm to their troubled country.
Over 4,000 people in Lebanon have been killed in Israeli strikes since the latest Israel-Hezbollah war began in March, two days after the Iran war began, when Hezbollah fired at Israel. The group has also clashed with Israeli troops making their deepest incursion into southern Lebanon in over a quarter century.
Large swaths of southern Lebanon have been left in ruins, including Tyre.
‘Where is this truce?’
During the summer, Lebanon’s fourth largest city is usually filled with tourists lounging on its beaches, walking through its Roman ruins, eating freshly caught seafood at picturesque restaurants or taking boat tours.
Now, tables at the few restaurants that haven’t closed are empty. Parking lots that are usually packed with beachgoers’ vehicles are filled with displaced people living in tents. Fishermen and mariners say they can’t sail far from port for fear of being targeted.
“Every day they tell us there’s a truce or ceasefire. Where is this truce? We can’t see it,” said Ali Bazzi, 31, who lives alone on a tour boat that belongs to family friends. His home in Toura, several kilometers away, was destroyed by an Israeli strike.
Like many who have fled to Tyre from surrounding areas, he doesn’t dare return until he sees long-term calm.
For months, Bazzi has been sleeping on a mattress on the deck, and selling sandwiches at a small stand a few steps away to earn money.
Israel in early June warned the entirety of Tyre to leave before it launched intense airstrikes across the city, saying it was targeting Hezbollah.
But Bazzi stayed. He recalled the emptied, ghostly city and the cries of women and children as Israeli strikes began. And he said he woke one night to the sound of a drone hovering over the port and worried it had come for him.
Even as the new ceasefire appeared to be largely holding, Tyre residents still pause anxiously when they hear Israeli jets overhead.
Ancient heritage and environment were threatened
It seems at least one building has been reduced to rubble on every street. Others remain standing with several floors blown off.
Pictures of those killed, including paramedics, families, and Hezbollah militants, are posted as memorials on the ruins of buildings and dashboards of parked cars.
The city’s iconic heritage sites are not unscathed.
Several buildings next to the remains of a 2nd century citadel were struck. Debris knocked the crowns off some Roman columns and damaged stones on the Roman road that have existed for thousands of years. Employees hope the damage to the UNESCO World Heritage site can be repaired.
“We’re waiting for a committee to come and inspect it,” said Adnan Istanbuli, an employee at the Lebanese Directorate General of Antiquities. “The city of Tyre is 5,000 years old, and what happened to it is huge.”
Just south of the city, the shoreline in Mansouri, a well-known wildlife preserve for sea turtles and other animals, is now inaccessible after Israeli strikes. Mona Khalil, a well-known environmentalist who lived along that shore, died Friday from her wounds, weeks after a strike hit her home.
Hospital workers say they no longer feel safe
One of Tyre’s largest hospitals is repairing some of its units that were destroyed when an Israeli airstrike struck a building across the street.
Doctors at the Jabal Amel Hospital have lived through multiple wars over the past few decades but said this one is different. In the past, they felt relatively safe as long as they were in the hospital. This time, the Israeli strikes occurred nearby and without warning.
Doors and windows were blown off. Staff rushed to treat wounded patients and colleagues. Thick smoke filled the hospital.
“We used to be scared, but we’re a lot more scared now,” said intensive care unit nurse Khadeeja Yousef, whose unit overlooks the hospital parking lot, now reduced to rubble and charred cars.
Cardiologist Mohammad Nassar’s private clinic across the street was hit. Now he rummages through the debris, looking for hundreds of books he had collected for over three decades.
“I don’t care about any heart monitoring machines or anything else, but the books are dear to my heart,” he said.
People in Tyre are constantly reminded that prospects for long-term stability are unclear as negotiations continue between Israel and Lebanon in Washington, with Hezbollah playing no role and resisting efforts to disarm it.
Large swaths of land just south of the city are under Israeli control, stretching to the United Nations-mandated Blue Line that separates the countries. In recent days, smoke from distant Israeli artillery fire was visible from Tyre’s shoreline.
And on a distant hilltop, an Israeli flag could be seen.
Source: arabnews.com
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Explosion as Qatar restarts gas export terminal hurts 54 and leaves 18 missing
June 21, 2026
DUBAI: An explosion tore through Qatar’s key natural gas export terminal Sunday night as workers tried to resume operations there after Iran bombed it during the war, causing a fire that hurt at least 54 people as another 18 were still missing hours later.
The blast at the Ras Laffan industrial area could cause further chaos in global energy markets, particularly as Qatar remains one of the world’s top natural gas producers. Qatar shut down its production after Iran’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz meant it couldn’t get shipments out to its clients.
With Iran loosening its grip on the strait as negotiations continue over a permanent end to the war, Qatar began work to try to restart its export terminal. On Sunday night, that work sparked an explosion and fire at the Barzan gas supply facility, the state-run firm QatarEnergy said.
The scale of the damage remains unknown after the blast, with officials initially saying only a few people had been hurt. But hours later, Qatar’s Interior Ministry offered the far-greater casualty figures.
The Barzan plant had a capacity of almost 1.4 billion standard cubic feet of sales gas per day, which Qatar used primarily for local electricity generation and to power its crucial water desalination plants in the desert reaches of the Arabian Peninsula.
Qatar owns nearly all of the plant, with a small share also held by ExxonMobil. The oil company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In March, an Iranian missile hit Ras Laffan, sparking a fire that caused “extensive” damage before it was extinguished, authorities said. Qatar had already halted production there because of Iranian attacks.
Qatar shares its massive offshore natural gas field in the Arabian Gulf with Iran. That natural gas production has made Qatar wealthy. It has used that money to raise its profile worldwide through hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, creating the Al Jazeera news network and funding its work as an international mediator, including the talks in Switzerland between Iran and the United States.
Source: arabnews.com
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Israeli forces detain 7 Palestinians in Ramallah
June 21, 2026
RAMALLAH: Israeli forces detained seven Palestinians during predawn raids across several areas of the Ramallah governorate in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, according to local sources.
Sources said Israeli troops detained Bashir Al-Mukhtar, Amin Farah, Yahya Farah, Jamal Yasser, and Awad Jamal from the town of Dura Al-Qare’ north of Ramallah, as well as Mazen Al-Rantisi from the Al-Tireh neighborhood and Taysir Abu Sharbak from Al-Amari refugee camp in Al-Bireh.
The detentions took place after Israeli forces stormed and searched their homes.
Also on Sunday, a Palestinian man was injured after being assaulted by Israeli colonists during an attack on the village of Burqa, northwest of Nablus.
Emad Ahmad, director of the Palestinian Red Crescent’s Emergency and Ambulance Center in Nablus, said medical crews treated a 33-year-old Palestinian who sustained injuries and bruises after being attacked by Israeli colonists during the assault on the village.
The injured man received first aid at the scene before being transferred to a hospital for further treatment.
The attack comes amid an escalation in assaults by Israeli colonists on towns and villages across the Nablus governorate, including attacks on residents and their property, as well as the burning of agricultural lands and crops, often under the protection of Israeli forces.
A 9-year-old Palestinian child was injured with bruises on Sunday after an Israeli colonist attempted to run him over in the Bedouin community of Abu Falah in the Khan Al-Ahmar area, east of occupied Jerusalem.
The Jerusalem governorate said doctors present in Khan Al-Ahmar provided the child with medical treatment at the scene, describing his injury as minor.
The incidents come amid ongoing attacks and harassment by Israeli settlers targeting Palestinian communities in the West Bank.
Settlers on Sunday erected a tent on Palestinian-owned land in the village of Al-Rashayida, east of Bethlehem, under the protection of Israeli forces.
Dozens of colonists set up the tent on land belonging to local residents in a move aimed at seizing more Palestinian territory and expanding settlement activity in the area.
Residents of the village gathered at the site to protest the establishment of the settlement tent.
However, Israeli forces provided protection to the colonists and fired tear gas canisters at the protesters in an attempt to disperse them and prevent them from reaching their land.
Areas east of Bethlehem, particularly Bedouin and rural communities, have witnessed an escalation in attacks by Israeli colonists seeking to impose new realities on the ground through the establishment of settlement outposts and land seizures.
Source: arabnews.com
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Mediators announce a new de-conflicting mechanism aimed at containing violence in Lebanon
June 22, 2026
BURGENSTOCK: Iran and the United States agreed Monday to set up communications lines to end fighting in Lebanon, mediators said, after their first round of talks in Switzerland toward ending the war in the Middle East.
Mediators Pakistan and Qatar said the talks took place in “a positive and constructive atmosphere.”
“Encouraging progress has been made including the creation of a mechanism for further technical talks,” they said, detailing a contact channel set up to “avoid incidents and miscommunication” at the Strait of Hormuz.”
A “de-confliction cell,” between the parties and the Lebanese authorities has also been set up to prevent fighting from erupting again, they said.
Lebanon had been pitched into the conflict as Iran-allied Hezbollah attacked Israel over the war on Iran, prompting the Israelis’ bombardment of the neighboring country.
After a series of false starts, Washington and Tehran finally signed a memorandum of understanding toward ending the conflict that included a provision to end fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah.
“Tireless Pakistani and Qatari mediation has delivered major progress to end Lebanon War,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X after the talks in Switzerland.
“Oil and petrochem exports are waived, blockade lifted, some frozen assets released, and major reconstruction & development plan launched for Iran. 1st real test: Lebanon deconfliction cell,” he wrote.
The development came after a shaky start to the negotiations, with the Islamic Republic’s delegation walking out in response to US President Donald Trump’s threats to strike Iran over its support for Hezbollah Sunday.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648091/middle-east
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Syria president denies wanting to intervene in Lebanon after Trump remarks
June 22, 2026
DAMASCUS: Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa denied on Sunday that his country sought to intervene militarily in Lebanon where Israel and Hezbollah are at war, after US President Donald Trump repeatedly suggested Damascus could get involved.
“We are looking for economic channels between Lebanon and Syria, not military ones,” Sharaa said in an interview broadcast on television channel Al Mashhad.
On Sunday, Trump told Fox News he was “disappointed Israel can’t put Hezbollah away,” adding in reference to the fight against the militant group: “I’m close to giving it over to Syria.”
Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2 with rocket fire at Israel to avenge the killing of its backer Iran’s supreme leader in US-Israeli strikes days earlier.
Israel responded with airstrikes and a ground invasion.
An Iran-US deal signed this week on ending the regional conflict includes Lebanon, where fighting has paused since Saturday evening.
At the G7 summit in France this week, Trump also said “if Israel can’t do the job (against Hezbollah) without killing everyone else, then he (Sharaa) will do the job. Syria will do the job.”
Syria ‘greatly concerned’
Sharaa said in Sunday’s interview that “we proposed with the United States that the war must stop,” adding that “there must be various solutions, including economic, political and social, and the re-establishment of relations and the vital economic lifeline between Syria and Lebanon.”
“And alongside this, some security measures that respond firstly to Syrian and Lebanese concerns, and also Israeli concerns,” he added.
Hezbollah fought alongside longtime Syrian ruler Bashar Assad in his country’s civil war, making Sharaa and the new authorities who toppled the former leader in 2024 deeply hostile to to the group.
Syria had dominated its neighbor for decades following its military intervention in Lebanon’s 1975-1990 civil war, withdrawing only in 2005, making any new military involvement a fraught proposition.
Syria offers “many tools for having a positive impact within Lebanon, but this also depends primarily on Lebanon’s agreement,” Sharaa said.
“Syria is greatly concerned with Lebanon’s domestic situation because Lebanon’s security and stability are part of Syria’s security and stability,” he added.
Responding to a question about whether he would sit at the table with Hezbollah, Sharaa said that “if this serves Lebanon’s interests and safeguards Syria’s interests, why not?“
Earlier this month, Trump also told US broadcaster NBC that “I’d like to see a more surgical attack on Hezbollah... And we can help them with that, or we can recommend Syria,” he said, adding that Sharaa “would love to help.”
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648077/middle-east
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Syria arrests former general, 3 others in crackdown on Assad-era abuses
June 22, 2026
DAMASCUS: The Syrian Arabic Republic’s security forces have arrested a former military officer and three other individuals accused of crimes committed during the rule of former president Bashar Assad, as part of an expanding campaign against remnants of the deposed regime.
The Interior Ministry said security forces arrested retired Brig. Gen. Abdul Ghaffar Al-Hussein following surveillance of his movements, the Syrian Arab News Agency reported.
According to the ministry, preliminary investigations indicate that Al-Hussein was involved in violations during his command of the 66th Regiment and while overseeing a security checkpoint in Daraa province, where hundreds of residents were detained.
Authorities also accuse him of participating in military operations in several areas, and involvement in cases that led to the arrest and disappearance of civilians.
The ministry said investigations showed that after retiring in 2015, Al-Hussein allegedly became involved in corruption networks and the embezzlement of public funds through connections within administrative and service sectors.
In a separate announcement, the Interior Ministry said it had arrested three individuals accused of involvement in crimes against residents of Deir Ezzor province during the rule of the former regime.
The arrests are part of ongoing efforts to pursue those who committed crimes under Assad’s government, the ministry said, describing the campaign as consistent with principles of accountability, transitional justice and the rights of victims and their families.
The latest detentions come days after authorities announced the arrest of 10 former regime operatives in security operations across the Daraa, Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
According to the ministry, those detained included a former commander of the First Corps and former head of the security and military committee in southern Syria, a former guard at the notorious Saydnaya prison accused of abuses against detainees, and a former Republican Guard officer.
Earlier this week, security forces in Latakia arrested Osama Mahmoud Hamouda, a former non-commissioned officer accused of participating in violations against civilians and attempting to flee the country with the help of criminal networks.
Syrian Attorney General Hassan Al-Turba has said that prosecuting major offenders through the courts was essential to achieving transitional justice.
He said authorities are coordinating efforts to identify suspects, prevent their escape and pursue fugitives through international legal mechanisms while strengthening witness-protection measures and judicial capacity.
“Prosecuting major criminals is not merely a judicial procedure,” Al-Turba said.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648067/middle-east
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Arab World
Saudi Arabia highlights global support for vulnerable people on World Refugee Day
June 22, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia highlighted its expanding support for vulnerable people globally on World Refugee Day, with the Kingdom’s assistance reaching $23.761 billion as humanitarian programs continue across dozens of countries.
The latest effort came in the Gaza Strip, where the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief established a new camp on Saturday for displaced families north of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The camp is intended to provide safe shelter for families who have lost their homes amid the ongoing crisis. And responds to growing needs in displacement areas across southern Gaza, where thousands of people are living in temporary settlements with limited access to basic services.
Support for displaced communities
The Gaza initiative forms part of a broader Saudi humanitarian effort aimed at assisting refugees and displaced people within the Kingdom and abroad.
Marking World Refugee Day, observed annually on June 20, KSrelief said Saudi Arabia continues to be among the planet’s leading humanitarian donors, supporting vulnerable communities across multiple regions.
The Kingdom has also devoted significant resources to refugees residing within its borders by providing free healthcare and education, facilitating employment opportunities and promoting social integration.
Assistance provided to refugees from Yemen, Syria, the Rohingya minority and Sudan reached $20.430 billion as of 2026. Refugees account for approximately 5.5 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population, according to KSrelief.
Global humanitarian programs
Since its establishment in 2015, KSrelief has implemented 4,394 projects in 113 countries worth over $8.482 billion.
Its programs include establishing camps for displaced people, operating mobile medical clinics, distributing food and shelter assistance, and carrying out water, sanitation and health projects.
KSrelief said these efforts reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to extending assistance to vulnerable populations and helping communities affected by displacement, conflict and natural disasters.
World Refugee Day in Jordan
As part of World Refugee Day activities, the Saudi Community Service Center, affiliated with KSrelief, organized a series of educational and vocational events at Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp, home to thousands of Syrian refugees.
The education program included a silent play portraying the hardships faced by refugees in displacement camps, poetry recitals expressing hopes for a better future, and a puppet show highlighting the aspirations of children.
Training activities focused on resilience and self-reliance. Workshops organized by sewing, arts and embroidery departments demonstrated how fabrics and plastic bags could be recycled into useful products.
Also, a cooking workshop showcased the traditional preparation of tannour bread and highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648082/saudi-arabia
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GCC secretary general receives Iraqi ambassador to Saudi Arabia
June 21, 2026
RIYADH: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi received Ambassador of Iraq to the Kingdom Safia Taleb Al-Suhail at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh on Sunday.
During the meeting, they discussed relations between the council and Iraq, the General Secretariat said in a statement.
The two sides also reviewed topics of common interest and the latest developments in the regional and international arenas.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648053/saudi-arabia
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Makkah exhibition displays historic marble tiles from Grand Mosque
June 21, 2026
RIYADH: An exhibition in Makkah is displaying six historic tiles from the 19th century which once adorned the halls of the Grand Mosque.
These marble tiles, which date back to 1881 CE (1299 AH), feature elegant Arabic calligraphy and exceptional craftsmanship.
Their inscriptions bear the names of Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, and four of the Prophet’s companions: Abu Bakr Al-Siddique, Omar bin Al-Khattab, Othman bin Affan and Ali bin Abi Talib.
The Exhibition of the Two Holy Mosques Architecture is displaying the tiles alongside other historical artifacts from Islam’s two holiest sites, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
These artifacts once adorned the corridors of the Holy Mosque in Makkah and have since been carefully preserved as part of efforts to maintain the integrity of historic items.
The exhibition has been visited by researchers and others interested in the history of Islamic architecture, according to the SPA.
Other items on display include rare original collections of manuscripts and architectural elements from the history of the two holy mosques.
The 1,200 sq. meter exhibition takes visitors through the various stages of development, from the era of the Prophet Muhammed through successive Islamic periods to the modern Saudi era.
It shows how various reconstruction and expansion projects have made accommodations for the growing number of pilgrims and Umrah performers over the years, which exceeded 1.7 million during the peak Hajj season this year.
The preservation of the tiles shows the interest of the Saudi authorities to preserve the historical heritage of Islam and make it available to successive generations through exhibitions and dedicated visitor areas.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648037/saudi-arabia
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Saudi Arabia enables access to academic results via Tawakkalna
June 21, 2026
RIYADH: The Saudi Data and AI Authority, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, has enabled access to general education students’ academic results this year through the national unified app Tawakkalna.
The move aims to enhance digital transformation and facilitate access to educational services for parents and students through a secure and integrated digital platform, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
The service is part of ongoing integration between government entities and the provision of innovative technological solutions that facilitate the journey of beneficiaries, including citizens and residents.
It enables users to access services anytime and anywhere via the Tawakkalna app, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives to enhance digital transformation in the Kingdom.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648035/saudi-arabia
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AlUla, UNESCO program safeguards living heritage
June 21, 2026
RIYADH: The Royal Commission for AlUla, in partnership with UNESCO, continues to support the Rawi program, an initiative dedicated to safeguarding living heritage and fostering intercultural dialogue.
It does so by empowering the local community in AlUla to share its stories, knowledge, and cultural legacy with wider audiences both locally and internationally, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
This coincides with UNESCO’s hosting of the photography exhibition “I’m Rawi: Sharing Stories, Discovering Cultures” at its headquarters in Paris, France.
Running until Aug. 31, the exhibition highlights the stories and experiences of AlUla’s Rawis and their role in building bridges between cultures, communities, and generations.
The Rawi program is part of the strategic partnership between the Royal Commission for AlUla and UNESCO under the Social and Human Sciences program.
It promotes cultural exchange, strengthens local capacities, and highlights the role of communities in preserving and interpreting heritage, contributing to greater intercultural dialogue and understanding.
AlUla’s Rawis play a key role in preserving and sharing the region’s heritage through storytelling experiences that connect visitors with its history, culture, and natural landmarks.
Drawing on inherited knowledge and lived experience, they offer perspectives that reflect AlUla’s cultural identity.
The program is built around the concept of a “living museum,” strengthening the link between people, place, and heritage while enabling community members to share their narratives.
Since its launch, the Rawi program has become a platform for cultural exchange, fostering collaboration between AlUla and international heritage institutions and reinforcing its position as a global destination for culture and learning.
The program reflects the importance of international partnerships in supporting community empowerment and safeguarding heritage.
It also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and strengthens AlUla’s position as a leading global destination for culture and knowledge exchange.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648026/saudi-arabia
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Interactive map helps visitors explore Asir
June 21, 2026
ABHA: The Asir Development Authority has launched an interactive digital map that allows visitors to explore tourist destinations, events and experiences across the region’s governorates.
The map also provides updated information on tourism routes and activities, helping users plan their trips and discover available options.
The launch coincides with the start of the Asir Summer Season, inaugurated by the region's governor, Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz.
The season is being held with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and the Saudi Tourism Authority, in partnership with the National Events Center.
It aims to attract more than 3 million visitors through over 100 events and experiences across the region’s governorates and destinations. The program features cultural, artistic, entertainment, sports and family-oriented activities.
The interactive map is part of the authority’s efforts to enhance the visitor experience by providing easy access to information on tourist destinations, activities and events across the region. It can be accessed through the Discover Asir platform.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648020/saudi-arabia
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Milky Way illuminates Northern Borders skies at peak summer observing season
June 21, 2026
RIYADH: The Northern Borders region’s skies are illuminated during summer nights by the Milky Way’s arm, creating a striking celestial scene that stretches across the horizon as a faint luminous band dotted with millions of stars.
The phenomenon offers astronomy enthusiasts and photographers a unique opportunity to enjoy one of the year’s most spectacular celestial displays, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Astronomy and Space Club member Adnan Khalifa said mid-summer is among the best times to observe the Milky Way. During this period, the galaxy’s core and spiral arms become more visible at night, especially in desert areas far from light pollution.
Khalifa explained that the luminous band visible in the sky is part of the Milky Way galaxy, which contains hundreds of billions of stars.
He noted that Earth is located within one of the galaxy’s spiral arms, while its center appears near the southern horizon on summer nights. The view combines stars, nebulae, and star clusters in a remarkable celestial display.
Khalifa said that the visible section of the galaxy includes several prominent celestial formations and objects, most notably the Scorpius constellation, which is clearly visible during this period.
He also pointed to Antares, the bright red star at the heart of Scorpius, as one of the most distinctive features of the summer sky, alongside numerous nebulae and star clusters scattered across the galaxy.
Khalifa said that the clear atmosphere and vast open landscapes of the Northern Borders region enhance visibility, making it an ideal destination for astrophotography and astronomical observation during summer.
The appearance of the Milky Way in summer is one of the Kingdom’s most prominent seasonal astronomical phenomena. It attracts astronomy enthusiasts for its scientific and aesthetic significance and serves as a striking reminder of the scale and beauty of the universe.
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2648019/saudi-arabia
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Europe
Central Bank of Azerbaijan and IFSB discuss strategic cooperation prospects
22 June 2026
BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) and the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) have discussed prospects for cooperation, the CBA announced in a statement.
According to CBA, Aliyar Mammadyarov, First Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, met with Ghiath Shabsigh, Secretary-General of the Islamic Financial Services Board, who is visiting the country within the framework of the 51st Annual Meetings of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group.
"Within the framework of the meeting, the development dynamics of the financial sector were discussed, and an exchange of views took place on initiatives implemented toward expanding financial inclusion and increasing the sector's resilience," the statement noted.
During the meeting, cooperation prospects in areas of mutual interest were also reviewed.
More than 1,400 representatives from 60 countries participated in the 14th Private Sector Forum, organized within the framework of the 51st Annual Meetings of the IsDB Group held in Baku from June 16 to 19. During the forum, 32 agreements and memorandums of understanding with a total value exceeding $4.7 billion were signed, and more than 250 B2B and B2G meetings were held.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mikayil Jabbarov, Chairman of the IsDB Group Board of Governors and Minister of Economy, stated that Azerbaijan attaches great importance to its partnership with the IsDB Group. "Combining the country's investment potential with the financial capabilities, global experience, and extensive network of the IsDB Group opens new opportunities for projects that accelerate economic growth and create long-term benefits for the region," the minister emphasized.
IsDB Group President Muhammad Al Jasser noted that "the private sector is a leading force in the development process, and the Bank's main mission is to eliminate barriers, reduce risks, and create new opportunities."
Within the framework of the forum, financial institutions belonging to the IsDB Group presented their financial instruments for trade financing, investment insurance, export credits, and private sector financing to the participants.
In an exclusive interview with Trend, Khalid Khalafalla, CEO of the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) and Acting CEO of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), stated that Azerbaijan has the potential to become a regional hub in the field of Islamic finance. According to him, the country can become an important financial center, particularly in the sukuk market.
"Sukuk is one of our main products. ICD provides advisory services on sukuk issuances and supports capital raising. Meanwhile, ICIEC promotes a new product called sukuk insurance, which serves to upgrade the credit rating of sukuk and expand issuance opportunities," Khalid Khalafalla told Trend.
According to him, these financial instruments can expand Azerbaijan's access to international capital markets and further accelerate the country's regional and global financial integration.
https://www.trend.az/business/4200284.html
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Faith leaders unite against suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh
22 June 2026
By Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
Christian and Jewish leaders have condemned a series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh which left five people injured.
Rt Rev Gordon Kennedy said the Church of Scotland was "deeply troubled and appalled" by the attacks, which took place on Friday evening.
A 36-year-old white Scottish man has been arrested in connection with the incidents.
The Kirk moderator remarked: "Faith-based hate is racism; it is a sin that should have no home in Scotland. We stand in solidarity with our Muslim friends and neighbours at this distressing time.
“We pray God’s protection over them and ask that He prevents any seed of hatred from taking root in people’s hearts."
The Jewish Council of Scotland has also condemned the attacks.
Chair Timothy Lovat said: "The Jewish Council of Scotland is deeply troubled by the violent attacks that took place this past weekend on members of Edinburgh's Muslim community."
Two men were injured in the Sighthill area of Edinburgh around 8.50 pm on Friday, while three other men were allegedly attacked in the Telford Road and Leith Walk area.
Three men were taken to hospital. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.
Rev Kennedy remarked: "Edinburgh is a welcoming city. We are proud of the strong and long–standing relationships between all communities of faith in Edinburgh. Because of these deep and rich friendships, an attack on one community hurts us all.
“As disciples of Jesus we pray for our community and welcome those who come among us. We ask everyone in our churches to look out for their neighbours, challenge hate speech where they hear it, and to open our doors and hearts to show the love and grace of God to one another.”
Mr Lovat added: "Our solidarity is with everyone affected and with the wider Muslim community.
"Hatred directed at any community has no place in Scotland. We will not let acts like these define who we are. They stand against everything we work for: a Scotland where people of all faiths, and of none, can live as neighbours, in mutual respect and genuine friendship."
"We are deeply concerned by reports of a series of violent attacks across Edinburgh which have left several people injured, including members of the Muslim community. Our prayers are with all those affected and their families," the Scottish Association of Mosques said in a statement.
"To our communities: remain vigilant, but not alarmed, and take sensible precautions for your safety. Continue to look out for one another, report any suspicious or hostile behaviour, and do not allow those who seek to spread fear and division to succeed."
Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton remarked: "Officers responded to multiple reports of a fast-moving sequence of events across Edinburgh before arresting a man and public safety was our priority.
“Extensive work is ongoing to establish all the circumstances," she went on to say. "We are being supported by Counter Terrorism Policing and working under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
“I want to thank our officers who responded with bravery and professionalism, and with a focus on protecting the public."
First Minister John Swinney has pledged to meet with members of Edinburgh's Muslim community on Monday.
"There is no place for race-based or faith-based violence in Scotland," Mr Swinney said.
"My thoughts are with all who have been impacted – the victims but also the communities who are understandably anxious by what happened.
“We must all stand united in utter condemnation of the heinous attack that took place in Edinburgh. Anti-Muslim hatred is abhorrent, and we must not allow recent attempts to stoke fear to divide us."
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26214547.faith-leaders-unite-suspected-anti-muslim-attacks-edinburgh/
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CCTV shows moments leading up to arrest in anti-Muslim attacks probe
Mary McCool
22 June 2026
The BBC has obtained CCTV footage showing the moments leading up to the arrest of a man, following a number of suspected anti-Muslim attacks across Edinburgh.
A topless man can be seen in the footage driving erratically before abandoning his car and attacking a black man and a delivery rider, while smoking and wielding two large knives.
Police said five people in total were hurt in attacks at various locations across Edinburgh on Friday night and that counter-terrorism police had joined the probe.
Two of the injured men had attended prayer at Broomhouse mosque about half an hour before they were attacked.
The CCTV footage seen by the BBC shows a man swerving a dark car onto Leith Walk and straddling the vehicle across a cycle lane.
The man gets out of his car, topless, and runs towards a man on an e-bike before disappearing out of shot.
He returns to his car and gets inside briefly, before emerging and running towards a black man who has stepped off a tram.
The footage shows the topless man, with a cigarette in his mouth, repeatedly striking at the black man with two large knives in his hand.
The black man runs away and the bare-chested man gives up the chase, returning to batter the door of a pizzeria on Leith Walk while members of the public run away.
Minutes later, the man runs onto Leith Walk and attacks a delivery driver on an e-bike, who falls off his vehicle.
Police arrive on scene shortly afterwards and detain the man about five minutes after he first pulled up in the street.
Stabbing after prayer
Police said a total of five people were injured, four of them needing hospital treatment in a series of incidents that began at Broomhouse Mosque in the west of the city.
The force said none of the injuries sustained were believed to be life-threatening. Two of the injured men were aged 22, and others were aged 24, 27 and 39.
The 22-year-olds were sitting in Sighthill Park, near the mosque after the Asr prayers at about 20:00, when they were approached by a man.
They were taken to hospital and discharged on Saturday, having been stabbed multiple times.
One man, who is well-connected to Muslim communities in the west of Edinburgh, told the BBC his "heart dropped" when he heard the men were members of a congregation.
"It doesn't make sense that this is actually happening," he said. "You know how Edinburgh is, a very good community. I never thought that's a thing that would happen here."
Aaquil Hussain, a liaison officer who manages parking and safety issues at Broomhouse Mosque, said the attacks were an "affront to British values".
He told BBC Scotland News: "We understand that these attacks do not represent the vast majority of the city and Scotland and the United Kingdom.
"We're proud to live in Edinburgh. We will get on with it, this will pass. We are shook but we are resilient."
However, Hussain added that the community wanted the UK government to tackle "extremism" which had led to people "buying into propaganda which was absolutely false".
It is thought the attacker travelled from Sighthill to the Shell petrol station on Telford Road, where a taxi driver was confronted, his car vandalised and an axe was thrown through the vehicle's window.
Various other videos of incidents have been posted on social media, showing a man causing disorder at other locations.
A man was captured on CCTV at the BP petrol station on Ferry Road standing beside a black vehicle with its windscreen smashed.
He then enters the petrol station's shop and wanders around several times before pushing multiple shelves over and scattering items on the floor.
In another video, a police officer can be seen holding a topless man on the ground, who then swears and shouts that he is "protecting the country".
Police Scotland said officers equipped with Tasers confronted and detained a 36-year-old man – though did not discharge their devices. He has since been charged.
Asst Ch Con Paton said was a "shocking attack".
She said: "I want to send a clear message of support to all our communities that there is no place for racism or faith-based hate in a Scotland which is at its best when we stand together."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attacks, saying the suspect appeared to be motivated by "anti-Muslim hatred", while First Minister John Swinney said there was "no place for violence, racism or intolerance in our country".
Swinney is expected to meet members of the local Muslim community on Monday.
Scotland 'not immune'
The Edinburgh incidents came at a fraught time in the UK following multiple instances of disorder and unrest.
On Saturday hundreds of people turned out in Birmingham to carry out a counter-protest to a Britain First march.
Three women were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer.
Flag-carrying Britain First supporters were told by their leader, Paul Golding, that they were calling for the "mass deportations of foreigners".
In June Hadi Alodid, from Sudan, was charged with the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie in Belfast.
A number of demonstrations were held across the UK the following day, heavily promoted by a number of far-right figures.
There was significant disorder in the Northern Irish capital – including bricks being thrown at police and properties being vandalised and set on fire.
The same week five people, including two police officers, were hurt in racist attacks in Glasgow as hundreds of masked people marched through the city centre.
Police said people were being "attacked because of the colour of their skin".
At one stage worshippers in Glasgow Central Mosque had to be locked in the building as the marchers appeared to be heading towards the place of worship.
On the latest scenes in Edinburgh, Justice Secretary Neil Gray called the attacks "absolutely appalling" and praised police for their efforts.
He told BBC Scotland News: "This serves to underline why religious and race based hatred and division cannot be tolerated in Scotland."
Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Russell Findlay said the scenes were "truly horrific" and that faith-based attacks had "absolutely no place in our country".
Labour MP for Glasgow South Zubir Ahmed told BBC Scotland's Sunday Show it was a "disgusting and disturbing attack" and said it was a reminder that Scotland was "not immune to these dark forces of hatred".
A joint statement from four Green MSPs representing Edinburgh said: "Many people across our city will be feeling shocked and frightened.
"Our Muslim communities in particular will be feeling a lot of anxiety and hurt. Our hearts and solidarity are with them, and with everyone who has been made to feel less safe."
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8j21zvkd20o
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At National Muslim Conference, Deputy PM Hristov Says All Bulgarians Share Goal of Nation's Unity, Well-being
21.06.2026
Addressing the National Muslim Conference in Sofia on Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Ivo Hristov said all Bulgarians, regardless of faith or origin, have equal rights and a shared goal - the unity and well-being of the nation.
"Dear brothers and sisters, Bulgarian Muslims, religious freedoms are guaranteed in Bulgaria by the Constitution and the law, and the State does not interfere in any way in the life of religious communities," Hristov said, adding that this is one of the greatest achievements of Bulgaria's transition.
"The passions that arose here at the beginning of this conference are healed with wisdom and democracy," he said, referring to disputes among delegates over whether the vote should be open or secret.
"You are the wise of the Muslim community gathered here, and I believe you will choose the most worthy leader and make the right decisions. Do not allow politics to disrupt the unity of your community," he added.
The conference is to elect a new Grand Mufti and a new leadership of the Muslim Denomination in Bulgaria. More than 1,000 delegates, elected by local Muslim communities from across the country, are taking part in the forum.
There are two candidates for Grand Mufti: the present Supreme Muslim Council Chairman Vedat Ahmed and Deputy Grand Mufti Ahmed Hasanov.
There are also two candidates for Chairperson of the Supreme Muslim Council: the present Grand Mufti Mustafa Hadzhi and Murad Boshnak, the Regional Mufti of Pleven (Northern Bulgaria).
https://www.bta.bg/en/news/bulgaria/1151970-at-national-muslim-conference-deputy-pm-hristov-says-all-bulgarians-share-goal-
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Fuel sales halted in occupied Crimea as Ukraine targets oil facilities
22 June 2026
Nick Beake
Russian-backed authorities have suspended fuel sales to the public in the occupied region of Crimea as Ukraine continues its attacks on the peninsula.
Fuel had already been rationed due to shortages caused by Ukraine's recent campaign against supply routes in Russian-occupied territories.
Governor Sergey Aksyonov said individuals and businesses would be turned away from petrol stations, and fuel would only be sold to government agencies ensuring Crimea's "functioning and security".
Earlier, he said four people had been killed and 28 injured by a Ukrainian drone attack on an oil depot in Kerch overnight - which President Volodymyr Zelensky called a "just response to Russia's brutal attacks".
Crimea - which Russia illegally annexed in 2014 - has been experiencing logistical difficulties and shortages, but this appears to be its most significant fuel restriction so far.
"Further decisions regarding the current situation in the republic's fuel market will be announced at a later date," Aksyonov said.
Zelensky said Kyiv had also hit a logistics facility for oil transportation in Russia's Krasnodar region, which lies adjacent to Crimea across the Kerch Strait. Local authorities said one person had been killed on a passenger ferry.
Military logistics facilities and radar systems were also struck, the president said, without specifying where.
"Russia understands only strength, and our long-range strength is certainly working for peace," he said in a statement posted on X.
Zelensky added at least seven people had been killed in Russian attacks over the weekend, with children among more than 30 injured.
Russia's defence ministry said 239 Ukrainian drones had been shot down overnight.
Crimea is a strategically important location from which Moscow's forces have launched strikes towards the rest of Ukraine.
It is also a popular summer holiday destination for Russians - some of whom have reported struggling to find petrol to return home.
Both sides have escalated attacks in recent months as progress towards a ceasefire has stalled more than four years on from Russia's full-scale invasion.
Kyiv's focus has been to choke off revenue for Moscow's war chest by hitting its fuel export.
But it also wants to undermine the Russian war effort and maximise disruption for its population, in the hopes of applying pressure on President Vladimir Putin and bringing him to the negotiating table.
So far, however, there is little sign he is ready to talk, having rebuked Zelensky's request for face-to-face talks in early June.
In the four years since Russia's invasion began, Ukraine has developed a booming defence sector. It has rapidly developed its mid-and long-range drone capabilities and is now offering advice and expertise to allies around the world.
But this success is a double-edged sword.
For every strike that gets through - and embarrasses Putin - there is an inevitable reply.
Specks of black oil rained down on Moscow on Thursday after Ukraine struck an oil refinery in its largest attack of the full-scale war so far.
The people of Kyiv and beyond are now bracing themselves for Russia's response.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyx2lk9d15o
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Tributes to driver killed in Bedford train crash
22 June 2026
Danny Fullbrook
The family of the driver killed in the Bedford train crash have said they are devastated by his death, while a union leader has called it heartbreaking.
Shaun Burton, 60, died following Friday's collision between two London-bound services, in which 100 people were injured.
In a tribute released by British Transport Police (BTP), his family said: "We are devastated by his loss. Our thoughts are also with those affected by this incident."
Dave Calfe, general secretary of train driver union Aslef, said: "We are all heartbroken by the death of Shaun Burton, which leaves a hole in the lives of his family, friends and colleagues that will never be filled."
He said Burton had joined the railway "relatively late in life", having worked on buses and coaches before becoming a train driver seven years ago.
"He was dedicated to the job, devoted to his colleagues and enormously popular at his depot," Calfe continued.
"The railway family grieves his passing; no-one should go off to work in the morning and not come home."
Will Rogers, managing director of East Midlands Railway (EMR), described Burton as a "well-respected colleague" and a "dedicated railway professional".
"Shaun was known for his quick-wit, kind, generous, and intelligent nature, and for always having a smile on his face," he said.
A major incident was declared when two EMR services to London St Pancras collided at 17:15 BST, just south of Elstow, near the road interchange of the A421 and A6.
Eleven people were very seriously injured, a further 32 were described as injured and 57 had minor injuries, East of England Ambulance Service confirmed.
Police said 28 people remained in hospital, including nine in a critical condition.
The two trains involved were the 16:40 from Corby in Northamptonshire and the 15:50 service from Nottingham.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch, which is working with British Transport Police to establish the circumstances of the crash, expects to provide an update in the coming days.
Trains have been disrupted since the incident, with EMR suspending services to and from London St Pancras over the weekend.
Thameslink has urged passengers to travel only if necessary.
Network Rail said the line between Bedford and Luton was expected to remain closed until 28 June while repair work and investigations continued.
Brett Byatt, who had been travelling to St Pancras from Bedford when the crash occurred, said other passengers "went flying into one another" after the collision.
He told BBC Breakfast he heard a "boom" followed by "shrieks and groans of pain" after the collision.
Network Rail said a "complex recovery operation" had begun to remove the damaged trains from the railway.
Engineers have started to build a temporary access road to allow them to use two 110-tonne rail-mounted cranes to lift the vehicles from the site.
Before that can be done, engineers must first dismantle the overhead power lines.
Once the trains have been removed, engineers will assess and repair any damage to the track before reinstating the overhead lines and carrying out final safety checks ahead of reopening the route.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c621n4l5qr6o
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Zelensky doubles down on ultimatum to Russian ally
22 Jun, 2026
The Ukrainian military will bomb Belarusian communication towers along the 1,000-kilometer border unless President Alexander Lukashenko takes them offline and “proves” that he is not aiding Russia, Vladimir Zelensky said on Sunday.
Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has largely stayed out of the Ukraine conflict since 2022, while calling on Moscow and Kiev to engage in dialogue. However, over the past few weeks, Zelensky has ramped up his rhetoric about the alleged threat posed by Belarus – and has threatened it with a preemptive strike.
“At the intelligence and military levels, Belarus received a message: stop helping the Russians. The issue with the relay stations has been ongoing for a long time,” Zelensky said in a post on X on Sunday, reiterating his claim that the communication towers are being used by Russia to coordinate drone strikes.
Lukashenko has repeatedly stated that Belarus has no intention of waging war against any nation and “is not threatening anyone,” but Zelensky said his words have “meant nothing since the first day of the war.”
“If he does not remove them, we will remove everything ourselves. Similarly, we’re sending a message: please stop supplying fuel to the Russian army,” he added, insisting that this is not a threat.
Earlier this week, Lukashenko stated that those who seek to drag his nation into the conflict “will have to pay dearly for that,” demanding answers from Kiev regarding the strike on Bryansk Region, Russia that left six children injured and killed the wife of a Belarusian school soccer team coach who was accompanying the children to a Russian seaside resort.
Kiev has denied responsibility, while Zelensky said on Friday that it is Lukashenko who must “be honest” and prove Minsk’s peaceful intentions.
Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said it makes absolutely “no sense” for the country of 9 million people, which borders three NATO member states, to willingly join the conflict unless attacked first.
Besides the relay stations, Kiev has also identified and mapped out 500 other strategic military and logistical targets across Belarus, the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces warned last month.
“They may well have identified 500 targets,” Lukashenko said in response. “But we have one very serious target, with precise coordinates. And it is not far from Belarus,” he added, apparently hinting at Kiev, which is just 90 kilometers from the border.
https://www.rt.com/news/641947-zelensky-belarus-lukashenko-ultimatum/
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North America
'Will hit harder': Trump threatens fresh military action against Iran amid Switzerland peace talks
Jun 21, 2026
US President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran "harder" if it continued backing groups that, according to Washington, are destabilising Lebanon, prompting a sharp response from Tehran, whose chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Iran would not be intimidated by US threats and that its armed forces were prepared to respond.
The exchange came as US and Iranian delegations met in Switzerland for talks aimed at easing regional tensions, with both sides discussing the implementation of a recently finalised memorandum of understanding under Qatari mediation.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, "Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!"
Trump Truth post
The US president accused Tehran of using proxy groups to destabilise the region and linked Iran to the latest escalation in southern Lebanon. His remarks appeared to reference recent US military action against Iranian targets and ongoing hostilities involving Hezbollah and Israel.
Trump's warning came amid a fresh round of diplomatic engagement in Switzerland, where Iranian and American delegations held four-party negotiations with the participation of Qatari mediators. According to reports, the two sides engaged in technical discussions concerning the memorandum of understanding that was digitally signed on Friday.
Following the meeting, US Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about efforts to preserve stability in Lebanon and said progress had been made in maintaining the ceasefire.
"We've seen great progress over the last couple of days in ensuring the ceasefire in Lebanon holds," Vance told Swiss media.
Iran rejects US threats
Responding to Trump's remarks, Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed the US president's warning and said Tehran would not alter its position under pressure.
"Don't they think that if their threats had any effect, they would not have reached today's state of desperation? We do not take American threats into account," Ghalibaf said.
He further warned Washington against escalating its rhetoric, saying, "They would do better to be careful with their statements; our armed forces are ready to respond to them in a different manner. No matter what they say, we are the ones who act."
The comments underscored the continued tensions between the two countries despite ongoing diplomatic efforts and raised questions about the prospects for de-escalation in the region.
Lebanon ceasefire under strain
The war of words unfolded against the backdrop of renewed violence in Lebanon. Iran once again closed the Strait of Hormuz following Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon that reportedly killed more than 25 people on Saturday.
In response, Hezbollah launched attacks against Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) positions, saying it would retaliate against what it described as "hostilities from the enemy."
Israel and Lebanon remain bound by a fragile ceasefire agreement. While both sides have publicly reaffirmed their commitment to the truce, each has repeatedly accused the other of violating its terms.
The latest escalation and the sharp exchange between Washington and Tehran have added further uncertainty to efforts to stabilise the region, even as diplomats continue negotiations in Switzerland.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/will-hit-harder-trump-threatens-fresh-military-action-against-iran-amid-switzerland-peace-talks/articleshowprint/131893832.cms
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Only US could impose Hormuz tolls – Trump
21 Jun, 2026
No tolls would be charged for transit through the Strait of Hormuz during or after the 60-day ceasefire period agreed by Washington and Tehran, unless they are levied by the United States itself, US President Donald Trump has stated.
The remarks came as US and Iranian delegations were preparing to meet in Switzerland on Sunday for negotiations aimed at turning the interim agreement into a broader settlement covering regional security issues and Iran’s nuclear program.
“There will be NO TOLLS in the Hormuz Strait for 60 days during the Cease Fire Period, and there will be NO TOLLS after the 60 day period has expired, unless they are imposed by and for the United States of America, should the deal not be completed,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday.
The US president also said any that future charges would be justified as compensation for America’s role in safeguarding maritime traffic in the region.
The statement appeared to reject Tehran’s reported proposal to charge ships for transit, insurance, navigation, or other maritime services after the current negotiating period expires. Reports earlier in the crisis claimed that some vessels had already been required to make payments under wartime traffic-control measures.
A clause in the memorandum of understanding, published by Fars news agency, appears to give Iran a formal role in shaping the post-ceasefire regime in the Strait of Hormuz. The text states that Tehran will consult with Oman on the “future administration and maritime services” in the waterway and exchange views with other Gulf littoral states.
The Strait of Hormuz has become a key issue in the talks because the interim understanding reopened the waterway for the duration of the talks. The route handles roughly a fifth of global petroleum consumption and remains the world’s most important oil-shipping chokepoint, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
US Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland on Sunday for talks with Iranian officials. The US delegation also includes special envoy Steve Witkoff and former senior adviser Jared Kushner, while Tehran is represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/641924-trump-hormuz-fees-iran-talks/
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US-Iran talks in Switzerland: What is known so far?
21 Jun, 2026
Negotiations between the US and Iran mediated by Qatar and Pakistan commenced on Sunday in the Swiss lake resort of Burgenstock. The meeting is the first round of talks aimed at reaching a final settlement to the war in line with a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this week.
The US was represented by Vice President J.D. Vance and President Donald Trump’s special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The Iranian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf, included the head of the Iranian central bank, the deputy oil minister, and the chairman of the National Iranian Oil Company.
The talks were initially scheduled for Friday but were postponed after Israeli attacks on Lebanon. According to Mehr news agency, Sunday’s negotiations were halted 80 minutes into the meeting after Trump threatened to “hit Iran very hard again.”
What does the joint statement say?
There was no joint declaration by the US and Iran, which conducted the talks through intermediaries, but the mediators – Pakistan and Qatar – said the Lake Lucerne Summit was held in a “positive and constructive atmosphere” and produced “encouraging progress.”
The parties agreed on a 60-day roadmap toward a final deal, the start of further technical talks, and a communications line to prevent incidents in the Strait of Hormuz. The mediators also announced a Lebanon deconfliction cell to help ensure adherence to the termination of military operations under the memorandum.
The sides also agreed to establish a High Level Committee to oversee the process. Chief negotiators will report regularly to the committee and lead working groups focused on nuclear issues, sanctions, implementation monitoring, dispute resolution, and “other matters.”
What does Iran say?
According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei, the talks focused on ending the conflict between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as lifting sanctions on Iranian oil exports and releasing its frozen funds.
Hamid Bovard, the CEO of the Iranian state oil company, told IRIB news agency that the issue of oil exports was being “seriously pursued” at the meeting, adding that “nearly half of the country’s monthly oil exports have been shipped abroad” in recent days. A member of the negotiating team also reportedly stated that a draft proposal on temporary sanctions waivers for Iranian oil and its derivatives was completed.
What triggered the Iranian backlash?
Earlier on Sunday, Trump demanded that Iran rein in Hezbollah, warning that the US would “hit Iran very hard again” otherwise.
“Iran must immediately stop their… proxies in Lebanon from causing trouble,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Ghalibaf hit back in a post on X: “Don’t they think to themselves that if their threats had any effect, they wouldn’t have reached the point of despair today?” He added that Washington should be “careful with their statements.”
“Whatever they say, we are the ones who will act,” the parliament speaker said.
In protest of Trump’s threats, the Iranian delegation reportedly suspended the talks for the day and was considering “an appropriate response,” according to Tasnim news agency.
What does the US say?
Vance said at a news briefing in Burgenstock that the US and Iran had already made “great progress,” describing the US position as an “outstretched hand” to the people of Iran.
He nevertheless maintained that Tehran must be “willing to give up being a driver of regional instability” and be “willing to give up nuclear weapons ambitions in the long term” for the US to be “willing to fundamentally transform our relationship with that country.”
The vice president also sought to downplay the risk of the talks being derailed by the hostilities in Lebanon, stating that progress has been achieved in recent days in ensuring the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Trump told Fox News on Sunday that he has “a 60-day option and I can do whatever I want after that option.” He also warned Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who previously insisted that Tehran must retain the ability to enrich uranium, to “watch his mouth.”
“He better shape up or we’ll take over the rest of the country,” Trump said.
What is happening in Lebanon?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told journalists on Sunday that the military will remain in southern Lebanon “for as long as it takes” and that Israel will not allow Iran to “arm itself with nuclear weapons,” regardless of “whatever the diplomatic developments may be.”
Hezbollah said it will not allow Israeli forces to remain in Lebanon, vowing to respond to any ceasefire violations. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, the Israeli strikes killed 105 people and injured more than 150 others on Friday and Saturday.
What happens next?
The negotiations have been tense but are not over yet, with back-channel contacts ongoing. A senior US diplomat involved in the negotiations said the “Iranians are still here and discussions are ongoing,” and that the US delegation expects “to work through the night.”
A source told RT that the Iranian delegation is still at a hotel in Burgenstock, with technical talks expected to continue for the remainder of the week.
Source: rt.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.rt.com/news/641945-us-iranian-talks-switzerland/
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Trump threatens to sue NYT for ‘treason’ over Iran reporting
22 Jun, 2026
US President Donald Trump has threatened legal action against the New York Times over its analytical reporting on the goals and outcome of the war in Iran, calling the newspaper’s coverage “treasonous.”
The outburst was triggered by an article published on Sunday by reporter Neil MacFarquhar: ‘What Changed After Almost Four Months of War? Analysts Say Not Much’.
In the piece, MacFarquhar wrote that skeptics are “expressing bafflement” over what the war managed to change, arguing that “neither the war nor the agreement terminated the main threats emanating from Iran.”
He also cited Caitlin Talmadge, an MIT professor specializing in Persian Gulf security issues, who said the memorandum of understanding reached last week between the US and Iran “resulted from the fact that the United States bit off more than it could chew.”
Trump shot back in a series of Truth Social posts on Sunday, calling the newspaper “Corrupt and Failing” and claiming that the US-Israeli operation crippled Iran’s military capabilities, eliminated its leadership twice, and devastated the country’s economy.
“The Hormuz Strait is OPEN, THE OIL IS GUSHING, and the U.S. Stock Market and Jobs are at record HIGHS. That’s what’s CHANGED, you corrupt and unethical cowards, and MORE,” he wrote.
The president followed up with another post accusing the newspaper of reporting “FAKE & MADE UP ‘FACTS’” and describing its coverage as “TREASONOUS.”
“I will be adding all of their false and ridiculous reporting to my multibillion-dollar lawsuit against them. They are Criminals,” he said.
Trump’s remarks refer to an ongoing $15 billion defamation lawsuit he filed against the New York Times in 2025. Centered on the book ‘Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father’s Fortune and Created the Illusion of Success’, the suit accuses the newspaper, four of its reporters, and publisher Penguin Random House of disseminating false statements about Trump, his family, and his businesses in an effort to damage his 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump said the newspaper has become a “full-throated mouthpiece of the Democrat Party” and that the lawsuit is part of an effort to restore “integrity to journalism.”
The New York Times rejected the allegations, saying the case “has no merit” and is an attempt to suppress independent journalism, adding that it will continue to report “without fear or favor.”
Source: rt.com
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https://www.rt.com/news/641948-trump-threatens-nyt-treason-lawsuit/
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‘Anti-Hindu bigotry’: Tulsi Gabbard linked to ‘cult’ allegations in bombshell report as she exits DNI role
Jun 22, 2026
A controversy emerged around former US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, with a major investigation claiming she maintained long-standing ties with a Hindu sect described by critics as a “cult”, as she stepped down from her senior national security role.
A report by The Washington Post has detailed extensive communications between advisers linked to Gabbard and associates of Chris Butler, 78, the Hawaii-based founder of the 'Science of Identity Foundation' (SIF), a new religious movement formed in the 1970s after breaking away from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The group is based in US and teaches a blend of yoga and elements of Gaudiya Vaishnavism.
The investigation claims that emails, internal documents and talking points show Butler’s close allies working with Gabbard’s advisers to shape her public messaging and political positioning over a number of years. According to the WP report, former SIF member Rebecca Saltzburg, who worked on several of Gabbard’s congressional campaigns, provided material suggesting Butler’s influence reached Gabbard and her family.
Between 2014 and 2016, when Gabbard was a sitting member of Congress, The Washington Post reported that she frequently used arguments that matched talking points said to have come from documents linked to the SIF. The report said these ideas appeared not only in her interviews but also in her policy positions and legislative activity.
One example cited in the investigation involved an email instruction that read: “Get it started in the morning,” rencouraging legislative action against countries whose citizens fought for Islamic State. Gabbard introduced a similar bill in Congress a week later.
The report further claims that online activity was coordinated to promote Gabbard’s public image, including social media accounts run by Butler supporters that regularly defended and praised her political career. One message read: “DNI Gabbard is a true patriot and will be missed."
Chris Butler, described by former members as an influential spiritual figure within SIF, has been accused by critics of wielding major control over followers. One former member said: “I was raised to believe Chris Butler was God’s voice on Earth, and if you question him or offended him in any way, you were effectively offending God,” while another said he had ambitions beyond religion, saying: “He wanted, he said, to rule the world.”
Butler has been quoted by former associates as having previously condemned US intelligence and defence institutions, calling them “madmen."
The controversy has now taken on a political dimension, with Gabbard’s spokesperson rejecting the allegations and calling the report “a blatant example of anti-Hindu bigotry.” The defence comes as scrutiny of her associations intensifies following her resignation from her intelligence role, announced in May after months of speculation over her future in office.
Those close to Butler have denied that he personally authored directives attributed to him, with his associate Sunil Khemaney claiming responsibility for writing them. However, The Washington Post said its analysis found indicators suggesting Butler himself may have been the source, including references to his upbringing in Hawaii.
In 173-page material reviewed by the newspaper, first-person references and biographical details aligned more closely with Butler than his associates.
Tulsi Gabbard was raised in a Vaishnava Hindu-influenced household. Her mother, Carol Gabbard, embraced Hindu teachings, and Gabbard adopted Hindu beliefs early in life. She is a practising Hindu, took oath on the Bhagavad Gita in Congress, and identifies with Vaishnavism and yoga-based traditions roots there.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/anti-hindu-bigotry-tulsi-gabbard-linked-to-cult-allegations-in-report-as-she-exits-dni-role/articleshowprint/131896738.cms
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'Keir Starmer will resign': Donald Trump makes bold claim, accuses UK PM of 'failing badly' on 2 subjects
Jun 21, 2026
US president Donald Trump made a bold claim stating that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will resign and then took a jab saying "he failed badly".
"Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom. He failed badly on two very important subjects- IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well!" said Trump on Truth Social.
Starmer is facing growing pressure within the Labour Party amid concerns that his government has failed to convert its sweeping 2024 election victory into tangible improvements for voters. While Labour secured a landslide mandate, Starmer's administration has struggled with sluggish economic growth, persistent cost-of-living pressures and mounting public dissatisfaction over the state of public services, including the NHS.
The party's disappointing performance in local elections earlier this year further intensified concerns among Labour MPs, with critics arguing that the government has lost momentum less than two years into its term. Starmer has also faced backlash over a series of policy reversals and internal disagreements that have fuelled perceptions of an uncertain governing strategy.Adding to the pressure is Labour's increasingly difficult electoral position.
The party is losing support on its left flank to the Green Party of England and Wales, while voters concerned about immigration and economic issues are increasingly turning to Reform UK led by Nigel Farage. Against this backdrop, the return of Andy Burnham to Parliament has provided Labour members with a potential alternative leader, intensifying speculation about Starmer's future despite his insistence that he intends to remain in office and contest any leadership challenge.
Source: indiatimes.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/keir-starmer-will-resign-donald-trump-makes-bold-claim-accuses-uk-pm-of-failing-badly-on-2-subjects/articleshowprint/131892958.cms
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Africa
‘Most Persecuted Faith’ – US Congressman Alleges Mass Anti-Christian Violence In Nigeria
June 22, 2026
By George Oshogwe Ogbolu
A United States congressman, Riley Moore, has alleged that Christians in Nigeria are facing widespread persecution, recounting what he described as first-hand accounts of killings, church burnings and forced displacement during a congressional visit to the country.
Moore made the remarks during an interview with American Catholic theologian, Bishop Robert Barron, in which he criticised the administration of former US President Joe Biden for what he described as its failure to adequately respond to religious violence in Nigeria.
The lawmaker also accused the Biden administration of removing Nigeria from the United States Department of State’s list of Countries of Particular Concern over religious freedom violations.
Moore faulted explanations that linked violence in parts of Nigeria primarily to climate change and farmer-herder conflicts.
According to him, such explanations failed to account for the scale of destruction allegedly targeted at Christian communities.
“That does not explain burning down over 20,000 churches. That doesn’t explain killing men, women and children,” Moore said.
The congressman claimed the previous US administration had “absurdly” downplayed what he described as the systematic targeting of Christians.
Moore said he visited internally displaced persons camps in Benue State where he met survivors who recounted traumatic experiences.
According to him, one woman told the delegation she witnessed the killing of her husband and two children before her unborn child was also lost.
He added that another victim reportedly lost all five of her children during attacks.
The lawmaker alleged that some camps housing displaced persons had also come under repeated attacks from armed groups, including factions linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State.
Moore described Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt as facing serious threats from extremist groups.
“It’s not even close, Christianity is the most persecuted faith on the planet right now,” he said.
He argued that the religious dimension of the violence should not be ignored, pointing to extremist ideologies that target Christian communities.
At the same time, Moore acknowledged that Muslims who oppose Boko Haram and other extremist groups have also been victims of violence.
“All lives are sacred,” he said, while maintaining that Christian communities remained disproportionately affected.
The West Virginia lawmaker disclosed that he was part of a congressional delegation that visited Nigeria and met government officials in Abuja.
According to him, the delegation included senior US lawmakers and was dispatched following concerns about religious freedom and insecurity.
Moore said President Donald Trump had redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern and publicly announced plans for him to investigate the situation and submit recommendations.
He added that the delegation travelled under heavy security, including the use of armoured convoys.
The congressman said recommendations submitted after the visit included strengthening local security structures, imposing targeted sanctions on individuals linked to violence and expanding economic cooperation between the United States and Nigeria.
He also raised concerns about China’s activities in Nigeria, alleging that Chinese interests were exploiting weak governance structures to gain access to valuable mineral resources.
Moore accused Beijing of engaging in illegal mining activities and supporting conditions that undermine security and stability, although he did not provide evidence to support the claims.
During the discussion, Bishop Barron lamented what he described as the limited international attention given to the security crisis in Nigeria despite its severity.
He compared the situation to past humanitarian tragedies that failed to attract timely global intervention.
Moore said the issue of Christian persecution remains a matter of deep personal concern and called for greater international engagement to address insecurity and protect vulnerable communities across Nigeria.
Source: naijanews.com
Please click the following URL to read the text of the original Story
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/22/us-congressman-mass-anti-christian-violence-nigeria/
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Bello Turji’s Alleged Acquisition Of Sophisticated Weapons Stirs Fresh Panic In North-West
June 22, 2026
Notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, has raised concerns over an emerging security threat in the North-West following the alleged acquisition of sophisticated weapons and collaboration with Boko Haram to train and equip new fighters.
Naija News learnt that the leader of Rundunar Adalchi in Sokoto State, Bashir Altine Guyawa Isa, in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, claimed that Turji has intensified efforts to strengthen his operational capacity through alliances with extremist groups operating in the region.
According to Isa, intelligence available to local security volunteers indicates that Turji and his associates have established a training camp near the Sokoto-Zamfara border, where recruits are allegedly being trained and armed for future operations.
Isa alleged that the camp has existed for some time and serves as a strategic base for the recruitment, indoctrination and training of fighters who are later deployed to carry out attacks across communities in the North-West, stressing that Boko Haram members have been providing training and logistical support to the fighters, increasing the sophistication of criminal networks operating in the region.
The vigilante leader expressed concern that the camp’s continued existence poses a serious threat to public safety and could undermine ongoing efforts by security agencies to restore peace in affected communities.
He also alleged that relevant authorities are aware of the facility’s existence and stressed the need for decisive action to dismantle it before the situation escalates further.
Isa also stated that intelligence gathered by local security groups suggests that the terrorists may be planning to expand their operations beyond rural communities and begin targeting high-profile installations and prominent individuals.
He warned that failure to act swiftly could embolden the terrorists and expose more communities to attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes that have plagued parts of Sokoto, Zamfara and neighbouring states in recent years.
While calling for enhanced military operations and intelligence-driven interventions, Isa urged security agencies and government authorities to treat the reported developments with urgency to prevent further deterioration of the security situation in the region.
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/22/bello-turjis-acquires-sophisticated-weapons/
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Heavy Losses As 265 Nigerien Troops Reportedly Killed In Coordinated Attacks
June 22, 2026
At least 265 members of Niger’s Defence and Security Forces, including senior officers, have reportedly been killed in a series of coordinated attacks across the country.
Security sources said the attacks occurred between June 17 and June 19 and targeted several military positions in different parts of Niger.
One of the deadliest incidents reportedly occurred in Inates, where 101 soldiers were said to have been killed in an attack attributed to fighters of the Islamic State in the Sahel.
According to the sources, 52 of the soldiers killed in the Inates attack had been buried in the Tillabéri Region.
They added that 49 other soldiers initially declared missing had subsequently been presumed dead.
The sources further disclosed that 20 soldiers were taken captive during the attack, Zagagola Makama reports.
The attacks were said to be part of a broader wave of violence targeting security formations across Niger.
According to the sources, 107 soldiers were killed in Banibangou, while 24 others lost their lives in an attack in the capital, Niamey.
Another 33 security personnel were reportedly killed when a military position in Madama, northern Niger, came under attack.
The cumulative death toll from the four incidents stands at 265 security personnel, making it one of the deadliest periods for Niger’s armed forces in recent years.
As of the time of filing this report, Nigerien authorities had not issued an official statement confirming the casualty figures reported by security sources.
Niger has witnessed repeated attacks on military formations and border communities in recent years, particularly in areas close to Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria.
https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/22/265-nigerien-troops-killed-coordinated-attacks/
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Only Negotiation Door With Bandits Is Closed Permanently – Gumi
June 22, 2026
Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has lamented the inability to negotiate with bandits.
Naija News reports that in a viral video online, Gumi, widely known for visiting and negotiating with bandits in their hideouts, said he and other clergymen can no longer negotiate with bandits.
Gumi faulted the decision of the Nigerian government to declare bandits as terrorists.
He said, “We don’t want to push them into terror beyond what they are doing now because it can get worse.
“They have shown us their willingness to negotiate, so people that are ready to negotiate, why are you rushing to declare them bandits so that you can use whatever weapons you bought.
“Before they used to catch Boko Haram and present them to the authorities in Zamfara, but now they are all terrorists.
“Secondly, the only door that is remaining is for us clergy to go in and negotiate with them, that is closed permanently.”
In other news, Gumi recently dismissed criticisms over his visit to Ibadan, Oyo State, late last year, saying nobody can stop him from visiting any part of Nigeria.
Gumi, in a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, said his visit to Ibadan had been wrongly linked to what he described as “dirty local politics” in the South-West.
The cleric had come under criticism in some quarters following allegations that his visit was part of an attempt to promote northern Islamic ideologies and Islamise Oyo State.
Reacting to the controversy, Gumi said he was not invited to Ibadan by any Muslim individual or group in the South-West.
He explained that he attended the event as a representative of northern Islamic scholars.
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/22/only-negotiation-door-with-bandits-is-closed-permanently-gumi/
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Nigeria’s New High Commissioner Assumes Duty In Ghana
June 22, 2026
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Shehu Ilu Barde, has arrived in Accra to officially assume duty as the country’s envoy.
Barde arrived in Ghana on June 18 and was received by officials of the Nigerian High Commission, the defence section, the trade commission and members of the Nigerian community in the country.
The career diplomat was among the ambassadors appointed by President Bola Tinubu in March and deployed to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad.
He is expected to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and Ghana and promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Barde joined Nigeria’s foreign service in 1995 and has served in Nigerian missions in Burkina Faso, the United States, Ethiopia and France.
He was appointed Ambassador-in-Situ in 2022 and received a Presidential Commendation in 2023.
Born in Katsina State in 1967, Barde holds a degree in Sociology from Bayero University, Kano.
He has also undergone training at the Nigerian Foreign Service Academy, Lagos, and participated in several diplomatic and management courses within and outside Nigeria.
The new envoy has taken part in numerous bilateral and multilateral engagements, including African Union and United Nations meetings, during his over three decades in public service.
Source: naijanews.com
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We Are Ready For War – Bello Turji Sends Fresh Warning To FG
June 22, 2026
By Justina Otio
Notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji has stated that his group is open to negotiations with the government but remains prepared for armed confrontation.
Naija News reports that Turji stated this in a video recorded in Hausa and dated June 20, 2026.
He claimed responsibility for recent attacks on security operatives in parts of Sokoto and Zamfara states.
The bandit leader also used the video to address the issue of possible peace talks with authorities, indicating a willingness to negotiate if the government chooses dialogue over military action.
According to him, “If the government is ready for negotiation, we are also ready for negotiation. But if they want to continue with force, we are prepared. Our fighters are ready for whatever comes.”
He further suggested that his group would not back down from armed resistance, saying, “We are ready for peace, but if they choose war, we are also ready. We will defend ourselves.”
The video surfaced days after a deadly attack along the Isa–Bargaja axis in Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where suspected terrorists loyal to Turji reportedly laid an ambush on security personnel responding to a distress call.
Local and security sources alleged that an Improvised Explosive Device detonated during the operation, killing at least four soldiers, although military authorities have yet to officially confirm the casualty figure.
Source: naijanews.com
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‘I Faced Spiritual Pressure’ – Gov. Diri Speaks On Choice Of New Deputy
June 21, 2026
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has recalled facing spiritual pressure before selecting his new deputy governor, Peter Akpe, following the death of Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo on December 11, 2025.
Naija News recalls that Akpe was sworn in on February 25, two months after Ewhrudjakpo’s demise.
Speaking on Sunday during a special thanksgiving service held in honour of Akpe at the RCCG regional headquarters along Sani Abacha Expressway in Yenagoa, Diri said God’s direction and prayers guided his decision.
The governor explained that Akpe’s competence, rather than speculation about personal connections, guided his choice.
He said, “I faced spiritual pressure picking a new deputy governor after the passing of Senator Lawrence Ewhurudjkpo. While the pressure was on me, I looked out for God’s direction amid the prayers of men of God.
“I did not pay attention to rumours and speculation because Dr. Akpe has the competence to deliver on the job. I never knew he was my relative until recently I found out he hailed from my maternal home.”
Diri also described the prevailing peace and security in Bayelsa as priceless, urging residents and the church to continue praying for leaders.
He stated, “No matter how bad a government may be, people should never fail to pray for their leaders.”
In his remarks, Akpe recalled growing up in difficult conditions, including struggles to pay school fees and living in a zinc house at the waterfront.
While describing his life experience as one shaped by hardship and faith, he said, “There was a time they brought my father to the centre of the community to tie him over unpaid debts until there was intervention.”
Akpe said his family’s situation began to change after a spiritual transformation, adding that his current position was evidence of divine grace.
He added, “When we met the Lord some years ago, God started helping us. It was not so smooth as you see it now.”
Source: naijanews.com
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https://www.naijanews.com/2026/06/21/diri-speaks-choice-new-deputy/
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Southeast Asia
Economy minister says inflation still moderate despite Hormuz disruption, but food and logistics costs under pressure
22 Jun 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — Malaysia’s inflation remains moderate despite global trade disruptions linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, although cost pressures are rising across key sectors, Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said today.
In the Dewan Rakyat today, he said the latest data for May showed inflation at 2.0 per cent, slightly higher than 1.9 per cent in April, indicating that price pressures remain contained for now.
However, Akmal said cost pressures were rising across several key sectors.
"The sectors most exposed include logistics, agriculture, food production, manufacturing, chemicals, plastics, packaging and pharmaceuticals.
“Global maritime freight costs have nearly doubled, while insurance costs increased by as much as sixteen times during the peak of the crisis," he said during the oral answer session.
He was responding to a question from Betong MP Datuk Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman anak Begri on the latest impact of trade disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz on local industries, especially operating costs, and the national inflation rate for the second quarter of 2026.
Within the agriculture and food sectors, Akmal said 63 per cent of Malaysia’s fertiliser requirements depend on imports.
Based on current assessments, he said fertiliser costs are expected to increase by between 15 per cent and 20 per cent, while livestock feed costs are projected to rise by around 8 per cent.
He added that these increases could translate into higher food production costs in the coming quarters if disruptions persist.
On the labour market, Akmal said conditions remain stable for now, with the labour force participation rate at 70.9 per cent.
"The unemployment rate stood at 2.9 per cent in March and 3.0 per cent in April. If the crisis continues, it could affect employment, household incomes and corporate investment decisions," he said.
To mitigate risks, he said the government is focusing on four key intervention areas: protecting the rakyat, stabilising supply and prices, supporting businesses, and strengthening long-term economic resilience.
He said these include programmes such as Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR), Budi Madani, the Subsidised Diesel Control System (SKDS), and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA).
He added that the government is working with Petronas and industry players to ensure energy supply stability while diversifying raw material sources, alongside initiatives such as Rahmah Sales programmes.
On business support, Akmal said RM5 billion has been allocated under the SME Stability Financing Facility, with a further RM5 billion in guarantees through SJPP-related schemes.
Source: malaymail.com
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Malaysia conveys condolences as ex-Timor-Leste president Francisco Guterres, 71, dies in Kuala Lumpur
22 Jun 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has conveyed Malaysia’s condolences to the family of former Timor-Leste president Francisco Guterres and the people of Timor-Leste over his passing.
In a Facebook post today, Anwar said Guterres was among the generation that fought for Timor-Leste’s independence and remained committed to the freedom of his people and the building of a democratic nation.
“I am saddened by the passing of the former President of Timor-Leste, Francisco Guterres. On behalf of Malaysia, I extend my condolences to his family and to the people of Timor-Leste,” he said.
Anwar said Guterres spent years in the resistance movement, where he became known as Lú-Olo, before later serving his country as President of the National Parliament and Head of State.
“Malaysia mourns his passing alongside the Timorese people. He will be remembered here with respect and affection,” he said.
The Dili-based Timor Today News reported that Guterres, 71, died yesterday at Prince Court Hospital in Kuala Lumpur following intensive medical treatment.
Guterres served as Timor-Leste’s president from 2017 to 2022 and was among the key figures in the country’s independence struggle. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Deputy minister warns Sabah’s RM16 pig price surge piles pressure on pork traders and families
22 Jun 2026
KOTA KINABALU, June 22 — Agriculture and Food Security Deputy Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin said it is shocking that Sabah’s live pig prices have increased four times over the past six months, while prices in Peninsular Malaysia have been declining during the same period.
He said based on feedback from industry players and pork retailers, the live pig price in Sabah was about RM11 per kg at the beginning of this year but has now risen to around RM16 per kg, placing significant pressure on retailers and consumers.
In comparison, live pig prices in the peninsula are currently between RM14 and RM14.50 per kg.
“I understand that the industry is still recovering from the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in 2021, and I acknowledge the challenges faced by pig farmers, including higher feed costs, logistics expenses, exchange rate fluctuations and broader uncertainties in the global market.
“However, while industry recovery is important, we must not overlook the burden faced by consumers. Any industry’s development must strike a reasonable balance between producers, businesses and consumers,” he said in a statement.
Chan, who is also Kota Kinabalu Member of Parliament, said he received feedback from pork traders during his visit to Pasar Lido and Pasar Foh Sang, where many expressed concerns over rising costs.
“The traders told me that they have always followed the principle of passing on higher costs when prices increase. However, consumers often do not understand the situation and assume retailers are raising prices arbitrarily, which puts them under considerable pressure.”
He said this has led many traders to call for the importation of frozen pork to increase supply and help stabilise prices.
Following the feedback, Chan contacted the Sabah Livestock Association (SLA) for further clarification and was informed that the association had agreed to maintain current price levels and not implement any further increases for the time being.
“I welcome the commitment made by the Sabah Livestock Association during its AGM on Saturday to maintain current prices and refrain from further increases in view of the sensitivity of the market.”
He called on pig farmers, wholesalers and other industry players to demonstrate greater social responsibility by doing their best to stabilise prices and avoid frequent increases amid the current economic environment, in order to ease the cost-of-living burden on the public.
Chan commended Sabah Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry Minister Datuk Jamawi Jaafar for recently announcing a one-off animal feed supply assistance programme for small-scale pig farmers in the State.
“I thank the Sabah government for recognising the challenges faced by the local pig farming industry and for allocating resources to support its recovery and strengthen biosecurity measures.
“I believe this assistance will help improve production capacity and contribute to market stability.”
Chan stressed that if future price adjustments are genuinely unavoidable, industry players should provide clear justification and communicate with the market well in advance, rather than issuing last-minute notices that disrupt retailers and the wider supply chain.
“Pork is an important source of food for many families. While businesses deserve a fair return, industry players should also consider the interests of consumers and work together to maintain market order and price stability so that essential food remains affordable.”
He added that producers, wholesalers, retailers and government agencies must continue working together to ensure a stable pork supply, reasonable prices and the long-term sustainability of Sabah’s pork industry.
On Saturday, Chan and his Kota Kinabalu parliamentary service team visited Pasar Lido and Pasar Foh Sang in conjunction with the Dragon Boat Festival, distributing 500 rice dumplings to members of the public as a festive gesture. — Daily Express
Source: malaymail.com
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Court in Ipoh sets July 1 for case involving woman accused of attacking Sultan Nazrin Shah
22 Jun 2026
IPOH, June 22 — The Magistrate’s Court here has set July 1 for case management involving a woman charged with using criminal force against the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, during the state-level National Day celebration last year.
Magistrate Norizan Ridzuan fixed the date to record the plea of Nurhaswani Afni Mohamad Zorki, 41.
On Oct 8 last year, the court rejected the accused’s guilty plea after being informed by the prosecution that a report from Hospital Bahagia Tanjung Rambutan in Ulu Kinta here stated that the woman was suffering from schizophrenia and was of unsound mind at the time of the incident.
On Sept 8, 2025, she was brought before the same court, but no plea was recorded as she was ordered to undergo examination and observation at Hospital Bahagia for one month under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor S. Nishaalini, while the accused was represented by lawyer Amrick Singh Sandu.
The woman was charged with using criminal force against Sultan Nazrin by attempting to attack the ruler in front of the Ipoh Town Hall on Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang Wahab at 8.20am on Aug 31, 2025.
The charge was framed under Section 352 of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of up to three months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM1,000, or both, upon conviction. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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PM Anwar stresses migrant welfare as Tarique seeks more jobs, both demand fairer recruitment process
22 Jun 2026
PUTRAJAYA, June 22 — Malaysia and Bangladesh have agreed that the exploitation and mistreatment of migrant workers must not be tolerated, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressing the need for a more transparent and fair recruitment system.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today, Anwar said while foreign workers remained critical to Malaysia’s economic growth, both countries must ensure their welfare and families are protected.
“Human resource cooperation, particularly the workers, has been critical for our economic survival but at the same time has invited lots of scandals and concern, particularly humanitarian issues.
“I truly appreciate the sentiments expressed in private to me and also in the bilateral meetings that we must take the lead in stopping the excesses and making sure it is transparent, meets the requirements of both countries. We must protect the interests of these workers and their families,” said Anwar.
Tarique said Bangladesh had requested Malaysia to consider recruiting more Bangladeshi workers and reopening its labour market as soon as possible.
Tarique also raised the issues of regularising undocumented Bangladeshi workers and repatriating Bangladeshi nationals currently under detention.
He said both leaders agreed that the recruitment process should be transparent, fair and affordable, with fewer intermediaries involved.
“We look forward to continuing our close cooperation on issues of shared interest. I am confident that today’s discussion will open a new chapter in Bangladesh-Malaysia relations,” said Tarique.
Earlier, Anwar and Tarique held bilateral talks to discuss the progress of Malaysia-Bangladesh relations and explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, human resource management, semiconductors, energy, agriculture and education.
They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The two leaders later witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation, as well as two Exchanges of Notes on Counter-Terrorism Research, and Investment Promotion and Facilitation.
Tarique arrived here last night for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Anwar, marking his first bilateral official visit abroad since assuming office in February 2026.
In 2025, total trade between Malaysia and Bangladesh reached RM12.18 billion (USD2.84 billion), with Malaysia’s exports valued at RM10.08 billion (USD2.35 billion), driven mainly by petroleum products. Imports from Bangladesh amounted to RM2.10 billion (USD0.50 billion), comprising primarily textiles, apparel and footwear.
Bangladesh was Malaysia’s 28th largest trading partner globally in 2025 and its second largest trading partner, export destination and source of imports in the South Asia region, after India. — Bernama
Source: malaymail.com
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Azalina sets out seven reforms to separate powers and tighten Public Prosecutor accountability
22 Jun 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — A parliamentary committee has unveiled seven concrete proposals to reshape how Malaysia appoints its Public Prosecutor, including a fixed seven year term and annual reporting to Parliament.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the recommendations were part of a review of the Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026 by a bipartisan committee made up of both government and opposition MPs.
“Overall, the recommendations submitted aim to establish a Public Prosecutor’s institution that is independent, professional, accountable and trusted by the public, in line with the rule of law and international best practices,” she told reporters at a press conference here today.
Azalina, who also chairs the special select committee on constitutional reform, said the Public Prosecutor should instead be appointed by the Yang di Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.
She also said the process must be free from executive influence, with appointments made strictly from candidates recommended by the commission.
The committee further proposed a more transparent appointment process involving Parliament, whereby the proposed candidate’s name would be disclosed to allow for feedback to be submitted to the commission.
Among other key recommendations were that the Public Prosecutor serve a fixed seven year term, with no option for renewal or reappointment.
She added that the committee also proposed that the Public Prosecutor be required to submit an annual report to Parliament, a move aimed at strengthening transparency and institutional accountability.
In addition, it recommended introducing a specific code of ethics for the role, with breaches potentially forming grounds for removal from office.
The committee also suggested a provision enabling Parliament to enact further laws on the appointment, removal and reporting responsibilities of the Public Prosecutor, ensuring reforms can be strengthened over time.
It further emphasised that appointments must be made solely from candidates recommended by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, to safeguard independence from executive influence.
The Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026, which sets out the proposed separation of the two offices, was tabled for its first reading on February 23.
Azalina said the government subsequently referred the Bill to the special select committee for further scrutiny, including consultation with various stakeholders on the proposed reforms.
She said the committee held seven meetings and received input from the Attorney General’s Chambers, professional bodies, academics, legal experts and civil society organisations.
It also examined the proposal from multiple perspectives, including constitutional, operational, administrative, human resource and financial implications, as well as comparative practices from other countries with similar institutional models.
“What was tabled today is the outcome of a comprehensive and inclusive review process, in line with the role of the Special Select Committee as a check-and-balance mechanism in the parliamentary system,” she said.
Azalina added that the report tabled in Parliament would serve as the basis for further deliberation and debate in the Dewan Rakyat.
She further urged MPs to assess the recommendations objectively and constructively to ensure the reform strengthens the country’s justice system.
Source: malaymail.com
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South Asia
More Than 2,700 Afghans Return from Pakistan, Iran in a Single Day
June 22, 2026
KABUL: A total of 2,719 Afghan migrants returned to the country from Pakistan and Iran over the past day, the RTA reported on Sunday.
The data show that 2,610 Afghan nationals re-entered Afghanistan through the Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossings from Pakistan. In addition, 109 Afghan migrants returned from Iran through the Silk Bridge crossing, the statement said.
The continued return of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries has placed increased attention on border management and the provision of support services for returnees.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://www.thekabultimes.com/more-than-2700-afghans-return-from-pakistan-iran-in-a-single-day/
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Tarique Rahman, Anwar Ibrahim hold one-to-one meeting
22 Jun 2026
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has joined a one-to-one meeting with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this morning.
At 9:30am local time (Monday), they held this private meeting on the fifth floor of the Perdana Putra, the Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia.
After the talks, a high-level meeting between the two countries is scheduled to begin. The prime ministers of the two countries will lead their respective delegations at the meeting.
Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, PM's Finance and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, his Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, Overseas Employment Adviser Mahdi Amin and Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, are among those expected to attend the meeting from the Bangladesh side.
According to the foreign secretary, discussions at the meeting will focus on establishing greater cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including trade and investment expansion, energy cooperation, the halal economy, workforce recruitment and deployment, the semiconductor industry, agriculture, education, and people-to-people connectivity.
After the bilateral meeting, the two prime ministers will attend a formal joint press conference.
Following the press conference, Tarique Rahman, his spouse Dr Zubaida Rahman, and members of the accompanying delegation will participate in a luncheon at the residence of the prime minister of Malaysia.
Tarique Rahman reached in Malaysia yesterday (Sunday) on a two-day official visit at the invitation of his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/diplomacy/news/tarique-rahman-anwar-ibrahim-hold-one-one-meeting-4205026
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‘No one will benefit from me taking revenge’
22 JUNE 2026
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said he would not use state power to take revenge over what he and his family went through during and after the 1/11 changeover.
At a views-exchange meeting in Kuala Lumpur, he said he and his family members had suffered, adding that such actions would not benefit the country or its people.
“Now, at this very moment, the BNP is in charge of running the country. I’m the prime minister. If I want, I can take revenge out of personal anger. But if I do that, can you tell me what the benefit would be? Would there be any benefit for anyone? There would be no benefit,” Tarique said this while speaking at a views-exchange meeting with Bangladeshi expatriates in Malaysia, which was streamed live on social media.
Referring to the past torture on him and his family members, Tarique said, “You have some idea about my last one decade... what I went through, what happened to my family, more or less. Especially after 1/11 and even after that, several things happened to me, several things happened to my mother, several things happened to my brother... Maybe you have forgotten. Many of you may have seen those at that time, but now you have forgotten.”
Without giving details, the PM said his mother Khaleda Zia once became very ill, but a hospital refused to send an ambulance.
Speaking as the cheif guest at the event, Tarique expressed hope about the future of Bangladesh. His wife, Zubaida Rahman, was also present.
“We have no reason to be hopeless. There is no reason to lose hope about Bangladesh. Bangladesh has a very bright and promising future ahead. But for this, we must work hard, endure hardship, and be patient.”
The PM said the country was in many crises when the government took charge.
“This government started work with Tk 30 lakh crore in debt. There was corruption inside it, there were different kinds of disorder inside it, there was disorder in the administration, and many other things. The health and education systems were on the edge of destruction. These are being addressed slowly.”
Addressing the expatriates, Tarique said everyone needs patience and cooperation for the country.
“Someone, or a group, has ruined the country by constantly taking from it. They have destroyed it completely. It has already happened. What can be done now? …. The people of the country shed their blood to free it from autocracy. Now, let us all focus on what we can do for the country.”
Earlier, a red carpet was rolled out as Tarique reached Kuala Lumpur last night on his maiden overseas visit after assuming office, at the invitation of his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, reports UNB.
The PM was received by Malaysia’s Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Hasan and his wife. A little girl presented a bouquet to Zubaida at that time.
Officials said the PM picked Malaysia for his first official foreign visit as Bangladesh seeks to strengthen economic relations, widen labour market opportunities, and deepen strategic cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation.
He is scheduled to hold a one-on-one meeting with his Malaysian counterpart today. The meeting will be followed by bilateral talks between high-level delegations, led by the two leaders.
The talks are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, energy, halal economy, manpower recruitment, semiconductor industry, agriculture, education, and people-to-people connectivity.
The PM is leading a 23-member high-level delegation, including Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, and State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit.
After wrapping up the Malaysia visit, Tarique will leave Kuala Lumpur for Dalian, China, this afternoon on a four-day official visit to China.
Source: thedailystar.net
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https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/no-one-will-benefit-me-taking-revenge-4204856
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Union-level Shibir leader stabbed to death over school committee dispute in Gaibandha
21 JUNE 2026
A local Islami Chhatra Shibir leader was stabbed to death today during a clash allegedly linked to the election for president of a primary school managing committee in Gaibandha’s Saghata upazila.
The deceased was identified as Saifullah Bari, 24, of Shimul Tair village. He was president of Shibir’s Bonarpara union unit.
Another individual named Salahuddin, 30, an associate of Saifullah, was injured in the same incident.
According to local sources, an altercation broke out at around 3:30pm at the Bonarpara Chourasta intersection between Habibullah, the headmaster of Kachua Government Primary School, and Mukul, a leader of Bonarpara union Jubo Dal, over the election of the managing committee president of the school.
Saifullah and Salahuddin, who were present at the scene, got locked in an argument with Mukul. Angered by this, Mukul, his brother Palash, and their associate Ashraf allegedly stabbed Saiful and Salahuddin with sharp weapon, leaving them critically injured.
Locals rescued them and first took them to the district sadar hospital, where the duty doctor pronounced Saifullah dead.
Confirming the clash, Gaibandha B-Circle Additional Superintendent of Police Sheikh Muttazul told The Daily Star that Saifullah died after being beaten with bamboo sticks and stabbed in the neck during the incident.
“Additionally, an injured person has been sent to Bogura for advanced medical treatment,” he added.
The additional SP further said police have detained Ashraf, and operations are underway to detain others involved in the incident.
Mohammad Ali, convener of Saghata upazila BNP, told The Daily Star that Saghata upazila Jubo Dal is working to remove Mukul from Bonarpara union Jubo Dal.
Source: thedailystar.net
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Abdul Ahad Momand, Afghanistan’s First Astronaut, Dies in Germany at 67
By Fidel Rahmati
June 22, 2026
Abdul Ahad Momand, the first Afghan to travel to space, has died in Germany at the age of 67 after a prolonged battle with cancer, family members said on Sunday.
A relative told media that Momand had been suffering from illness for some time and was diagnosed with cancer. Funeral arrangements and memorial ceremonies will be announced later by his family. He is survived by two daughters and a son.
Momand made history in 1988 when he flew aboard the Soviet Soyuz TM-6 mission to the Mir Space Station, becoming the first Afghan and the fourth Muslim astronaut to travel into space. He spent eight days, 20 hours and 26 minutes in orbit before returning to Earth.
Born in 1958 in Andar district of Ghazni province, Momand trained as a military pilot before being selected for the Soviet space program. His journey to space remains one of Afghanistan’s most significant achievements in science and exploration.
Following the collapse of Afghanistan’s Soviet-backed government and years of conflict, Momand moved to Germany, where he lived with his family in Stuttgart. He remained a respected figure among Afghans at home and abroad and was frequently remembered as a symbol of national pride and achievement.
He viewed Afghanistan as severely underdeveloped and strongly advocated for major investment in primary education and higher learning. Today, however, Afghan girls have been barred from attending schools and universities for a fifth consecutive year.
Source: khaama.com
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Kabul, Tashkent Discuss Expanding Cooperation in Pharmaceutical Sector
June 22, 2026
KABUL: An Afghan delegation led by Mawlavi Abdul Basir Qaneh, Director General of Drug and Health Products Regulation at the Food and Drug Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Public Health, held talks with Uzbek officials on expanding bilateral cooperation in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors during an official visit to Uzbekistan.
The two sides discussed a range of issues aimed at strengthening cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector, including facilitating the entry of Uzbek pharmaceutical manufacturers into the Afghan market, implementing inspection procedures in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
Improving and streamlining medicine registration processes, andincreasing bilateral trade in pharmaceutical and healthcare products were also discussed in the meeting, the statement said.
The Afghan delegation also visited pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities in Uzbekistan, where they reviewed quality management systems, production processes, and regulatory standards implemented by Uzbek companies.
The meeting reflects ongoing efforts by Afghanistan and Uzbekistan to deepen economic and technical cooperation, particularly in sectors related to public health, pharmaceutical production, and healthcare services.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://www.thekabultimes.com/kabul-tashkent-discuss-expanding-cooperation-in-pharmaceutical-sector/
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Kabul, Tehran Hold Talks on Health Cooperation
June 22, 2026
KABUL: Mullah Hamdullah Zahid, Deputy Minister for Food and Medicines of the Ministry of Public Health, met with Ali Reza Bigdeli, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Kabul, to explore ways of expanding collaboration between the two countries.
The talks focused on improving the quality of healthcare services, enhancing the regulation and supply of food and pharmaceutical products, and expanding technical cooperation in the health sector, the ministry said in a statement on Sunday.
Both sides emphasized the importance of implementing joint health programs and further strengthening institutional and technical ties between Afghanistan and Iran to support sustainable improvements in public health systems.
Source: thekabultimes.com
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https://www.thekabultimes.com/kabul-tehran-hold-talks-on-health-cooperation/
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