“They Targeted Me For Being Muslim”: Elderly Muslim Trader Alleges Targeted Harassment In Mumbai
New Age Islam News Bureau
21 June 2026
“They Targeted Me for Being Muslim”: Rafat Hussain Claims Communal Abuse in Mumbai Shop.
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• “They targeted me for being Muslim”: Elderly Muslim trader alleges targeted harassment in Mumbai
• Two roadside bombs kill at least seven in northwestern Pakistan
• Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 6, including 2 children and an Al Jazeera cameraman
• Bangladesh on high alert ahead of Sheikh Hasina party Awami League's founding anniversary: ‘May try to create unrest’
• MUKMIN pushes for united Indian Muslim voice, rolls out scholarships and jobs push
• Five hurt in suspected anti-Muslim attacks across Edinburgh, Scotland
• Zelenskyy warns of massive Russian attack on Ukraine in coming days
• 'Extreme alert': Suspected cyberattack prompts Brazil to shut down emergency alert network
• Babachir Lawal: Muslim-Muslim ticket spiked banditry, terrorism
India
• Indian Muslim umbrella body calls for more coordinated approach towards nation-building
• Religious hatred in Modasa hospital: Patient called terrorist over his Islamic name
• Indian Union Muslim League ends nearly six-decade-long alliance with DMK, backs TVK
• How two Marathi plays – ‘Shivaji Underground’ and ‘Sangeet Devabhabhli’ -- are reshaping the stage
• IUML exits DMK alliance, cites association with ruling TVK in Tamil Nadu
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Pakistan
• 'No Press Freedom': JD Vance Blames Pak For Delay In Releasing Iran Agreement
• Thanks to Trump, Pakistan gets a fleeting 'finest hour', India must keep watch
• Foreign investors pulled over $1 billion from Pakistan equities in FY26— data
• Pakistan minister Mohsin Naqvi lands in Iran
• Budget: How Pakistan Is Choosing Warships Over Its Own Citizens?
• 'Driven by bigotry and hatred': India hits back at Pakistan Prez, calls out its abysmal human rights record
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Mideast
• US-Iran negotiations to begin in Switzerland as Iran claims Strait of Hormuz is closed
• Al Jazeera demands accountability after killing of cameraman in Gaza
• What are Iran's solutions for responding to US?
• Iran, Pakistan determined to boost bilateral relations / Islamabad thanks the Leader of the Islamic Revolution
• Iran achieves 85% self-sufficiency in food security
• US-Iran talks to begin in Switzerland as Tehran says it closed Strait of Hormuz
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South Asia
• The Taliban’s Relentless Restrictions: When Women Can No Longer Shop at the Market
• HK ranked global No. 2 Muslim-friendly destination, rising for the second consecutive year
• Major water supply network completed in E. Afghanistan
• Kazakhstan and Afghanistan eye $3 billion trade turnover
• Afghan Women's XI play for cricketing recognition in England
• Bangladesh PM to visit Malaysia, China on first foreign tour
• Measles Outbreak In Bangladesh Claims 7 More Lives; 677 Total Deaths
• Protests mount in Bangladesh overalleged desecration of Hindu deity
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Southeast Asia
• Federal allocations to states guided by Constitution, says Pasir Gudang MP
• Dr Sim urges deaf community to harness emerging technologies as Sarawak works to improve accessibility for PwDs
• Perikatan to review coalition membership, logo and Johor, Negeri Sembilan poll strategy at emergency meeting tomorrow
• Former Titi Serong assemblyman Hasnul Zulkarnain rejoins Amanah after six years
• Speaker confirms Hamzah’s status as Opposition Leader, Muhyiddin moved to new seat
• From abah to abi: Malaysia’s top leaders salute the silent superheroes who don’t wear capes
• Pakatan to unveil Johor state poll candidates in Bukit Gambir tomorrow, says Anwar
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Arab world
• Giancarlo Esposito embraces Islam during stay in Saudi Arabia
• Collective Punishment After Kléber’s Assassination: How Al-Azhar Was Closed During One of the Most Difficult Periods in Its History
• Al-Zahir li-I’zaz Din Allah.. A Fatimid Caliph Who Took Power After the Disappearance of Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah
• Saudi ambassador to Lebanon meets Lebanese PM in Beirut, oversees resumption of exports to Kingdom
• Saudi Arabia urges responsible AI governance at UN
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Europe
• Edinburgh attack suspect appears motivated by ‘anti-Muslim hatred’, PM says
• Zack Polanski slams right-wing MPs after Edinburgh 'anti-Muslim' attack
• President extends condolences to family of late Sheikh Ismail Mohamed
• Man charged over suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh
• General Staff: Russia has lost 1,391,950 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
• Russian strikes on eastern Ukraine kill three and injure 22
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North America
• 'Focus on your own popularity': Italian PM Giorgia Meloni fires back at US President Donald
• The Surprising Reaction Inside Iran to Its War Victory
• Federal court orders release of pro-Palestinian US permanent resident from ICE custody
• '250-ft gash, poured chemicals': Donald Trump claims vandals damaged Reflecting Pool
Trump's 'senseless' attacks
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Africa
• Again, Umahi Attacks Obi, Says He’s Desperate to Become President
• African proverb of the day: 'Don't let your mouth carry you where your foot can't bring you back from' because words travel farther than we can
• INEC declares PDP candidate winner of Rivers South East senate poll
• In Landslide, Oyebanji Wins Second Term as INEC Declares Ekiti Election Results
• Ekiti Poll: INEC Says 92% of Polling Units Opened on Time, Reports Delays in 188
Compiled by New Age Islam News Bureau
URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/mumbai-elderly-muslim-trader-allegedly-targeted-/d/140477
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“They targeted me for being Muslim”: Elderly Muslim trader alleges targeted harassment in Mumbai
June 20, 2026
“They Targeted Me for Being Muslim”: Rafat Hussain Claims Communal Abuse in Mumbai Shop.
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Rafat Hussain, an elderly Muslim shop owner in Juhu, Mumbai, has claimed he was subjected to religious abuse and harassment inside his own showroom, Mannat Ethnic Designer. The incident, which took place on Saturday, June 13, gained widespread attention after a video of Hussain recounting his ordeal went viral days later.
According to Hussain, four women entered his shop around 3:30 pm, inquiring about shervanis and suits for a supposed wedding. What began as a routine customer interaction quickly turned hostile. Hussain said the women started using abusive language that raised his suspicions. Suddenly, they stood up and began insulting him, targeting his religious identity.
“They said you are a Muslim, you live in a certain way, and you do things in the wrong way,” Hussain recounted. Feeling threatened, he fled the shop and ran to the nearest police station to seek help.
Within 20-25 minutes, a large mob of nearly 150 people gathered outside the police station, raising slogans commonly heard in communal contexts across the country. Hussain alleged that some individuals, including 20-25 young men, attempted to storm the station to attack him. Police escorted him to safety, but he claimed the officers showed reluctance to act against the harassers.
Instead, the women reportedly filed an FIR against Hussain. While inside the station, he contacted All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leaders Waris Pathan and Imtiaz Jaleel for assistance. Hussain alleged that after his conversation with Pathan, the police officer on duty, identified as Bushan More, appeared indifferent and even denied the presence of the crowd despite the ongoing commotion.
Expressing deep fear, Hussain said he is now scared to even stand in his showroom. “My only crime is that I am sitting here wearing a beard and a cap,” he lamented.
He strongly suspects the incident was premeditated, questioning how the women could mobilise such a large crowd so quickly if they had genuinely come for shopping. “Seeing what is happening with the Muslim community across the country, this seems like a planned attack. I feel a contract was given to target me, but I escaped by running to the police station,” he added.
The viral video has triggered widespread outrage on social media, with many questioning communal targeting and alleged police inaction in the matter. The incident has once again highlighted tensions surrounding religious identity in urban India.
Source: muslimmirror.com
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Two roadside bombs kill at least seven in northwestern Pakistan
20 Jun 2026
Volunteers transfer the body of a victim, killed in twin roadside blasts, to a hospital in Bannu on June 20, 2026 [AFP]
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Two roadside bomb blasts in northwestern Pakistan have killed at least seven people.
The first explosion on Saturday hit a vehicle, and the second was detonated as rescuers responded, police said.
“A private pick-up truck carrying passengers was targeted with a remote-controlled IED,” said Yasir Afridi, a police officer in Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, using a common acronym for a homemade bomb.
“The injured were being transported to hospital in a car for emergency treatment when a second IED exploded,” he said, adding that three people were wounded.
There has been no claim of responsibility for the blast, but the Pakistan Taliban, known by the acronym TTP, and other armed groups operate in the area.
Pakistan has blamed Afghanistan for a surge in attacks near the border, although the Taliban government in Kabul has repeatedly denied Pakistani accusations that Afghan territory is used as a sanctuary for armed groups.
Pakistani air strikes near the border this month killed at least 26 Taliban fighters, the Pakistani government said, while the Afghan government said 12 civilians were killed.
The border has remained largely closed since violence escalated in October, freezing bilateral trade and disrupting the movement of people and goods.
Source: www.aljazeera.com
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Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 6, including 2 children and an Al Jazeera cameraman
20 June 2026
Mourners carry the bodies of two Palestinian girls Zeina Safadi, and her sister Lana, who were killed during an overnight Israeli airstrike that damaged their home, during their funeral in Gaza city, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
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DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza (AP) - Israeli strikes in Gaza on Saturday killed at least six people, including two children and a cameraman with broadcaster Al Jazeera, according to Palestinian health officials.
Despite an October ceasefire between Israel and the militant group Hamas, the enclave has seen near-daily Israeli attacks that have killed over 1,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.
The first strike on Saturday hit an apartment in Gaza City around 2 a.m., according to the ministry. At the site, an Associated Press reporter saw rubble and chunks of concrete stained with blood.
The bodies of two sisters, 4-year-old Zina and 14-year-old Lana, were sent to Shifa Hospital's morgue, where they lay in white hospital bags, surrounded by family members.
"I was sitting at home. The rocket fell on us without a warning," said their cousin, Mohammad Safadi, whose forehead was wounded. He said his wife was also hurt.
"This ceasefire the occupation and the negotiation team speak of ... is this really a ceasefire? We are civilians. I never held a weapon," Safadi said.
Mourners carry the bodies of two Palestinian girls Zeina Safadi, and her sister Lana, who were killed during an overnight Israeli airstrike that damaged their home, during their funeral in Gaza city, Saturday, June 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
The first hit a house in central Gaza´s Bureij refugee camp without warning, killing three people, including Al Jazeera cameraman Ahmed Wishah, according to Al-Aqsa hospital. Al Jazeera confirmed Wishah's death.
Another strike on Saturday targeted a group of people in the sprawling tent camp of Muwasi in southern Gaza, killing one and wounding eight others, according to Nasser hospital, where the casualties were taken.
The Israeli military in a statement said it killed the Al Jazeera cameraman in a "precise strike." It asserted that he had been part of Hamas' military wing and had posed a threat to troops in the area.
The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel's retaliatory military offensive in Gaza has killed 73,018 Palestinians, including those slain since the ceasefire, Gaza´s Health Ministry said.
The ministry, part of the Hamas-led government, is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records that are generally considered reliable by United Nations agencies and independent experts. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants but says women and children make up around half of all fatalities.
Source: www.dailymail.com
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Bangladesh on high alert ahead of Sheikh Hasina party Awami League's founding anniversary: ‘May try to create unrest’
Jun 21, 2026
Former Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has lived in self-exile in India since she fled Bangladesh in August 2024 after the ouster of her government following weeks of student-led protests (AFP)
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Bangladesh has reportedly issued a nationwide security alert ahead of the founding anniversary of the Awami League, the party once led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, amid concerns that supporters could attempt demonstrations across the country.
The alert comes ahead of June 23, the anniversary of the Awami League's formation. The party was disbanded by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus after Hasina's government was ousted on August 5, 2024, following the student-led protests known as the July Uprising.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, home minister Salahuddin Ahmed said intelligence agencies had flagged the possibility of disturbances around the anniversary.
"We have intelligence information that Awami League may try to create unrest and instability in the country surrounding June 23," news agency ANI quoted Ahmed as saying.
He said law enforcement agencies had been instructed to remain on maximum alert over the coming days and take all necessary measures to prevent sabotage, unrest or any attempts to disrupt public order, the report added.
The minister further said that authorities were closely monitoring developments. He also said the current administration no longer considers the Awami League a political party and instead views it as a "mafia organisation".
In an internal communication circulated to field offices on Friday, police headquarters warned that Awami League leaders and activists could try to mark the anniversary by hoisting party flags at local offices and organising processions carrying banners.
According to the communication cited by ANI, such activities could potentially lead to confrontations with members of rival political groups, particularly activists of the student-led National Citizen Party.
Despite the warning, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police said there was no specific security threat at present, though officers remained on high alert.
Founded in 1949, the Awami League is Bangladesh's oldest political party and played a central role in the country's 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan.
The interim administration barred the Awami League from contesting the elections held in February. The polls brought the Bangladesh Nationalist Party to power, with Tarique Rahman being sworn in as Bangladesh's prime minister.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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MUKMIN pushes for united Indian Muslim voice, rolls out scholarships and jobs push
20 Jun 2026
Shahul said the community can no longer afford to operate in pockets. - June 20, 2026
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A NEW umbrella movement is taking shape within Malaysia’s Indian Muslim community, with MUKMIN stepping forward to bring together groups, leaders and professionals that have long worked in silos.
At its first executive committee (exco) meeting, the organisation made clear its pitch: less fragmentation, more coordination — and faster results.
“No single organisation can solve everything. But if we pool our strengths, we can open doors and create real opportunities,” he said.
MUKMIN is built around five focus areas — education, economic empowerment, leadership, social welfare, and community unity — with an emphasis on practical outcomes rather than just dialogue.
Among its early moves is securing more than RM7 million in scholarships through partnerships with six higher education institutions, creating over 350 spots for students across academic and TVET pathways.
The group is also launching an “Adopt A Graduate” programme, calling on businesses and professionals to step in — not just with funding, but with jobs, mentorship and industry exposure.
MUKMIN is set for its official launch this August, timed with Malaysia’s Independence Month celebrations. More than 2,500 participants are expected, including community leaders, policymakers and international delegates.
The event will also bring in Indian Muslim representatives from abroad, as the organisation looks to build regional ties and widen its network.
Internally, its leadership has mapped out priorities for the next two years, focusing on growth, youth involvement and making sure programmes actually deliver on the ground.
He added that MUKMIN aims to become a central meeting point for collaboration — and a stronger, more unified voice on issues affecting the Indian Muslim community.
Source: www.thevibes.com
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Five hurt in suspected anti-Muslim attacks across Edinburgh, Scotland
June 21, 2026
Stephen N R
Dubai: Counterterrorism detectives in Scotland have launched an investigation after five men were injured in a series of suspected anti-Muslim attacks across Edinburgh, according to police and media reports, with videos showing a shirtless man carrying a large weapon and targeting multiple locations before being arrested.
Police Scotland said a 36-year-old white man was taken into custody late Friday following what officers described as a fast-moving sequence of violent incidents across the Scottish capital.
The attacks began near a mosque in Edinburgh’s Broomhouse area, where two men were assaulted shortly after attending evening prayers, according to community groups, the BBC reported. Three other men were later attacked at separate locations across the city.
The victims, aged 22, 22, 24, 27 and 39, suffered a range of injuries. Three required hospital treatment, though police said none of the injuries were life-threatening.
“My thoughts are with those who are injured and I thank the police and the emergency services for their response,” Starmer said. “I will not tolerate this - he will face the full force of the law.”
Footage circulating on social media appeared to show a bare-chested man roaming the streets armed with a weapon, smashing property and confronting members of the public.
One video showed a taxi with shattered windows at a petrol station, while another appeared to show the suspect entering a fuel station shop, knocking over shelves and scattering goods across the floor.
At a pizzeria on Leith Walk, staff reportedly rushed to close electronic security shutters as the man repeatedly struck the glass doors with the weapon while customers fled the area.
Another video appeared to show the suspect pinned to the ground by police officers, shouting that he was “protecting the country” as he was detained.
Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton described the incidents as a “shocking attack” and confirmed that Counter Terrorism Policing officers were assisting local investigators.
“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,” she said.
The Scottish Association of Mosques said two of the injured men had been attacked after attending prayers, while Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) Scotland said members of the community were deeply shaken by the violence.
The Muslim Council of Britain said Muslims were “rightly nervous and worried”, describing the incidents as part of a wider climate of hostility towards minority communities.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney said he was “deeply concerned” by the attacks and stressed that there was no place for violence, racism or intolerance in Scotland.
Police said extensive inquiries were continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the attacks and urged anyone with information to come forward.
Source: gulfnews.com
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Zelenskyy warns of massive Russian attack on Ukraine in coming days
21-06-2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russia is preparing a major strike in the coming days and urged civilians to remain alert during air raid warnings.
"Tonight, and in the near future, we must be especially attentive to air alerts: the Russians have prepared a new massive strike," Zelenskyy said in his evening address on Saturday.
He said Russian forces continued attacks across Ukraine, killing civilians, while also confirming what he described as an "effective" Ukrainian strike on an oil refinery in Russia's Tyumen region.
Zelenskyy also accused Russia of bringing Belarus into the conflict, warning of "extremely dangerous" consequences. He claimed Belarus has repeaters near the border that help correct Russian drone strikes in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy added that Belarusian gasoline shipments to Russia increased thirteenfold between January and May compared to the same period last year, while diesel exports tripled. He emphasised that these supplies and Belarusian industrial support strengthen Minsk's position in the conflict.
On Friday, Zelenskyy warned Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that if alleged Russian drone-support equipment is not removed from Belarusian territory, Ukraine will take action to dismantle it.
"On his territory, along the two regions bordering Ukraine, there is equipment that adjusts (weapons) fire on our people. He should remove that equipment. I think a week is enough for him to do that," Zelenskyy wrote on X.
On Saturday, Russian forces attacked the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia with glide bombs, killing five people and injuring 10, Regional Governor Ivan Fedorov wrote on Telegram.
In the southern Kherson region, regional governor Oleksandr Prokudin said one person had died in a drone attack on a village north of the region's main city, also called Kherson.
Source: www.trtworld.com
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https://www.trtworld.com/article/cb70e48465bc
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'Extreme alert': Suspected cyberattack prompts Brazil to shut down emergency alert network
Jun 20, 2026
Brazil's Civil Defense agency on Saturday said that a suspected cyberattack triggered a series of false warnings across the country overnight after which they temporarily suspended the mobile emergency alert system.
The alerts, which were sent during the night between Friday and Saturday, caused widespread confusion and prompted complaints from residents who said they were awakened by the loud emergency notifications. The system is normally reserved for major disasters and public safety emergencies.
In a statement, the agency said the suspicious message was issued as an "Extreme Alert" and included the word "misanthropy," a term referring to hatred of humanity. Authorities believe the notification may have been the result of a hacker intrusion, reported AFP.
According to the civil defense, the false alerts were transmitted to multiple regions of Brazil after being activated remotely by an individual outside the National System of Protection and Civil Defense.
The agency said it has requested assistance from the Federal Police to investigate the incident. It added that the alert network will remain offline until additional security measures are implemented and the system can be safely restored.
Source: timesofindia.com
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Babachir Lawal: Muslim-Muslim ticket spiked banditry, terrorism
21 June 2026
Babachir David Lawal is a politician and an engineer by profession. A close political ally of former President Muhammadu Buhari for over a decade, Lawal served as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) from 2015 until 2017.
Hailing from Adamawa State, his tenure at the apex of Nigeria’s civil service and his deep roots in northern politics have made him a central figure in the nation’s contemporary political landscape.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, the former SGF opens up on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his re-election bid, Peter Obi’s chances and why he believes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar can never rule Nigeria as President. He also speaks on insecurity, state police, among others
With recent developments, people are wondering which party you currently belong to. Are you still a member of the ADC after the recent fallout with the former Vice President?
I am not a member of the ADC. Must I belong to a party? I am an engineer. I am a theologian. I am in many professions. I am a farmer. I am a worker. I have so many streams of activities and streams of livelihood. I am a missionary. I do not have to belong to a party. I have left the ADC.
One could classify Atiku Abubakar as your kinsman, being from the same state. There have been questions about the genesis of your frequent disagreements with him. Is it personal, or is it born out of political differences?
Why do you say frequent? How many times have we disagreed? I have never been in the same political space with Atiku. In 2014, he met me in the APC after we had already formed the party. Politicians were free to join. We could not drive them away. But it is not as if we formed the APC together. It is more like we formed the APC and then they joined. He joined along with some governors. So, I have never truly been in the same political space with him in that sense, and I never knew firsthand how he operates until recently.
He is a man who likes absolute control and domination of others. He is the type of person who wants to control a structure from the polling unit level all the way to the executives. That is not politics to me. In politics, you focus on your own lane, pursue whatever ambition you have, and allow others to pursue their own ambitions at whatever level they choose to participate. But Atiku Abubakar is full of himself. As a simple illustration, you can see that he still lives as though he is a vice president. His convoy is sometimes longer than that of a sitting president. He moves around in private jets. He moves around with protocol officers who clear the road for him, just as they did when he was vice president. He seems to have internalised the belief that people should serve him, not the other way around. I do not consent to that type of conduct.
No, not at all. There was never a contention for control of the Adamawa ADC. Well, he likes to fool himself. It is not about who is in charge. It is a party system. There is a structure, there are executives running the party at every level. I happened to be the National Vice Chairman for that zone as well. But I never conceded to him that a former vice president could give directives over and above my head to the rank and file below. It had gotten into his head that being a former vice president entitled him to behave like that. When his sycophants go to him with complaints, he likes to give orders. Knowing that I am not the type of person he can order around, he would sometimes try to leapfrog me and go directly above me, but I never allowed it even there.
In 2023 you disagreed with and refused to support your long time friend, the current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the Muslim-Muslim ticket. Three years down the line, have you reached out or renewed that friendship you once had with him?
Reach out to do what? What is bad is bad. It does not change with time. The sense of equity is constant. If there is a lack of equity today, a hundred years from now it remains the same. Truth does not change with time. What is good remains good. What is bad remains bad.
But those who argued that Christians would be marginalised by this government say that fear has not really played out. As a clergyman, is that true?
Have Christians been well represented in this government? When you ask questions like this, you do not feel what we feel. In the North, the word minority is not actually the proper word. Let me explain it this way. You can only understand the North in the context of what the jihad did or wanted to do. Usman Dan Fodio was successful in conquering the Hausas and installing emirs. With the other tribal groups in the North, he was not able to do that. He was effectively resisted. There is not a single smaller tribe in the North that Dan Fodio successfully conquered and subjugated into Islam. There are Muslims among us, but they are there by persuasion, not by compulsion. When the British came, they found the larger part of the North almost monolithic and already under the Islamic caliphate system of governance. The imperialists found it easy to co-opt and adopt that system. They did not need to set up new structures to collect taxes and maintain peace. Since the Hausa people were completely subjugated, they already had emirs running the system. In those areas they could not subjugate, they decided to create some form of emirate structure. While those emirates were not always successful, you saw small pocket chiefdoms in places like Nasarawa and Adamawa, among largely Christian populations. What they did was downgrade the traditional chiefs on the ground and elevate the emirate system. Even in Yola, it was only a small village in Guri before they downgraded all the chiefs and upgraded the emirate system to create a uniform structure. The tension has remained ever since. Those ethnic nationalities whose rulerships were downgraded have been struggling to recover their status.
If you were to go to Abuja today and enter any government establishment, you would find that a northern Christian has one consistent complaint: marginalisation. Before you arrived, I had just received someone who works in a government agency. He has been passed over repeatedly. He is due for branch leadership, but nobody gives it to him. They continue to elevate people below him. That is the universal cry for ethnic nationalities in the North – ‘they refuse to promote me. There is a vacancy above me, yet they bring in a Fulani or a Muslim man and elevate him instead.’ And even within Islam there are two categories. The Fulani and the Hausa are in category A. Those from our people who are Muslims by persuasion are in category B. So where they cannot find a Hausa or Fulani man for a position, they manage with an ethnic nationality who is Muslim. But even they are second class. Perhaps we are third class and they are second class. That tension is alive today.
President Tinubu’s agenda has nothing to do with restoring equity in the system. His agenda vis-à-vis the North, as I see it, is to balkanise the North along existing fault lines. He operates at the upper echelons of society and has no interest in people like us. Tinubu does not appreciate that within the North there is a Kilba man, a Jukun man, a Tiv man. For southerners, we are all Hausa or we are all Fulani. Tinubu does not concern himself with liberating us. He distributes appointments as the Fulani do: if there is no Yoruba man available, he manages with whoever will do his bidding. He has no interest in addressing the oppression embedded in the system.
Yes. To be honest, all over Nigeria there is suffering. Security suffering, economic suffering, social segregation and division. All of this contributes to tension within the system. But in the North, it is peculiar because our governments and our elites have failed us woefully. We feel the impact of these economic, social and security dysfunctions more than other places. If that were to translate into votes, people would vote against him. Almost every Nigerian would vote against him. The North in particular would do so more forcefully. But in politics, it is a basket of many things. It is not one factor that determines the outcome. Which brings me to my position on Atiku Abubakar. The ADC rank and file knows that Atiku will not win the presidency for them. First, because there is a fatigue against that man all over the country. He has been a recurring figure in every presidential election since 1999, and indeed since 1993. Nigerians are asking what is driving him to that position. It cannot be altruistic. It cannot be other than self-serving. People are tired of him.
Source: thesun.ng
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India
Indian Muslim umbrella body calls for more coordinated approach towards nation-building
21-06-2026
Its president, Shahul Dawood, said it was time the community moved beyond “fragmented efforts”, noting that they were strongest when they worked together.
“But, together, we can create opportunities, mobilise resources and build a stronger future for all,” he said at Mukmin’s inaugural executive committee meeting yesterday.
Shahul said Mukmin, which will be officially launched in August, will serve as a national platform that unites organisations, institutions, professionals and community leaders to advance community development through collective action, strategic partnerships, and sustainable impact initiatives.
And for a start, he announced that Mukmin has secured more than RM7 million in scholarship commitments through strategic collaborations with six education institutions.
Source: www.freemalaysiatoday.com
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Religious hatred in Modasa hospital: Patient called terrorist over his Islamic name
June 20, 2026
A controversy has erupted in Modasa, Gujarat, after a young Muslim man claimed he was publicly humiliated and labelled a “terrorist” at a private healthcare facility. The incident occurred at Dr Vinay Gandhi Hospital during routine paperwork for a patient.
Suthar Moin alleged that a medical store employee glanced at his name and loudly remarked, “The terrorists have arrived,” causing shock and distress to him and his family.
What began as a routine medical visit quickly turned into an ordeal of embarrassment and alleged religious discrimination. Deeply hurt, Moin approached the hospital’s chief, Dr Vinay Gandhi, seeking action against the employee.
Instead of addressing the complaint seriously, the doctor reportedly dismissed it contemptuously, saying, “Call whomever you want, even the media; I have no problem with that.”
Source: muslimmirror.com
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Indian Union Muslim League ends nearly six-decade-long alliance with DMK, backs TVK
21-06-2026
The Indian Union Muslim League on Saturday said it had ended its nearly six-decade-long alliance with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, The Hindu reported.
The Indian Union Muslim League, which won two seats in last month’s Tamil Nadu Assembly election, extended support to the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam for forming the government. However, it had contested the election as part of the alliance led by the DMK.
Kader Mohideen, the chief of the Indian Union Muslim League, said that the party had hoped that the “Dravidian Model government” would return to power and DMK chief MK Stalin would become the chief minister for a second term.
Source: scroll.in
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How two Marathi plays – ‘Shivaji Underground’ and ‘Sangeet Devabhabhli’ -- are reshaping the stage
By Ramu Ramanathan
Jun 21, 2026
MUMBAI: In a Marathi theatre landscape often defined by the box office, two plays -- ‘Shivaji Underground in Bhimnagar Mohalla’ and ‘Sangeet Devbhabhli’ -- have defied the status quo, carving out a decade-long legacy of radical and soulful storytelling as they march confidently towards their landmark 1000th show.
First the commonalities – the two plays have been achieving something rare for the past decade or so: they have walked out of the drawing room and into the open air. They do not merely entertain; they demand an awakening. While ‘Shivaji Underground in Bhimnagar Mohalla’, is a polemical, radical interrogation of history, ‘Sangeet Devbhabhli’ is a delicate, musical inquiry into the lives of two women left behind by the march of saintly men. Together, they represent two young voices of the Marathi stage: Rajkumar Tangde and Prajakta Deshmukh.
Nita Ambani once again showcased her love for Indian craftsmanship at the Reliance Annual General Meeting, stepping out in a hand-embroidered Chikankari saree that celebrated the timeless artistry of Lucknow’s textile traditions. Let’s decode her look and take some ethnic fashion notes. (Also read: Nita Ambani stuns in a handwoven Banarasi Katan silk saree crafted over 3 months by skilled artisans )
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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IUML exits DMK alliance, cites association with ruling TVK in Tamil Nadu
By S Vijay Karthik
Jun 21, 2026
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a longtime ally of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), on Saturday exited from the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA), citing post-poll association with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), while stating that a decision on the renewed electoral alliance will be taken after the by-election and local body election dates are announced.
This comes after the SPA dealt a blow following the Congress’s support to the TVK to form the government in Tamil Nadu, marking a major shift in the state’s political allegiance.
At the party’s general council meeting held on Saturday in Chennai, the IUML passed 14 resolutions, including the discontinuing of the association with the DMK-led alliance.
“Respecting the verdict given by the people in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) extended its support for the TVK to form the government, and is currently part of the government led by the C Joseph Vijay. Given today’s political climate, we cannot continue our journey in the DMK alliance.This meeting resolves that a decision regarding the electoral alliance will be made as soon as the by-elections and local body elections are announced,” the resolution said.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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Pakistan
'No Press Freedom': JD Vance Blames Pak For Delay In Releasing Iran Agreement
by: Anushree Jonko
Jun 20, 2026
US Vice President JD Vance has blamed Pakistan's freedom of the press for the delay in releasing the full text of the US-Iran peace deal, which was signed recently.
Speaking in a podcast called 'Interesting Times with Ross Douthat', Vance said that although the US wanted to release the agreement on June 15, they could only do so two days later.
"We actually wanted to get it out. I think part of the misalignment here is that in the Pakistani and Qatari systems, they don't quite have the First Amendment and freedom of the press," Vance said.
In the United States, the First Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights. It prevents the government from infringing upon five fundamental freedoms.
Source: www.ndtv.com
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Thanks to Trump, Pakistan gets a fleeting 'finest hour', India must keep watch
Anirban Bhaumik DHNS
21 June 2026
In June 2025, New Delhi sent some parliamentarians to Washington DC, where they met US Vice President J D Vance as well as several lawmakers, spoke to journalists, and interacted with analysts at the Council on Foreign Relations about Pakistan's expo...
Source: www.deccanherald.com
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Foreign investors pulled over $1 billion from Pakistan equities in FY26— data
Ismail Dilawar
June 21, 2026
KARACHI: Foreign investors in Pakistan sold equities worth over $1 billion this fiscal year, official data and analysts said this week, with an economist attributing the selling to escalating tensions in the Middle East following the Iran war and the country’s reclassification in global indices.
According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), foreign investors bought equities worth $298.3 million and sold $1.03 billion during the fiscal year to date, resulting in net outflows of $736 million.
Foreign investors from the US, UK and Sweden account for almost 80 percent of the outflows, economist Muhammad Waqas Ghani told Arab News on Saturday.
“The key drivers behind foreign selling were Pakistan’s reclassification in global indices and a surge in global risk aversion amid escalating Middle East tensions,” Ghani, the head of research at Karachi-based brokerage firm JS Global Capital Limited, said.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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Pakistan minister Mohsin Naqvi lands in Iran
By Sajjad Hussain
June 21, 2026
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday reached Iran unannounced – the first visit to the country by any senior Pakistani official after Washington and Tehran signed an agreement aimed at restoring peace in West Asia.
According to the state-owned IRNA news agency, Naqvi, during his visit, will “monitor the ongoing negotiations” between Iran and the US. The US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) this week, which led to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and marked the beginning of a 60-day negotiation window aimed at restoring peace in West Asia.
No official announcement was made in Islamabad about Naqvi’s trip, but it is believed that he would discuss the upcoming technical-level talks between Washington and Tehran, which were expected to begin on June 19, but were postponed. Axios reported on Saturday that White House envoy Steve Witkoff was on his way to Switzerland, where the first round of talks after the MoU signing is expected to take place, with focus on Iran’s nuclear stock. It further cited an unnamed source saying Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is also planning to travel to Switzerland.
Source: dailypioneer.com
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Budget: How Pakistan Is Choosing Warships Over Its Own Citizens?
Anish Kumar
Jun 21 2026
Days ago, on 11 June, PNS Hangor sailed into Karachi to a ceremonial naval welcome – cadets of the Pakistan Naval Academy presenting a salute, Z9EC helicopters in fly-past overhead, families of the crew assembled at the dockyard. It was a good day for the Pakistan Navy. It was also the right moment to ask a question that official ceremony tends to foreclose: what did this submarine actually cost the country, and who is still paying?
When Pakistan commissioned PNS Hangor on 30 April 2026 in Sanya, China, with President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf in attendance, it marked the first operational milestone in a programme that has been repeatedly and emphatically described as a game-changer for the Pakistan Navy. Eight submarines. Chinese collaboration. A price tag estimated at $4-5 billion, the largest arms export contract in Chinese military history at the time of signing.
The capability case is real. Unlike conventional diesel-electric submarines requiring frequent snorkeling cycles, AIP-equipped submarines can remain submerged for weeks, substantially reducing detection vulnerability from maritime patrol aircraft, satellites, and anti-submarine warfare assets.
Source: newsable.asianetnews.com
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'Driven by bigotry and hatred': India hits back at Pakistan Prez, calls out its abysmal human rights record
By Ajaypal Choudhary
Jun 21, 2026
The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday strongly rejected comments made by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, describing them as "unwarranted" and an attempt to interfere in India's internal affairs.
Responding to the remarks, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India "categorically rejects" the statements made by the Pakistani leader and asserted that he had no authority to comment on matters concerning 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," Jaiswal said in a statement.
Source: www.wionews.com
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Mideast
US-Iran negotiations to begin in Switzerland as Iran claims Strait of Hormuz is closed
21 June 2026
US Vice President JD Vance landed in Switzerland on Sunday to help formally launch negotiations with Iranian leaders over curbing Tehran’s nuclear program and building out the fragile interim deal to end the war in Iran.
The framework was signed last week, and now top US and Iran negotiators are in a 60-day sprint to reach an agreement on the technical details that hold massive implications for the world economy and global security.
Yet the first days of that two-month period were complicated by the heavy exchange of fire in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah — and by the subsequent announcement by Iran’s military that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway that transits a fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas.
Source: www.itv.com/news
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Al Jazeera demands accountability after killing of cameraman in Gaza
20 June 2026
Al Jazeera Media Network has demanded that the international community and legal institutions punish Israeli officials for crimes committed against its correspondents and staff in Gaza, the latest of which was the killing of cameraman Ahmed Washah.
It came in a statement by the network following the killing of the Al Jazeera Mubasher cameraman in an Israeli strike that targeted a house in the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza.
The network said it condemns the killing of Washah, noting that his brother, Mohammed, a correspondent for Al Jazeera Mubasher, was killed in an Israeli strike two months earlier.
Source: www.trtworld.com
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What are Iran's solutions for responding to US?
Jun 21, 2026
TEHRAN, Jun. 21 (MNA) – With Israeli violation of Iran-US memorandum of understanding (MoU) and continued bombing of residential areas in Lebanon, a serious question arises: What solutions can Iran use to prevent continuation of the crimes?
The memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, which was signed by the presidents of the two countries following the end of the recent conflicts in the region, had one of its most important provisions as a complete cessation of military operations on all fronts of the conflict. According to the first paragraph of this agreement, the ceasefire was not limited to Iran-Israel front, but explicitly covered all fronts related to the Axis of Resistance, including Lebanon; meaning that any military operations against Lebanon and other countries on this front had to be stopped.
However, in recent days, the Zionist regime has once again resumed its attacks on southern Lebanon, a process that observers consider a clear violation of Article 1 of the Memorandum of Understanding. These attacks continue while the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to official reports, has so far adhered to its obligations under the agreement. The continuation of these aggressions, despite the explicit commitment of the United States as the guarantor of this understanding, has raised serious questions about the extent of Washington's commitment to its role as a mediator and guarantor, and has had widespread political and media repercussions within the country.
Source: en.mehrnews.com
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Iran, Pakistan determined to boost bilateral relations / Islamabad thanks the Leader of the Islamic Revolution
Jun 21, 2026
Pars Today – The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a meeting with Pakistan's Interior Minister, while appreciating the brotherly, responsible, and committed approach of the Islamabad government in supporting the ceasefire negotiation process and the end of the war by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran, has emphasized the country's constructive and effective role in backing this path and contributing to the consolidation of the negotiation outcomes.
According to Pars Today, citing IRIB News Agency, Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, met with Syed Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan's Interior Minister, in Tehran on Saturday. Given Iran's serious determination to expand and deepen relations with Pakistan in all areas of mutual interest, he stressed the need to utilize the vast existing capacities in bilateral relations.
Syed Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan's Interior Minister, also expressed his pleasure at meeting the President and welcomed the ceasefire agreement and the end of the war by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran. He expressed gratitude for the guidance and direction of Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, and for his strategic and wise role in supporting political processes, helping to end the crisis, and establishing the ceasefire.
Source: parstoday.ir
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Iran achieves 85% self-sufficiency in food security
Jun 21, 2026
Pars Today – The Minister of Agricultural Jihad of the Islamic Republic of Iran has announced 85% self-sufficiency in ensuring the country's food security.
According to Pars Today, Gholamreza Nouri Ghezeljeh, Iran's Minister of Agricultural Jihad, speaking Saturday night on the special news program of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), detailed the government's measures in the field of food security during the 12-day war and the third imposed war by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran. He reported the full preservation of the country's strategic reserves during the war, the clearance of nearly 7 million tons of goods from ports, and the achievement of 85% self-sufficiency in food security, stating: "The target set in the Seventh Development Plan is to increase this rate to over 90%."
Nouri added that Iran's agricultural production has risen from 28 million tons in the years before the Islamic Revolution to 139 million tons. Wheat production has increased from 4 million tons to approximately 14–16 million tons, raw milk production from 2.6 million tons to 13 million tons, and poultry meat production from 65,000 tons to about 3 million tons.
Source: parstoday.ir
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https://parstoday.ir/en/news/iran-i244162-iran_achieves_85_self_sufficiency_in_food_security
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US-Iran talks to begin in Switzerland as Tehran says it closed Strait of Hormuz
21 June 2026
Direct talks between the US and Iran are set to begin in Switzerland despite the Iranian military saying it has closed the Strait of Hormuz again over Israel's attacks on southern Lebanon.
The US military has disputed the claim, saying "traffic continues to flow". Iran said the Strait was closed in response to deadly Israeli strikes in Lebanon that were a breach of Tehran's agreement with the US to end the war.
US Vice-President JD Vance landed in Switzerland early Sunday morning. The new round of negotiations is expected to start later in the day.
Source: www.the-star.co.ke
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South Asia
The Taliban’s Relentless Restrictions: When Women Can No Longer Shop at the Market
Farhaad
21-06-2026
A Taliban fighter carrying a rifle stands among women in burqas at a market in Afghanistan. (Photo credit: AP)
Yesterday, I read in one of the media outlets that the Taliban in the provinces of Laghman and Nangarhar have warned shopkeepers not to sell anything to women who are unaccompanied by a male guardian (mahram); otherwise, their shops will be shut down,n and they themselves will be imprisoned. The reality is that this chain of restrictions and prohibitions is no longer a temporary policy, nor a measure of moral discipline, but a “road map” with predetermined stations aimed at the complete erasure of women from the public sphere. Over the past five years, the Taliban have not taken a single step back in their suppression of women, not because of pressure from society, not because of international reactions, and not even because of the catastrophic human consequences of the policies of their apparatus for the propagation of virtue and prevention of vice.
The Taliban first launched the project of removing women and girls from schools and universities, not as a temporary or marginal decision, but as a step deemed essential to the survival of their regime. After that came the turn of work and the economy: dismissal from government offices and then from the private sector, meaning the complete removal of women from the cycle of production and livelihood. This means that a woman has neither the right to education, nor the right to work, nor the right to provide bread for herself and her family. Then came the turn of public spaces: parks, bathhouses, sports, travel, and so on. Each of these strips away a piece of women’s presence in society. As if this were not enough, the white-cloaked agents of the propagation of virtue took to the streets and began carrying out arbitrary detentions. This means that the home became a prison for women, and the streets a field of danger.
Then it was the turn of the health sector. Here, it is no longer merely a restriction, but a violation of the most basic right to life. The Taliban ordered that a female doctor must come to her workplace accompanied by a male guardian, meaning that even a woman who saves the lives of others must herself remain under the supervision of a man. They said something even worse: that a female patient must not go to a hospital without a male guardian, and even if she does, she must not be treated. In other words, if a woman is dying and has no male guardian with her, she must die, because the Taliban’s version of Sharia prefers death over treatment without a male guardian. This means that religion has become a pretext for the indirect killing of women. And now it is the turn of the shops. Under the Taliban’s new order, if a woman goes to the market without a male guardian, the shopkeeper has no right to sell her goods, meaning the woman is barred from securing food and clothing for herself and her family.
Source: 8am.media
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HK ranked global No. 2 Muslim-friendly destination, rising for the second consecutive year
21-06-2026
Hong Kong has claimed second place for "Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year" among non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (non-OIC) destinations in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), moving up one spot from last year.
The achievement, which marks a rise in the rankings for the second consecutive year, was announced at the annual "Halal in Travel Awards" ceremony held in Singapore on Thursday (June 18).
Meanwhile, "Jelajah Hong Kong," a promotional campaign targeting Southeast Asian Muslim markets launched by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), was awarded the "Halal Travel Marketing Campaign of the Year."
Source: www.thestandard.com.hk
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Major water supply network completed in E. Afghanistan
2026-06-20
KABUL, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities have completed and inaugurated a drinking water supply network in Kuz Kunar district in eastern Nangarhar province, the official media Bakhtar news agency said on Saturday.
The project is a significant step toward expanding basic infrastructure and enhancing living standards in rural communities across the country.
Source: english.news.cn
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Kazakhstan and Afghanistan eye $3 billion trade turnover
21 June 2026
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin and Afghanistan’s Minister of Industry and Commerce Haji Nooruddin Azizi opened the annual Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Business Forum in Kabul, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Government of Kazakhstan.
More than 50 Kazakh companies participated in the forum, representing the agro-industrial sector, technology, engineering, chemical industry, and IT sector, along with representatives of the public and quasi-public sectors.
According to the government, bilateral trade reached 541.8 million US dollars by the end of 2025. As part of efforts to further strengthen trade and economic relations, the two countries aim to increase trade turnover to 3 billion US dollars in the near future.
Kazakhstan views Afghanistan as a strategic partner and a key logistics hub for the South and Central Asian region. Current cooperation plans include expanding the range of traded goods, creating favorable conditions for investment, removing logistical and certification barriers, and promoting direct business ties and e-commerce platforms.
Source: qazinform.com
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Afghan Women's XI play for cricketing recognition in England
21-06-2026
In 2021, as the Taliban closed in on Kabul and seized back power, members of Afghanistan women's cricket team fled for their lives.
"The [International Cricket Council] always said that women are equal to men. We have heard that a lot," Hashimi said of the sport's governing body.
The Taliban-controlled Afghanistan Cricket Board refuses to acknowledge the women's team, which in turn means the International Cricket Council (ICC) cannot sanction them to play in its tournaments.
Source: www.abc.net.au
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Bangladesh PM to visit Malaysia, China on first foreign tour
June 20, 2026
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to visit Malaysia and China on his first trip abroad since assuming office, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday (June 20, 2026), bypassing neighbouring India as his inaugural destination.
Mr. Rahman will visit Malaysia on Sunday (June 21) before travelling to China the following day, Dhaka's state-run BSS news agency reported, citing Foreign Ministry officials.
Those could include Chinese support for the long-delayed Teesta project, a plan to restore and manage a key Bangladesh river through dredging, embankment construction and irrigation.
Source: www.thehindu.com
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Measles Outbreak In Bangladesh Claims 7 More Lives; 677 Total Deaths
Jun 21, 2026
As many as seven children have died from measles outbreak in Bangladesh on Saturday, raising the total number of confirmed and suspected deaths to 677 since March 15 this year, amid an escalating health crisis in the country, local media reported.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the deaths were reported in the 24 hours leading up to Saturday morning.
The DGHS recorded a total of 807 suspected measles cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the overall tally of suspected cases to 91,789.
Reports suggest that as the number of measles and suspected measles cases crossed the one lakh mark, infections continued to rise despite a vaccination drive a month ago covering 1.84 crore children.
Health experts cited the possible gaps in vaccination coverage in certain areas, along with weak infection control and prevention measures, as contributing factors. They warned that the onset of dengue season could further endanger children already infected with measles, increasing the risk of severe complications.
Source: www.ndtv.com
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Protests mount in Bangladesh overalleged desecration of Hindu deity
Jun 21, 2026
DHAKA: Bangladesh continued to witness protests by the Hindu community in Dhaka and other parts of the country, condemning govt's 'inaction' following an incident at Palashbari, Gaibandha, in which a picture of Lord Ram was allegedly hit with shoes during a procession and threats were reportedly made to vandalise the idol of Lord Ram at Radha-Gobinda Temple.
Claiming that a group with vested interests is trying to create instability in the country by destroying religious harmony, leaders of Hindu community on Saturday highlighted repeated attacks on the minorities and threatened to mobilise larger protests if their concerns are not addressed immediately. They are even ready to die for the cause, they said.
Dhaka witnessed massive protests on Friday night and Saturday. Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad also staged demonstrations on Saturday, joined by Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad.
They described the incidents as a grave insult to Hindu sentiments and expressed concern over what they termed as a deliberate attempt by communal elements to incite hatred against minority communities.
Source: Timesofindia.com
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Southeast Asia
Federal allocations to states guided by Constitution, says Pasir Gudang MP
21 Jun 2026
JOHOR BAHRU, June 21 — The Madani Government is guided by written laws and the Federal Constitution in matters involving financial allocations to states, including Johor, said Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim.
In a statement, he said Article 109(1) of the Federal Constitution provides that the Federal Government shall, for every financial year, grant each state a capitation allocation in accordance with the provisions of Part I of the Tenth Schedule.
Hassan, who is also a lawyer, said Article 110(1) further stipulates that states are entitled to revenue derived from taxes, fees and other sources of income as set out in Part III of the Tenth Schedule.
“If any state government is dissatisfied, the matter can be raised through the National Finance Council, which the Federal Government is required to consult on allocations and grants to the states under Article 108(4) of the Federal Constitution,” he said.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Dr Sim urges deaf community to harness emerging technologies as Sarawak works to improve accessibility for PwDs
21 Jun 2026
KUCHING, June 21 — Sarawak still has significant ground to cover in improving infrastructure and accessibility for persons with disabilities (PwDs), particularly members of the deaf community, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
He said the state government’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity aligns with the Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030, which seeks to empower all Sarawakians to contribute to the state’s development.
“The deaf community is an integral part of Anak Sarawak. In fact, I have always admired them because they are exemplary in the way they embrace life.
“They make the most of every opportunity despite the challenges they face,” he said when officiating at the Sarawak Society for the Deaf (SSD) Charity Food Fair 2026 at the Association of Churches in Sarawak Hall here on Sunday.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Perikatan to review coalition membership, logo and Johor, Negeri Sembilan poll strategy at emergency meeting tomorrow
By Malay Mail
21 Jun 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) will convene an emergency meeting tomorrow to determine the coalition’s next steps, including matters related to its logo for the upcoming state elections and party membership.
According to a meeting notice dated Thursday and reported by The Star, PN secretary‑general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the supreme council will meet at 8.30pm tomorrow at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
PN information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa confirmed the meeting when contacted, while Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) president P. Punithan said the discussion would cover the “Johor and Negeri Sembilan polls, the coalition logo and the way forward.”
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Former Titi Serong assemblyman Hasnul Zulkarnain rejoins Amanah after six years
21 Jun 2026
IPOH, June 21 — Former Titi Serong state assemblyman Hasnul Zulkarnain Abd Munaim has rejoined Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) after leaving the party for nearly six years.
Perak Amanah chairman Datuk Asmuni Awi said the decision to readmit Hasnul Zulkarnain, who is also the former state Amanah Youth chief, was agreed upon during the party’s National Management Meeting and National Leadership Meeting on June 18.
He said Hasnul Zulkarnain had long expressed his intention to return to Amanah, but previously, the circumstances were not conducive for the matter to be discussed and decided.
“However, the party leadership now believes the time is right to reconsider applications from former members who wish to return to Amanah, in line with the approach adopted by several other political parties,” he told reporters after attending the 2026 Amanah Tambun annual meeting here today.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Speaker confirms Hamzah’s status as Opposition Leader, Muhyiddin moved to new seat
21 Jun 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul confirmed that he had received a notification letter regarding Larut MP Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s status as the Opposition Leader.
Speaking to Bernama, he said the Dewan Rakyat sitting, due to start tomorrow, will involve several changes to MPs’ seating positions.
As shown on the official Parliament website’s updated seating plan as of June 19, Muhyiddin has been assigned a seat in Block E of the Dewan Rakyat.
The seating arrangement for Hamzah as Opposition Leader remains unchanged on the Opposition front bench, where he sits alongside Kemaman MP and Perikatan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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From abah to abi: Malaysia’s top leaders salute the silent superheroes who don’t wear capes
21 Jun 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 — Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, together with Cabinet ministers, today paid tribute to fathers in conjunction with Father’s Day, recognising their contributions and sacrifices.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said behind a father’s calm demeanour lie countless sacrifices made to ensure the well-being of the family, nurture children and safeguard their future.
SHAH ALAM, June 20 — The Selangor state government continues to expand access to affordable healthcare through its Selgate Healthcare hospital network, in efforts to help the...
“I was reminded of the film Papazola, which shows that a father’s love is often not expressed through words. Instead, it is reflected in every effort, every prayer, every hardship endured and every step taken for the sake of the family,” he said in a Facebook post.
He also urged children to cherish their fathers while they are still around by spending time with them, checking on their well-being and expressing the love that may have long remained unspoken.
Meanwhile, Fadillah, who is also Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, said a father’s love is reflected through invaluable sacrifices, tireless dedication and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of his family.
He said fathers, whether known as bapa, ayah, abah, papa, walid, abi, appa, apak or any other title, are more than breadwinners, serving as educators, protectors and role models who guide their children through life’s challenges.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Pakatan to unveil Johor state poll candidates in Bukit Gambir tomorrow, says Anwar
21 Jun 2026
JOHOR BAHRU, June 21 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will attend the announcement ceremony for PH candidates for the 16th Johor State Election in Bukit Gambir, Tangkak, tomorrow.
In a social media post today, Anwar said he would join other PH leaders at the event, scheduled for 8 pm at the Bukit Gambir Extreme Park field.
“Insya-Allah, I will be in Bukit Gambir tomorrow to join Pakatan Harapan leaders in announcing the candidates who will carry the people’s mandate in the 16th Johor State Election.
Source: www.malaymail.com
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Arab world
Giancarlo Esposito embraces Islam during stay in Saudi Arabia
June 21, 2026
Al-Sheikh said Esposito recited the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, and joined members of the production team in prayer at a mosque while filming in the Kingdom.
The actor, who has enjoyed a decades-long career in film and television, is widely recognized for his performances in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Mandalorian, and several Hollywood productions. His role as Gus Fring earned him international acclaim and multiple award nominations.
According to Al-Sheikh, Esposito's decision came after a positive experience during his time in Saudi Arabia and his interactions with Muslims while working in the Kingdom.
Source: saudigazette.com.sa
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Collective Punishment After Kléber’s Assassination: How Al-Azhar Was Closed During One of the Most Difficult Periods in Its History
Medhat Elsheikh
21/06/2026
Cairo, Egypt – The anniversary of one of the harshest chapters in the history of Al-Azhar Mosque is observed: its closure by the authorities of the French Campaign in Egypt. This action was taken as a punitive collective measure following the assassination of the French commander, General Jean-Baptiste Kléber, in 1800 by the Syrian student Sulayman al-Halabi.
The assassination of Kléber—who had assumed command of the campaign after Napoleon Bonaparte’s return to France—sent shockwaves through the French military leadership. This shock quickly turned into panic and fury, as the French believed the assassination was not an isolated act, but the result of incitement and planning by religious and local elites, prompting them to adopt a strategy of collective punishment.
As the most important center of spiritual, political, and social influence in Egypt at the time, Al-Azhar Mosque was the primary target for French retaliation. The harsh measures included:
Source: www.voiceofemirates.com
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Al-Zahir li-I’zaz Din Allah.. A Fatimid Caliph Who Took Power After the Disappearance of Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah
Medhat Elsheikh
21/06/2026
Cairo, Egypt – The Fatimid Caliph Al-Zahir li-I’zaz Din Allah is considered one of the most prominent rulers of the Fatimid state. He assumed the caliphate in 1021 AD following the disappearance of his father, Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, under mysterious circumstances that remain a subject of historical debate to this day.
Born in 1005 AD, his full name was Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah. He took the throne at a young age, which meant that the administration of state affairs in his early years relied heavily on senior statesmen and members of the Fatimid family. Foremost among them was his aunt, Sitt al-Mulk, who played a crucial role in consolidating the foundations of the government and managing the country’s affairs during that delicate transitional phase.
His caliphate came during a highly sensitive period in the history of the Fatimid state. The new leadership took on the responsibility of restoring stability after years of controversial decisions and policies that characterized the reign of Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah. The Fatimid administration worked diligently to calm the internal situation while also focusing on strengthening political relations with surrounding regional powers to ensure the state’s security.
Source: www.voiceofemirates.com
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Saudi ambassador to Lebanon meets Lebanese PM in Beirut, oversees resumption of exports to Kingdom
Arab News
June 20, 2026
BEIRUT: Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with Fahd bin Abdulrahman Al-Dosari, Saudi Arabia’s newly accredited ambassador to Lebanon, in Beirut on Saturday.
During the meeting, Al-Dosari conveyed the greetings of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the Lebanese premier, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Salam wished the ambassador success in his new role, and stressed the importance of continuing efforts to strengthen the longstanding ties between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2647940/saudi-arabia
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Saudi Arabia urges responsible AI governance at UN
June 20, 2026
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia reaffirmed the importance of strengthening international cooperation to ensure the responsible use of artificial intelligence and to harness its potential for advancing sustainable development.
On behalf of the Arab Group, the Kingdom delivered a statement during the UN General Assembly’s interactive dialogue in New York with the co-chairs of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI.
In a statement by Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Abdulaziz Alwasil, the Kingdom welcomed efforts to implement the Global Digital Compact and establish the independent panel on AI.
It also emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation among governments, the UN, the private sector, academic institutions, and civil society, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
Source: www.arabnews.com
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https://www.arabnews.com/node/2647933/saudi-arabia
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Europe
Edinburgh attack suspect appears motivated by ‘anti-Muslim hatred’, PM says
Lucinda Cameron
21-06-2026
The Prime Minister has condemned the attacks in Edinburgh that have left five people injured, saying the suspect appeared to be motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred”.
Counter-terrorism officers were brought in to investigate a series of violent attacks across Edinburgh on Friday and Police Scotland said a 36-year-old white Scottish man had been arrested. The force said there is no further threat to the public.
Sir Keir Starmer posted on X, linking to an image of a bare-chested man carrying a large weapon, saying: “Absolutely appalling. No one should face violence on our streets.
Source: www.standard.co.uk
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Zack Polanski slams right-wing MPs after Edinburgh 'anti-Muslim' attack
By Gregor Young
21-06-2026
ZACK Polanski has slammed right-wing politicians' "hatred" after five people were left injured following an "anti-Muslim" attack in Edinburgh.
Police Scotland said on Sunday that a 36-year-old white man has been charged in connection with a series of attacks in Edinburgh that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said appeared to be motivated by “anti-Muslim hatred”.
Police closed off Leith Walk on Friday evening as the incidents unfolded and another video appeared to show a topless man on the ground shouting that he is “protecting the country” as he is held by an officer.
Several of the victims are Muslim, according to the Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) organisation. Counter-terror police are investigating.
Source: www.thenational.scot
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President extends condolences to family of late Sheikh Ismail Mohamed
21 June 2026
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Sheikh Ismail Mohamed, a lifelong advocate of Islamic education and awareness who was honoured with the National Service Award for his contributions to the field. Sheikh Ismail passed away in the early hours of Sunday following a prolonged illness. He was 85.
In a post on his official X account, the President described Sheikh Ismail’s passing as a profound loss and conveyed his deepest sympathies to the bereaved family.
The President reflected on the late Sheikh’s lifelong efforts to promote Islamic education and awareness. He noted that, through his dedication to advancing Islamic learning, Sheikh Ismail had enabled many Maldivians to pursue Islamic studies abroad. The President further highlighted that he had taught and mentored numerous individuals who went on to serve, and continue to serve, the nation in various capacities.
Source: presidency.gov.mv
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https://presidency.gov.mv/Press/Article/36840
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Man charged over suspected anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh
Paige Ingram
21 Jun 2026
A man has been charged in connection with the attacks in Edinburgh on Friday.
Counter-terrorism officers were called in to probe a string of violent incidents across Edinburgh on Friday, with Police Scotland confirming a 36-year-old white Scottish man has now been charged. The force confirmed there is no further threat to the public.
Officers were dispatched to reports of an incident in the Sighthill area of the city, where two men were left injured, at approximately 8.50pm on Friday. Police subsequently received further reports of incidents targeting retailers across the west and north of the city.
Source: www.mirror.co.uk
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https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/police-man-charged-edinburgh-attacks-37325944
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General Staff: Russia has lost 1,391,950 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
by Luca Léry Moffat
June 21, 2026
Russia has lost around 1,391,950 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on June 21.
According to the report, Russia has also lost 12,049 tanks, 24,797 armored combat vehicles, 109,817 vehicles and fuel tanks, 44,479 artillery systems, 1,885 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,435 air defense systems, 436 aircraft, 353 helicopters, 364,149 drones, 1,703 unmanned ground vehicles, 33 ships and boats, and two submarines.
Independent Western think-tank reports agree that the Russian casualties significantly surpass Ukraine's losses, with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimating the ratio to be "roughly 2.5:1 or 2:1."
Source: kyivindependent.com
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Russian strikes on eastern Ukraine kill three and injure 22
By Nathan Rennolds
21/06/2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that his forces had targeted an oil-processing facility in Russia's Tyumen region.
Oleksandr Ganzha, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, said one person died and nine were wounded following a wave of attacks on three districts of Dnipropetrovsk.
A 70-year-old woman died in a strike on the Nikopol district of the region, with a number of houses and a car also damaged, he added.
Source: www.euronews.com
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https://www.euronews.com/2026/06/21/russian-strikes-on-eastern-ukraine-kill-three-and-injure-22
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North America
'Focus on your own popularity': Italian PM Giorgia Meloni fires back at US President Donald Trump's 'senseless' attacks
Jun 21, 2026
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni fired back at US President Donald Trump after he suggested she was attempting to boost her domestic political standing by mending ties with Washington, telling the American leader to focus on his own popularity instead.
Terming his attacks as "unprovoked and senseless", she said that her popularity depended on her "ability to defend Italy's national interest"
"President Trump, these constant, unprovoked attacks are senseless. As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy's national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done," she said.
Source: timesofindia.com
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The Surprising Reaction Inside Iran to Its War Victory
21-06-2026
The White House has been desperate to find a way out of the quagmire of its own making in Iran, leading to the remote signing on June 15 of a memorandum of understanding that promises extraordinary concessions to the Islamic Republic. Stipulations once deemed a “nightmare for Israel” by American politicians and dismissed by President Donald Trump as “not acceptable” — such as total sanctions relief and the unfreezing of billions of dollars of funds held abroad — are now reality. Despite attempts by the Trump administration to spin this as an achievement of all of America’s goals and an “unconditional surrender” by Iran, the deal has been met with skepticism, derision, anger, and mockery by Democrats and even some Republicans, pushing close Trump allies such as Fox News host Mark Levin and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to admonish the president for doing the “unthinkable” by capitulating to Iran.
In Israel, the deal has been seen far more uniformly across the political spectrum as an immense and almost incomprehensible betrayal by the United States, an unforeseen cruelty by Trump, and an incalculable failure by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Only 11 percent of Israelis say that their country won the war against Iran, and a whopping 71 percent do not expect Trump to look out for Israeli interests in future negotiations. One Likud member of the Knesset expressed his frustration by filming himself taking off his “Make America Great Again” hat and instead putting on a “Total Victory” hat, a phrase invoked by Netanyahu to justify the wholesale destruction of the Gaza Strip.
In Iran, the atmosphere is still not entirely jubilant. Much of Iran’s media and many officials have indeed taken a triumphant attitude: The front page of Javan, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-aligned newspaper, depicted a crowd of Iranians breaking through a wall of threats made by the Trump administration, and Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran’s chief negotiator, claimed that “everything we wanted to achieve through military action, we achieved many times over through negotiation.” But past betrayals are, after all, far too recent to forget.
It was only in April, for instance, when Israel unilaterally insisted it wasn’t party to the ceasefire in Lebanon and continued its war there. Previous negotiations with America only served as a cover for war preparations in June 2025 and February 2026. This has resulted in a national mood that is much more cautious than the elation that many felt after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Iran nuclear deal negotiated under Barack Obama and agreed to by the Rouhani administration, was adopted in 2015.
Source: theintercept.com
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https://theintercept.com/2026/06/20/iran-war-deal-ceasefire/
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Federal court orders release of pro-Palestinian US permanent resident from ICE custody
Katherine Girguis
June 20, 2026
The Terre Haute Division of the US District Court for the Southern District of Indiana on Thursday ordered the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to “immediately release” pro-Palestinian advocate Salah Sarsour, a lawful permanent resident of the US, from ICE detention facilities.
In so ordering, Federal Judge James Hanlon confirmed that Sarsour has successfully established a “substantial claim of First Amendment retaliation” for his speech in support of Palestinian rights and critical of the Israeli government. The court reasoned that the government likely detained him for his activism, rendering his detention unlawful. Importantly, the court did not make any determination regarding the outcome of Sarsour’s First Amendment claim or the merits of his removability,
Palestine-born Sarsour is the president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest mosque, and is also a board member of American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), and Palestinian rights advocacy nonprofit group. Sarsour has been a legal resident of US for 33 years and became a lawful permanent resident in 1998.
Source: www.jurist.org
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'250-ft gash, poured chemicals': Donald Trump claims vandals damaged Reflecting Pool
Jun 21, 2026
US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) said that several arrests were made into the alleged vandalism of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. He alleged that the vandals severely damaged the recently renovated Pool, claiming that a 250-foot-long gash was carved into its newly installed lining and corrosive chemicals were poured into the water.
"Many additional people have been arrested having to do with the disgraceful Vandalism of our beautiful Reflecting Pool. It hasn’t looked or worked like this since 1922, when it was originally built, but even then, it leaked badly, and didn’t work. Ours worked perfectly, including the mirror like finish, perfectly reflecting the two Great Monuments, which it never had before!" he said in a post on Truth Social.
Describing the incident, he said, "They took some form of knife or blade, and put a 250 foot long gash into the beautiful facade of what took so much work, competence, and money to build and complete. They also poured corrosive and destructive chemicals into the Pool. The Reflecting Pool was never so beautiful as it was just one week ago, even going back to 1922 when it opened."
Trump had criticised previous administrations for allowing the Reflecting Pool to deteriorate into an algae-covered green colour and said he would refurbish it with an “American flag blue” lining to improve its appearance and enhance reflections of the Washington Monument.
Source: timesofindia.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshowprint/131885237.cms
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Africa
Again, Umahi Attacks Obi, Says He’s Desperate to Become President
21-06-2026
The Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, has again taken a swipe at the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, accusing him of seeking the presidency at all costs and failing to be forthright on critical issues affecting the South-east region.
Umahi, according to a statement issued in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, made the remarks at the weekend during the inspection of Section 2 of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway in Epe, Lagos State.
The minister was said to be reacting to alleged reports circulating on social media that Obi had promised to halt President Bola Tinubu’s legacy infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, if elected president.
“He simply wants to become president by all means, and that is not good for our people. Let us know the truth. Deceit will not help us,” the minister said.
But on May 1, 2024, the former Anambra State governor argued on his X handle that, rather than building new super-highways, Tinubu’s administration should have fixed the countless existing federal roads across the country that have largely deteriorated.
Source: www.thisdaylive.com
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African proverb of the day: 'Don't let your mouth carry you where your foot can't bring you back from' because words travel farther than we can
Jun 20, 2026
One should not let their mouth carry them where their foot can't bring them back. It means do not say anything without thinking, out of rage, and regret later because you can't take back those words. There is no easy way to say this: acting impulsively has its consequences and regret does not salvage it. Old-age sayings from various countries and cultures warned people against it.
Imagine firing off an angry message at midnight. The screen glows, your pulse is racing, and for a few seconds the reply feels satisfying. Then morning arrives. The anger has faded, but the message remains. Screenshots exist. Relationships have changed. A job opportunity may have vanished. Suddenly, you discover a simple truth: your words traveled somewhere you cannot easily follow.
At its simplest, the saying warns against speaking recklessly. More deeply, it reminds us that words often travel farther than our ability to repair the damage they create. A person can walk away from a place, but spoken words can linger in memory for years. Once released, they develop a life of their own.
Source: timesofindia.com
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshowprint/131879014.cms
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INEC declares PDP candidate winner of Rivers South East senate poll
By Vanessa Onah
June 21, 2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has declared Nwoku Olaka Johnson of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, winner of the bye-election for the Rivers South-East Senatorial District held on Saturday.
The announcement of result took place at the INEC collation centre in Bori, Khana Local Government Area by the returning officer, Professor Rosemary Ogu of the University of Port Harcourt.
According to the result, Nwoku Olaka Johnson scored a total of 47,961 votes with the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Osarosaka Ebenezer Erewari who came in second with 1,647 votes, while Douglas Fabeke Beeka of the Action Alliance, AA, polled 1,175 votes.
Source: dailypost.ng
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https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/21/inec-declares-pdp-candidate-winner-of-rivers-south-east-senate-poll/
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In Landslide, Oyebanji Wins Second Term as INEC Declares Ekiti Election Results
21-06-2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State winner of yesterday’s governorship election in the state.
Oyebanji, whose first term mandate will expire in October, recorded a landslide victory in the results of all the 2,445 polling units in the state, which were uploaded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its Result Viewing Portal (IREV).
The incumbent governor also won overwhelmingly in all the 16 local government areas (LGAs), recording 319,224 votes to defeat his closest rival and governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Oluwole Oluyede, who scored 40, 543 votes, according to the results announced by the Returning Officer, Professor Adenike Oladiji, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure.
Source: www.thisdaylive.com
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Ekiti Poll: INEC Says 92% of Polling Units Opened on Time, Reports Delays in 188
by Ademu Idakwo
21-06-2026
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said 92.31 per cent of polling units across Ekiti State opened on schedule during Saturday’s governorship election, with only 188 polling units recording delays.
According to INEC, all 2,445 polling units designated for the election eventually opened for voting, while 2,257 polling units commenced operations before 8:30 a.m.
“Earlier in the day, all 2,445 Polling Units were successfully opened for the Governorship Election: 2,257 PUs (92.31%) opened on schedule before 8:30 a.m.
Source: leadership.ng
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https://leadership.ng/ekiti-poll-inec-says-92-of-polling-units-opened-on-time-reports-delays-in-188/
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URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-world-news/mumbai-elderly-muslim-trader-allegedly-targeted-/d/140477