Two Iranian civilians were killed in a cross-border attack by Pakistani insurgents, the Revolutionary Guards said.
"On Saturday (16) evening, a terrorist team... fired (ammunition) from within Pakistani territory toward the Iranian border region of Saravan" in Sistan-Baluchistan province, the Guards said in a statement on their Sepahnews website.
"Two local workers in the region were martyred in this terrorist attack," it added.
Forces from the Quds force -- the Guards' foreign operations wing -- killed one of the attackers and wounded two, while others fled back into Pakistani territory, the statement said.
The insurgent group was not identified, but for years the region has been the site of frequent attacks by the Jaish al-Adl jihadist group, which Tehran says has links to Al-Qaeda and is based in the restive Pakistani province of Balochistan.
Jaish al-Adl was blamed for an attack in April that killed 10 Iranian border guards in the nearby Mirjaveh region.
President Hassan Rouhani wrote to Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif calling for greater efforts to prevent insurgent attacks along the border.
The Guards also said on June 19 that they had killed the leader and four members of another jihadist group called Ansar al-Furqan in the Iranian port city of Chabahar in Sistan-Baluchistan province.
US First Lady Melania Trump has welcomed a new law criminalising the non-consensual sharing of explicit images, including AI-generated deepfake content, calling it a major step towards protecting children and families from online exploitation.
The Take It Down Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump, makes it a federal offence to post "intimate images", whether real or digitally fabricated, without the subject’s consent. Under the legislation, individuals found guilty of intentionally distributing such content could face up to three years in prison. The law also compels technology companies to remove the offending material within 48 hours of notification.
The bill, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 409 votes to 2 in the House of Representatives and unanimously in the Senate in February, has been one of the most widely backed pieces of legislation during Trump’s second term in office. It marks the sixth bill signed into law since his re-election, with the administration often favouring executive orders to implement its agenda.
Melania Trump, who has largely kept a low public profile, played a key role in advancing the legislation. The first lady described the law as a "national victory" and stressed its importance in shielding children from harmful online behaviour.
“This legislation is a powerful step forward in our efforts to ensure that every American, especially young people, can feel better protected from their image or identity being abused,” she said. “It will help parents and families safeguard children from online exploitation.”
Melania Trump first appeared publicly in support of the legislation in March during a solo roundtable event on Capitol Hill, where she urged lawmakers to pass the bill. “It’s heartbreaking to witness young teens, especially girls, grappling with the overwhelming challenges posed by malicious online content, like deepfakes,” she said at the time.
The law addresses two main forms of abuse: revenge porn the non-consensual sharing of intimate real images and deepfake pornography, where AI is used to create fake explicit material by inserting someone’s face into pornographic content. These practices have become increasingly common, particularly targeting women and public figures.
Paris Hilton, businesswoman and DJ, publicly supported the legislation, calling it “a crucial step toward ending non-consensual image sharing online”. Major tech firms, including Meta, TikTok and Google, have also backed the new law.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the first lady was “instrumental” in rallying support for the bill and ensuring its passage through Congress.
Despite the strong support, the legislation has attracted criticism from some digital rights organisations. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) warned that the law’s broad scope could have unintended consequences for free speech and privacy.
“While protecting victims of these heinous privacy invasions is a legitimate goal, good intentions alone are not enough to make good policy,” the group said. “As currently drafted, the Act mandates a notice-and-takedown system that threatens free expression, user privacy, and due process, without addressing the problem it claims to solve.”
The Internet Society, another advocacy group for digital privacy, raised concerns that the law could undermine encryption and pose “unacceptable risks to users’ fundamental privacy rights and cybersecurity”.
Critics argue that the bill, while well-intentioned, lacks adequate safeguards to prevent misuse and could result in overreach, affecting legal online content, including LGBTQ+ material, adult entertainment, and political commentary.
Nonetheless, supporters maintain that the new law fills a critical gap in US legislation by targeting a growing form of online abuse and sending a strong message against digital exploitation.
The UK is set for a wet start to the bank holiday weekend, with forecasts predicting a 600-mile stretch of rain spanning almost the entire country, from Cornwall in the southwest to Caithness in the far northeast of Scotland.
Widespread rain across England
Weather maps from WXCharts.com suggest that much of England will be affected by rain on Saturday afternoon. Cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Liverpool are all expected to see showers. While most areas will receive light rainfall under 1mm per hour, parts of Cheshire could experience more intense showers, reaching up to 4mm per hour. Rain is forecast from the south coast and southeast through to East Anglia and across the Midlands and north of England.
Scotland is set for heavy showers on the west coast
In Scotland, a similar picture is developing. Widespread rain is expected, particularly along the west coast, where precipitation could reach 2–3mm per hour. Rain is also likely in Edinburgh, while Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire may avoid the heaviest showers. The northern county of Caithness is forecast to see some rain, though it is unlikely to extend as far as John O’Groats.
Wales to experience central downpours
These weather systems are likely to bring spells of rain, some of which may be heavyGetty
Wales is forecast to receive significant rainfall as well, particularly in central areas where it could range between 1 and 2.5mm per hour. The showers are expected to be consistent across the region, contributing to the nationwide wet conditions.
Northern Ireland is largely dry with isolated showers
Northern Ireland is likely to remain mostly dry, though light rain could fall in parts of Londonderry and Belfast. County Down may experience heavier bursts, with rainfall rates of up to 3mm per hour, according to WXCharts.
Met Office warns of unsettled weather
The Met Office has also issued a long-range forecast covering 23 May to 1 June, warning of a change in conditions over the bank holiday weekend. “More unsettled conditions are likely to develop, with weather systems moving in from the Atlantic,” it stated.
The unsettled weather is expected to begin in the northwest of the UK later on Friday or during Saturday, gradually spreading across the country through the weekend. These weather systems are likely to bring spells of rain, some of which may be heavy, and possibly strong winds.
“There will be drier and brighter intervals between systems,” the Met Office added, “but also showers, some of which could be heavy or thundery.” Temperatures are expected to be close to seasonal averages, though the strong winds may make it feel cooler.
Driest spring takes a turn
The forecast comes after a spell of unusually dry and sunny conditions, which had put spring 2024 on track to become one of the driest on record. This weekend’s weather signals a significant shift as wet conditions return to much of the UK.
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UP ATS arrested a Pakistani agency ISI spy named Shahzad from Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh. (Photo: ANI)
INDIAN authorities have arrested 11 people for allegedly spying for Pakistan, according to local media reports citing police officials.
The arrests follow recent fighting earlier this month in which at least 60 people were killed, reported AFP. The clashes were triggered by an April 22 attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. New Delhi accused Islamabad of backing the attackers, a charge Pakistan has denied.
NDTV reported on Monday that nine of the arrests took place in the northern states of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
Punjab director general of police Gaurav Yadav said two people were arrested for "leaking sensitive military information".
Police received "credible intelligence inputs" that the two were "involved in sharing classified details" linked to Indian strikes inside Pakistani territory on the night of May 6-7.
A preliminary investigation revealed they were in "direct contact" with handlers from Pakistan’s intelligence agency Inter-services Intelligence (ISI) and "had transmitted critical information concerning the Indian Armed Forces," Yadav said.
In Haryana, police arrested a travel blogger last week on similar charges.
Local media reported that the woman had travelled to Pakistan at least twice and had been in contact with an official from the Pakistani embassy.
Others arrested include a student, a security guard and a businessman.
India Today reported that the 11 accused were "lured into the spy network through social media, monetary incentives, false promises, messaging apps and personal visits to Pakistan".
The arrests come after the most serious flare-up between the two countries since their last open conflict in 1999.
A ceasefire was reached after four days of missile, drone and artillery attacks.
(With inputs from AFP)
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Cllr Patel moved to Harrow in 2000 and was first elected in 2002.
Cllr Anjana Patel has been sworn in as the new mayor of Harrow at the council’s Annual Meeting held on 15 May. She becomes the 73rd mayor of the borough and the UK’s first British Tanzanian-Indian born woman to hold the post. Cllr Yogesh Teli was appointed deputy mayor.
The outgoing mayor, Cllr Salim Chowdhury, handed over the robes and chain of office to Cllr Patel during the ceremony. Her mayoral theme for the year is “Kindness, Caring and Respect.”
Harrow marks its 60th year as a London borough in 2024. Cllr Patel will lead the borough’s jubilee events. Her chosen charities are VIA, which supports individuals affected by drug and alcohol dependency, and the Samaritans.
Cllr Patel moved to Harrow in 2000 and was first elected in 2002. She currently represents Belmont Ward and has previously held cabinet roles including Community and Culture, Schools and Children’s Development, and Environment and Community Safety.
Rupesh Patel was named mayor’s consort. The ceremony was attended by local leaders, residents, and faith representatives. Cllr Patel paid tribute to her mother and spiritual guide Pramukh Swami Maharaj, quoting: “In the joy of others lies our own.”
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Investigations suggest that Jyoti had visited Pakistan several times
Jyoti Malhotra, a 33-year-old travel vlogger from Haryana, India, has been arrested on charges of espionage for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives. The arrest, made by Haryana Police, is part of a broader investigation into suspected espionage activities linked to Pakistan.
Background and arrest
Malhotra, known for her YouTube channel Travel with JO, which boasts over 385,000 subscribers, had documented her travels across various countries, including Pakistan, China, and several others. Authorities allege that she maintained regular contact with Pakistani intelligence operatives and shared sensitive information via platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Snapchat.
Her arrest follows the expulsion of a Pakistani High Commission official from India earlier this month, with whom Malhotra was allegedly in contact. The official was expelled for activities “not in keeping with his official status in India.”
Alleged activities and investigations
Investigators suggest that Malhotra visited Pakistan multiple times, including a trip in March 2025, shortly before a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. Authorities are probing potential links between her visits and the attack.
Further scrutiny has been directed at her associations with other individuals, including a Puri-based YouTuber, Priyanka Senapati, known for her religious and temple tour vlogs. Senapati had accompanied Malhotra to the Jagannath Temple in September 2024 and later travelled to Kartarpur, Pakistan. While Senapati has denied any knowledge of Malhotra’s alleged espionage activities, authorities are investigating their connection.
- YouTubeYouTube/ News18
Broader implications
Malhotra’s arrest is part of a wider crackdown on suspected espionage networks operating within India. Authorities have detained several individuals across states such as Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat for alleged spying activities linked to Pakistan. These arrests come amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following military operations and a subsequent ceasefire agreement in early May 2025.
The case has also raised concerns about the potential exploitation of digital platforms and social media influencers for espionage purposes. Malhotra’s substantial online following and international travels have prompted authorities to assess the role of digital content creators in matters of national security.
Legal proceedings
Malhotra has been charged under relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Her social media accounts, including Instagram, have been suspended following her arrest. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to examine her communications and associations to determine the full extent of the alleged espionage.
The Indian government has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding national security and has urged vigilance in the digital era, particularly with the growing influence of online platforms and cross-border engagements.