Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

ISIS bride Shamima Begum wants to return to UK to become ‘voice against radicalisation’

“If it stops children from making the same mistake that I made, use me as an example”

ISIS bride Shamima Begum wants to return to UK to become ‘voice against radicalisation’

ISIS bride Shamima Begum has made a fresh plea to come back to the UK, saying she can be used by British deradicalisation authorities as an example that others should not emulate.

Born to Bangladeshi immigrants in London in 1999, she left the UK for Syria in 2015 to join ISIS when she was a schoolgirl, aged 15. She was stripped of her UK citizenship in 2019 and the UK Supreme Court ruled on national security grounds that she could not return to Britain to appeal against the government action.

In her latest attempt to return to the country of her birth, Begum suggested she was now a transformed person who could become a "voice against radicalisation".

“The problem is at the age of being a teenager, you’re very arrogant and you don’t listen to people so sometimes you really do have to learn the hard way,” she told i News.

Begum, who has switched to western outfits from traditional Islamic clothing, said, “I could be used as an example, like, 'You don’t want to end up like her’… If it stops children from making the same mistake that I made of course use me as an example. Tell the kids, ‘Don’t be like her, don’t become like her’.”

Accused of helping to sew explosive vests on to suicide bombers, she could potentially face trial as officials are investigating her links with the terror group.

She is currently held at the al-Roj prison camp in Syria and fears she could ultimately face the death sentence for her terror offences.

She claimed she had been tracked into the west Asian country to be a bride like other British girls who too reached there.

"It’s hard to believe, but that did happen. It happened so fast, it happened in less than a year," she said.

Despite her renewed plea for the restoration of her British citizenship, she believed she would have to spend the rest of her life in Syria, media reports said.

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ganpati festival

The Ganpati festival celebrates Ganesha as the god of new beginnings, and the god of wisdom and intelligence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Hindu community centre in London damaged in fire after Ganapati Visarjan event

A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi ,Xi & Putin

Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

SCO declaration slams Pahalgam attack, calls for united action on terror

Highlights:

  • SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
  • Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
  • Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
  • SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.

THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less