Pakistani actor Sanam Saeed makes statement in shimmering saree at Cannes 2026, fans highlight Aishwarya Rai connectionZindagi Gulzar Hai actor Sanam Saeed stuns at Cannes 2026 in a green saree. Fans love the look, drawing comparisons to Aishwarya Rai’s iconic Cannes 2002 debut
Hundreds of companies raised a combined $70 billion by selling shares to the public in the United States last year. But 2026 could shatter records, with rocket and AI company SpaceX, ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and AI startup Anthropic all potentially making their stock market debuts
Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who recently emerged as a chief negotiator in talks with the United States, has been appointed to oversee relations with China, Iranian media reported on Sunday (May 17, 2026). "Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has recently been appointed as a special
Chef Ranveer Brar shares a quick and creamy Aam Shrikhand recipe every mango lover must try: Step-by-step processLove mangoes? Try this creamy Aam Shrikhand by Chef Ranveer Brar that delivers the perfect mix of creamy, fruity, and indulgent flavours. Published on: May 18
The millionaire businessman son of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has won a steering role in his father’s political party Fatah, a party official said on Sunday (May 17, 2026), as a succession fight looms for control of the embattled Palestinian Authority (PA)
This may be the last time you hear my voice
The line is crackly. But the voice of Mehrab Abdollahzadeh is clear and, given the circumstances, surprisingly steady.
He's on death row in western Iran. He speaks quickly - as if time is running out. And his message is desperate.
"You are hearing my voice from Oromiyeh Central Prison, and this may be the last time you hear it," he says in a voice note obtained by the Kurdistan Human Rights Network.
From the very first day of my arrest, they forced confessions out of me through torture and threats, confessions that were entirely false. None of the charges against me are true. They know it, and God knows it. I am innocent.
Mehrab was arrested back in 2022, during nationwide protests that followed the death in police custody of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, who had been detained for not wearing her veil properly. He was accused of involvement in the killing of a member of Iran's Basij militia force.
After 42 months of fear and sleepless nights, he was put to death earlier this month - part of a surge in executions of people on political and security charges.
Since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, the UN says it's verified the execution of at least 32 political prisoners.
This marks a sharp year-on-year increase, with 45 executions on politically motivated charges taking place across the whole of 2025, according to Amnesty International.
The UN's Human Rights Office has warned the death penalty is increasingly being used to silence political dissent.
Several of those killed this year were accused of spying for Israel or the CIA, while some were accused of being affiliated with an exiled opposition group. Fourteen of them were arrested in relation to the uprising in January this year, which was crushed with lethal force - leading to thousands of deaths.
In Iran, the authorities carry out executions by hanging. They carry them out at dawn," says Nassim Papayianni of Amnesty International. "People in Iran have been waking up to near-daily announcements of executions.
They weaponise the death penalty as a tool of political repression, to instil fear among the population, and essentially crush and stifle any dissent that there might be.
While some executions are announced publicly, a spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office told the BBC it was concerned others were happening in secret.
Last year, Iran carried out 2,159 executions, according to Amnesty International - the highest number since 1989. It says that the vast majority are for drugs-related offences or murder.
The UN fears that the figure this year could be even higher.
With its increased use of the death penalty, the regime is attempting to restore authority after its image was damaged by the January uprising and the war, according to Kaveh Kermanshahi of the Kurdistan Human Rights Network.
"At a time when it is confronting multiple internal and external crises, it is attempting, through intensified repression and an increase in executions, to stage a display of power and project the message: 'I am still here, and I still control the situation,'" he says.
Late last month, state-run television carried a report on the execution of Sasan Azadvar, a 21-year-old karate champion from the central city of Isfahan. He'd been convicted of "moharabeh" or "waging war against God," and "effective collaboration with the enemy" for attacking police forces during January's protests. He is seen confessing to using a stick to break the window of a police car and asking for petrol to set it on fire.
But he was not accused of any lethal offence, which - under international law - is the legal threshold for the use of the death penalty.
Iranian authorities did not respond to the BBC's request for comment on their increased use of the death penalty, including against Sardar Azadvar, and on claims of torture.
But on 30 April, the head of Iran's judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, dismissed international criticism of death sentences linked to January's unrest, saying that his courts would not be swayed.
Each of the condemned has their own story. But human rights activists speak of disturbing patterns. The death sentence is disproportionately used against members of the country's minorities.
Erfan Shakourzadeh, a 29-year-old master's student in aerospace engineering, was hanged on 11 May. Iran's judiciary said he'd been convicted of sharing classified information with Israeli and US intelligence.
But the Norway-based Hengaw human rights organisation published a note they say he wrote before his death.
I was arrested on fabricated espionage charges and, after eight and a half months of torture and solitary confinement, was forced into a false confession. Do not let another innocent life be taken in silence.
Hengaw said it was deeply concerned by the speed at which trials, sentencing and executions have been taking place, along with "a complete lack of transparency" in judicial proceedings.
"The Islamic Republic continues its systematic repression of the population by arbitrarily accusing dissidents and critics of being "Israeli spies" without presenting credible evidence or guaranteeing fair trial standards," the group's Aywar Shekhi told the BBC, adding that "many lives are at risk".
In his voice message from prison before his execution, Mehrab Abdollahzadeh described the torment of being on death row.
"A condemned person thinks every single night and day that at any moment, they might be called and taken away to be executed. A condemned person can only find a sliver of peace after 1am at night, perhaps letting go of their racing thoughts to sleep for two or three hours," he said.
The 29-year-old Kurdish shop owner was executed - according to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network - with no prior warning to his relatives or lawyers, and his body has not been returned to his family.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: OpenAI unveils three audio models for real-time voice tasks SC to hear on Oct 28 pleas seeking extension of time for registration of waqf properties The Voice Season 28 winner A proud Punjabi voice Amitabh Bachchan lends his iconic voice to the Indian Army’s ‘Bhairav’ Thumri loses its voice as Pandit Chhannulal Mishra passes away ChatGPT Voice Mode Now Available On iPhone 15 Ukraine's allies voice concerns over US plan to end war Morgan Freeman fumes over AI copies of his voice and warns imitators to stop Itel Rhythm Echo Earbuds Launched In India With AI Voice Commands
Marriage may be a personal or societal milestone for many but not for Sara Ali Khan. Amid dating rumours with a non-actor, she seems to be in no hurry to get married. Speaking exclusively to News18, she opens up on choosing patience over pressure and prioritising self-growth over chasing
3 minutes ago
India’s SMEs are accelerating AI adoption, unlocking efficiency and growth. As competition intensifies, recognition is becoming essential for credibility and visibility. Awards platforms now offer a crucial opportunity to stand out and gain an advantage.India’s SMEs are accelerating AI adoption
2 minutes ago
India has emerged as the largest market globally for KitKat, the iconic chocolate-coated wafer bar of Swiss food and confectionery major Nestlé, driven by strong consumer penetration, product innovation and aggressive marketing investments, according to the company
4 minutes ago
Amazon employee says company tracks office hours, calls it ‘infantalizing’An Amazon employee has revealed that the e-commerce giant tracks how many hours employees spend in the office, calling the practice “infantalizing” Updated on: May 18, 2026 10:53 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy
2 minutes ago
National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) is building a common interoperable infrastructure for soundboxes which can support Unified Payments Interface-based transactions made via any payment application, according to three people in the know
4 minutes ago
Keerthy Suresh is getting candid about a topic that has followed her for years, her dramatic physical transformation and the constant commentary around it. The National Award-winning actor recently opened up about her fitness journey, weight loss, body image struggles
5 minutes ago
We’ve all had that moment on a Monday morning. You’re staring at an Excel sheet, listening to a presentation and all you can think about is: What if I just pack my bags, move to Goa, and write a book? For most of us, it remains a daydream. But one woman actually did it—and a viral post on X
3 minutes ago
Kerala Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said he had no problems with VD Satheesan being appointed as the new Chief Minister of Kerala, emphasising that the party was more important than personal achievements. Speaking to CNN-News18, Chennithala said
5 minutes ago
Australian teens impacted by social media ban are getting less news: new researchAustralian teens impacted by social media ban are getting less news: new research Published on: May 18, 2026 11:48 AM IST PTI Share via Copy link Sydney, In the months leading up to the implementation of Australia's
3 minutes ago
For years, weight management has been reduced to a singularly accepted notion: dieting. People usually say eat less, follow the latest diet and you’re bound to get the results accordingly. Yet despite countless diets and wellness trends, sustainable weight loss continues to remain out of reach
5 minutes ago
Taiwan will not provoke any conflict but will also not give up its sovereignty, said its president Lai Ching-te after a high-stakes summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping where they discussed the issue of Taiwan's independence. According to Chinese state media, Xi had told Trump that Taiwan
3 minutes ago
In Himachal Pradesh, the influence of traditional beliefs, religion and cultural practices continues to shape the conservation of forest land. Dev Vans, or sacred groves, are forest patches revered as the domain of local deities (devtas). Village customs strictly prohibit tree-felling
4 hours ago
Apple's long-delayed Siri overhaul is finally expected to arrive with iOS 27, but even after more than two years since its announcement, the new features could be labelled as ‘beta’ when they first arrive with the new iPhones later this year
4 hours ago
May 17, Birthday Horoscope: Here's what the tarot cards have in store for youIf your birthday falls on May 17, here’s what your year ahead looks like, as per Tarot. Published on: May 18, 2026 1:07 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link If you were born on May 17
4 hours ago
Aam Aadmi Pary chief Arvind Kejriwal on Friday inaugurated a night polyclinic in Goa’s Velim. The clinic, launched by AAP MLA Cruz Silva, will operate from 7 pm to 7 am and is the third “Aamche Arogya Polyclinic” opened in the constituency. Kejriwal said the facility was aimed at helping
4 hours ago
Woman found hanging in Bhopal, family claims ‘dowry death’, blames lawyer husband, mother-in-law. What is the case?Deceased's family has accused Samarth and his mother of murder. The family also claims that daughter's in-laws physically assauted her, destroyed the evidence. Updated on: May 18
4 hours ago
Indian-origin woman shares how she built $2.8 million-a-year ice cream business in USPooja Bavishi, 42, is the founder and CEO of New York-based ice cream brand Malai, which she founded in 2015. Published on: May 17, 2026 9:56 PM IST By Bhavya Sukheja Share via Copy link An Indian-origin
4 hours ago
NCB busts Dehradun lab making banned ‘jihadi drug’ Captagon; hunt on for another Syrian national linked to network31.5kg of Captagon was seized from a house in Delhi’s Neb Sarai and 196.2 kg from a container at the Mundra Port in Gujarat. Updated on: May 18
4 hours ago
The performance-focused mid-range smartphone segment is heating up, with OnePlus already launching the Nord 6 earlier in the year and Xiaomi now planning to introduce the Redmi Turbo 5 as well. While Xiaomi has not yet announced the pricing and specifications of the Turbo 5
4 hours ago
India hikes gold import duty to 15 percent to curb demand and protect forex, CBDT guidelines allow women more tax free gold than men, excess holdings need proof of source Gold has now again come into focus after the government hiked the import duty to 15 per cent from 6 per cent
4 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for May 18, 2026: Love needs honesty and emotional maturity todayLove Horoscope Today: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: May 18, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Aries An emotional ending may create unexpected freedom today
4 hours ago
India will be entering its 2026 monsoon season under the shadow of one of the most alarming climate signals in years, as a potentially historic El Niño event forms in the Pacific Ocean and threatens to disrupt rainfall across large parts of the country from August onwards
4 hours ago
"I was on the train, just chilling. Suddenly, someone's come over my shoulder, and stabbed me." Footballer Jonathan Gjoshe pauses as he recalls the harrowing events of 1 November last year. Just weeks into his first season at Scunthorpe United
4 hours ago
It operates under the EEE structure — Exempt, Exempt, Exempt — meaning contributions qualify for deduction under Section 80C up to Rs 1.5 lakh, interest accumulates without any tax liability within prescribed limits, and withdrawals after five continuous years of service are generally tax-free
4 hours ago
This Indian woman went from earning ₹5,000 a month to running ₹48 crore business: 'Happiness doesn’t come from money'Nayana Vaidya went from earning a salary of ₹5,000 per month to owning a ₹48 crore business Updated on: May 18, 2026 7:21 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link Nayana
4 hours ago
‘No reparations, only 1 nuclear facility’: Iranian report lists US demands amid shaky ceasefireThe current impasse in diplomatic exchange between Iran and the United States comes after Iran's preconditions to resume negotiations for ending the war. Updated on: May 18
4 hours ago
Protesters clashed with the police in West Bengal’s Kolkata on Sunday during demonstrations against the state government restricting the offering of namaz on streets and demolishing allegedly illegal structures in the Tiljala area, according to media reports
4 hours ago
