Today in News History

On June 18, several notable moments in the history of News stand out. In 1778, American Revolutionary War: The British Army abandons Philadelphia. In 1812, The United States declaration of war upon the United Kingdom is signed by President James Madison, beginning the War of 1812. In 1920, The Troubles in Northern Ireland (1920-1922) begin with a week of sectarian violence in Derry. In 1951, Mohammed Al-Sager, Kuwaiti journalist and politician was born. In 1961, Alison Moyet, English singer-songwriter was born. In 1965, Vietnam War: The United States Air Force uses B-52 bombers to attack guerrilla fighters in South Vietnam. In 1983, Mona Mahmudnizhad, together with nine other women of the Baháʼí Faith, is sentenced to death and hanged in Shiraz, Iran over her religious beliefs. In 1994, The Troubles: Members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) attack a crowded pub with assault rifles in Loughinisland, Northern Ireland. Six Catholic civilians are killed and five wounded. It was crowded with people watching the 1994 FIFA World Cup. In 2011, Yelena Bonner, Russian activist (born 1923) passed away. In 2012, Lina Haag, German author and activist (born 1907) passed away. Together, these milestones provide historical context for today's news news and ongoing narratives.

Fighting for women’s rights in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan | Making Peace Ep 6 | Featured Documentary

Al Jazeera English

June 18, 2026

lean left

Video

Under Taliban rule, Afghan women live under constant threat, their freedoms stripped away and their voices suppressed. Amid this reality, a quiet resistance persists: Women find ways to learn, teach and organise in secret, keeping alive the knowledge and skills that the Taliban government seeks to erase. This episode explores the moral and emotional complexities of this struggle, highlighting the courage it takes to balance safety, survival and the fight for rights. At its centre is Mahbouba Seraj, a fearless advocate who believes that even those who aim to suppress women must be confronted through dialogue. While she tirelessly draws international attention to what Afghan women are facing, her willingness to engage with the Taliban has sparked tension with other activists. After exhausting every path, she turns to "nanawati", an ultimate appeal to the other side’s humanity, to ask the Taliban to restore education and basic rights for girls and women. Through her story, the episode examines the delicate, often controversial choices involved in pursuing both strategic visibility and grassroots empowerment, showing how one woman’s approach to negotiation and resistance sustains hope in the darkest circumstances. Original film title: Nanawati: The Last Negotiation A film by Fatima Lianes Watch the other episodes of Making Peace: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTzUsxKB7R7sGP0T4CI9_k4B Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #AlJazeeraEnglish #documentary #taliban #afghanistan #womensrights

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This article was published by Al Jazeera English, a source frequently categorized with a lean left bias based in Qatar. Our narrative intelligence engine continuously monitors coverage from this outlet to track framing, bias, and rhetorical patterns. Our initial algorithmic scan of this specific piece did not flag high-confidence rhetorical techniques, suggesting a generally straightforward reporting style or neutral framing. By understanding the editorial perspective of Al Jazeera English, readers can better contextualize the information presented and compare it across our broader media matrix to find the real narrative.

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