Headline: OPEC+ Decision on Production Growth Justified, Oil Reserves at Minimum Level – Rosneft CEO
Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin called decision by OPEC+ to forcefully increase oil production justified and far-sighted.
During his keynote speech at the Energy Panel of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Sechin noted that the announced increase in production since May this year is three times higher than the alliance’s original plan. In addition, the entire OPEC+ production increase could be pushed back a year ahead of plan.
“The decision of OPEC leaders to boost production appears today a very forward-looking and, a justified one from the market standpoint, given the consumers’ interest in light of uncertainty pertaining to the scope of the Iran-Israel conflict,” the CEO said.
At the same time, Sechin noted, “Despite the announced production growth, there can be no question of an oil excess in the market in the long run” as “world oil reserves are now at their lowest levels in five years”.
“Low oil prices suit consumers in the US, where the inflation-adjusted price of gasoline has already returned to 2019 levels. It is no coincidence that this is happening against the backdrop of the White House’s intensified Middle East policy and the conclusion of a number of agreements with key countries in the region”, – said the CEO of Rosneft.
Department of Information and Advertising Rosneft Oil Company June 21, 2025
Headline: OPEC+ Decision on Production Growth Justified, Oil Reserves at Minimum Level – Rosneft CEO
Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin called decision by OPEC+ to forcefully increase oil production justified and far-sighted.
During his keynote speech at the Energy Panel of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Sechin noted that the announced increase in production since May this year is three times higher than the alliance’s original plan. In addition, the entire OPEC+ production increase could be pushed back a year ahead of plan.
“The decision of OPEC leaders to boost production appears today a very forward-looking and, a justified one from the market standpoint, given the consumers’ interest in light of uncertainty pertaining to the scope of the Iran-Israel conflict,” the CEO said.
At the same time, Sechin noted, “Despite the announced production growth, there can be no question of an oil excess in the market in the long run” as “world oil reserves are now at their lowest levels in five years”.
“Low oil prices suit consumers in the US, where the inflation-adjusted price of gasoline has already returned to 2019 levels. It is no coincidence that this is happening against the backdrop of the White House’s intensified Middle East policy and the conclusion of a number of agreements with key countries in the region”, – said the CEO of Rosneft.
Department of Information and Advertising Rosneft Oil Company June 21, 2025
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
JERUSALEM, June 21 (Xinhua) — Iran launched 10 drones toward Israel on Saturday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.
One of the drones hit a two-story residential building in the northern Israeli city of Beit She’an, causing significant damage but no one was hurt, Israel’s Magen David Adom national health service said.
Another drone crashed in an open area in the Negev Desert in southern Israel, causing no casualties. The IDF said the remaining eight UAVs were intercepted by Israeli air defenses.
Earlier on Saturday, five rockets were fired from Iran before dawn towards central Israel.
All rockets were intercepted by the Israeli Air Force, and there were no reports of casualties, the IDF said.
According to Magen David Adom, a fallen fragment of an intercepted drone caused a fire in a residential building in Tel Aviv. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
KABUL, June 21 (Xinhua) — A total of 1,247 Afghan refugee families returned home from neighboring Iran and Pakistan on Friday, state-run Bakhtar News Agency reported Saturday.
All returnees were reportedly provided with necessary assistance by government agencies at checkpoints before leaving for their home provinces.
Hundreds of Afghans are returning home every day since Pakistan and Iran began deporting foreign nationals living illegally on their soil.
About seven million Afghan refugees live abroad. Two million refugees, mostly from neighboring Pakistan and Iran, are believed to have returned to Afghanistan in the past year. Host countries are pressuring undocumented refugees to return home. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
TEHRAN, June 21 (Xinhua) — Israeli strikes have killed more than 400 Iranians and injured 3,056 in the past nine days, Health Ministry public relations chief Hossein Kermanpour said on Saturday.
“Among the injured, 2,220 people received treatment and were discharged from the Ministry of Health hospitals, and 232 people were provided outpatient care on the spot,” H. Kermanpour reported on the social network X.
The official said most of the victims in the Israeli strikes were civilians, with 54 of the dead being women and children. –0–
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met Saturday with HE Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Abbas Araqchi. The meeting was held on the margin of the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), currently taking place in Istanbul, Turkey.
Discussion during the meeting focused on the latest developments in the region, particularly the continued Israeli aggression against the territory of the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran.
In this context, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qatar’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli aggression against Iranian territory, considering it a flagrant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security, and a clear breach of the rules and principles of international law.
His Excellency stressed the need for concerted regional and international efforts to de-escalate tensions and resolve disputes through diplomatic means, affirming that the State of Qatar is making strenuous efforts with its partners to return to the path of dialogue to address outstanding issues and consolidate security and peace in the region and the world.
The State of Qatar is participating in the ongoing 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), currently taking place in Istanbul, Turkiye.
HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani is heading Qatar’s delegation to the session.
The meetings are addressing the latest developments in the region, with a particular focus on the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as the continued Israeli aggression against the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran and its serious regional and international implications.
The discussions also center on ways to de-escalate tensions and resolve disputes through diplomatic means, with the aim of promoting security, peace, and stability in the region and the wider world.
Using terrorism legislation against non-violent protestors is deeply authoritarian
More in External Affairs
Following news reports that the UK plans to proscribe Palestine Action, the Scottish Greens warned of the deeply authoritarian implications of using terrorism legislation to go after non-violent protesters.
“Labour’s use of terrorism legislation against non-violent protesters is deeply authoritarian, and it’s astonishing that a former human rights lawyer is doing this.
“Palestine Action have been accused by Keir Starmer of ‘vandalism’ – which the RAF said would have no impact on their operations. It’s obviously absurd that throwing red paint on things could cause a group to be listed alongside Al Qaeda, ISIS and Russia’s Wagner Group, with membership carrying a 14-year prison sentence.
“Human rights groups like Amnesty International have rightly raised significant concerns over this aggressive use of powers that should be reserved for only the most extreme and dangerous organisations.
“And while Labour pull out all the stops to prosecute these protesters, they continue to train, arm and support Israel as it regularly and openly commits war crimes as part of an ongoing genocide. It’s impossible to overstate how backwards Labour’s priorities are here.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, held talks with France, Germany, and the United Kingdom yesterday in Geneva as Israel’s attacks on Iran entered a second week.
A US-based Iranian human rights group reports the Israeli attacks have killed at least 639 people. Israeli war planes have repeatedly pummeled Tehran and other parts of Iran. Iran is responded by continuing to launch missile strikes into Israel.
Hundreds of thousands of Iranians have protested in Iran against Israel. Meanwhile, President Trump continues to give mixed messages on whether the US will join Israel’s attack on Iran.
On Wednesday, Trump told reporters, “I may do it, I may not do it”. On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a new statement from the President.
KAROLINE LEAVITT: “Regarding the ongoing situation in Iran, I know there has been a lot of speculation among all of you in the media regarding the president’s decision-making and whether or not the United States will be directly involved.
“In light of that news, I have a message directly from the president. And I quote, ‘Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.’”
AMY GOODMAN, The War and Peace Report:President Trump has repeatedly used that term, “two weeks,” when being questioned about decisions in this term and his first term as president. Leavitt delivered the message shortly after President Trump met with his former adviser, Steve Bannon, who has publicly warned against war with Iran.
Bannon recently said, “We can’t do this again. We’ll tear the country apart. We can’t have another Iraq,” Bannon said.
This comes as Trump’s reportedly sidelined National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard from key discussions on Iran. In March, Gabbard told lawmakers the intelligence community, “Continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.”
But on Tuesday, Trump dismissed her statement, saying, “I don’t care what she said.”
Earlier Thursday, an Iranian missile hit the main hospital in Southern Israel in Beersheba. After the strike, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to assassinate Ayatollah Khamenei, saying Iran’s supreme leader, “Cannot continue to exist.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the hospital and likened Iran’s attack to the London Blitz. Netanyahu stunned many in Israel by saying, “Each of us bears a personal cost. My family has not been exempt. This is the second time my son Avner has cancelled a wedding due to missile threats.”
We’re joined now by William Hartung, senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. His new article for The National Interest is headlined, “Don’t Get Dragged Into a War with Iran.”
Can you talk about what’s going on right now, Bill, the whole question of whether the U.S. is going to use a bunker-buster bomb that has to be delivered by a B-2 bomber, which only the US has?
Another Iraq: Military expert warns US has no real plan Video: Democracy Now!
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Yeah. This is a case of undue trust in technology. The US is always getting in trouble when they think there’s this miracle solution. A lot of experts aren’t sure this would even work, or if it did, it would take multiple bombings.
And of course, Iran’s not going to sit on its hands. They’ll respond possibly by killing US troops in the region, then we’ll have escalation from there. It’s reminiscent of the beginning of the Iraq War, when they said, “It’s going to be a cakewalk. It’s not going to cost anything.”
Couple of trillion dollars, hundreds of thousands of casualties, many US veterans coming home with PTSD, a regime that was sectarian that paved the way for ISIS, it couldn’t have gone worse.
And so, this is a different beginning, but the end is uncertain, and I don’t think we want to go there.
AMY GOODMAN: So, can you talk about the GBU-57, the bunker-buster bomb, and how is it that this discussion going on within the White House about the use of the bomb — and of course, the US has gone back and forth — I should say President Trump has gone back and forth whether he’s fully involved with this war.
At first he was saying they knew about it, but Israel was doing it, then saying, “We have total control of the skies over Tehran,” saying we, not Israel, and what exactly it would mean if the US dropped this bomb and the fleet that the US is moving in?
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Yes, well, the notion is, it’s heavy steel, it’s more explosive power than any conventional bomb. But it only goes so deep, and they don’t actually know how deep this facility is buried. And if it’s going in a straight line, and it’s to one side, it’s just not clear that it’s going to work.
And of course, if it does, Iran is going to rebuild, they’re going to go straight for a nuclear weapon. They’re not going to trust negotiations anymore.
So, apparently, the two weeks is partly because Trump’s getting conflicting reports from his own people about this. Now, if he had actual independent military folks, like Mark Milley in the first term, I think we’d be less likely to go in.
But they made sure to have loyalists. Pete Hegseth is not a profile in courage. He’s not going to stand up to Trump on this. He might not even know the consequences. So, a lot of the press coverage is about this bomb, not about the consequences of an active war.
AMY GOODMAN: Right, about using it. In your recent piece, you wrote, “Israeli officials suggested their attacks may result in regime change in Iran, despite the devastating destabilising impact such efforts in the region would have.”
Can you talk about the significance of Israel putting forward and then Trump going back and forth on whether or not Ali Khamenei will be targeted?
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Yeah, I think my colleague Trita Parsi put it well. There’s been no example of regime change in the region that has come out with a better result. They don’t know what kind of regime would come in.
Could be to the right of the current one. Could just be chaos that would fuel terrorism, who knows what else.
So, they’re just talking — they’re winging it. They have no idea what they’re getting into. And I think Trump, he doesn’t want to seem like Netanyahu’s pulling him by the nose, so when he gets out in front of Trump, Trump says, “Oh, that was my idea.”
But it’s almost as if Benjamin Netanyahu is running US foreign policy, and Trump is kind of following along.
AMY GOODMAN: You have Netanyahu back in 2002 saying, “Iran is imminently going to have a nuclear bomb.” That was more than two decades ago.
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Exactly. That’s just a cover for wanting to take out the regime. And he spoke to the US Congress, he’s made presentations all over the world, and his intelligence has been proven wrong over, and over, and over.
And when we had the Iran deal, he had European allies, he had China, he had Russia. There hadn’t been a deal like that where all these countries were on the same page in living memory, and it was working.
And Trump trashed it and now has to start over.
AMY GOODMAN: So, talk about the War Powers Act. The Virginia Senator Kaine has said that — has just put forward a bill around saying it must be — Congress that must vote on this. Where is [Senator] Chuck Schumer [Senate minority leader]? Where is [Hakeem] Jeffries [Congress minoroity leader] on this, the Democratic House and Senate leaders?
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Well, a lot of the so-called leaders are not leading. When is the moment that you should step forward if we’re possibly going to get into another disastrous war? But I think they’re concerned about being viewed as critical of Israel.
They don’t want to go out on a limb. So, you’ve got a progressive group that’s saying, “This has to be authorised by Congress.” You’ve got Republicans who are doubtful, but they don’t want to stand up to Trump because they don’t want to lose their jobs.
“Risk your job. This is a huge thing. Don’t just sort of be a time-server.
AMY GOODMAN: So, according to a report from IAEA, the International Atomic Energy Agency, released in May, Iran has accumulated roughly 120 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent, which is 30 percent away from weapons-grade level of 90 percent. You have Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, saying this week that they do not have evidence that Iran has the system for a nuclear bomb.
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Yes, well, a lot of the discussion points out — they don’t talk about, when you’ve got the uranium, you have to build the weapon, you have to make it work on a missile.
It’s not you get the uranium, you have a weapon overnight, so there’s time to deal with that should they go forward through negotiations. And we had a deal that was working, which Trump threw aside in his first term.
AMY GOODMAN: Talk about the foreign minister of Iran, Araghchi, in Geneva now speaking with his counterparts from Britain, France, the EU.
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Well, I don’t think US allies in Europe want to go along with this, and I think he’s looking for some leverage over Trump. And of course, Trump is very hard to read, but even his own base, the majority of Trump supporters, don’t want to go to war.
You’ve got people like Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon saying it would be a disaster. But ultimately, it comes down to Trump. He’s unpredictable, he’s transactional, he’ll calculate what he thinks it’ll mean for him.
AMY GOODMAN: And what impact does protests have around the country, as we wrap up?
WILLIAM HARTUNG: Well, I think taking the stand is infectious. So many institutions were caving in to Trump. And the more people stand up, 2000 demonstrations around the country, the more the folks sitting on the fence, the millions of people who, they’re against Trump, but they don’t know what to do, the more of us that get involved, the better chance we have of turning this thing around.
So, we should not let them discourage us. We need to build power to push back against all these horrible things.
AMY GOODMAN: Finally, if the US were to bomb the nuclear site that it would require the bunker-buster bomb to hit below ground, underground. Are we talking about nuclear fallout here?
WILLIAM HARTUNG: I think there would certainly be radiation that would of course affect the Iranian people. They’ve already had many civilian deaths. It’s not this kind of precise thing that’s only hitting military targets.
And that, too, has to affect Iran’s view of this. They were shortly away from another negotiation, and now their country’s being devastated, so can they trust us?
AMY GOODMAN: Bill Hartung is senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. His new piece for The National Interest is headlined, “Don’t Get Dragged Into a War with Iran.”
Republished from Democracy Now! under Creative Commons.
HE Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi met today with Their Excellencies ambassadors of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries accredited to the IAEA.
During the meeting, the GCC ambassadors conveyed the GCC members’ concerns over the current situation and their special interest in the safety of nuclear facilities, especially those geographically close to GCC countries. They emphasized the need to ensure the highest levels of preparedness and preventive measures.
The GCC ambassadors emphasized the pivotal role played by the IAEA in enhancing preventive security at the regional and international levels and following up on the technical and operational obligations of countries under the comprehensive safeguards system.
They warned of the serious consequences of targeting nuclear facilities, both human and environmental, as this poses a direct threat to radiological safety and the international nuclear safeguards system, as well as a clear violation of international law and international humanitarian law.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
TOKYO, June 21 (Xinhua) — Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya called for a de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran, he told his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar in a telephone conversation on Friday.
The Japanese minister expressed deep concern over the ongoing exchange of attacks between Israel and Iran and the massive damage caused.
He said any action that could lead to further escalation should be avoided and that restoring calm was of paramount importance.
Takeshi Iwaya also asked the Israeli government for support in ensuring the safety of Japanese citizens in the country.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday that a total of 87 Japanese citizens and their family members have been evacuated from Israel and Iran to neighboring countries. –0–
The Embassy of India in Riyadh celebrated the 11th International Day of Yoga with remarkable enthusiasm at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium on Friday, drawing over 500 yoga enthusiasts from across Saudi Arabia. The event, organized in collaboration with the Saudi Yoga Committee and local partners, highlighted this year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” emphasizing yoga’s role in promoting individual well-being and global harmony. Ambassador of India to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the extraordinary turnout and warm support from Saudi authorities, describing yoga as more than just exercise but as a bridge between cultures and civilizations that transcends boundaries.
The celebration featured prominent speakers who underscored the growing popularity of yoga in the Kingdom and its integration into Saudi Arabia’s evolving health and wellness landscape. Padma Shri awardee Ms. Nouf Al-Marwaai, President of the Asian Yogasana Sports Federation and a pioneering yoga advocate in Saudi Arabia, praised the Embassy’s continued efforts in spreading awareness and fostering cross-cultural engagement. Mr. Ahmed Alsady, CEO of the Saudi Yoga Committee, reaffirmed his organization’s mission to promote yoga as an integral component of Saudi wellness culture, while Ms. Shahad Al-Mufti, Director at the Saudi Ministry of Sport, also graced the event with her presence.
The main attraction was the Common Yoga Protocol session, led by two women yoga instructors, Ms. Nervin Ashram and Ms. Seema Ghanam, who guided participants of all skill levels through foundational yoga postures and breathing techniques. The iconic stadium setting provided an ideal atmosphere for attendees to immerse themselves in various yoga asanas and experience their rejuvenating effects firsthand. The International Day of Yoga, proclaimed by the United Nations and celebrated globally each June 21, underscores the timeless relevance of yoga as a practice that harmonizes body, mind, and spirit.
Friday’s main event represented the culmination of a month-long series of yoga activities organized by the Embassy throughout the Kingdom. The celebrations began with a curtain-raiser event at the Embassy on May 17, followed by multiple sessions in early June under the “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” theme. A particularly notable event took place at the iconic Edge of the World on June 8, showcasing yoga against a breathtaking natural backdrop that perfectly embodied the connection between human wellness and environmental harmony.
The week leading up to the main celebration saw extensive participation from Indian school students across six Saudi cities — Riyadh, Jeddah, Taif, Jubail, Khafji, and Tabouk — who took part in yoga sessions from June 14 to 20. Their enthusiasm and unity reflected the spirit of wellness, harmony, and togetherness that yoga promotes, demonstrating how the ancient practice continues to resonate with younger generations. The widespread participation across multiple cities and the strong collaboration between Indian and Saudi institutions highlight the deepening cultural ties between the two nations and the universal appeal of yoga as a tool for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
The State of Qatar participated in the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of the League of Arab States at the Ministerial Level, held in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday.
The State of Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi.
The meeting discussed the latest developments in the region, primarily the Israeli attack on the territory of the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, ways to de-escalate tensions, and resolve disputes through diplomatic means.
The Indian Embassy in Iran has said that it will make efforts to evacuate citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka. The embassy noted that these efforts will be made at the request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka.
“On request of the Governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy’s evacuation efforts in Iran will also cover citizens of Nepal and Sri Lanka,” the Indian Embassy in Iran posted on X.
The Indian government has launched Operation Sindhu to evacuate Indian nationals from Iran, given the deteriorating situation as a result of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Saturday that, so far, 517 Indian nationals have returned to India from Iran under Operation Sindhu.
Jaiswal stated that a special flight from Turkmenistan’s Ashgabat carrying Indians from Iran arrived in New Delhi on June 21.
In a post on X, Jaiswal stated: “Operation Sindhu continues. A special evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in New Delhi at 0300 hrs on 21st June, bringing Indians from Iran home. With this, so far 517 Indian nationals from Iran have returned home under Operation Sindhu.”
The conflict between Israel and Iran entered its ninth day on Saturday. The conflict began after Israel, on June 13, launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion.”
In response, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a large-scale drone and missile operation, “Operation True Promise 3,” targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres.
This is not the first time the Indian government has launched an operation to evacuate citizens from another country. In 2023, India launched Operation Kaveri to evacuate its citizens during violent military clashes in Sudan. Operation Ajay was launched in 2023 to evacuate Indian nationals from Israel during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Operation Ganga was launched in 2022 to evacuate Indian nationals when war erupted between Russia and Ukraine.
In 2021, the Indian government launched Operation Devi Shakti to evacuate citizens from Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. Operation Samudra Setu was launched in 2020 to evacuate Indians via sea during the COVID-19 pandemic. Operation Raahat was conducted in 2015 to evacuate citizens amid the civil conflict in Yemen. In 2011, India launched Operation Safe Homecoming to bring home nationals during the Libyan civil war amid the Arab Spring.
BEARING WITNESS:By Cole Martin in occupied Bethlehem
Kia ora koutou,
I’m a Kiwi journo in occupied Bethlehem, here’s a brief summary of today’s events across the Palestinian and Israeli territories from on the ground.
Sixty nine people killed in Gaza, 12 while seeking aid, and 221 injured (172 seeking aid). 11 killed by Israeli airstrike on a house in central Gaza. Qassam Brigades carried out a “complex” ambush against Israeli forces in southern Gaza. Israel are preventing humanitarian organisations from accessing fuel storage sites in the enclave, hospital supplies last for just three days.
*
Iranian authorities report five hospitals damaged in targeted Israeli strikes, have arrested 16 agents allegedly linked to Israel, and offered Israeli “collaborators” a pardon if they surrender their drones by July 1.
*
Two US destroyers have arrived in the eastern Mediterranean, bringing the total to five in the region and two in the Red Sea.
*
An Israeli drone targeted a car in southern Lebanon, violating the existing ceasefire and Lebanese sovereignty yet again.
*
Israeli leaders double down on their accusations that Iran is developing nuclear bombs, despite the international watchdog, IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], saying there is no sufficient evidence. 18 injured by Iranian missile in the southern Israeli territories, 17 in Haifa. Strikes targeted Israel’s Channel 14 news stations as threatened, after Israeli forces struck Iran’s state broadcaster two days ago. 100 million shekel pledged by Israeli regime to build 1000 new bomb shelters in some areas; the regime is known for under-investment in Palestinian neighbourhoods.
*
More checkpoints and barriers installed across the West Bank. Ambulance movement continues to be disrupted by gas shortages in Bethlehem. Despite the war, Israeli occupation forces continue extensive home demolitions in Nour Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank. Settlers crush and uproot Palestinian olive trees near Sinjil, north of Ramallah. Occupation bulldozers dug up roads south of Jenin. Palestinian residents were shot at by settlers while trying to extinguish fires west of Bethlehem.
*
Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza continues, with minimal political intervention to prevent it.
Cole Martin is an independent New Zealand photojournalist based in the Middle East and a contributor to Asia Pacific Report.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday claimed to have eliminated Saeed Izadi, a senior Iranian military figure and a key architect of the Iranian regime’s strategy to destroy Israel. Izadi was reportedly killed in a targeted airstrike conducted by the IDF in the Qom region of Iran.
In a post on social media platform X, the IDF announced:
“Saeed Izadi, a founder of the Iranian regime’s plan to destroy Israel, was eliminated in a precise IDF strike in the area of Qom. Izadi was also the commander of the Palestine Corps of the Quds Force, a key coordinator between the Iranian regime and Hamas, and one of the main orchestrators of the October 7 massacre.”
The IDF further stated that Izadi played a significant role in military coordination between senior commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and key Hamas figures. He was also responsible for channeling Iranian financial support to Hamas for terrorist operations against Israel.
“During the war, Izadi directed Hamas forces operating from Lebanon. Since then, he had been actively involved in rebuilding Hamas’ military wing and ensuring Hamas retained control over Gaza,” the IDF added.
Separately, on June 20, the IDF reported the elimination of Ali Saadi Wasfi al-Agha, a senior commander of the Palestinian militant group Mujahideen Brigades, in central Gaza. Al-Agha was the head of the group’s southern Gaza brigades and was set to succeed Assad Abu Sharia, who was killed earlier this month in a joint operation by the IDF and Israel’s Shin Bet security agency.
According to the IDF, al-Agha was responsible for multiple attacks on Israeli targets and for recruiting operatives. He also played a role in the burial of kidnapped Israeli couple Gadi Haggai and Judith Weinstein in Khan Younis. Their bodies were recently recovered by Israeli forces.
Al-Agha was killed in a joint operation while hiding in central Gaza.
Over the past week, the IDF reported conducting more than 300 strikes across the Gaza Strip, targeting militants, weapons depots, military infrastructure, anti-tank positions, and sniper outposts.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Saturday claimed to have eliminated Saeed Izadi, a senior Iranian military figure and a key architect of the Iranian regime’s strategy to destroy Israel. Izadi was reportedly killed in a targeted airstrike conducted by the IDF in the Qom region of Iran.
In a post on social media platform X, the IDF announced:
“Saeed Izadi, a founder of the Iranian regime’s plan to destroy Israel, was eliminated in a precise IDF strike in the area of Qom. Izadi was also the commander of the Palestine Corps of the Quds Force, a key coordinator between the Iranian regime and Hamas, and one of the main orchestrators of the October 7 massacre.”
The IDF further stated that Izadi played a significant role in military coordination between senior commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and key Hamas figures. He was also responsible for channeling Iranian financial support to Hamas for terrorist operations against Israel.
“During the war, Izadi directed Hamas forces operating from Lebanon. Since then, he had been actively involved in rebuilding Hamas’ military wing and ensuring Hamas retained control over Gaza,” the IDF added.
Separately, on June 20, the IDF reported the elimination of Ali Saadi Wasfi al-Agha, a senior commander of the Palestinian militant group Mujahideen Brigades, in central Gaza. Al-Agha was the head of the group’s southern Gaza brigades and was set to succeed Assad Abu Sharia, who was killed earlier this month in a joint operation by the IDF and Israel’s Shin Bet security agency.
According to the IDF, al-Agha was responsible for multiple attacks on Israeli targets and for recruiting operatives. He also played a role in the burial of kidnapped Israeli couple Gadi Haggai and Judith Weinstein in Khan Younis. Their bodies were recently recovered by Israeli forces.
Al-Agha was killed in a joint operation while hiding in central Gaza.
Over the past week, the IDF reported conducting more than 300 strikes across the Gaza Strip, targeting militants, weapons depots, military infrastructure, anti-tank positions, and sniper outposts.
The Embassy of India in Muscat today successfully spearheaded the celebration of International Day of Yoga 2025, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd to the picturesque Omani Village Amphitheater in Al Qurum Natural Park.
From 5 AM to 8 AM, yoga enthusiasts and members of the vibrant Indian community united to embrace the ancient practice, reinforcing the global message of holistic health, inner harmony, and overall well-being. The core of the morning’s activities revolved around the Common Yoga Protocol, a structured 45-minute yoga routine diligently followed by participants, promoting uniformity and accessibility in practice.
Beyond the live demonstration, the event also featured a continuous screening of informative and inspiring yoga-related videos from various partners and esteemed yoga institutions, offering diverse perspectives and deeper insights into the discipline.
The early morning event, set against the serene backdrop of the park, provided a refreshing start to the day, highlighting yoga’s universal appeal as a path to physical and mental rejuvenation.
The Embassy of India in Muscat today successfully spearheaded the celebration of International Day of Yoga 2025, drawing a large and enthusiastic crowd to the picturesque Omani Village Amphitheater in Al Qurum Natural Park.
From 5 AM to 8 AM, yoga enthusiasts and members of the vibrant Indian community united to embrace the ancient practice, reinforcing the global message of holistic health, inner harmony, and overall well-being. The core of the morning’s activities revolved around the Common Yoga Protocol, a structured 45-minute yoga routine diligently followed by participants, promoting uniformity and accessibility in practice.
Beyond the live demonstration, the event also featured a continuous screening of informative and inspiring yoga-related videos from various partners and esteemed yoga institutions, offering diverse perspectives and deeper insights into the discipline.
The early morning event, set against the serene backdrop of the park, provided a refreshing start to the day, highlighting yoga’s universal appeal as a path to physical and mental rejuvenation.
Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:
In her first major media appearance since being elected President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Kirsty Coventry offered a strikingly human portrait of the leader she intends to be: humble, collaborative, and unwaveringly grounded in the values of sport, equity, and Olympism, as she addressed international media during an online open roundtable on Zoom this afternoon.
FIRST WOMAN & AFRICAN Speaking candidly for over an hour, the Zimbabwean reflected on the life journey that brought her from the pools of Harare to the corridors of Olympic power in Lausanne. Her presidency, set to begin officially on Olympic Day, 23 June 2025, will mark a historic moment as she becomes the first woman and first African to lead the IOC.
GROUNDED LEADERSHIP Coventry made it clear that her leadership will not be rooted in authority, but in consensus and a collaborative, human-centred vision: ”In both my personal and professional career, I’ve always had incredible people around me to keep me grounded and humble; those are people whom I will continue to keep around me.”
She added: “Values are at the core of our daily business, they’re incredibly important in today’s communities, and I hold this very close to my heart.”
WHY IOC FORUMS MATTER Replying to a question from Japan’s Wakako Yuki on the role of IOC Forums in attribute Conventry’s vision as president, “I have a vision that I would like to see, but I want to do it in a collaborative way. The Athletes Forum, eSport, Olympism365, the two ASOIF and WOF General Assemblies have been great platforms to listen to people, to hear topics that are important to them.”
2ND MEDIA ROUNDTABLE IN SIGHT Coventry announced that immediately following the IOC Session on June 23-24, she has invited members to stay for a two-day “pause and reflect” workshop, an opportunity for honest dialogue about the IOC’s challenges and future direction:
“I’ve invited the IOC members to stay two extra days so that I can hear what is on their mind and what they see as our opportunities and what they may see as our challenges, as we move into the future and come up with different ideas. This is the first point in a longer consultation process with all stakeholders, including yourselves as media, where we’ll create another round table where I’ll get to ask you all a bunch of questions. That will strengthen the Olympic movement in a collaborative way.”
VALUES CARRIED TO IOC PRESIDENCY Nadine Hassan from Jordan asked Kirsty, looking back on her journey, from Olympic champion to minister and now IOC President, which moments off the podium had the greatest impact in shaping the person she is today? “I’ll need a moment to properly reflect on this. I think I’d have to go back to my roots. Growing up in Zimbabwe played a huge role. It’s a small community in many ways. We’re a big country geographically, but we’re just 15 million people, and we lean on each other.
“I think that kind of upbringing, maybe a bit more sheltered, surrounded by strong values and close-knit support, helped me understand the importance of having grounded, humble, genuine people around me. And it’s those people who’ve consistently reminded me of where I come from. That’s been one of the most powerful influences throughout my journey.
CHALLENGES, AND DIFFICULT MEN.. New York Times reporter Tariq Panja referenced Coventry’s previous remarks about dealing with “difficult men.” She smiled knowingly and recounted the pressures she faced as a young Olympic medallist representing Zimbabwe during politically turbulent times:
“As athletes, we had a lot of pressure coming from different government officials in Zimbabwe, and you know, it was hard. To look at others and trying to say, I’m an athlete, I don’t believe in the politics in sport. I want to just focus on performing well,” She said, without names mentioned, “Looking back now, it taught me a lot about how to work with people, how to be respectful of differing opinions and still move forward on a shared agenda.”
WOMEN SUPPORT WOMEN USA’s Rachel Axon asked, How has your career been shaped by other women at various career points, adding the gender equality initiatives to your role as female IOC President. Conventry highlighted the women who shaped her path, from her mother and grandmother to her university head swim coach, even Olympic trailblazers like Donna de Varona:
She said, “My grandfather passed away when Mom was in her late teens. And so my grandmother was a single mom for most of her life, with three kids, and both were just incredibly strong women who raised families, and I think my mom’s pretty great, and my uncle and aunt. She did a great job, but she also had a successful career in fashion. My mum got to see her doing that, so she was always an incredible role model for my sister and I.”
She adds: “My swim coach, Kim, who became a Division I coach while her husband was deployed overseas, with two very young kids, watching how she balanced that was inspiring. When we were preparing for the 2004 Olympics, her eldest came to Athens as a baby.. Again, I’ve been fortunate in my life to have very strong women around me who have shown me that it’s possible. It’s not always easy, but it’s possible,” noting her hope to pay that inspiration forward, especially for her two daughters.
AFRICAN HERITAGE A question from China’s Mandan Zhu touched on Coventry’s rich international background and the impact of her African heritage, coming from Harare to Lausanne as a little girl with big dreams,“I can remember exactly where I was standing in my parents’ living room. I was still in my swimsuit, feeling cold after swimming in the pool, only to stand in front of the TV and watch divers compete. I would say that there’s never a dream too big.
“You know, where there is a will to achieve, there’s a way. And don’t let someone talk you out of having that dream of what could be the best thing that happens to you. It’s quite powerful.”
WEIGHT OF BEING ‘FIRST’ British journalist Jamie Gardner asked Coventry about the significance of becoming the IOC’s first female president at this particular moment in history. While she admitted it wasn’t something she initially focused on, the outpouring of messages from women around the world has since left a powerful mark: “I had a coworker tell me that his mum said, ‘Never in my lifetime did I think I’d see a woman lead the movement you work for.’” That moment, she admitted, hit her deeply. “It’s not just an exciting day, it’s a day with a lot of responsibility.”
FROM SYDNEY TO BRISBANE Australia, particularly the Sydney 2000 Games, remains a defining touchstone for Coventry’s Olympic journey. Asked about her journey coming full circle, from a wide-eyed young swimmer at Sydney 2000 to President for Brisbane 2032, Coventry shared a funny tale about struggling to put on her first Speedo sharkskin suit, helped up by none other than Australian legend Susie O’Neill:
“When we arrived in Sydney, I went into the changing room to try my Speedo suit on, and it turned into a total disaster. I had one leg in, was struggling to get the other in, lost my balance completely, and toppled over. Mortifying. Then this amazing person next to me leans down to help, and as I look up, I realise… It’s Susie. I never forget that moment because she was a role model to me, those Games, changed everything for me,” she recalled. “Now I hope Brisbane will show the world the warmth and passion of Australia, and inspire the next generations like Sydney did for me.”
LIFTING VOICES As the media roundtable with IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry progressed, her clarity of purpose sharpened further. In a movement often shaped by the world’s most powerful nations, Coventry made a point of bringing attention to her roots, and how they shape her priorities: “I come from a much smaller NOC, a developing country,” she said of Zimbabwe. “And I understand the challenges our athletes face. How do we close that gap? How do we ensure that athletes from all walks of life, if not with the same opportunities, at least have equal opportunities?”
Coventry affirms that she intends to elevate voices often left on the margins. Her presidency, she hinted, will focus as much on inclusion as it will on innovation.
LEARNING FROM YOUNG GENERATIONS Perhaps the most poignant reminder of who Coventry is, and who she intends to be as IOC President, came when she spoke about her own children. “They’re a daily reminder of our responsibility to keep sport relevant, and to listen, really listen, to what young people think is important. Kids are honest,” she said with a smile. “And sometimes that’s a very good thing.”
Her two young daughters, she explained, are constant reminders that sport must remain relevant and engaging for younger generations. Despite the gravity of her new role, Coventry remains adamant about keeping her family grounded: “We won’t be staying in the Lausanne Palace. I want my kids to grow up doing the same things I did, making their beds, doing house chores, and just being kids.”
ROAD AHEAD As Kirsty Coventry prepares to officially assume the role on June 23, her message is one of optimism, inclusivity, and integrity. With the weight of history on her shoulders and the wind of lived experience at her back, she is poised not just to lead the Olympic Movement but to reshape it for the modern age, starting by one athlete, one story, one honest conversation at a time.
– on behalf of International Sports Press Association (AIPS).
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The European Union is seeking to increase the efficiency of oil purchases from Russia when it tries to push through a reduction in the price ceiling for Russian oil, said Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin at the Energy Panel at the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
During his keynote speech, the head of the Company noted that the European Union continues to try to push through a reduction in the price ceiling for Russian oil to $45 per barrel.
“I believe that the real goal is the desire of the European Union to increase the efficiency of its purchases from Russia, and not to reduce the income of the Russian budget, as was publicly declared. The figures confirm this: according to Western experts, since the beginning of 2023, Europe has purchased Russian oil for more than 20 billion euros, thus becoming the fourth largest buyer,” Sechin said.
However, he believes it is clear that the US will not agree to lowering the price ceiling because it will negatively affect the profitability of US oil exports.
The head of Rosneft specifically noted the situation in Saudi Arabia, saying that imports of Russian dark oil products after the start of sanctions restrictions allow the kingdom to effectively meet the needs of its energy industry for raw materials without affecting oil exports. The volume of fuel oil and vacuum gas oil supplied to this country from Russia over the past 12 months is more than 6 times higher than the volume of supplies four years ago.
According to Sechin, Indian refiners are using a similar approach today. India, the second largest buyer of Russian oil, has almost doubled its export of oil products to Europe over the past three years.
“To balance the budgets of many producing countries, the price of oil is required to be significantly higher than current levels. Thus, according to IMF calculations, in 2025 for the budget of Saudi Arabia this price is at a level of more than $90 per barrel,” Sechin concluded.
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft June 21, 2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Russia, Venezuela and Iran are key players in the energy market, on whose supplies global energy security depends, said Rosneft Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin at the Energy Panel at the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
“Russia, Venezuela and Iran are key players in the energy market, on whose supplies global energy security directly depends. They account for a third of the world’s liquid hydrocarbon reserves and 15% of global production. Without their resource base, the transition to a new image of global energy is impossible,” the head of the Company said.
At the same time, according to Sechin, Russia’s real contribution to the global economy is proportional to its share in the global resource balance.
“Our country’s share in global hydrocarbon exports is about 15%. However, the Russian resource base is not only hydrocarbons, but also metals. Russia’s share in gold mining is about 10%, and in the production of metals such as high-grade nickel and palladium, it reaches 20% and 40%, respectively,” the CEO said.
The head of Rosneft also noted that Russia contains about 10% of the world’s reserves of rare earth metals, without which the development of modern technologies is impossible.
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft June 21, 2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
Source: Rosneft – Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Chief Executive Officer of PJSC NK Rosneft Igor Sechin called OPEC’s decision to forcefully increase oil production justified and far-sighted.
During his keynote speech at the Energy Panel of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Sechin noted that the announced increase in production since May of this year is three times higher than the alliance’s initial plan. In addition, the entire increase in OPEC production could be shifted a year ahead of schedule.
“The decision taken by OPEC leaders to forcefully increase production today looks very far-sighted and, from the market’s point of view, justified, taking into account the interests of consumers in light of the uncertainty regarding the scale of the Iran-Israel conflict,” the head of the Company said.
At the same time, Sechin noted, “despite the declared growth in production, there can be no talk of any excess of oil on the market in the long term,” since “global oil reserves are currently at their lowest levels in the last five years.”
“Low oil prices suit US consumers, where the price of gasoline adjusted for inflation has already returned to 2019 levels. It is no coincidence that this is happening against the backdrop of the White House’s intensified Middle East policy and the conclusion of a number of agreements with key countries in the region,” said the head of Rosneft.
Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft June 21, 2025
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
The Palestine Forum of New Zealand condemns in the strongest terms the disgraceful and provocative act committed by individuals associated with Destiny Church, who tore up a Palestinian flag and stomped on it. This shameful display is not only deeply offensive to the Palestinian people but also to all those who uphold the values of dignity, justice, and the right to national identity.
Such hateful and divisive actions have no place in Aotearoa New Zealand — a country built on principles of diversity, mutual respect, and the protection of all communities’ rights to peaceful expression. The Palestinian flag represents resilience, heritage, and a legitimate struggle for freedom and justice.
We call on community leaders, human rights advocates, faith communities, and all fair-minded New Zealanders to reject this behaviour and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people against acts of hatred, provocation, and intolerance.
Palestine Forum of New Zealand Justice, Dignity, Freedom.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
VIENNA, June 21 (Xinhua) — The Bushehr nuclear power plant is the Iranian nuclear facility where the consequences of an attack could be most serious, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi warned at a UN Security Council meeting on Friday.
Speaking via video link, he said countries in the region had contacted him in the past few hours to express their deep concern.
R. Grossi emphasized that a direct hit on the nuclear power plant could lead to a significant release of radioactive substances into the environment. The Bushehr power plant is an operating facility that stores thousands of kilograms of nuclear materials. A strike that disables the only two power lines could lead to a meltdown of the reactor core and a large release of radioactive substances, he explained.
The IAEA chief warned that worst-case scenarios could require protective measures such as evacuation, sheltering or the use of stable iodine, with the impact radius reaching hundreds of kilometers. Radiation monitoring and food restrictions could be needed over large areas.
R. Grossi also expressed concern about the Tehran nuclear research reactor, saying that any attack on the facility could have serious consequences for the city and its population, requiring urgent protective measures.
He promised to continue to provide timely public information on the status of Iran’s nuclear facilities and potential health and environmental risks. –0–
A total of 517 Indian nationals have been evacuated from Iran under Operation Sindhu, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday.
Jaiswal said a special flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in New Delhi at 3 am on June 21. The operation was launched to bring Indian citizens home as tensions between Iran and Israel escalate.
“Operation Sindhu continues. A special evacuation flight from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, landed in New Delhi at 0300 hrs on 21st June, bringing Indians from Iran home. With this, so far 517 Indian nationals from Iran have returned,” Jaiswal posted on X.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran coordinated the safe return of students and other citizens, while the MEA oversaw the evacuation process. Several evacuees expressed relief upon arrival.
Zaffar Abbas Naqvi, who was evacuated with his family, said they had initially stayed indoors after hearing about the attack on Iran and later moved to Mashhad as the situation deteriorated.
“We then contacted the Indian government. The action was so swift that we cannot express our gratitude in words,” Naqvi said, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Kulsum, another evacuee, said, “The situation in Iran is not good. We were very worried. The government helped us a lot and brought us back home safely.”
Mohammad Ali Qazim, who had traveled to Mashhad on a religious trip, also thanked the Indian government for facilitating their safe return.
The first batch of 110 students — including 90 from Kashmir — was evacuated from northern Iran earlier this week and taken to Armenia before being flown to India.
The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel began on June 13 after Israel conducted airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites under “Operation Rising Lion.” In retaliation, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched “Operation True Promise 3,” targeting Israeli fuel and energy centers.
The MEA said the operation would continue until all Indian nationals who wish to leave Iran have been safely repatriated.
A leading Middle East analyst has pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s dismissal of the conclusion of his own national intelligence chief, who said in April that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.
Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, said in an interview that Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, who issued the determination on Iran, “does not speak for herself” or her team alone.
“She speaks for all the intelligence agencies combined,” Bishara said.
“This intelligence is supposed to be sound. This is not just one person or one team saying something. It’s the entire intelligence community in the United States. He [Trump] would dismiss them? For what?
“For a lie by a rogue element called Benjamin Netanyahu, who has lied all his life, a con artist who is indicted for his crimes in Gaza? It’s just astounding.”
US senators slam Netanyahu Two US senators have also condemned Netanyahu while Israel continues to bomb and starve Gaza
Chris Van Hollen and Elizabeth Warren, two Democrats in the US Senate, have urged the world to pay attention to what Israel continues to do in Gaza amid its conflict with Iran.
“Don’t look away,” Van Hollen wrote on X. “Since the start of the Israel-Iran war 7 days ago, over 400 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, many shot while seeking food.
“It’s unconscionable that Netanyahu has not allowed international orgs to resume food delivery.”
Warren said the Israeli prime minister “may think no one will notice what he’s doing in Gaza while he bombs Iran”.
“People face starvation. 55,000 killed. Aid workers and doctors turned away at the border. Shooting at innocent people desperate for food. The world sees you, Benjamin Netanyahu,” she wrote.
Israel’s Prime Minister may think no one will notice what he’s doing in Gaza while he bombs Iran.
People face starvation. 55,000 killed. Aid workers and doctors turned away at the border. Shooting at innocent people desperate for food.
‘A trust gap’ The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, appealed for an end to the fighting between Israel and Iran, saying that Teheran had repeatedly stated that it was not seeking nuclear weapons.
“Let’s recognise there is a trust gap,” he said.
“The only way to bridge that gap is through diplomacy to establish a credible, comprehensive and verifiable solution — including full access to inspectors of the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency], as the United Nations technical agency in this field.
“For all of that to be possible, I appeal for an end to the fighting and the return to serious negotiations.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres . . . “I appeal for an end to the fighting and the return to serious negotiations.” Image: UNweb screenshot APR
Meanwhile, in New Zealand hope for freedom for Palestinians remained high among a group of trauma-struck activists in Cairo.
In spite of extensive planning, the Global March To Gaza (GMTG) delegation of about 4000 international aid volunteers was thwarted in its mission to walk from Cairo to Gaza to lend support.
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
DAMASCUS, June 21 (Xinhua) — The situation in Syria remains both “fragile and encouraging” amid the continued return of displaced persons, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said on Friday.
Speaking at a press conference in Damascus to mark World Refugee Day during his second visit to Syria this year, he said that since December 2024, some 2 million Syrians have returned to their homes, including both refugees and internally displaced persons.
Grandi told Xinhua that about 1.4-1.5 million internally displaced Syrians have returned to their homes, while another 600,000 or so have returned from neighboring countries, including Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. “Two million is still only a fraction of the total, but it is a significant number,” he said.
Sudan has overtaken Syria in terms of the scale of its displacement crisis, the high commissioner said, with 14 million people displaced from their homes – 10 million to other parts of the country, and another 4 million abroad. “It’s a sad competition,” he said. “But the fact that Syria is no longer in first place points to the possibility of ending the crisis.”
Despite the ongoing return of refugees, Grandi warned of difficult living conditions in Syria and called for increased international support. “Infrastructure, housing, energy, health and education services all need to be restored to ensure that the return of people is sustainable,” he stressed. “I call on the international community to help Syria meet this challenge,” the High Commissioner added. He stressed that the country urgently needs basic services, security and funds for reconstruction. –0–
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
NEW YORK, June 20 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he is seeking a diplomatic solution to the conflict in the Middle East but it will be difficult to ask Israel to stop airstrikes on Iran.
According to local media, the head of the White House told journalists about this in New Jersey, where he attended a fundraising event on his golf course.
D. Trump also dismissed the EU’s attempts to establish diplomatic interaction with Iran. “They have not helped… Iran does not want to talk to Europe. They want to talk to us. Europe is unlikely to be able to help in this matter,” the president noted.
Earlier, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said she “cannot speculate” on whether the Trump administration would push for a ceasefire between Iran and Israel to advance nuclear talks with Tehran. “I’m not going to describe what’s happening now or the president’s or secretary’s reactions to how those talks might go,” she said at a briefing on Friday. –0–
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 21, 2025.
Former New Zealand PM Helen Clark blames Cook Islands for crisis By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/producer Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China. The New Zealand government has paused more than $18 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands after
View from The Hill: Albanese decides against pursuing Donald Trump to NATO Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Anthony Albanese, just back from the G7 and his cancelled meeting with Donald Trump, has abandoned the idea of going to next week’s NATO meeting in pursuit of face time with the elusive president. The word was that the prime
Britain’s support for AUKUS is unwavering – but its capacity to deliver is another matter Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tom Howe, PhD candidate in International Relations, Monash University A recently announced Pentagon review of the AUKUS pact has sparked a renewed bout of debate in Australia. Led by the “AUKUS-agnostic” US Undersecretary of Defense Elbridge Colby, the review raises serious questions over whether Australia will receive
‘I was in a semi-breaking-down sort of place’: new study sheds light on the emotional toll for emergency volunteers Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Natalie Roche, PhD Candidate, Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors, La Trobe University Sergey Dolgikh/Getty Images In Australia, there are around 235,000 emergency service volunteers who help communities respond and recover after natural disasters and other traumatic events. These include volunteers with metropolitan and rural fire services
Australia wants more foreign investment. That’s why a $29 billion bid for Santos puts the Treasurer in a tricky position Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shumi Akhtar, Associate Professor, University of Sydney Marlon Trottmann/Shutterstock The Australian origins of Santos have made an indelible mark on the company’s very name. The energy giant was first incorporated in 1954 under the acronym for “South Australia Northern Territory Oil Search”. It was publicly listed on
15 months after ‘flour massacre’ shock, Israel commits daily Gaza food aid killings BEARING WITNESS: By Cole Martin in occupied Bethlehem Kia ora koutou, I’m a Kiwi journo in occupied Bethlehem, here’s a brief summary of today’s events across the Palestinian and Israeli territories from on the ground. At least 16 killed by Israeli airstrike on al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza. 92 killed across Gaza in total,