Mauritius Denies Receiving US Acquisition Proposal of Chagos Islands

By Al Mayadeen English

8 Jun 2026 20:18

Mauritius insists that its sovereignty over the archipelago is non-negotiable despite claims that Washington is exploring alternatives to Britain's planned transfer of the territory

Mauritius on Monday said it has not received any proposal from the United States regarding the future of the Chagos Islands, after media reports suggested that the administration of US President Donald Trump was considering options that could involve purchasing the archipelago, The Straits Times reported.

In a statement, the Mauritian government said it had seen reports published by The Telegraph but stressed that no communication had been made by Washington on the matter.

"The Mauritian government has taken note of the information reported by the Telegraph. As of today, it has not received any official proposal and has not been approached, either directly or indirectly, by the US administration regarding a separate agreement concerning Diego Garcia or the Chagos Archipelago," it said.

Port Louis reiterated that its position on the territory remains unchanged.

"Mauritius's position remains unchanged: its sovereignty over the Chagos (Archipelago) is non-negotiable."

Chagos purchase proposal

The comments followed a report by The Telegraph claiming that officials in Washington were examining a number of alternatives to a planned British agreement that would transfer sovereignty over the islands to Mauritius while preserving Western military access to Diego Garcia.

According to the newspaper, one proposal being discussed within the White House would involve the United States seeking to acquire the archipelago directly from Mauritius after sovereignty is transferred from Britain. The report said the idea was included among several contingency options being developed as alternatives to the British-backed arrangement.

The discussions are reportedly being driven by concerns over the long-term status of Diego Garcia, a major US-British military installation regarded by Washington as one of its most important overseas bases. Reports indicate that some US officials fear Mauritian control of the territory could eventually complicate military operations or create strategic uncertainty in the Indian Ocean amid growing competition with China.

Trump questions handover deal

The reported discussions come amid continuing uncertainty over a deal negotiated by London to resolve the long-running dispute over the archipelago. The agreement would see Britain recognize Mauritian sovereignty while securing continued access to the strategically important Diego Garcia military facility through a long-term lease arrangement.

Earlier this year, the British government paused progress on the agreement following criticism from Trump and concerns raised by some US officials about the implications for the future of the base.

Trump publicly criticized the arrangement in February, calling it a "big mistake".

Colonial legacy persists

The Chagos Islands have remained the subject of an international sovereignty dispute for decades. Britain separated the territory from Mauritius prior to Mauritian independence and later forced thousands of Chagossians out of the islands to facilitate the construction of the joint US-British military base on Diego Garcia.

International legal bodies, including the International Court of Justice, have previously concluded that Britain's administration of the islands should come to an end and that the decolonization of Mauritius should be completed.

Under the framework previously outlined by London, Britain would transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while paying approximately £101 million annually to maintain operations at the installation, which remains a key hub for US and British military activities across the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and beyond.

Over 400 Abductees Freed from Boko Haram Captivity in Nigeria

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Agencies

7 Jun 2026 14:20

Hundreds of women and children abducted by Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria have been freed, according to local officials and the military, after months in captivity.

More than 400 women and children abducted by Boko Haram militants earlier this year in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State have been released after months in captivity, according to local officials and military authorities.

The release marks one of the largest reported recoveries of abducted civilians in recent months in a region long affected by armed violence and displacement.

The captives were taken from Ngoshe, a community near the border with Cameroon, an area repeatedly targeted in attacks linked to the Boko Haram insurgency.

Local representatives said the freed civilians returned on Saturday after enduring harsh conditions during their captivity, bringing relief to families across communities in Borno State.

Hundreds of women and children return home

Samaila Kaigama, president of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), said all 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe had been released.

“Our group has secured the release of all the 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe,” Kaigama told journalists.

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume also confirmed the release, though authorities did not immediately clarify the circumstances under which the captives were freed.

The return of the abductees comes after months of uncertainty for families in a region where abductions have become a recurring feature of the long-running Boko Haram conflict.

Competing accounts of the release operation

The Nigerian military stated that it conducted an “intelligence-led rescue operation” that resulted in the release of 360 people held by Boko Haram terrorists.

According to the military, the captives were kept under harsh conditions after being taken from multiple communities, particularly around the Ngoshe axis in Borno State.

Officials said the operation involved extended intelligence gathering and psychological operations aimed at weakening cohesion within armed ranks before a final phase of intervention.

Authorities did not specify whether negotiations or other forms of pressure contributed to the outcome.

Human toll of captivity in northeastern Nigeria

Daniel Bwala, a spokesperson for Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, said two infants died during captivity due to exhaustion and harsh conditions during movement through difficult terrain.

“Sadly, two infants died due to exhaustion from prolonged captivity and harsh terrain,” he said.

The deaths underscore the severe humanitarian impact of prolonged abductions, particularly on women and children caught in cycles of violence and displacement.

Communities in Borno State continue to face insecurity, disrupted livelihoods, and repeated exposure to armed attacks despite years of military operations.

Abductions amid long-running conflict in the Lake Chad region

Ngoshe lies in the Gwoza hills near the Cameroon border, a long-standing area of Boko Haram activity and cross-border instability in the Lake Chad Basin.

Abductions of civilians have remained a recurring tactic throughout the conflict, which has displaced millions across Nigeria and neighboring states.

Rural communities remain particularly vulnerable due to limited infrastructure, sparse security presence, and repeated incursions by armed groups operating across remote terrain.

Untapped Resources: Tax Reforms Could Unlock $469bn Annually in Africa

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: News websites

5 Jun 2026 09:25

The African Development Bank says Africa could generate over $469 billion annually through better tax systems and efficiency, without increasing tax rates.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) said African countries could unlock more than $469 billion in additional annual revenue without raising tax rates, a figure that would exceed the continent’s estimated financing gap and reduce reliance on external borrowing and aid, Business Insider Africa reported.

The estimate comes at a time when African governments are facing increasing fiscal pressure from rising debt repayments, weaker aid inflows, and a tightening global financial environment.

According to S&P Global Ratings, Africa’s external debt repayments are projected to exceed $90 billion this year, while development institutions estimate the continent’s annual financing gap at around $400 billion.

These pressures have intensified the search for domestic sources of funding as governments attempt to balance budgets and sustain development spending.

AfDB estimates $469 billion in untapped revenue

AfDB Chief Economist Kevin Urama said the potential revenue can be unlocked through improved tax administration, digitization, and institutional reforms rather than higher tax rates.

“We see that by improving tax administration through digitisation and other reforms, just adopting best practices, the continent can mobilise more than $469 billion extra without increasing tax rates,” he said. “It is simply about improving efficiency and strengthening compliance.”

Tax inefficiency and governance gaps across the continent

The AfDB also estimated that Africa could mobilize up to $1.43 trillion annually through broader reforms, including improved public spending efficiency, stronger institutions, and deeper financial systems.

It argued that weak tax administration and fragmented financial structures continue to drain significant resources that could otherwise support development priorities.

According to Urama, tax compliance is also closely tied to public trust in government institutions. In many countries, households and businesses often rely on private solutions for services such as electricity, water, and security, which reduces incentives to contribute more to public revenue systems.

He added that improving transparency and service delivery would help strengthen compliance and increase willingness to pay taxes.

Digitization and reform key solutions

The AfDB has repeatedly called for digitized tax systems, integrated taxpayer databases, broader tax bases, and simplified compliance procedures as key reforms to improve revenue mobilization. These measures, it argued, would help governments capture revenue that is currently lost through inefficiencies.

The bank also said Africa’s long-term development strategy must increasingly rely on internal resources rather than external financing, especially as global uncertainty affects investment flows and development assistance.

It concluded that the continent’s biggest untapped financial resource is not external aid or commodity wealth, but improved collection of revenue that is already due.

Iran Retaliates Against IOF Aggression on Beirut with Missile Salvos

By Al Mayadeen English

7 Jun 2026 23:03

Air raid sirens sounded across northern areas, explosions were reported near multiple locations, and flights at Ben Gurion Airport were temporarily halted.

Iran launched missiles today toward the occupied Palestinian territories in response to the Israeli attack on Beirut’s Southern Suburb.

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli warplanes bombed a residential building in the Mrjayeh–Tahwitat al-Ghadir area of Beirut's Southern Suburb, killing two citizens and injuring 20 others, including 8 women and children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Minister Israel Katz announced the strikes as they were underway.

Air raid sirens sounded across Haifa, al-Jalil, and the occupied Golan Heights, as well as dozens of other areas in the occupied north, following the detection of missile launches from Iran.

Iranian state television announced the launch of several waves of Iranian missiles toward targets in the occupied territories.

Israeli media reports said loud explosions were heard in the north as the missiles or their shrapnel made impact.

Meanwhile, Israeli Kan broadcaster reported damage in northern areas, coinciding with missile launches from Iran and the opening of shelters.

Preliminary reports by Israeli outlets also indicated that a missile struck near Kfar Yehoshua, southeast of Haifa, although details regarding damage or casualties were not immediately available.

Air traffic at Ben Gurion Airport was suspended and bomb shelters across "Israel" were opened after the missile launches from Iran were detected.

IRGC says Ramat David Airbase attacked

Shortly after the launches, the IRGC announced that the Ramat David Airbase was targeted by its ballistic missiles. According to the IRGC, the strike was carried out in response to the extensive Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, as well as the killing and displacement of civilians in the regions of Tyre, Nabatieh, and other areas, including Beirut's Southern Suburb.

"Our acceptance of a ceasefire had been contingent on a complete cessation of hostilities across all fronts," the IRGC stressed.

In a statement, the IRGC's Public Relations Department announced that the Aerospace Force had launched ballistic missiles targeting the Ramat David airbase, which it described as the origin of attacks against Lebanon.

'We have fulfilled our promise'

Majid Mousavi, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, said the operation fulfilled a previously stated commitment, declaring, "We have fulfilled our promise."

The IRGC stated that the operation was intended solely as a warning, adding that any repetition of such actions would be met with a broader response that would encompass all American and Israeli targets across the region.

The statement further said that Iran's acceptance of a ceasefire on April 8 was conditional upon a halt to hostilities on all fronts. However, it said that the United States and "Israel" failed to uphold their commitments, arguing that attacks and military operations in Lebanon continued and that repeated actions against Iranian coasts and vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, and the Indian Ocean constituted violations of the ceasefire.

'Israel crossed all red lines in Lebanon': Khatam HQ

The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that the Israeli regime, through its repeated violations of the ceasefire, continues to escalate its actions against the Lebanese people on a daily basis, with the backing and support of the United States and amid the silence of international institutions.

He stated that "Israel" is committing war crimes through the use of prohibited weapons, including phosphorus bombs, adding that despite previous warnings from the Islamic Republic of Iran, "the Israeli regime crossed all red lines by intensifying its attacks in southern Lebanon and targeting Beirut's Southern Suburb."

The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that the Israeli regime, through its repeated violations of the ceasefire, continues to escalate its actions against the Lebanese people on a daily basis, with the backing and support of the United States and

The spokesperson said Iran had previously warned that it would strike targets in the occupied territories following attacks on Beirut's Southern Suburb.

He further warned that the Israeli military must halt its attacks on southern Lebanon and the Southern Suburb of Beirut, stating that any further escalation or retaliation against Iranian actions would be met with more severe and devastating strikes.

According to the Iranian spokesperson, such a scenario would trigger destructive attacks against "Israel" and its protectors.

'Tonight, the aggressors received their response.'

On his part, Major General Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council, said the Islamic Republic had repeatedly warned that it would not tolerate violations of the ceasefire or acts of aggression against Lebanon.

Speaking after the latest developments, Rezaei stressed that those responsible had already faced consequences, declaring, “Tonight, the aggressors received their response.”

He described the response as a warning intended to deter further action, adding that any additional attacks would be met by a stronger reaction and greater costs.

Rezaei said Iran remains committed to its stated position that continued violations of ceasefire arrangements and military actions against Lebanon would provoke an escalating response.

Iranian lawmaker says Axis of Resistance will respond with full force

A senior Iranian lawmaker on Sunday accused the United States and "Israel" of violating regional stability and committing crimes against Palestinians and Lebanese people, warning that the Axis of Resistance would respond in kind.

Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Parliament, said Washington's violation of a ceasefire in the Gulf and "Israel's" actions in Palestine and Lebanon demonstrated that the two sides “understand only the language of force.”

“The United States’ violation of the ceasefire in the Persian Gulf and the crimes committed by the Zionist regime against Palestine and beloved Lebanon show that you understand only the language of force,” Azizi stressed.

“Therefore, the Resistance Front will address you in the same language,” he declared.

Ceasefire framework

The Israeli strike on Beirut's Southern Suburb follows a June 2–3 trilateral meeting in Washington between US, Lebanese, and Israeli representatives.

The US State Department published a joint statement on June 4 outlining a framework aimed at a ceasefire and border security arrangements, under which the Lebanese government and the Israeli occupation agreed in principle to a ceasefire arrangement.

The agreement has faced widespread rejection across Lebanese sects, political parties, and officials. The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon has continued its operations against Israeli occupation forces in retaliation for ongoing Israeli attacks.

Iran's response warning

Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly linked developments in Lebanon to the ceasefire agreement in Iran, insisting that the ceasefire deal includes all fronts, specifically Lebanon, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemning violations of the ceasefire in Beirut as acts of aggression.

Araghchi said Iran had informed all parties that "if they attack Beirut, we will not tolerate it," adding that the course of the conflict would ultimately be determined by the Resistance's ability to respond.

He also reiterated Tehran's position that Iran had been fully prepared to strike "Israel" if Beirut and its Southern Suburb had come under attack, referring to recent Israeli threats against the area issued on June 1.

Following the June 1 threats against Dahieh, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said US President Donald Trump's claim that he had prevented Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from launching an attack on Beirut amounted to an acknowledgment of Washington's direct role in the ongoing aggression.

For his part, Mohsen Rezaei, military advisor to Iran's Leader, warned "Israel" against taking any action targeting Beirut's Southern Suburb, asserting that missile forces were prepared to carry out a broader deterrent response if necessary.

Following the latest threats against Dahieh, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said US President Donald Trump's claim that he had prevented Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from launching an attack on Beirut amounted to an acknowledgment of Washington's direct role in the ongoing aggression.

Israeli Regime Launches Renewed Attacks on Iran

By Al Mayadeen English

Israeli military aircraft launched an aggression on western and central Iran early Monday, with explosions reported in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and Karaj.

The Israeli military command said its military aircraft launched attacks on western and central Iran early on Monday morning. Hours later, sirens sounded across occupied Palestinian territories, amid a missile attack.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps confirmed that Iranian soil was targeted by Israeli aggression, saying that the Israeli regime utilized air-launched ballistic missiles to attack Iran from outside its airspace. 

This comes as sounds of several explosions were heard in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and Karaj. According to Israeli Channel 12, the Tehran Mehrabad International Airport was also bombed in the wave of strikes.

Meanwhile, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Baghdad reported that an explosion of unknown origin was heard across the Iraqi capital.

After the wave of Israeli attacks concluded, Israeli media outlets reported that alert levels had been raised in Tel Aviv and southern areas in anticipation of a possible counterattack.

This followed an Iranian response to Israeli aggression in Lebanon and piracy near the Strait of Hormuz.

Missile fired back at Israeli targets

At 5:56 am (local time), sirens sounded in central Israeli occupied territories, amid what the Israeli military command said was a missile attack from Yemen.

Netanyahu breaks his promise to Trump?

Following the Iranian strikes that targeted the Ramat David Airbase in northern occupied Palestine, United States President Donald Trump held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, ordering him not to respond to Iranian retaliation. This was widely reported in both Western and Israeli media outlets.

"I am going to call Bibi right now and tell him not to retaliate. Each of them had their fun. Israel had its strike, and Iran had its strike. We don't need another one," Trump told Axios.

While Trump publicly called for de-escalation, statements from the Israeli occupation's military leadership pointed in a different direction. According to Israeli media, Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said the military is prepared to launch a forceful attack "as soon as the order is given."

The statements suggest that while Washington is seeking to avoid confrontation with Iran, the Israeli military establishment is actively preparing for aggressive actions.

Iran Pounds Occupied Territories with Missiles, Warns of 'More Crushing Blows' if Lebanon Attacks Persist

Sunday, 07 June 2026 11:13 PM

A streak of light illuminates the sky during a missile attack from Iran towards the Israeli-occupied territories as seen from Asqalan, June 7, 2026. 

Iranian armed forces launched a missile barrage at Israeli-occupied territories on Sunday, responding to persistent Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of the ceasefire.

Sirens blared in wide areas, including the occupied Golan Heights, Tiberias, Safed, Nazareth, Haifa, and several other cities, according to Israeli media.

The Israeli military said air defense systems remain on high alert, while the regime’s education ministry announced the closure of all schools and educational centers for the coming day due to security conditions.

The Iranian operation came as a direct response to the Zionist regime’s continued aggression against Lebanon, including the use of banned phosphorus bombs and the targeting of Beirut’s southern suburbs (Dahiyeh).

Immediately after the retaliatory operation, Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the central command of the Iranian armed forces, warned of more "crushing and remorseful blows" should Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue.

In a statement, the central military command slammed the Zionist regime for systematically violating the ceasefire and escalating its aggression against the Lebanese people with direct American support and international silence.

Missiles launched from Iran are seen in the sky over occupied Palestine.

The statement further noted that the regime has been using banned weapons, including phosphorus bombs, to commit war crimes against civilians in southern Lebanon.

"With the green light and support of criminal America and the silence of international bodies, the aggressive Zionist regime has increasingly escalated its atrocities against the oppressed people of Lebanon through repeated ceasefire violations," it read.

The commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters said, despite repeated warnings from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the “child-killing Zionist regime" has now “crossed all red lines” by expanding its attacks from southern Lebanon to Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiyeh.

Iranian armed forces had previously warned that expansion of Zionist crimes into Dahiyeh would trigger Iranian retaliatory strikes inside the occupied territories.

"We had previously warned that if crimes expand in Beirut's Dahiyeh, we will strike targets within the occupied territories," the statement noted.

The top military command further issued an ultimatum, demanding that the Zionist army immediately halt all attacks on southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh.

Any further expansion of attacks into the area, or any military response to Iranian retaliatory strikes, would be met with devastating force, it warned.

“If it expands its attacks into that area or responds to Iran's action, it will face even more crushing and remorseful blows, and devastating attacks against the regime and its supporters will commence,” the statement added.

Iraqi Resistance Warns US: Any Intervention on Behalf of Israel Will Set Your Bases Ablaze

Sunday, 07 June 2026 10:17 PM

Kata'ib Hezbollah is one of the factions within the Iraqi Islamic Resistance. (File)

Kata'ib Hezbollah, one of the prominent factions within the Iraqi Islamic Resistance, issued a warning to the United States on Sunday, declaring that any American intervention on behalf of the Israeli regime will have catastrophic consequences for it.

The statement warned that US bases across Iraq and the region would be set ablaze.

The resistance group explicitly stated that in the event of direct American military intervention at the behest of the Israeli regime, all US bases and interests on Iraqi soil – as well as those throughout the region – would be considered legitimate targets.

The warning comes following Iran's missile barrage on Israeli-occupied territories in response to continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of ceasefire agreements.

Earlier, Iranian armed forces launched a barrage of missiles at Israeli-occupied territories in response to persistent Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of the ceasefire.

Immediately after the retaliatory operation, Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the central command of the Iranian armed forces, warned of more “crushing and remorseful blows” if the Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue.

In a statement, the central military command slammed the Zionist regime for systematically violating the ceasefire and escalating its aggression against the Lebanese people with direct American support and international silence.

The statement further noted that the regime has been using banned weapons, including phosphorus bombs, to commit war crimes against civilians in southern Lebanon.

"With the green light and support of criminal America and the silence of international bodies, the aggressive Zionist regime has increasingly escalated its atrocities against the oppressed people of Lebanon through repeated ceasefire violations," it read.

Kata'ib Hezbollah's statement aligns with the broader position of the Axis of Resistance, which insists on the unity of all fronts, from Lebanon and Iraq to Yemen and Iran.

Yemeni Resistance Missile Attack Paralyzes Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport

Monday, 08 June 2026 3:29 AM

Yemeni armed forces on Monday morning launched a ballistic missile strike targeting the occupied Palestinian territories.

Yemeni armed forces on Monday morning launched a ballistic missile strike targeting the occupied Palestinian territories, forcing the Israeli regime to completely halt all flights at Ben Gurion International Airport while activating air raid sirens across Tel Aviv and central and southern occupied Palestine.

According to the Israeli occupation army, a missile was fired from Yemen toward central parts of the occupied territories.

The regime’s air defense systems claimed to have intercepted the projectile, but the attack triggered widespread panic, with sirens blaring in the Tel Aviv metropolis and surrounding regions.

The Israeli Home Front Command issued urgent warnings for residents in central and southern areas to seek shelter.

Israeli aviation authorities were forced to suspend all arrivals and departures at Ben Gurion as a direct result of the Yemeni missile launch and ensuing security alert, causing major disruptions to air traffic and effectively isolating the occupying regime from the skies.

Yemen’s Ansarullah resistance movement has repeatedly demonstrated its advanced capabilities, with military spokesman Yahya Saree affirming in similar operations that such strikes are part of the ongoing “holy jihad” in support of the oppressed people of Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran against US-Israeli aggression.

Ali Akbar Velayati has issued an ultimatum to the Israeli regime and its backers, stating that any continued aggression will unleash a calculated chain of responses from the Axis of Resistance.

The Yemeni attack came following Iran's missile barrage on Israeli-occupied territories in response to continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of ceasefire agreements.

Iranian armed forces launched a barrage of missiles on Sunday night at Israeli-occupied territories in response to persistent Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of the ceasefire.

‘New Equation Takes Shape’: Yemen, Palestinian Factions Hail Iran Strikes on Israeli Targets

Sunday, 07 June 2026 11:08 PM

People chant during an anti-U.S. and Israeli rally after Iran's missile attack on Israel, in Tehran, Iran, June 7, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)

Yemen and Palestinian resistance groups have praised Iran’s missile strikes on Israeli-occupied territories, describing them as a confirmation that the era of Zionist arrogance has ended.

The Iranian armed forces launched missile attacks on military targets in the northern occupied territories on Sunday night, acting in what Tehran called legitimate self‑defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

The strikes came after repeated Israeli ceasefire violations, including the bombing of Beirut’s southern suburbs (Dahiyeh) and collaboration with the US military in attacks on Iranian ships.

Yemen’s Foreign Ministry hailed the “heroic military operation” carried out by Iranian forces against the Zionist enemy in response to the targeting of Beirut.

“The era of the Zionist enemy’s rampage is over,” the ministry said in a statement. “This criminal entity understands only the language of force.”

The ministry added that the operation reinforces the “unity of arenas” doctrine and demolishes the “equation of permissible violation” that the Zionist enemy sought to establish, stressing that the axis of jihad, resistance and Al‑Quds is in constant coordination to confront any developments.

‘Iranian response embodies genuine solidarity’

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem hailed the Iranian strike as “a manifestation of genuine solidarity that should exist among the components of the Ummah.”

He described it as a response to Israeli transgressions against the brotherly Lebanese people.

The Palestinian Resistance Committees also blessed the Iranian retaliation, stating that it came in response to the targeting of Dahiyeh by “pounding the criminal Zionists’ strongholds.”

“The blessed Iranian response to the Zionist aggression on Dahiyeh confirms that the Islamic Republic is establishing new equations. The era of Zionist arrogance and tyranny has ended forever. The Zionist enemy understands only the language of power, resistance and confrontation,” the statement read.

“The Iranian missiles that struck the Zionist entity once again impose the equation of the unity of arenas and shatter Netanyahu’s illusions and the arrogance of the Zionist criminals.”

The ministry warned that any malicious adventure by the Zionist regime against Lebanon or Iran will be met with a crushing and comprehensive response from Iran’s brave armed forces.

The Iranian strikes followed heightened tensions after Israel bombed the Dahiyeh district of Beirut on Sunday, killing and wounding dozens.

Israel had last week threatened a major assault but scaled back after Iran issued a direct warning.

A Pakistan‑brokered ceasefire between Iran and the US has been in place since early April, but Israel has continued its brutal attacks on Gaza and southern Lebanon.

Tehran has consistently insisted that any final agreement must include a comprehensive halt to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.

Ramat David Airbase, Origin of Israeli Attacks on Lebanon, Hit by Ballistic Missiles: IRGC

Sunday, 07 June 2026 11:11 PM

An Iranian missile flies in the sky over Israel, as seen from al-Khalil, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 7, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says that its Aerospace Force struck the Ramat David airbase with ballistic missiles, identifying the facility as the launchpad for Israeli aggression against southern Lebanon, including the bombing of Tyre, Nabatieh and Beirut’s southern suburbs.

In a statement released late Sunday, the IRGC said the operation was a direct response to the Zionist regime’s widespread crimes in Lebanon, which have resulted in the killing and mass displacement of civilians.

“In response to the extensive crime of the usurping Zionist regime in southern Lebanon, the killing and mass displacement of the oppressed people of Tyre, Nabatieh and other areas, including Dahiyeh Beirut, the Ramat David airbase, the origin of these aggressions, was targeted by ballistic missiles of the IRGC Aerospace Force,” the statement read.

The IRGC stressed that Iran’s acceptance of the April 8 ceasefire was conditional on a halt to hostilities on all fronts.

“But as always, the US and the Zionist regime failed to honour their commitments. They continued aggression and crimes in Lebanon and repeatedly violated the ceasefire by attacking Iranian shores and vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean.”

Iranian armed forces launched a missile barrage at Israeli-occupied territories on Sunday, responding to persistent Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of the ceasefire.

The IRGC described the overnight missile strike as a “warning”.

“If the aggressions are repeated, the response will be broader and will encompass all American‑Zionist targets in the region.”

Despite a fragile Pakistan‑brokered ceasefire between Iran and the US since early April, Israel has continued its violations by attacking Lebanon, prompting Tehran to take action.

On Sunday, Israeli warplanes bombed residential areas in the southern suburbs of Beirut, killing at least two people and wounding 20 others.

The regime has also used internationally banned phosphorus munitions in southern Lebanon, causing severe burns and environmental damage.

According to Lebanese health authorities, more than 3,610 people have been martyred and over 11,070 wounded since early March, with over 1.6 million displaced.

Iran has repeatedly stated that any ceasefire must be comprehensive and include an immediate halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

IRGC Says Zionist Enemy Attacked Targets Inside Iran Using Air-launched Ballistic Missiles

Monday, 08 June 2026 2:51 AM

File photo shows US-Israeli airstrikes on an Iranian city.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced early Monday that the Zionist enemy carried out attacks on targets inside Iranian territory using air-launched ballistic missiles, in a flagrant violation of the fragile ceasefire.

The IRGC statement gave no further details, but Iranian media reported that several sites were targeted, triggering explosions in Tehran, Isfahan and Tabriz.

Iranian news agency IRNA reported that at least two powerful explosions were heard in the capital, Tehran, with additional blasts in Isfahan and Tabriz.

Israeli media claimed that the strikes hit Mehrabad Airport in Tehran and a storage depot for attack drones.

They reported that fighter jets launched their missiles from above Iraqi airspace, while other reports suggested some attacks originated from warships in the Mediterranean Sea.

Isfahan's deputy governor for security affairs said that a location in the city of Najafabad was targeted by the Zionist regime's aggression early Tuesday but with no human casualties.

The Zionist regime is preparing for an immediate retaliatory response from Iran, according to Israeli media reports.

The ministry warned that any malicious adventure by the Zionist regime against Lebanon or Iran will be met with a crushing and comprehensive response from Iran’s brave armed forces.

The airstrikes followed Iran’s legitimate missile strikes on the occupied territories, which were carried out in retaliation for the regime’s Sunday attacks on the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

Prior to this latest round of aggression, a Pakistan‑brokered ceasefire had been in place since early April, following a full‑scale US‑Israeli war of aggression against Iran that began on February 28.

That war included the assassination of Iran’s late Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and strikes on nuclear facilities, schools and hospitals.

Tehran has repeatedly warned that any new aggression will be met with a crushing and comprehensive response.

Iranian officials have also insisted that any ceasefire must include a halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Gaza.

Leader’s Adviser to Israel: Halt Your Folly or Face Resistance’s Chain of Responses

Sunday, 07 June 2026 11:36 PM

Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution

Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on international affairs, has issued an ultimatum to the Israeli regime and its backers, stating that any continued aggression will unleash a calculated chain of responses from the Axis of Resistance.

In a statement on Sunday night following the occupying regime’s latest blatant ceasefire violations in Lebanon, Velayati said, “The prediction made a few days ago has materialized: a missile response of the ‘Dhāt al-Salāsil’ (chain/sequential) type.”

“Today’s stupidity by the regime in Beirut and its blatant violation of the ceasefire has activated the first link in our chain response,” he stated.

“The current security situation in Bab al-Mandab should not lead the enemy into miscalculation. The rings of the Resistance Axis have the full capability to lock both waterways. The choice is yours: stop this foolishness or enter a balanced equation for disciplining the two straits!” he noted.

Velayati’s remarks came following Iran's missile barrage on Israeli-occupied territories in response to continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of ceasefire agreements.

Iranian armed forces launched a barrage of missiles on Sunday night at Israeli-occupied territories in response to persistent Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of the ceasefire.

The remarks underscore the Islamic Republic’s resolute commitment to defending the resistance front and imposing a real balance of power in the region through strength and deterrence.

Any further provocations by the Zionist entity will be met with escalating, proportionate action, as successive links in the prepared chain response are activated by the Axis of Resistance.

The two strategic maritime chokepoints, the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, are vital arteries for global energy supplies and trade. The Resistance Axis possesses the proven capability to secure or disrupt these waterways if the aggressors persist in their reckless crimes, a reality that has already begun reshaping the equations of power across West Asia.

The ministry warned that any malicious adventure by the Zionist regime against Lebanon or Iran will be met with a crushing and comprehensive response from Iran’s brave armed forces.

Velayati’s warning comes amid repeated ceasefire breaches by the Zionist regime, which has continued its aggressive posture in Lebanon despite international calls for restraint.

Such violations expose the occupying entity’s utter disregard for agreements and its desperate reliance on escalation to conceal internal weaknesses.

Iranian officials have repeatedly affirmed that the Islamic Republic and its allies across the Axis of Resistance will not tolerate aggression against Lebanon or any part of the resistance front. Every new crime by the aggressors will elicit a crushing and precise reply, as Sunday night operations have already demonstrated on the ground.

Iran Says Defensive Strikes on Israeli Targets Were Legitimate Self-defense Under UN Charter

Sunday, 07 June 2026 10:16 PM

Iranian foreign ministry building in Tehran. (File)

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has declared that the Islamic Republic’s defensive strikes against military targets in the northern occupied territories were carried out within the framework of inherent self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, following repeated ceasefire violations by the Zionist regime.

In a statement released on Monday, the ministry said the strikes came in response to Israel’s persistent breaches of the April 8 ceasefire, including its collaboration with the US military in attacks on Iranian ships and targets in southern Iran over the past two weeks, as well as US‑backed maritime piracy against the Iranian nation.

Iran emphasized that the ceasefire in Lebanon is an inseparable part of the April 8 truce agreement, and that the United States bears direct responsibility for Israeli violations and any resulting escalation in the region.

The ministry warned that any malicious adventure by the Zionist regime against Lebanon or Iran will be met with a crushing and comprehensive response from Iran’s brave armed forces.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its nation’s serious determination to decisively defend its security and national interests wherever it deems necessary,” the statement read.

Esmaeil Baghaei has reacted to remarks made by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun against Iran, saying “He sells out those who stand beside him and buys those who stand against him.”

The April 8 ceasefire was brokered by Pakistan after 40 days of intense US‑Israeli war on Iran.

Despite the truce, Israel has continued its aggression against Lebanon and Gaza, while the US has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran has consistently insisted that any final agreement must include a comprehensive halt to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.

The latest Iranian strikes came after the Israeli regime committed a gross violation of the ceasefire by launching deadly attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sunday.

Iran had warned last week that it will target the occupied territories in case of an attack on Beirut and its sorroundings.

Iran Delivers Crushing Warning to Aggressors: ‘Every New Crime Will Meet a Crushing Response'

Sunday, 07 June 2026 8:32 PM

Mohsen Rezaei, advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution

Senior Iranian officials have warned that any violation of ceasefires or acts of aggression against the Axis of Resistance will be met with decisive and crushing responses, underscoring the Islamic Republic’s commitment to defending Lebanon, Palestine, and regional stability.

Mohsen Rezaei, advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, a member of the Expediency Council, stated on Sunday that the Islamic Republic of Iran had issued repeated warnings against breaches of the ceasefire or aggression targeting Lebanon.

“Tonight, the aggressors received their response,” Rezaei said. “This response is a warning for them to cease their villainy; every new action will be met with a more crushing response and heavier costs.”

The remarks came following Iran's missile barrage on Israeli-occupied territories in response to continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of ceasefire agreements.

Iranian armed forces launched a barrage of missiles on Sunday night at Israeli-occupied territories in response to persistent Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of the ceasefire.

Echoing this firm stance, Ebrahim Azizi, a senior member of Iran’s Parliament and Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, highlighted the pattern of violations by Washington and the Zionist entity.

“The violation of the ceasefire by the U.S. in the Persian Gulf and the crimes of the Zionist regime against Palestine and Lebanon show that you only understand the language of power and force,” Azizi said.

“Therefore, the Resistance Front will also speak to you in the same language,” he stated.

The violation of the ceasefire by the U.S. in the Persian Gulf and the crimes of the Zionist regime against Palestine and Lebanon show that you only understand the language of power and force. Therefore, the Resistance Front will also speak to you in the same language.

Immediately after the retaliatory operation, Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the central command of the Iranian armed forces, warned of more “crushing and remorseful blows” if the Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue.

In a statement, the central military command slammed the Zionist regime for systematically violating the ceasefire and escalating its aggression against the Lebanese people with direct American support and international silence.

Abayomi Azikiwe, PANW Editor, Interviewed on 1+1 with Youri Smouter, Discussing Current Affairs

Watch this interview with Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire, hosted by Youri Smouter of 1+1. 

To watch this episode in its entirety, just click on the following URL: 1+1 E392 Youri & Abayomi Azikiwe on current affairs in the UK, US, West Asia, Palestine, & CBS media

The program looks at current events from the recent developments in West Asia to Southern Africa. 

Also, the impact of the collapse of socialism in Eastern Europe and Yugoslavia are examined. 

In addition, the historic role of the People's Republic of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are reviewed, among other issues. 

This discussion took place on Friday June 5, 2026.

Africa CDC, WHO Launch Continental Ebola Preparedness, Response Plan

Source: Xinhua| 2026-06-07 00:25:15|Editor: huaxia

Addressing a joint virtual press conference, heads of the Africa CDC and WHO said that the newly launched plan will serve as a coordinated framework to support affected states, strengthen preparedness and protect Africa's health security.

ADDIS ABABA/GENEVA, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday launched a continental Ebola outbreak preparedness and response plan, aiming to coordinate efforts to contain the outbreak.

Addressing a joint virtual press conference, heads of the Africa CDC and WHO said that the newly launched plan will serve as a coordinated framework to support affected states, strengthen preparedness and protect Africa's health security.

The plan aims to raise 518 million U.S. dollars to support African countries to prepare for, rapidly detect and respond to the outbreak for the period between June and November 2026.

Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said that the joint plan "gives the continent a clear path to act with speed and unity to save lives, support the affected countries, and protect neighboring communities."

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, for his part, underscored the urgent need for enhanced collaboration among the affected and at-risk countries as well as continental and international partners.

"Containing Ebola depends on political commitment, sustained financing and the trust and engagement of communities," Tedros said. "This plan places communities at the center, because without their participation, contact tracing falters, safe care is delayed, and transmission continues."

The six-month plan brings together governments, partners and communities under a unified "One Response" approach to strengthen outbreak response measures, including emergency coordination, disease surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, community engagement, research, logistics and support for essential health services. 

WHO Hands Over Medical Supplies to Zambia for Ebola Prevention

Source: Xinhua| 2026-06-07 00:22:30|Editor: huaxia

LUSAKA, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday handed over medical supplies to Zambia to help strengthen the country's preparedness and response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

The donated medical supplies, valued at 22,000 U.S. dollars, included personal protective equipment, specimen transportation materials, and laboratory reagents.

Clement Peter Lasuba, the WHO Representative in Zambia, said during a donation ceremony held in Lusaka, the country's capital, that the move demonstrates the organization's commitment to supporting Zambia in strengthening its preparedness and response capacity.

He expressed hope that the donation would significantly enhance Zambia's ability to diagnose and test suspected Ebola cases, following the provision of a mobile laboratory.

"This handover is not simply a donation; it is a contribution toward a stronger, safer, and more resilient health system, one that is capable of detecting threats, responding rapidly, and protecting communities before outbreaks become emergencies," he said.

Lasuba thanked Zambian authorities for the measures taken so far to prepare the country, including the development of a national preparedness and response plan and the implementation of other preventive measures.

According to Lasuba, the WHO, in collaboration with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has launched a continental preparedness and response plan to contain the outbreak as quickly as possible, support affected countries, and prevent its spread to countries bordering the DRC.

George Sinyangwe, permanent secretary for donor coordination at the Ministry of Health, thanked the WHO for the donation, saying it is a testament to the enduring partnership between the WHO and Zambia.

He pledged that the donated supplies would be used transparently and efficiently to ensure that frontline health workers are protected and that communities remain safe.

DR Congo's Confirmed Ebola Cases Rise to 452, with 82 Deaths: Report

Source: Xinhua| 2026-06-06 04:48:45|Editor: huaxia

KINSHASA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has risen to 452, including 82 deaths, according to the latest situation report released by the country's health ministry.

According to the report, health authorities reported 71 new confirmed cases on June 4, including 21 deaths, in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, a sign of rapid and continuing community transmission amid the outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.

A total of 258 patients are in isolation or hospital care, while eight people have recovered.

Contact tracing remains a major gap, the report said, noting that of 4,766 contacts under follow-up across the three provinces, only 2,755 have been seen, representing an overall follow-up rate of 57.8 percent.

The DRC health authorities listed the main challenges facing the response, including resistance to post-mortem swabbing, insufficient standardized Ebola treatment capacity, weak contact tracing, shortages of essential medicines, inadequate infection-prevention supplies in North Kivu, poor alert reporting and a 21.5-million-U.S.-dollar funding gap.

Uganda has also confirmed three new Ebola cases, bringing the cumulative number of infections to 19, the Ugandan Ministry of Health said on Friday.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization on Friday launched a continental Ebola outbreak preparedness and response plan, aiming to raise 518 million U.S. dollars to support African countries to prepare for, rapidly detect and respond to the outbreak for the period between June and November.

South Africa Welcomes Fitch's First Credit Rating Upgrade in Nearly 21 Years

Source: Xinhua| 2026-06-06 20:56:45|Editor: huaxia

JOHANNESBURG, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The South African National Treasury has welcomed Fitch Ratings' decision to upgrade the country's long-term foreign and local currency debt ratings.

On Friday, Fitch upgraded South Africa's Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings from 'BB-' to 'BB' and maintained a stable outlook.

The agency noted that despite weak economic growth and persistent domestic and external shocks, South Africa has implemented prudent fiscal management and made visible progress on fiscal consolidation.

According to the National Treasury, gross domestic product (GDP) adjustments have left the government's debt-to-GDP ratio well below the levels anticipated when the country was downgraded to 'BB-' in 2020.

The Treasury highlighted that this marks Fitch's first sovereign rating upgrade for South Africa in nearly 21 years, making it only the second G20 nation to be upgraded by the agency this year.

"Improved sovereign credit ratings help to lower borrowing costs for government, businesses, and households, yielding tangible benefits for ordinary people," said Duncan Pieterse, the Director-General of the National Treasury.

"South Africa still has some way to go to regain its investment-grade credit rating, but for the first time in more than a decade, we are seeing a clear turnaround in the downward ratings trend. This turnaround is especially notable because it comes at a time when the global sovereign credit trend is overwhelmingly negative," Pieterse added.

The Treasury emphasized that the upgrade is particularly impressive given the challenging global environment.

Since geopolitical conflicts escalated, Fitch has taken negative rating actions against five separate investment-grade sovereigns, contrasting sharply with South Africa's upward trajectory.

In its assessment, Fitch observed that South Africa has transitioned from primary fiscal deficits to consistent and widening primary surpluses.

The agency pointed out that government debt is stabilizing due to improved revenue collection and disciplined expenditure management. Furthermore, ongoing structural reforms in the energy and logistics sectors are projected to bolster economic growth in the coming years.

In recent years, South Africa has actively driven structural changes to eliminate energy deficiencies, clear logistics bottlenecks, and resolve operational challenges plaguing the domestic transport sector. 

Xinhua Commentary: Carrying Forward Time-honored China-DPRK Friendship

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia2026-06-06 21:47:15

The train No. 95 from Dandong of China to Pyongyang of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) passes a border bridge in Dandong, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

As this year marks the 65th anniversary of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, China and the DPRK will surely carry forward their traditional friendship and deepen cooperation for the benefit of their peoples and the cause of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.

BEIJING, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, will pay a state visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) from June 8 to 9 at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK.

The visit marks Xi's first overseas trip this year and his first state visit to the DPRK in seven years. It is of great significance for advancing China-DPRK relations and will surely inject new impetus into the traditional friendship between the two countries, enabling it to stand the test of time and weather all challenges.

The establishment of diplomatic ties of the two countries in 1949 opened a new chapter in bilateral relations. In 1961, the two countries signed the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, laying an important political and legal foundation for lasting friendly cooperation.

From jointly resisting foreign aggression and striving for national independence and liberation, to advancing socialist revolution and construction side by side, China and the DPRK have trusted and lent a helping hand to each other. They are good neighbors, good friends and good comrades who have shared weal and woe and helped each other in time of need.

In recent years, Xi and Kim have met on multiple occasions and maintained close communication. Xi has stressed that maintaining, consolidating and developing China-DPRK relations has always been an unwavering policy of the CPC and the Chinese government. Kim has also expressed his willingness to work together with Xi to inherit and develop the traditional friendship between the two countries.

In early September last year, the two leaders held a historic meeting in Beijing and reached an important consensus on overall, strategic and directional issues concerning bilateral relations, opening a new chapter in the friendly exchanges between the two countries.

Under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two sides, China-DPRK relations have been advancing with a clear direction and strong momentum.

China-DPRK cooperation is also thriving, fueled by growing exchanges and collaboration at all levels and across various sectors. China is the DPRK's largest trading partner and the two countries maintain exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, sports and other fields.

The two sides have also concluded a range of agreements and treaties, including those on trade and navigation, air transport and consular affairs. Multiple provinces and cities in both countries have also established sister-city relationships, helping build bridges of friendship between their peoples.

Over the past year, bilateral exchanges have delivered many highlights. For example, the international passenger train services between Beijing and Pyongyang and between China's Dandong and Pyongyang have further facilitated people-to-people exchanges.

From the DPRK's active support for the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the four major global initiatives, to the two sides' close coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and on regional and international issues, the two countries have worked together to safeguard their common interests, uphold international fairness and justice, and contribute to peace, stability and development in the region and beyond.

As this year marks the 65th anniversary of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, China and the DPRK will surely carry forward their traditional friendship and deepen cooperation for the benefit of their peoples and the cause of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.

Russian Diplomat Doubts Competence of Some EU Leaders

According to Maria Zakharova, statements that are coming from the European Union are simply unsound

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova Russian Foreign Ministry press service/TASS

ST. PETERSBURG, June 6. /TASS/. Statements coming from certain European capitals raise serious doubts about whether their leadership remains competent, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s official spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, told TASS in an interview on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

Answering to a question of whether Ukraine and some other European Countries were brain-dead — a reference to French President Emmanuel Macron’s famous remark about NATO’s "brain death" — Zakharova replied: "That’s certainly an interesting question."

"I’m totally convinced that judging by statements that are coming from the European Union, they cannot be described as sound," she said. "These statements are simply unsound."

In 2019, Macron famously declared in an interview with The Economist that NATO had suffered a complete breakdown in coordination, describing the situation as "brain death." He has also advocated for establishing a fully-fledged European Union armed force to ensure European security independently of NATO. Despite these calls, Macron's stance has evolved; in 2022, he characterized Russia’s military operation in Ukraine as an "electric shock" that revitalized NATO. Nevertheless, as reported by L'Express, on February 10, 2026, Macron reiterated his skepticism about NATO's effectiveness, recalling his earlier "brain death" analogy and likening the alliance to a spinal frog - lacking a brain but still reflexively reacting to stimuli.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is taking place on June 3-6. This year’s theme is "Pragmatic Dialogue: the Path to a Stable Future." The forum program is dedicated to shaping a new model of global development amid the ongoing transformation of the world economy.

The Roscongress Foundation is the organizer of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. TASS is its official general information partner.

Russian Forces Take Control of Shevchenko in Kharkov Region

At the same time, the Ukrainian armed forces lost about 1,275 service members over the past day as a result of actions by Russian force groupings in the special military operation zone

© Alexander Reka/TASS

MOSCOW, June 6. /TASS/. Russian service members have established control over the settlement of Shevchenko in the Kharkov Region, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"As a result of decisive actions by units of the North battlegroup, control was established over the settlement of Shevchenko in the Kharkov Region," the ministry said.

At the same time, the Ukrainian armed forces lost about 1,275 service members over the past day as a result of actions by Russian force groupings in the special military operation zone.

According to the ministry, the enemy lost up to 210 personnel in the area of responsibility of the North battlegroup, more than 180 due to actions by the West battlegroup, over 175 in the area of the South battlegroup, more than 280 in the Center battlegroup’s area, up to 385 in the East direction, and up to 45 in the Dnepr battlegroup’s area.

The Ukrainian army also lost a German-made Leopard tank over the past day in the special military operation zone within the area of responsibility of Russia’s South battlegroup.

"The enemy lost more than 175 service members, a Leopard tank manufactured in Germany, four armored combat vehicles, including a US-made M113 armored personnel carrier, 17 vehicles, and four field artillery guns," the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

Russian troops struck production sites, storage facilities, and launch areas for long-range Ukrainian drones over the past day, as well as temporary deployment points of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 153 areas.

"Operational-tactical aviation, strike unmanned aerial vehicles, missile forces, and artillery units of the Russian Armed Forces struck production sites, storage facilities, and launch areas for long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, fuel, transport, and port infrastructure facilities used by the Ukrainian armed forces, as well as temporary deployment points of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 153 areas," the ministry said.

Russia Not Backing Down from Special Military Operation Goals — Top Senator

Russia will achieve its goals either through negotiations or through the special military operation, Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said

ST. PETERSBURG, June 6. /TASS/. Russia is not retreating "by even an inch" from its position on the Ukrainian conflict and will achieve its goals either through negotiations or through the special military operation, Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said in an interview with TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026).

Responding to a question about possible candidates to represent the EU in negotiations with Russia, she stressed that "this is a separate issue." "But it is not only about that (the candidates -- TASS). What will they bring to the negotiations?" Matviyenko noted.

"Russia’s position since the start of the special military operation has not changed by even an inch. We clearly outlined the goals of the special military operation: to eliminate the root causes of this intra-Ukrainian crisis. Without eliminating them, long-term stable peace is impossible," she said.

"We have not changed our position. We stated our goals and said that we will certainly achieve them. Either at the negotiating table -- and we are open to negotiations -- or we will continue the special military operation. This position remains unchanged," Matviyenko stressed.

The 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026) is taking place on June 3-6. This year, the event is held under the theme "Pragmatic Dialogue: The Path to a Stable Future." Saudi Arabia is the guest country at SPIEF. The forum program is dedicated to shaping a new model of global development amid the ongoing transformation of the world economy.

The program includes the SME Forum, the Creative Industries Forum, the Day of the Future International Youth Economic Forum, and the Ensuring Drug Security Forum. As part of the cultural program, the Petersburg Seasons festival and the traditional SPIEF Sports Games will take place. This year, Russia’s national economic development institution VEB.RF is the title partner of SPIEF.

The Roscongress Foundation is the organizer of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. TASS is its official general information partner.

Russia is Part of Europe, it Cannot Be Wiped Off Map — Top Senator

It cannot be wiped off map, Valentina Matviyenko said

Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko Petr Kovalev/TASS

ST. PETERSBURG, June 6. /TASS/. Russia has been and will remain part of Europe, and it is impossible to "wipe it off the map," Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko said in an interview with TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

"Russia has been, is, and will remain part of Europe. It is impossible to isolate Russia; it is impossible to wipe it off the map. We are neighbors, and we must return to normal relations. We must restore good-neighbourly ties," Matviyenko said, speaking about prospects for cooperation with European countries. According to her, the areas of potential cooperation are extensive and remain relevant, "all that is needed is goodwill on both sides."

Matviyenko noted in particular that many German companies previously performed well in the Russian market but were ordered to leave and complied with that political directive. "Before the rise of Russophobia, attempts to inflict a geopolitical defeat on Russia, and efforts to stifle its development, we had a very strong and well-established economic partnership, not only in the energy sector but also in high technology, as well as in humanitarian and cultural fields," the Federation Council speaker added.

The 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026) is taking place on June 3-6. This year, the event is held under the theme "Pragmatic Dialogue: The Path to a Stable Future." Saudi Arabia is the guest country at SPIEF. The forum program is dedicated to shaping a new model of global development amid the ongoing transformation of the world economy.

South Africa Rejects June 30 Shutdown Threat

By Roger A. Agana

June 6, 2026

South Africa will not be shut down by anti-immigration groups demanding that undocumented foreigners leave by June 30, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Friday.

Briefing reporters after a cabinet meeting in Pretoria, Ntshavheni said cabinet had approved a comprehensive migration plan drawn up by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration, along with a National Action Plan on migration. President Cyril Ramaphosa, she added, will address the nation on the strategy, though she gave no date. “There is nobody who’s going to do a shutdown of this country,” she said.

The warning comes amid a wave of anti-immigration protests, some led by the group March and March, which has told undocumented migrants to leave by month’s end and threatened a nationwide shutdown if mass deportations do not begin. Organisers blame irregular migration for crime and for straining hospitals, schools and other services, with tensions flaring in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

The unrest has turned deadly, and the fallout has rippled across the continent. Ghana has moved to evacuate around 300 nationals, Nigeria has fielded requests from scores of citizens wanting to fly home, and Malawians and Mozambicans are among other foreigners who have begun leaving or been urged to stay cautious.Ghana sports news

Ntshavheni drew a firm line between protest and vigilantism, stressing that while the constitution protects the right to march, it gives no one the right to enforce immigration law themselves. Police and the national security coordination structures have echoed that warning, insisting only the state may act against undocumented migrants.

The new plan sits alongside earlier measures, including a dedicated border agency set up in 2023 and a draft labour-migration policy that would cap foreign hiring in some sectors. Such steps speak to a deeper strain. South Africa’s unemployment rate has long sat above 30 percent, and in crowded townships and informal settlements, the scramble for jobs, housing and services keeps feeding hostility toward migrants.

150,000 Displaced in Blue Nile as Thousands Face Starvation on Ethiopian Border

5 June 2026

150,000 displaced in Blue Nile as thousands face starvation on Ethiopian border

Addis Ababa — More than 150,000 people have been displaced from southern Blue Nile region as fighting continues between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF-SPLM-N alliance, with thousands stranded near the Ethiopian border in dire conditions without food, water, or shelter, a civil society initiative has warned.

Ali Hajo, a member of the Blue Nile Civil Society Initiative, told Sudan Tribune that displaced people from Qaisan locality and surrounding villages are facing extremely harsh humanitarian conditions near the Ethiopian border — sleeping in the open, with women and children bearing the worst of the crisis amid a near-total absence of aid.

He said more than 150,000 people have fled the southern districts of the region to the cities of Ad-Damazin, Roseires, Gunais Sharq, Wad al-Mahi, and other areas as a result of ongoing fighting in their home areas. Heavy military confrontations have been underway for months in the eastern part of the region between the army and the RSF-SPLM-N alliance.

Hajo called on the United Nations, the African Union, and all international and regional mechanisms engaged with the Sudanese file to press all warring parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire or a comprehensive humanitarian truce to allow aid to reach those affected and ease civilian suffering.

He also called on all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law, and to open safe humanitarian corridors to ensure unimpeded delivery of relief.

Hajo additionally called on regional security agencies to halt what he described as a campaign of arrests and detention of civilians on charges of “collaboration,” end enforced disappearances, and release those detained.

He urged all Sudanese parties to “let wisdom prevail,” respond to the suffering of the Sudanese people, and engage in dialogue and negotiation toward a comprehensive peaceful solution that ends the war.

19.5 Million Sudanese Face Acute Food Insecurity as Famine Risk Grows in 14 Areas

5 June 2026

The first food supplies for Sudan's Darfur region cross the Adre border from Chad, after Sudanese authorities reopened the crossing following a six-month closure, on August 21, 2024, WFP photo.

June 5, Khartoum — The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned on Thursday that 19.5 million people in Sudan — representing 41% of the population — are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, with conditions expected to worsen through early 2027.

The IPC, an international hunger monitoring body supported by the United Nations, said in a report covering February 2026 to January 2027 that 135,000 people are in catastrophic food conditions classified as Phase 5 — the highest level — while more than five million face a food emergency and 14.3 million are in acute food crisis. The number in Phase 5 is expected to rise to approximately 200,000 during the lean season, which coincides with the rainy season from June to October.

The report identified 14 areas in North Darfur, South Darfur, and South Kordofan as facing a risk of famine if fighting intensifies and restrictions on humanitarian aid, goods, and population movement continue. The areas at risk include Al-Tinah, Ambro, Kornoi, El Fasher, and IDP camps in Al-Tinah, Tawila, and Ambro in North Darfur, as well as Dilling, Kadugli, Al-Buram, and surrounding IDP camps in South Kordofan, and Bileil locality in South Darfur. Seven of these areas have been newly added to the famine-risk list.

Children hit hardest

Acute malnutrition rates have exceeded famine thresholds in parts of North Darfur. The Ambro locality recorded a global acute malnutrition rate of 52.9% among children under five, with severe acute malnutrition at 18.1%. Kornoi recorded a global acute malnutrition rate of 34%, with severe malnutrition at 7.8%, while Al-Tinah registered 19.7% overall with pockets recording even higher levels.

Approximately 825,000 children under five are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition in 2026 — a 7% increase over 2025 and a 25% rise compared to pre-war averages between 2021 and 2023. More than 98,500 children received treatment for severe acute malnutrition in the first three months of 2026 alone.

The report attributed the deepening crisis to the ongoing armed conflict, the expanding use of drones, mass displacement, rising food prices, declining agricultural production, and restricted humanitarian access.

Crop shortfalls

National cereal production last year stood at approximately 5.2 million tonnes — 22% lower than the previous season and 19% below the five-year average. Sorghum production fell to four million tonnes and millet to around 768,000 tonnes, according to FAO figures. The IPC warned that conflict and displacement have reduced cultivated areas, raised input costs, and weakened farmer incentives through lower crop prices.

FAO warned on 23 May that up to 40% of the coming agricultural season’s harvest could be lost without immediate large-scale intervention. The report noted some recovery indicators in irrigated agricultural systems in Gezira, Gedaref, Sennar, and Blue Nile states, but said significant challenges persist, with farm-level production in conflict-affected areas continuing to be disrupted by attacks, looting, land burning, and other violence targeting civilians and agricultural assets.