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Iran denies ceasefire proposal as Trump announces end to “12-Day War”

TEHRAN/NEW YORK, June 24 — Conflicting signals emerged over a reported ceasefire between Iran and Israel, with Iranian officials denying any formal agreement had been reached, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a deal to end what he called the “12-Day War.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said early Tuesday there was no “agreement” on a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. However, he indicated that Tehran was prepared to halt further retaliation if Israeli attacks stopped by 4 a.m. Tehran time (0030 GMT).
“If Israel stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people no later than 4 a.m., Iran has no intention of continuing its response afterwards,” Araqchi wrote in a post on X, adding that “the final decision on the cessation of our military operations will be made later.”
Hours earlier, a senior Iranian official told CNN that Tehran had not received any formal ceasefire proposal from the United States and saw no reason to halt hostilities.
“At this very moment, the enemy is committing aggression against Iran, and Iran is on the verge of intensifying its retaliatory strikes, with no ear to listen to the lies of its enemies,” the official was quoted as saying. He added that remarks from U.S. and Israeli leaders would be seen as a “deception” intended to justify further attacks on Iran.
The conflicting narratives raised questions about the implementation and durability of any potential ceasefire. As of Monday night, neither Israeli nor Iranian officials had publicly confirmed any agreement. The White House and the Pentagon had also not issued formal statements, and it remained unclear whether the reported deal had been communicated through diplomatic channels or whether either side intended to follow the terms.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday evening that Israel and Iran have reached a formal agreement to implement a complete and total ceasefire, marking what he called the end of the “12-Day War.”
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump congratulated both nations and revealed that the ceasefire will begin in approximately six hours, following the completion of each side’s ongoing military operations. The truce will initially last 12 hours, during which the opposing side will maintain a posture of “peace and respect.”
According to Trump, Iran will initiate the ceasefire, followed by Israel 12 hours later, culminating in an official declaration of the war’s end at the 24-hour mark.
“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will,” Trump wrote, “I would like to congratulate both countries… on having the stamina, courage, and intelligence to end what should be called ‘THE 12 DAY WAR.'”
Calling the agreement a breakthrough that “could have saved the Middle East from years of destruction,” Trump ended his announcement with a sweeping message of unity: “God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!” (Xinhua)

June 24, 2025 0 comment
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Trump announces ceasefire between Israel, Iran

NEW YORK, June 24 — U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday that Israel and Iran have reached a formal agreement to implement a complete and total ceasefire, marking what he called the end of the “12-Day War.”
In a post on his Truth Social platform at 6:02 p.m. on Monday, Trump congratulated both nations and announced that the ceasefire would begin in approximately six hours, following the completion of each side’s ongoing military operations. The truce will initially last 12 hours, during which the opposing side will maintain a posture of “peace and respect.”
According to Trump, Iran will initiate the ceasefire, followed by Israel 12 hours later, culminating in an official declaration of the war’s end at the 24-hour mark.
“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will,” Trump wrote, “I would like to congratulate both countries… on having the stamina, courage, and intelligence to end what should be called ‘THE 12 DAY WAR.'”
Calling the agreement a breakthrough that “could have saved the Middle East from years of destruction,” Trump ended his announcement with a sweeping message of unity: “God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!”
There has been no immediate confirmation from Israeli or Iranian officials. White House and Pentagon sources have yet to issue official statements. (Xinhua)

June 24, 2025 0 comment
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Iran targets U.S. base in Qatar with missiles; Arab states condemn attack

DOHA/TEHRAN, June 23 — Qatar said it intercepted multiple Iranian missiles over its capital, Doha, on Monday, in an attack Tehran claimed was aimed at U.S. forces at the Al Udeid Air Base, sparking swift condemnation from across the Arab world.
Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry, confirmed the interception and denounced the attack as “a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar.” He stated that the base had been evacuated ahead of the strike, and no casualties were reported.
“Qatar reserves the right to respond,” Ansari said in a statement, adding that all necessary precautions had been taken to ensure personnel safety.
The Qatari interior ministry said later that “the security situation in the country is stable, and there is no cause for concern.”
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the operation, dubbed Annunciation of Victory, saying it had targeted U.S. military installations in both Qatar and Iraq. The IRGC described Al Udeid as “the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force and the largest strategic asset” of American forces in the region, and said it fired six missiles at the site.
“Iran will not leave any attack on its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and national security unanswered,” the IRGC said, directly linking the strike to the U.S. assault on its nuclear facilities.
Despite the attack, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said Tehran was committed to its “brotherly and friendly relations” with Qatar, noting the targeted base was far from urban centres and posed no danger to the country.
The incident prompted widespread temporary airspace closures. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had shut their airspace before the attack, while Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq followed suit after the attack. Kuwait’s defence ministry denied reports that any of its bases had been targeted.
Al Udeid Air Base hosts thousands of U.S. and coalition forces and is a central hub for American military operations in the Middle East.
The attack drew immediate condemnation from Qatar’s Gulf neighbours and other Arab states. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, the UAE, Yemen, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan issued separate statements denouncing the attack as an unacceptable violation of Qatar’s sovereignty and international law. They expressed “full solidarity” with Qatar, with Riyadh affirming it would place “all its capabilities at Qatar’s disposal.”
Iraq, which has not confirmed any attack on U.S. military bases within its borders, pledged solidarity with Qatar on Monday, emphasising the importance of preserving its sovereignty and security. Iraq reiterated its firm position that regional crises can only be resolved through dialogue.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit called the attack “unacceptable and condemned,” adding, “We have previously warned of the danger of escalation.”
Brent crude futures dropped nearly 5 U.S. dollars, or over 6 percent, on Monday as fears of wider disruption eased after Iran refrained from blocking tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the vital chokepoint for global energy shipments. Iran had previously suggested it might close the strait, sending oil prices nearly 6 percent higher after Saturday’s U.S. airstrikes. QatarEnergy reported no interruption to production or exports following the attack. (Xinhua)

June 23, 2025 0 comment
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Trump confirms Iranian attack on U.S. military base in Qatar, no casualties reported

NEW YORK, June 23 — U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday confirmed that Iran had launched a missile attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar in response to recent American airstrikes on its nuclear facilities, describing it as a “very weak response” that caused no casualties and “hardly any damage.”
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump said 14 missiles were fired by Iran, with 13 intercepted and one allowed to proceed as it posed no threat. He credited Iran for providing “early notice,” which he said enabled the United States to avoid any loss of life.
He urged Iran and Israel to pursue “peace and harmony” in the region.
Trump also thanked the Emir of Qatar for his role in promoting regional stability, noting that no Qataris were harmed in the incident.
Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s foreign ministry, confirmed the interception of multiple Iranian missiles over its capital, Doha, on Monday, an attack Tehran claimed was aimed at U.S. forces at the Al Udeid Air Base. He said the base had been evacuated ahead of the strike, and no casualties were reported.
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the operation, dubbed Annunciation of Victory, saying it had targeted U.S. military installations in both Qatar and Iraq. The IRGC described Al Udeid as “the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force and the largest strategic asset” of American forces in the region, and said it fired six missiles at the site.
Despite the attack, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said Tehran was committed to its “brotherly and friendly relations” with Qatar, noting the targeted base was far from urban centres and the operation posed no danger to the country. (Xinhua)

June 23, 2025 0 comment
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Namibia strives for integration of refugees on World Refugee Day

WINDHOEK, June 23 — Namibia seeks to integrate refugees into its broader social and economic systems, a government official said Friday, as the country commemorated World Refugee Day.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security marked the day under the global theme “Solidarity with Refugees” at the Osire Refugee Settlement in the Otjozondjupa Region.

Namibia currently hosts 6,582 refugees and asylum seekers, with the majority residing at the Osire Refugee Settlement, located approximately 225 km from the capital, Windhoek.

“This number may vary over time due to factors such as new arrivals, voluntary repatriation, and changes in legal status,” Etienne Maritz, executive director of the ministry, said in a public notice.

He added that most of these individuals originate from African nations, notably the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda, with others arriving from countries like South Sudan, Somalia, and Zimbabwe.

Namibia follows a welcoming and inclusive refugee policy, offering access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and employment,” he said, reiterating that the nation aims to integrate refugees into its broader social and economic systems.

Through the Osire Refugee Settlement, the Namibian government, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other partners, continues to provide vital support to displaced persons seeking refuge within the country, he highlighted.

Observed globally on June 20, World Refugee Day honors the courage and perseverance of millions of refugees worldwide. (Xinhua)

June 23, 2025 0 comment
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Namibia freezes 5 mln USD in suspected crime proceeds

WINDHOEK, June 223– Namibia’s Financial Intelligence Center (FIC) froze suspected criminal proceeds worth 96.9 million Namibian dollars (about 5.4 million U.S. dollars) during the 2024/2025 financial year, according to the agency’s annual report released Friday.

The FIC, which serves as the country’s national financial intelligence unit, said that the freezing actions were executed under Section 42 of the Financial Intelligence Act, which allows temporary restrictions on funds linked to unlawful activities for up to 18 working days while investigations are conducted.

“Fourteen preservation orders with a value of 79.95 million Namibian dollars were granted during the period under review, alongside five forfeiture orders totaling 5.4 million Namibian dollars,” the FIC said.

Cases involved crimes such as fraud, tax evasion, corruption, and trade-based money laundering, it added. In one case, the FIC supported the preservation of 3.06 million Namibian dollars linked to an affinity fraud targeting a foreign national, while in another, it investigated a cross-border trade company that failed to meet tax obligations exceeding 300 million Namibian dollars, the report said.

The FIC also reported a significant increase in the number of proactive and reactive intelligence reports submitted to competent authorities, including the Namibian Police and the Prosecutor-General’s office.

The report comes as Namibia works to address strategic deficiencies after being placed on the Financial Action Task Force grey list in February 2024.

The country has committed to remedial actions aimed at improving compliance with international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards. According to the FIC, enforcement activity is expected to intensify in the next year as Namibia works to exit the grey list by May 2026.

June 23, 2025 0 comment
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Netanyahu says Israel “very close” to reaching its goals in Iran

JERUSALEM, June 23 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel is “very close” to completing its objectives after inflicting major damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities and missile programs, The Times of Israel reported.
In a pre-recorded press conference, Netanyahu revealed that Israel is tracking 400 kg of Iran’s 60 percent enriched uranium. He claimed that Israel has “interesting intel” on its whereabouts but declined to go into detail.
He ruled out a war of attrition but said operations will not stop until all goals are met.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that the United States successfully struck three Iranian nuclear facilities at Esfahan, Fordow and Natanz.
Iran confirmed the attacks but said they didn’t harm its nuclear efforts because the sites had been evacuated and the materials had previously been removed.
No radioactive traces have been detected in the environment of Iran or other Arab Gulf states following the U.S. military strikes, according to the Saudi Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission. (Xinhua)

June 23, 2025 0 comment
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Netumbo Concluding the Era of Tanganyika Group Leadership in the SWAPO Party.

By Mutomba wa Katali

MABUSHE, Sunday, 22 June – The term “Tanganyika group” within SWAPO identifies the members of SWAPO who established their presence and operations in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) during the early 1960s, under the legendary leadership of the late Dr. Sam Nujoma.

This impressive and formidable Tanganyika clique has predominantly led SWAPO and Namibia since independence until today, utilizing their political experience within the broad party structure that consisted mainly of members who were inside the country during the intense military conflict between SWAPO and the white minority South Africa, yet they have never governed the country even 35 years after independence.

Additionally, the Tanganyika Group appears to remain permanent members of the state security, as numerous generals who are beyond retirement age still serve in the Namibian Defense Forces, Namibian Police Forces, Intelligence Services, and Correctional Services today. They continue to sing an old refrain to the appointing authorities that “we are here to maintain security and stability, especially in the Army, as young individuals might ignite conflict.”

Currently, both the Namibian Defense Forces and the Namibian Police Forces continue to be led by generals past retirement age.

While it is important to recognize that this group played a key role in developing and shaping SWAPO into an international entity that subsequently achieved Namibia’s independence, the Tanganyika Group has simultaneously held onto power for too long in the country.

There exists a significant divide between the Tanganyika Group and the younger members of the SWAPO party, as evidenced by the difficulty that both the late Dr. Hage Geingob and Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah faced in forming a government, due to their limited choices for cabinet appointments, with many of their notable comrades either retired or deceased, and their unfamiliarity with the new generation of SWAPO party leadership, as they represent two distinct political eras.

In the current government, 5 of the cabinet members, accounting for 37% of the cabinet, were recalled from retirement to serve, including Dr. Kaire Mbuende, who turns 72 this year; Inge Zaamwani (66); Erica Shafuda (63); Selma Ashipala-Musavyi (65); and Dr. Charles Mubita, who is 69.

Historically, there was a belief within the ruling SWAPO party during national elections that the Tanganyika group would determine and guide the party regarding who the next leader should be, according to the views of the SWAPO party Politburo and Central Committee; however, that will now become a part of SWAPO party history, as Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, turning 73 on October 29 of this year and once one of the youngest within the Tanganyika group, now serves as the final leader from that Nujoma-era. – Namibia Daily News

June 22, 2025 0 comment
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Namibia begins construction of 100-MW solar power plant

WINDHOEK, June 20 — Namibia officially broke ground on Thursday for its largest solar photovoltaic power plant, the 100-MW Sores Gaib Power Station, marking a major step toward enhancing the country’s renewable energy capacity.

Located about 33 km northwest of Rosh Pinah in the Kharas Region of southern Namibia, the project will be developed by a joint venture between China Jiangxi International Economic and Technical Cooperation Co., Ltd. and Zhejiang Chint New Energy Development Co., Ltd.

Speaking at the groundbreaking event, Kahenge Haulofu, managing director of the state-owned power utility NamPower, emphasized that the project represents progress and a long-term commitment to the country’s sustainable development.

“Our country has abundant sun, and we as a nation are ready to seize the opportunities that renewable energy offers. The 100-MW Sores Gaib Power Station is a critical step in fulfilling that potential,” he said.

“Once completed, it will contribute significantly to the country’s national energy grid, displacing a substantial amount of imported energy and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.”

According to Haulofu, during the project’s construction phase, over 300 direct jobs are expected to be created, with the aim of employing local labor and promoting skills development.

NamPower’s total investment in the project is 1.6 billion Namibian dollars (about 88.6 million U.S. dollars), and the commercial operation date of the power station is set for June 2026.

This major solar investment underscores NamPower’s broader strategic commitment to Namibia‘s energy future, as the utility is simultaneously expanding its transmission infrastructure through the 400-kV Expansion Program to meet the growing national load requirements of an expanding population and economy. (Xinhua)

June 20, 2025 0 comment
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Namibia intensifies road safety measures as pedestrian-related crashes spike

WINDHOEK, June 20  — Namibia recorded an increase in pedestrian-related crashes, injuries and fatalities between Jan. 1 to June 4, according to the country’s latest road statistics released Thursday.

According to the data from Namibia‘s Motor Vehicle Fund (MVA), pedestrian-related crashes increased from 435 to 501, injuries jumped from 406 to 464, and fatalities rose by a staggering 45 percent from 60 to 87 fatalities compared to the same period in 2024.

The MVA said among the 87 lives lost this year were toddlers, school children, elderly citizens, and working adults simply trying to cross a road, return home, or start their day.

“We cannot normalize these numbers. We are seeing entire communities living with the pain of preventable loss. Every driver, policymaker, city planner, and citizen has a role to play in turning this tide,” MVA Fund Chief Executive Rosalia Martins-Hausiku said.

The MVA Fund is accelerating road safety education campaigns targeting schools, taxi ranks, and community centers, especially in high-risk areas like Khomas, Oshikoto, and Zambezi, she said.

The Khomas Region remains the epicenter of pedestrian harm, accounting for nearly half of all crashes, injuries, and 18 percent of all fatalities year-to-date.

June 20, 2025 0 comment
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