Middle East

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says US-Iran deal is now in place and mediators will facilitate a series of meetings this week. Pakistan’s Sharif also said on X that both sideshave declared the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.” The official signing ceremony will be on Friday 19 June in Switzerland, he added on X. The prime minister thanked the US and Iran for their commitment, as well as Qatar for its support “in reaching this agreement”. “I would also especially thank the visionary leadership of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Republic of Turkiye for their immense contributions in this regard,” he added. A series of meeting will follow this week to lay the foundation for technical talks and the official signing ceremony, he added. Meanwhile, Trump has just posted on his Truth Social confirming that the ceasefire agreement with Iran “is now complete”. “Congratulations to all!” Trump said he now “fully authorize the toll free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorize the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”.

Middle East

Beirut: The death toll from the Israeli aggression against Lebanon since March 2 has risen to 3,783, with 11,699 others injured. The Lebanese Ministry of Health's Emergency Operations Center said in a statement that the cumulative toll from the Israeli aggression since March 2 has reached 3,783 fatalities and 11,699 injuries. The latest figures come amid continued Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, which have caused extensive destruction and damage to property and infrastructure. The developments follow the announcement by the United States that Lebanon and Israeli entity had reached a ceasefire agreement after the conclusion of a fourth round of negotiations in Washington. However, Israeli forces continue their attacks on large areas of Lebanese territory.

Africa

Johannesburg: South Africa has repatriated 2,745 foreigners in the week after President Cyril Ramaphosa vowed tougher action against illegal immigration, the country's home affairs minister said on Sunday. One of Africa's largest economies, South Africa has long attracted migrant workers from across the continent, both legally and illegally. But saddled with an unemployment rate above 30 percent, it has experienced recurring spurts of anti-immigrant unrest, including fresh violence in recent weeks. Mobs of South Africans carrying sticks, whips and shields have marched through parts of the country ordering foreigners with no residency papers to leave by June 30. Growing security fears after businesses were looted and foreigners targeted have prompted citizens of Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique to accept voluntary repatriation organised by their governments. "As of last night, the number we can report is 2,745 repatriations that have come in this period since the president spoke," Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber told reporters. "It is a moving target," he said. The government said most of those repatriated were in the country illegally. They include Malawian nationals, about 7,000 of whom have been sheltering in an open field in the eastern port city of Durban, according to an inter-ministerial migration committee set up after the president's address. Eight buses commissioned by the Malawian government began moving its citizens on Sunday, with South Africa providing 10 additional buses to speed up deportations, the committee said. Among those boarding the first buses, some carried babies on their backs and small bags of belongings. "I'm relieved we are finally leaving. It's better than living in fear here," said Fortunate Chilenje from Blantyre, Malawi's commercial capital. The 25-year-old had lived in South Africa for three years, she told AFP, adding that threats to leave had followed her even at the camp, one of the largest to emerge since the unrest began.