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HYDERABAD,JUNE 24 -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly defended Iran's right to possess ballistic missiles, saying Tehran's missile program was never part of the peace deal between the United States (US) and Iran brokered by Islamabad. He argued that Iran should not be subjected to double standards regarding its missile capabilities. Speaking during talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his high-level delegation in Islamabad, Shehbaz said the issue of Iran's ballistic missiles was never part of the discussions that led to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached between Iran and the US on June 17. "There can be no double standard when some countries are allowed to have ballistic missiles while Iran is not." "This MoU does not mention anything about ballistic missiles. "It was never discussed and it was never on the agenda," the Pakistani Prime Minister said, adding that the Iranian side "never wanted to discuss" the missile issue. Shehbaz's action to defend Iran's missile program came at a time when Tehran considers its missile capabilities important to national security following the attacks launched by Israel and the US on Feb 28. Before helping in the mediation efforts that led to the US-Iran deal this month, Pakistan also facilitated a temporary ceasefire between the two sides in April. Shehbaz said he was grateful to Iran for the trust placed in Pakistan's mediation efforts, which also involved the active role of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. "I am deeply grateful to you and the Iranian leadership for placing continued trust in Pakistan's ability to mediate honestly and sincerely," he said. "I want to assure you that as brothers, we will not let you down," Shehbaz told the Iranian president, according to a statement posted on the prime minister's Facebook page. However, Shehbaz said there were certain parties trying to prevent the US and Iran from reaching an agreement. "There are troublemakers all over the world who want to derail this peace agreement," he said. Israel has emerged as the greatest obstacle to peace in West Asia, with its continued attacks causing death and destruction in Lebanon and occupied Palestine. US President Donald Trump recently acknowledged that Iran could possess ballistic missiles. "I said that if other countries have ballistic missiles, it would be a bit unfair if Iran wasn't allowed to have them," Trump told reporters in Paris on June 17. In a press conference with Shehbaz, Pezeshkian stressed that Iran's defense capabilities are non-negotiable. "If the missiles we have to defend the country did not exist, Israel and America would destroy Iran as they did in Gaza without showing mercy to the old or the young," Pezeshkian said. -- BERNAMA

Pakistan supports Iran’s right to possess ballistic missiles during Pezeshkian’s visit

HYDERABAD,JUNE 24 — Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday strongly defended Iran’s right to possess ballistic missiles, saying Tehran’s missile program was never part of the peace deal between .... read more

ISTANBUL, JUNE 24 -- Social media platforms and messaging apps owned by Meta, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp, experienced outages on Tuesday, Anadolu Ajansi reported . According to outage tracker Downdetector, users are reporting problems involving the social media service and messaging app. Starting at 2030 GMT, thousands of users reported connection problems involving the platform's apps and websites. Downdetector collects data based on reports submitted by users, which means the actual number of affected users may be higher. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

The Meta-owned platform experienced a global outage, reports Downdetector

ISTANBUL, JUNE 24 — Social media platforms and messaging apps owned by Meta, including Facebook, Instagram, Threads and WhatsApp, experienced outages on Tuesday, Anadolu Ajansi reported . According to outage .... read more

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his warm congratulations to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Prosperity Party following their victory in Ethiopia’s general election. In a statement, Anwar expressed confidence in the continued leadership of Abiy and said Malaysia looked forward to further strengthening its partnership with Ethiopia, which he described as an important gateway for Malaysia’s engagement with Africa. The Prime Minister recalled his official visit to Addis Ababa last year, the first by a Malaysian prime minister to Ethiopia, describing it as a significant milestone in bilateral relations. “When I visited Addis Ababa last year, I was deeply touched by the warmth of the welcome extended to me and by the substance of our discussions,” Anwar said. He noted that both leaders shared similar perspectives on global developments and the importance of closer cooperation among countries of the Global South. “Prime Minister Abiy and I found that we read the world in much the same way, and that countries of the Global South stand to gain a great deal by working together as equals,” he said. Anwar added that several initiatives and areas of cooperation were set in motion during his visit, and expressed optimism about advancing those efforts in the years ahead. “There is much that we set in motion last year, and I look forward to carrying it forward together,” he said. The Prime Minister reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to deepening relations with Ethiopia across strategic sectors and strengthening cooperation with African nations through mutually beneficial partnerships based on respect, equality and shared development goals. -- MINUTESMY

PM Anwar Congratulates Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed, Reaffirms Commitment to Stronger Bilateral Ties

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has extended his warm congratulations to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Prosperity Party following their victory in .... read more

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ISTANBUL, JUNE 22 -- An explosion at a gas facility in Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City injured several people following a technical malfunction during operations, authorities said on Sunday. Anadolu Agency reported that Qatar's Interior Ministry said in a statement that the incident occurred at a factory in the industrial area and did not cause any dangerous leaks that threatened public safety. The Ministry informed that the relevant authorities are still continuing their efforts to deal with the incident. Meanwhile, QatarEnergy said the explosion and fire at the Barzan local gas supply facility occurred during start-up operations in the evening. The company said emergency response teams had the fire under control and promised to release more information as soon as it was available. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

Explosion, fire at gas facility in Qatar

ISTANBUL, JUNE 22 — An explosion at a gas facility in Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City injured several people following a technical malfunction during operations, authorities said on Sunday. Anadolu .... read more

ISTANBUL, JUNE 21 -- An Iranian delegation will leave for Switzerland to follow up and demand implementation of commitments by the other side, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday, Anadolu Agency reported, citing Iran's Fars news agency. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said: "In Switzerland, we are ready to press for the implementation of the commitments of the parties on the other side and to determine how they intend to fulfill those obligations." "If some of the commitments on the other side are not implemented, this entire understanding will face difficulties," Baghaei said, adding that Washington must take appropriate steps "as soon as possible to avoid this agreement being undermined." "We did not sign this commitment so that it would not be implemented; our approach is commitment met with commitment," he stressed. The Iranian official also warned that Tehran would respond "with necessary measures" if "the other side refuses to fulfill their commitments". The ISNA news agency, citing his statement, reported that the Iranian delegation would depart "within a few hours". The spokesperson said the trip "does not mean the start of the second phase of negotiations; rather it aims to follow up on the implementation of the commitments that have been agreed." "The commitment is very clear, and the first clause of the memorandum of understanding covers the most important part of the mutual commitment between the two sides – which is to end the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon," Baghaei said. Meanwhile, the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported that the death toll from Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon since early Saturday morning has risen to at least 28 people, despite the enforcement of the ceasefire and the US-Iran agreement. The country's Health Ministry announced that the number of casualties from Israeli airstrikes since Friday has risen to 83 people, while more than 140 others have been injured. Based on data from Lebanese authorities, Israeli military attacks on Lebanon since March 2 have killed at least 4,057 people, injured more than 12,000 others, and displaced more than one million people. The latest attack came after Israel's Channel 12 on Friday quoted an unnamed official as confirming that a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah had come into effect at 4pm local time (1300 GMT). A senior US official also confirmed the implementation of the ceasefire in a statement to Anadolu. On Wednesday night, Washington and Tehran electronically signed a 14-point agreement to end the war, the text of which was published by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

Iran to send delegation to Switzerland to demand US implement agreed commitments

ISTANBUL, JUNE 21 — An Iranian delegation will leave for Switzerland to follow up and demand implementation of commitments by the other side, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday, .... read more

ISTANBUL, JUNE 20 -- US President Donald Trump said Washington quietly moved at least 87 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, under the cover of darkness, while the Iranian military was unaware of the operation, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported. "We're going to leave at 1 a.m., all the lights are out, and our navy destroyers are going to sail alongside," Trump told Axios in an interview aired Friday. Trump said the operation was possible because US forces had "destroyed" Iranian radar and defense systems before the conflict. For more than a month, he said, "no one knew" where the oil transported through the waterway came from. The statement came after weeks of disruption to global energy markets following the US-Israeli attack on Iran which began on Feb. 28. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth recently said that "Project Freedom" has successfully escorted 125 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz. In another development, speaking to US Air Force service members before departing Joint Base Andrews, Trump said the ships were sailing out of the Strait of Hormuz "like no one has ever seen before." The president reiterated that the US has "the greatest military anywhere in the world." Regarding the memorandum of understanding signed with Iran, Trump said Iran has 60 days to reach a final agreement. "We have an agreement that was signed last night. 60 days, they have to make an agreement, otherwise we will do things that will not please them. "I don't think it will get there. If we do that, then all of a sudden, you won't have oil flowing out of the strait," he said. On Wednesday, Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian electronically signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ending the war between the US, Israel and Iran and halting Israel's attacks on Lebanon. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

The US quietly escorted 87 tankers through the Strait of Hormuz – Trump

ISTANBUL, JUNE 20 — US President Donald Trump said Washington quietly moved at least 87 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, under the cover of darkness, while the Iranian .... read more

ST. PETERSBURG, June 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attended the Gala Dinner held in conjunction with the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The event showcased Russia's rich cultural heritage and history, highlighting the country's diverse traditions and the significant contributions of Islamic civilisation in shaping its national identity and societal development. Beyond the cultural presentations, the gala dinner provided an important platform for leaders from ASEAN member states and Russia to strengthen friendships, exchange views, and foster closer cooperation on issues of mutual interest. Anwar said such engagements are particularly valuable at a time when the global community continues to face various challenges and uncertainties, ranging from geopolitical tensions to economic and security concerns. He noted that opportunities for direct interaction among leaders help deepen mutual understanding, build trust, and explore new avenues of collaboration that can bring tangible benefits to both ASEAN and Russia. The ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit serves as a key platform to enhance dialogue and cooperation across multiple sectors, reflecting the longstanding partnership between ASEAN and Russia and their shared commitment to regional stability, sustainable development, and economic growth. The summit brings together leaders from ASEAN member countries and Russia to discuss strategic issues and strengthen ties amid an increasingly complex global landscape.

PM Anwar Attends ASEAN-Russia Summit Gala Dinner Hosted by President Putin

ST. PETERSBURG, June 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attended the Gala Dinner held in conjunction with the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit, hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The .... read more

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HYDERABAD, JUNE 18 -- India says "significant progress" has been made in efforts to seal a long-awaited trade deal with the United States (US). This was among the issues discussed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump during their meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Evian, France on Wednesday. "The leaders expressed satisfaction at the significant progress made in the negotiations towards an Interim Bilateral Trade Agreement and directed their respective officials to finalize an agreement that is balanced, mutually beneficial and of significant commercial value as soon as possible," said a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. According to the statement, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will visit India next week regarding the matter. Responding to a question about the ongoing trade talks, Trump described Modi as a "tough" negotiator. "We've been going through this process for some time and he's a very tough negotiator, one of the toughest," Trump said, pointing at the Indian leader. The US and India agreed on an interim trade deal in February this year which saw the US reduce tariffs to 18 percent. In 2025, Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on India as well as an additional 25 percent penalty for buying oil from Russia. -- BERNAMA

Significant progress made in US-India trade talks

HYDERABAD, JUNE 18 — India says “significant progress” has been made in efforts to seal a long-awaited trade deal with the United States (US). This was among the issues discussed .... read more

ISTANBUL, JUNE 16 -- A group of 17 countries on Monday welcomed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) announced between the United States (US) and Iran, describing it as an opportunity to restore regional stability and support the global economy, Anadolu Ajansi reported. "This is an opportunity to restore regional stability and stabilize the global economy," according to a joint statement by the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany and Italy. The statement was later signed by 13 other countries. They congratulated the US, Iran and mediators including Pakistan and Qatar on what they described as a diplomatic success. The leaders stressed that detailed negotiations should be concluded and the agreement implemented "swiftly and comprehensively," adding that they stand ready to assist the process. They also called for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the restoration of "unconditional and unrestricted freedom of navigation." Other countries that signed the statement were Japan, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Greek Cypriot Administration, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Poland and Portugal. The group of leaders said they were committed to contributing to the effort, including through "resolute independent defense missions" aimed at reassuring commercial shipping and conducting mine clearance operations, in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements. The statement reiterated that Iran "must never acquire nuclear weapons" and expressed its willingness to work with the US, Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) towards that objective. The leaders also said they were ready to lift related sanctions in response to "clear and verifiable steps" by Iran on its nuclear program. They pledged to work closely with the US, Iran and regional partners to maintain momentum and reach a long-term diplomatic solution. It further reaffirmed support for the stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and stressed the importance of a firm ceasefire. Regional tensions have escalated since late February after the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran, killing more than 3,000 people. Tehran responded with attacks on Gulf states and Israel, as well as a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Washington and Tehran reached a temporary ceasefire on April 8 through Pakistani mediation before announcing a framework agreement to end the conflict. The agreement is expected to be officially signed in Switzerland on July 19. -- BERNAMA-ANADOLU

17 countries welcome US-Iran deal, urge reopening of Strait of Hormuz

ISTANBUL, JUNE 16 — A group of 17 countries on Monday welcomed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) announced between the United States (US) and Iran, describing it as an opportunity .... read more

NEW YORK: A plane crashed in the US state of Missouri on Sunday, killing all 12 people on board, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said in a statement, Xinhua reported. The crash occurred near Butler Memorial Airport, about 65 miles (106 kilometers) south of Kansas City. Emergency responders received a call about a plane crashing and burning around 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Missouri Highway Patrol sergeant Justin Ewing said. The plane was carrying paratroopers for skydiving. There are no other details at this time, Ewing said. The National Transportation Safety Board said it will investigate the accident. -- BERNAMA-XINHUA

12 dead in a plane crash in Missouri, USA

NEW YORK: A plane crashed in the US state of Missouri on Sunday, killing all 12 people on board, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said in a statement, Xinhua reported. .... read more

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