Iran says US “must choose” war or peace over Israel’s continuing attacks on Lebanon
Iran’s deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh has warned that Israel’s continuing attacks on Lebanon are in express breach of the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Tehran. He said: “You cannot ask for a ceasefire and then accept terms and conditions, accept all the areas that a ceasefire is applied to, and name Lebanon, exactly Lebanon in that, and then your ally [Israel] just starts a massacre.” When asked if this meant Iran would ask its militant proxy, Hezbollah, to stop firing rockets into Israel from Lebanon, Khatibzadeh said the deal included Lebanon, and Iran and its allies were willing to “accept ceasefire”. He said the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would only happen “after the United States actually withdraw this aggression”, apparently referring to Israel’s attacks on Lebanon.
New Senate bid soon to compel Trump to bow to congressional will on war
Legislators in the United States will be asked again next week to vote in favour of a resolution that would compel President Donald Trump to obtain Congress’s approval for any further attacks in the paused conflict with Iran. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said: “Congress must reassert its authority, especially at this dangerous moment.” Trump’s pre-ceasefire threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight” prompted global concern and censure from Democrats, dozens of whom called for his removal from office. The 1949 Geneva Conventions on humanitarian conduct in war prohibit attacks on sites considered essential for civilians. Schumer called Trump’s statements “unhinged” and criticised the war for failing to weaken Iran’s government or rein in its nuclear programme, while global fuel prices had risen.The White House has insisted Trump’s actions are legal and within his rights as commander-in-chief to protect the country by ordering limited military operations.
Record SA citrus exports expected this year
South Africa – the world’s second-largest citrus exporter after Spain, and the largest in the southern hemisphere – estimates record exports this year will see the country shipping up to 215 million 15kg cartons of oranges, lemons, grapefruit and mandarins to international customers. This is despite disruptions in the Middle East, a region that accounts for some 20% of South Africa’s citrus exports.
Just under 5 000 “Afrikaner refugees” accepted in US so far – report
Some 5 000 white Afrikaners have entered the United States under the “Afrikaner refugee” programme launched a year ago by President Donald Trump. The programme was based on allegations that white Afrikaners as a group faced persecution in South Africa. This has often been associated with the roundly discredited notion of a “white genocide” in the country. According to a State Department document from the Bureau of Population, of the 4 499 people listed as having resettled in 48 US states between 1 October last year and 31 March this year, all but three Afghans were from South Africa.
Chilean woman accused of kidnapping, torturing dissidents under Pinochet to be extradited
Adriana Rivas moved to Australia in 1978, where she worked as a nanny and a cleaner in the Sydney’s Bondi suburb. This week, the 72 year old lost her lengthy legal battle against being extradited on suspicion of having kidnapped and tortured dissidents during the military rule of dictator General Augusto Pinochet. Chile requested her extradition 12 years ago, alleging that before she emigrated to Australia, she had been involved in the disappearance of seven people, which she denies. More than 40,000 people were politically persecuted and some 3,000 were killed during the Pinochet era, which lasted from 1973 to 1990. Rivas was the personal secretary of Chile’s infamous secret police chief Manuel Contreras from 1973 to 1976. Rights activists have long alleged that she was personally involved in the kidnapping and torture of dissidents. Rivas was first arrested during a visit to her home country in 2006 but returned to Australia while on bail.
Sources: Reuters, BBC, News24, Netwerk24, Agence France Presse