Pro-Palestinian protest leader Mahmoud Khalil released from US custody
NEW YORK, June 21 — Mahmoud Khalil, a leader of US pro-Palestinian campus protests, was released from a federal detention centre yesterday, according to news footage.
The former Columbia University student was seen leaving the immigration detention centre in Jena, Louisiana wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, hours after a federal judge ordered his release after more than three months in custody. — AFP
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Prabowo denies G7 snub in Russia visit
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New Straits Times
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Cambodia PM orders halt to fuel imports from Thailand
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US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites sparks worldwide condemnation
This handout satellite picture provided by Maxar Technologies and taken on June 22, 2025, shows Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), northeast of the city of Qom, after US strikes on the site. President Donald Trump said US air strikes early on Sunday, June 22 "totally obliterated" Iran's main nuclear sites, as Washington joined Israel's war with Tehran in a flashpoint moment for the Middle East. -- Photo by Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies / AFP KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 (Bernama) -- A wave of condemnation has followed the United States' recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, with global powers and regional states warning of a widening conflict and urging an immediate return to diplomacy. According to Anadolu Ajansi (AA), China strongly condemned the US for targeting Iranian nuclear sites safeguarded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In an official statement, the Foreign Ministry said the strikes "seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter' and have intensified tensions in the Middle East. Beijing called for dialogue and restraint from all parties. Saudi Arabia voiced deep concern, describing the attack as a violation of Iran's sovereignty. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry urged all parties to pursue de-escalation and called on the international community to intensify efforts toward a political resolution. Oman said the strikes constituted a "serious violation of international law and the UN Charter.' The Foreign Ministry stressed Iran's right to develop peaceful nuclear energy under international supervision and warned that continued escalation could widen the conflict. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the attacks risk expanding tensions that threaten stability across the region. He called for restraint and serious negotiations, stressing Lebanon's unwillingness to bear the cost of further conflict. Iraq condemned the US strikes, calling them an act of escalation that "goes beyond the borders of any country.' Government spokesman Basim al-Awadi warned that military solutions would only lead to destruction and instability. Qatar expressed deep concern, warning that further escalation could lead to "catastrophic consequences' for the region. It called for an immediate halt to hostilities and urged renewed diplomatic engagement. Egypt warned of grave consequences resulting from the escalation, with its Foreign Ministry calling for respect for international law and a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Latin American leaders from Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Colombia, and Bolivia condemned the US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, describing them as violations of international law and a threat to global stability. Pakistan condemned the strikes as a violation of international norms and reaffirmed Iran's right to defend itself under the UN Charter. Islamabad expressed concern over the deteriorating situation and called for restraint. France expressed concern over the US attacks, with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stating on X that Paris was not involved in the operation. He urged all parties to avoid widening the conflict and to prioritise diplomatic solutions. Bahrain shifted to online learning and remote work in response to rising tensions, advising citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. The Interior Ministry cited public safety concerns amid heightened regional risks. European Council President Antonio Costa urged restraint and compliance with international law, stating that diplomacy is the only viable path to peace. He warned against actions that could endanger nuclear safety. Switzerland called for an immediate return to negotiations and full respect for the UN Charter. The Swiss Foreign Ministry said the escalating conflict poses a serious threat to civilian lives and infrastructure. Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris warned that the risk of a wider Iran-Israel conflict is "more real than ever.' He stressed the need for de-escalation and highlighted the safety of Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Iran to begin immediate talks with the US and Israel to avoid further bloodshed. He urged a diplomatic solution to prevent broader conflict. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and urged "immediate' de-escalation. Modi reiterated that diplomacy remains the only path toward regional peace and stability. Turkiye said it is deeply concerned over the consequences of the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. The Foreign Ministry emphasised that peace must be sought through dialogue, not armed confrontation. - Bernama
