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Iran Says Cooperation With UN Nuclear Inspectors to Continue

Iran Says Cooperation With UN Nuclear Inspectors to Continue

Bloomberg15 hours ago
Iran will continue to engage with the UN's nuclear watchdog even after it announced the suspension of cooperation, the country's top diplomat said, boosting hopes for oversight of its contested atomic program despite Israel's attacks.
'Cooperation with @iaeaorg will be channeled through Iran's Supreme National Security Council for obvious safety and security reasons,' Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X. He was responding to a post by the German Foreign Office that criticized a law passed in Tehran last week that said cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency had been suspended.
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The Baha'i faith is small, far-flung, and faced with repression in parts of the Middle East
The Baha'i faith is small, far-flung, and faced with repression in parts of the Middle East

Associated Press

time24 minutes ago

  • Associated Press

The Baha'i faith is small, far-flung, and faced with repression in parts of the Middle East

The Baha'i faith — a small but global religion with an interfaith credo — fits comfortably into the religious spectrum of most countries. In several Middle East nations, however, Baha'i followers face repression that is drawing criticism from human rights groups. The abuse is most evident in Iran, which bans the faith and has been widely accused of persecuting its adherents, human rights advocates say. They also report systemic discrimination in Yemen, Qatar and Egypt. Iran has been a driving force in the spread of anti-Baha'i repression in countries where it holds influence, advocates say — a plan first made public in a leaked 1991 government document. These include Yemen, where Iran backs Houthi rebels who control much of the country, and Qatar, where links include co-ownership of the world's largest natural gas field. 'The sheer arsenal the Iranian government has expended to crush the Baha'is in every avenue of life has been astronomical,' said Nazila Ghanea, an Oxford University law professor and U.N. Special Rapporteur on religious freedom. 'It has also extended its reach, time and again, beyond the border of Iran,' she said. Anti-Baha'i discrimination includes forced deportations and family separations, as well as denial of marriage licenses, public school enrollment and access to burial grounds. In Qatar, the leader of the small Baha'i community has been detained since April. Remy Rowhani, 71, went on trial last month, charged with 'promoting the ideology of a deviant sect' on the country's Baha'i social media account. A far-flung faith The Baha'i faith was founded in the 1860s by Baha'u'llah, a Persian nobleman considered a prophet by his followers. He taught that all religions represent progressive stages in the revelation of God's will, leading to the unity of all people and faiths. There are no Baha'i clergy. Communities are organized through elected local spiritual assemblies. From the faith's earliest days, it was denounced by Shiite Muslim clerics in what is now Iran; they considered followers apostates. That repression continued after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, when many Baha'i followers were executed or went missing. There are less than 8 million believers worldwide, with the largest number in India. The faith is present in most countries. Michael Page of Human Rights Watch described Iran as 'a guiding animus against Baha'is because it perceived them as antithetical to the regime's own interpretation of Shia Islam.' 'This is an authoritarian government that brutally cracks down on people who don't agree with it,' Page told The Associated Press. 'The hate speech directed at them is so at odds with the Baha'i faith tradition, it would feel laughable if the consequences weren't so serious.' Not all Muslim countries are hostile. Saba Haddad, the Baha'i International Community's representative to the U.N. in Geneva, cited Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia as welcoming. 'We are the measure of tolerance — for any government, any country,' she said. 'We don't have any political stance, we don't interfere with politics, we don't have a Baha'i country. It's truly about ... tolerance and acceptance.' Baha'i leader faces Qatar trial Rowhani has been detained since April 28 in what Human Rights Watch denounces as a violation of religious freedom reflecting long-running discrimination against Baha'i believers. He faces up to three years in prison. His trial is recessed until Aug. 6. Rowhani's daughter, Noora Rowhani, who lives in Australia with her husband and 9-year-old daughter, said she hasn't been able to speak to her father since a brief call before his arrest. 'As for why Qatar is doing this, I ask myself that every day,' she told AP. 'A country that brands itself as a leader on the world stage, hosting global conferences and sporting events, cannot justify the quiet targeting of its citizens … just because they belong to a different faith.' Qatar's International Media Office didn't respond to an AP email seeking comment about Rowhani's case or accusations of systemic abuse of Baha'i followers. Rowhani — former head of Qatar's Chamber of Commerce — was jailed twice before, accused of offenses like routine fundraising related to his leadership of Qatar's Baha'i National Assembly. The latest charge involves the sect's X account, which contains posts about Qatari holidays and Baha'i writings. 'These new charges highlight the lengths to which the authorities in Qatar are prepared to go to erase the Baha'is from their country,' said lawyers Helena Kennedy and Steven Powles of Doughty Street Chambers law firm — founded by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer — which is assisting in Rowhani's defense. Bias in Egypt and Yemen Since 1960, Egypt's government has denied legal recognition to its small Baha'i community. This includes denying marriage licenses and birth certificates, barring children from public schools and restricting where Baha'i families can bury their dead. The Baha'i International Community issued a statement in November decrying 'intensification of the persecution.' Egypt's Foreign Ministry didn't respond to AP queries about the accusations. In Yemen, 100-plus Baha'i followers have been detained by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, according to Amnesty International. Keyvan Ghaderi, 52, was imprisoned for four years on charges including spying for the U.S. and Israel. He was released in 2020 and deported without being allowed to see his wife and children. Eventually, Ghaderi was granted a humanitarian visa to the U.S. He lives with his family in Salt Lake City. Ghaderi attributed the Houthis' animosity to fear of change. 'They had this fear that we'd change ideas in Yemen, in the middle of civil war ... that we might change the narrative of young generations going to war,' he said. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

'Growing Up' actor Andrew Seow's career pivot stuns fans; DPM Gan says US tariffs may stay beyond Trump: Singapore live news
'Growing Up' actor Andrew Seow's career pivot stuns fans; DPM Gan says US tariffs may stay beyond Trump: Singapore live news

Yahoo

time33 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

'Growing Up' actor Andrew Seow's career pivot stuns fans; DPM Gan says US tariffs may stay beyond Trump: Singapore live news

Andrew Seow, the actor who played Gary Tay in the beloved 90s drama "Growing Up", is now an auxiliary police officer with Aetos Security Management. Inspired by his father's legacy, Seow made the career switch at 55, undergoing formal training and joining the force through Workforce Singapore's Career Conversion Programme. Fans were delighted by a viral video of Seow re-enacting a scene from the show, this time in uniform. While he says he misses acting, Seow hinted at a surprise for longtime supporters. Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong has warned that US tariffs may persist beyond Donald Trump's presidency, urging businesses to prepare for a more protectionist global trade environment. Speaking at the ASEAN Conference 2025, Gan said firms should stop banking on political transitions and instead adapt by segmenting supply chains, meeting US conditions, and diversifying markets. Gan emphasised that tariffs are now a bipartisan tool in Washington and a source of tax revenue. Singapore is responding by deepening ASEAN integration and advocating WTO reform. Gan says the global trade game has changed, and Singapore must evolve. Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. Andrew Seow, once Singapore's favourite on-screen bad boy, is now patrolling the streets as an auxiliary police officer. The 55-year-old actor, famed for his role as Gary Tay in "Growing Up", has joined Aetos Security Management. His decision was deeply personal. Seow credits his late father, an auxiliary officer during British rule, for inspiring the move. 'He asked me to do something meaningful,' Seow shared in a recent video. 'I said, 'Okay, let me try.'' The career switch wasn't just symbolic. Seow enrolled in Workforce Singapore's Career Conversion Programme, trained in firearms, and now serves with full police powers. Fans were stunned but supportive. A viral Instagram clip shows Seow re-enacting a scene from "Growing Up", this time in uniform, with content creator Zaki Hussain. Seow says he misses acting but not the spotlight. 'I miss my fans,' he smiled. 'And for those waiting – I've got a surprise coming.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zaki Hussain (@zakiv4) Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong has a message for businesses: stop waiting for US tariffs to vanish. Speaking at the ASEAN Conference 2025, Gan warned that bipartisan support for tariffs in Washington means they're likely to stick around, even if Trump doesn't. Gan urged firms to brace for higher export costs and stricter supply chain scrutiny, especially in sectors like steel, autos, and pharmaceuticals. He advised setting up separate production lines for US-bound goods and diversifying into new markets. The US is pushing for 'fair and balanced trade', which includes reshoring critical industries and demanding more imports from trading partners. Gan said this shift is structural, not political. Singapore, which faces a baseline 10 per cent tariff, has ruled out retaliation. Instead, it's doubling down on ASEAN integration and WTO reform to preserve open trade. Gan's bottom line: adapt now or risk being sidelined in a more fragmented global economy. Read on DPM Gan saying tariffs aren't going anywhere here. Singapore has been named one of the top countries in Asia-Pacific for life-work balance, placing third in Remote's 2025 global index. The ranking reflects improvements in statutory leave and overall well-being. The index scores countries on a 100-point scale, factoring in healthcare access, safety, inclusivity, and average working hours. Singapore's score of 57.85 places it 25th globally and third in APAC. New Zealand and Australia lead the region, with Singapore close behind thanks to policy enhancements and a strong social support system. Malaysia also made gains, jumping 20 spots year-on-year. Meanwhile, the US and several Asian economies continue to struggle, weighed down by long hours and limited worker protections. China ranks 52nd out of 60. The report underscores a growing global shift, where flexibility and well-being are becoming more valued than hustle culture. Singapore has rolled out new property rules to curb speculative flipping, raising seller's stamp duty (SSD) rates and extending the holding period for private homes. SSD now applies for up to four years, with rates climbing to 16 per cent for sales within the first year. The changes affect all purchases made from Friday (4 July). The move follows a spike in sub-sales, especially of uncompleted units. Authorities say the trend threatens market stability and affordability. The announcement jolted the market, with developer stocks sliding and analysts scrambling to reassess July's launch pipeline. The government says the changes aim to stabilise the market, not punish genuine buyers. But with mortgage rates falling, speculation may have been poised to rise again. Read on how the SSD changes reshape the property scene here. US President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill has officially cleared Congress, marking the first major legislative win of his second term. The US$4.5 trillion package, dubbed the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' makes permanent his 2017 tax cuts, slashes Medicaid and food assistance, and boosts military and border security funding. It also raises the debt ceiling by US$5 trillion, prompting warnings from fiscal watchdogs. The bill's passage was anything but smooth. Vice President JD Vance broke a Senate tie, while House Speaker Mike Johnson wrangled dissenters in a marathon overnight session. Trump himself worked the phones, mixing charm and pressure to sway holdouts. The final vote came after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered a record-breaking 8-hour speech opposing the bill. Critics argue the legislation redistributes wealth upward, guts the social safety net, and risks long-term economic instability. Supporters hail it as a fulfilment of Trump's campaign promises and a reset of America's fiscal priorities. With midterms looming, both parties are gearing up to weaponise the bill's impact. Trump is expected to sign the bill on Friday (4 July) with a celebratory flyover. But the real fireworks may come in 2026, when voters weigh in on the consequences. Read on some of the key takeaways and impact of Trump's "big, beautiful bill" here. Singapore's opposition party the Workers' Party (WP) has dismissed People's Action Party's (PAP) criticism of Pritam Singh's podcast interview as baseless. WP insists the interview was candid, constructive and well-received by Singaporeans. The WP said on Thursday (3 July) that Singh's remarks were patriotic and did not denounce Singapore. They say the podcast showcased how opposition voices can engage respectfully on national issues. WP challenged the notion that foreign media engagement is taboo, citing PAP's own history of international interviews. They called out the double standard and demanded clarity on any supposed restrictions. The party also addressed past allegations of foreign influence, reiterating that no promises or deals were made with Malaysian figures. They say the PAP is recycling old controversies for political gain. WP says the podcast episode strengthened democratic discourse, not weakened it. The controversy stems from Pritam's 24 June interview on Keluar Sekejap, a Malaysian podcast, which PAP claims crossed a line in airing domestic issues abroad. Read on WP rebuffing PAP's 'water's edge' doctrine here. Andrew Seow, once Singapore's favourite on-screen bad boy, is now patrolling the streets as an auxiliary police officer. The 55-year-old actor, famed for his role as Gary Tay in "Growing Up", has joined Aetos Security Management. His decision was deeply personal. Seow credits his late father, an auxiliary officer during British rule, for inspiring the move. 'He asked me to do something meaningful,' Seow shared in a recent video. 'I said, 'Okay, let me try.'' The career switch wasn't just symbolic. Seow enrolled in Workforce Singapore's Career Conversion Programme, trained in firearms, and now serves with full police powers. Fans were stunned but supportive. A viral Instagram clip shows Seow re-enacting a scene from "Growing Up", this time in uniform, with content creator Zaki Hussain. Seow says he misses acting but not the spotlight. 'I miss my fans,' he smiled. 'And for those waiting – I've got a surprise coming.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zaki Hussain (@zakiv4) Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong has a message for businesses: stop waiting for US tariffs to vanish. Speaking at the ASEAN Conference 2025, Gan warned that bipartisan support for tariffs in Washington means they're likely to stick around, even if Trump doesn't. Gan urged firms to brace for higher export costs and stricter supply chain scrutiny, especially in sectors like steel, autos, and pharmaceuticals. He advised setting up separate production lines for US-bound goods and diversifying into new markets. The US is pushing for 'fair and balanced trade', which includes reshoring critical industries and demanding more imports from trading partners. Gan said this shift is structural, not political. Singapore, which faces a baseline 10 per cent tariff, has ruled out retaliation. Instead, it's doubling down on ASEAN integration and WTO reform to preserve open trade. Gan's bottom line: adapt now or risk being sidelined in a more fragmented global economy. Read on DPM Gan saying tariffs aren't going anywhere here. Singapore has been named one of the top countries in Asia-Pacific for life-work balance, placing third in Remote's 2025 global index. The ranking reflects improvements in statutory leave and overall well-being. The index scores countries on a 100-point scale, factoring in healthcare access, safety, inclusivity, and average working hours. Singapore's score of 57.85 places it 25th globally and third in APAC. New Zealand and Australia lead the region, with Singapore close behind thanks to policy enhancements and a strong social support system. Malaysia also made gains, jumping 20 spots year-on-year. Meanwhile, the US and several Asian economies continue to struggle, weighed down by long hours and limited worker protections. China ranks 52nd out of 60. The report underscores a growing global shift, where flexibility and well-being are becoming more valued than hustle culture. Singapore has rolled out new property rules to curb speculative flipping, raising seller's stamp duty (SSD) rates and extending the holding period for private homes. SSD now applies for up to four years, with rates climbing to 16 per cent for sales within the first year. The changes affect all purchases made from Friday (4 July). The move follows a spike in sub-sales, especially of uncompleted units. Authorities say the trend threatens market stability and affordability. The announcement jolted the market, with developer stocks sliding and analysts scrambling to reassess July's launch pipeline. The government says the changes aim to stabilise the market, not punish genuine buyers. But with mortgage rates falling, speculation may have been poised to rise again. Read on how the SSD changes reshape the property scene here. US President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill has officially cleared Congress, marking the first major legislative win of his second term. The US$4.5 trillion package, dubbed the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' makes permanent his 2017 tax cuts, slashes Medicaid and food assistance, and boosts military and border security funding. It also raises the debt ceiling by US$5 trillion, prompting warnings from fiscal watchdogs. The bill's passage was anything but smooth. Vice President JD Vance broke a Senate tie, while House Speaker Mike Johnson wrangled dissenters in a marathon overnight session. Trump himself worked the phones, mixing charm and pressure to sway holdouts. The final vote came after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered a record-breaking 8-hour speech opposing the bill. Critics argue the legislation redistributes wealth upward, guts the social safety net, and risks long-term economic instability. Supporters hail it as a fulfilment of Trump's campaign promises and a reset of America's fiscal priorities. With midterms looming, both parties are gearing up to weaponise the bill's impact. Trump is expected to sign the bill on Friday (4 July) with a celebratory flyover. But the real fireworks may come in 2026, when voters weigh in on the consequences. Read on some of the key takeaways and impact of Trump's "big, beautiful bill" here. Singapore's opposition party the Workers' Party (WP) has dismissed People's Action Party's (PAP) criticism of Pritam Singh's podcast interview as baseless. WP insists the interview was candid, constructive and well-received by Singaporeans. The WP said on Thursday (3 July) that Singh's remarks were patriotic and did not denounce Singapore. They say the podcast showcased how opposition voices can engage respectfully on national issues. WP challenged the notion that foreign media engagement is taboo, citing PAP's own history of international interviews. They called out the double standard and demanded clarity on any supposed restrictions. The party also addressed past allegations of foreign influence, reiterating that no promises or deals were made with Malaysian figures. They say the PAP is recycling old controversies for political gain. WP says the podcast episode strengthened democratic discourse, not weakened it. The controversy stems from Pritam's 24 June interview on Keluar Sekejap, a Malaysian podcast, which PAP claims crossed a line in airing domestic issues abroad. Read on WP rebuffing PAP's 'water's edge' doctrine here.

Dalai Lama, god-king for Tibetan Buddhists, will have a successor. That decision is consequential
Dalai Lama, god-king for Tibetan Buddhists, will have a successor. That decision is consequential

Associated Press

timean hour ago

  • Associated Press

Dalai Lama, god-king for Tibetan Buddhists, will have a successor. That decision is consequential

DHARAMSHALA, India (AP) — The Dalai Lama has often called himself a simple monk, but millions of his Tibetan Buddhist followers have worshipped him for decades as a near deity. They also see him as the face of Tibet's aspirations for greater autonomy, but have for years wrestled with the idea that he might be the last person to hold the role. He put that speculation to rest Wednesday, just days before he turns 90 on Sunday. There will be a successor after his death, he announced, and the Dalai Lama's office will lead the search and recognize a successor in accordance with past tradition. The decision is consequential for most Tibetans, who have struggled for decades to keep their identity alive — in Tibet or outside in exile — and rallied behind the Dalai Lama for that cause. It could also irk China, which insists that it alone has the authority to approve the next religious leader, a move seen as Beijing's efforts to strengthen its control over Tibet's overwhelmingly Buddhist population. 'Simple Buddhist monk' hailed as a god-king Recognized worldwide in his red robes and wide smile, the Dalai Lama describes himself as a 'simple Buddhist monk.' But he is also worshipped as living manifestations of Chenrezig, the Buddhist god of compassion, and is the 14th person to hold the title of the Dalai Lama in a tradition stretching back 500 years. As a village boy, Tenzin Gyatso was thrust onto the Tibetan throne to become the Dalai Lama — a god-king to his people — in 1937. Soon after, Chinese troops swept into his homeland in the 1950s and crushed a failed uprising. He escaped with thousands of his followers to India and established a government in exile. Since then, the Dalai Lama has spent more than seven decades in exile, living an austere monastic life in regal isolation in the tiny, Himalayan town of Dharamshala. He has also jetted from capital to capital to try to force the aspirations of his tiny community onto the world agenda, uniting and mobilizing Tibetans inside and outside China. The face of Tibet's struggle for autonomy Tibetans in exile say they were effectively independent for centuries, and accuse China of trying to wipe out Tibet's Buddhist culture and language, and encouraging Chinese to move there from other parts of the country. Beijing insists Tibet is a part of China. While many Tibetans seek full independence, the Dalai Lama has long said that he seeks only substantial autonomy and identity for Tibetan people. He has advocated for a nonviolent 'Middle Way' for autonomy and religious freedom for Tibetan people through peaceful means. Beijing, however, accuses him of making efforts to wrest Tibet's control away from China and inciting rebellion among Tibetans. In the past, Chinese leaders have called him a 'wolf in monk's robes' and the 'scum of Buddhism.' In 1989, the Nobel Peace Prize committee honored him 'for his consistent resistance to the use of violence in his people's struggle.' In 2011, he relinquished his role as head of the self-proclaimed Tibetan government-in-exile and handed over political powers to a democratically elected government. Raging dispute With the Dalai Lama in his twilight years, the question looms about what happens after him. The Dalai Lama has said that his successor will be born in a free country, indicating that the next spiritual leader could come from among Tibetan exiles and not from China. China, meanwhile, is determined to control the succession of the Dalai Lama and insists that the reincarnation must be found in China's Tibetan areas, giving the Communist authorities immense power over who is chosen. Thus, many observers believe there eventually will be rival Dalai Lamas — one appointed by Beijing, and one by senior monks loyal to the current Dalai Lama. China has also sought to elevate other spiritual figures, particularly Tibetan Buddhism's No. 2 figure, the Panchen Lama. A boy recognized by the Dalai Lama as the new Panchen disappeared soon after, and Beijing produced its own successor, whose legitimacy is highly contested. Search for next Dalai Lama The search for a Dalai Lama's reincarnation begins only upon the incumbent's death. Traditionally, the successor has been identified by senior monastic disciples, based on spiritual signs and visions. They interpret signs, consult oracles and send search parties to the Tibetan region for a child who exhibits qualities of the previous Dalai Lama. It can take several years after the next Dalai Lama is identified as a baby and groomed to take the reins. That process might be undone this time as the Dalai Lama has said that he might leave written instructions for finding his reincarnation, or name his successor while still alive.

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