Rubio Accuses Hezbollah of Trying to 'Drag Lebanon Back into Chaos'https://english.aawsat.com/5276895-rubio-accuses-hezbollah-trying-drag-lebanon-back-chaos
Rubio Accuses Hezbollah of Trying to 'Drag Lebanon Back into Chaos'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses a press conference with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (not pictured) at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, 24 May 2026. EPA/RAJAT GUPTA
Rubio Accuses Hezbollah of Trying to 'Drag Lebanon Back into Chaos'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses a press conference with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (not pictured) at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, 24 May 2026. EPA/RAJAT GUPTA
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Hezbollah in a statement Sunday of trying to plunge Lebanon "back into chaos."
Rubio denounced what he called Hezbollah's "reckless call to overthrow Lebanon's democratically elected government" and said the pro-Iran armed group was "actively trying to drag Lebanon back into chaos and destruction."
Naim Qassem, the leader of Hezbollah, said earlier that "the people have the right to go down onto the streets and to bring down the government" in response to Israeli strikes and US sanctions on the Al-Qard Al-Hassan financial institution.
Al-Qard Al-Hassan is affiliated with Hezbollah and provides interest-free loans to mainly Shia Muslim communities who have faced financial difficulty amid Lebanon's economic crises.
"The aggression against Al-Qard al-Hassan is an aggression against hundreds of thousands of poor people and those with limited income," Qassem said.
The Lebanese government has been under US pressure to take action against the firm, as Washington ratchets up pressure on Iran-backed Hezbollah.
"Hizballah's threats of violence and overthrow will not be allowed to succeed," Rubio said. "The era in which a terrorist group held an entire nation hostage is coming to an end."
The US is negotiating a deal with Iran to end the Middle East war, with a report in Axios suggesting that a draft memorandum of understanding between two sides contains language that "makes clear the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon would end."
Early on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on X that Trump, in a phone call, "reaffirmed Israel's right to defend itself against threats on every front, including Lebanon."
Qassem expressed hope for an agreement between Iran and the US and that Lebanon would be part of its terms.
However, he again called on the Lebanese government to abandon direct negotiations with Israel. A fourth round of talks is scheduled for June 2 and 3 in Washington.
Despite a ceasefire that came into effect on April 17 and was recently extended for several weeks, Israel continues to strike what it describes as pro-Iranian Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, while Hezbollah for its part continues its attacks on Israeli targets in the south of the country.
Iraq Opens Special Account for Recovered Illicit Funds as Anti-Corruption Drive Expandshttps://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/5290253-iraq-opens-special-account-recovered-illicit-funds-anti-corruption-drive-expands
Iraq Opens Special Account for Recovered Illicit Funds as Anti-Corruption Drive Expands
Iraqi police personnel patrol in their vehicle along a street in Baghdad on June 28, 2026. (AFP)
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered on Monday the Finance Ministry to open a dedicated account for money recovered from illicit enrichment cases, as the government pressed ahead with its anti-corruption campaign. Meanwhile, the Federal Commission of Integrity said a draft law on asset recovery will soon be submitted to parliament.
Government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi revealed that the new account would hold funds recovered from people convicted of illicit enrichment, stressing that the government remains committed to protecting public money and strengthening state institutions.
In remarks to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), al-Aboudi said the government had adopted a comprehensive approach to institutional reform and combating corruption.
He added that Operation Dawn had resulted in the arrest of 21 suspects, while others remain at large.
Investigators are using suspects’ confessions to uncover broader corruption networks involving additional individuals and assets, he revealed.
Separately, Abbas Mutib, director general of the Integrity Commission’s asset recovery department and deputy chairman of the Iraq Asset Recovery Fund, said the commission had made significant progress in digital transformation, enabling it to freeze substantial assets abroad and prevent those accused of corruption from disposing of them.
Mutib noted that the commission is coordinating with the Justice Ministry to pursue civil lawsuits aimed at recovering frozen assets overseas, adding that authorities have already succeeded in recovering sizable sums.
Former tax chief sentenced
The Federal Commission of Integrity also announced prison sentences against former General Commission for Taxes Director General Osama Hossam Jawdat and his wife after their conviction on money laundering charges.
According to the commission, the Central Criminal Court for Combating Corruption sentenced Jawdat to 10 years in prison and his wife to five years and one month under Iraq’s 2015 Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Law.
The court ordered the couple to pay a fine of IQD 32.496 billion (about $25 million), confiscated 10 properties in Baghdad and 12 properties in Türkiye registered in the wife’s name, as well as seized cash, rental income, gold jewelry, and funds deposited in Kuwaiti and Turkish banks. It also ordered the freezing of their movable and immovable assets.
Broad public backing
An Iraqi security personnel stands guard along a street in Baghdad on June 28, 2026. (AFP)
The government’s sweeping arrests on Sunday have drawn strong political and public support after targeting senior officials, lawmakers, and government directors, raising hopes that Iraq may finally curb corruption, which unofficial estimates say has cost the country more than $500 billion.
More than 50 suspects have been arrested so far, while some estimates suggest the number of wanted individuals could eventually exceed 1,000.
Dozens of activists gathered Sunday evening in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square to express support for the campaign.
Influential Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr praised the “heroic reform measures,” saying the arrests had restored hope among Iraqis after years of entrenched corruption.
He commended the judiciary and security forces, particularly the Counter Terrorism Service, for carrying out the arrests.
More arrests expected
Ghalib al-Daami, a lecturer at the Iraqi Academy for Combating Corruption, told Asharq Al-Awsat that more than 50 prominent figures had already been detained and predicted the campaign could ultimately target more than 1,000 individuals.
While many observers doubt the crackdown will reach Iraq’s most powerful political leaders, al-Daami said he expects the “downfall” of three senior political figures in the coming days.
He also claimed the campaign has received direct US backing, particularly following the arrest of former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili and another deputy minister, Ali Maarij al-Bahadli, who has been sanctioned by the US for allegedly facilitating Iranian oil sales.
Political scientist Firas Elias of the University of Mosul said the campaign represents “a real test of the state’s authority.”
Its success should be measured not by the number of arrests but by its ability to secure fair convictions and recover stolen assets, he added.
If the law is applied equally to everyone, the campaign could mark a turning point in relations between the state and Iraq’s political class, he remarked. But if it stops with selected figures or becomes a tool for settling political scores, it will quickly lose credibility and allow corruption to reemerge in new forms.
Morocco ‘Unstoppable’ Says Coach After Netherlands Thrillerhttps://english.aawsat.com/sports/5290250-morocco-%E2%80%98unstoppable%E2%80%99-says-coach-after-netherlands-thriller
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Netherlands v Morocco - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - June 29, 2026 Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi and Bilal El Khannouss celebrate after the match as Morocco qualify for the round of 16 stage of the World Cup. (Reuters)
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Morocco ‘Unstoppable’ Says Coach After Netherlands Thriller
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Netherlands v Morocco - Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico - June 29, 2026 Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi and Bilal El Khannouss celebrate after the match as Morocco qualify for the round of 16 stage of the World Cup. (Reuters)
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi believes his team is primed to make a deep run at the World Cup, declaring that the Atlas Lions could be "unstoppable" if they play to their potential.
The Moroccans, beaten semi-finalists at the 2022 World Cup, advanced to the last 16 on Monday after winning a thrilling battle with the Netherlands on penalties in Monterrey.
It was another stylish display by the African champions, who dominated for long periods in a match that finished 1-1 after extra-time.
Ouahbi said Moroccan football is now reaping the benefits of the 2022 team's groundbreaking exploits in becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
"The World Cup in Qatar changed the mentality of the Morocco team, and I'm well placed to speak about this," said Ouahbi, who last year coached Morocco to a momentous victory at the Under-20 World Cup in Chile.
Morocco forward #09 Soufiane Rahimi celebrates with fans after winning in the shootout during the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between the Netherlands and Morocco at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe on June 29, 2026. (AFP)
"Moroccan players in Morocco believe in themselves, the supporters, the fans believe in us as well. It's so important. They're demanding, but it's because they know just how far we can go," he said.
Morocco face co-hosts Canada in the last 16, with a potential quarter-final meeting with France looming on the horizon.
Ouahbi said there would be no question of complacency against Canada.
"We know that it's game after game, and people think that it's kept to be easy for us, it's going to be a walk in the park for Morocco, which is not the case. Canada is a team that is going to be difficult for us."
But Ouahbi said Morocco could go even further than the 2022 team if they fired on all cylinders.
"What we need to be telling ourselves is no one can stop us," he said. "We're unstoppable if we play the football that we know how to play.
The Moroccan team starts to celebrate after winning on penalty kicks the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the Netherlands and Morocco in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP)
"But nobody is unbeatable. And I tell my guys that as well. If we get things wrong, we'll go home, and we need to ensure that we have all the tools that we're using, the tools in our arsenal to go as far as we can, and that's the mentality that we want all of our players in Morocco to have."
Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman meanwhile said Morocco's emergence reflected the quality of African football.
"It's very clear watching this World Cup that African teams have greatly improved in tactical sense, and also in the way they play their matches," Koeman said.
"Morocco is the country that, in terms of talents, really generates good players, young players that continue to join the major clubs in Europe. It's not without a reason why they have a higher ranking than the Netherlands."
Brooch Given to First Passenger to Board Doomed Steamship Found at Roadshowhttps://english.aawsat.com/varieties/5290249-brooch-given-first-passenger-board-doomed-steamship-found-roadshow
Brooch Given to First Passenger to Board Doomed Steamship Found at Roadshow
The brooch contains a dedication with the date April 21 1894 (AP)
A brooch given to the first passenger to board a Dundee-built steamship 37 years before she sank has surfaced at an antiques roadshow.
The decorative item was presented to Elizabeth Anderson on April 21 1894, the date of the maiden voyage of the SS Citrine, according to the British website ‘itv News.’
Built by Dundee shipbuilders W B Thompson & Co, the Citrine was one of a number of vessels in the Glasgow-based “Gem line,” all of which were named after gemstones or minerals.
The shipping firm was owned by William Robertson, who started out with a single barge in 1852 before growing it into one of the largest coastal bulk shipping fleets in Britain.
The brooch was presented to Anderson by Robertson and is inscribed with the words “SS Citrine, April 21 1894, Elizabeth McIntyre Anderson, from William Robertson.”
The sides of the gold-colored item are shaped as a ship’s rope and its center has been designed as a life ring mounted with a citrine stone, echoing the name of the vessel.
The Citrine sank on March 17 1931 after striking rocks at Bradda Head, Port Erin, on the Isle of Man.
Accounts at the time described the ship’s final moments in darkness, heavy weather and confusion, and the disaster claimed the lives of nine of her 11 crew members.
William Robertson had been dead for 12 years by the time of the sinking but the business remained in family hands under his sons, William Francis Robertson and James Robertson.
The brooch was discovered at a WeBuyVintage roadshow in Fleetwood, Lancashire.
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