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Iran Sends Oil Shipment to Syria

Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz, December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz, December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
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Iran Sends Oil Shipment to Syria

Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz, December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
Oil tankers pass through the Strait of Hormuz, December 21, 2018. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

Iran has reportedly sent an oil shipment to Syria where regime-held areas are suffering from a fuel crisis that has caused power outages and paralyzed public institutions.

Syria's Minister of Electricity Ghassan al-Zamil attributed the increase in electricity rationing to the shortage in power carriers whether gas or fuel.

Zamil noted that some projects will reenergize the electrical grid.

Regime-held areas have been recently witnessing shortages in oil derivatives.

A million barrels of Iranian crude oil is approaching the Suez Canal from the Red Sea, TankerTrackers reported on its Twitter account.

"It is part of a larger flotilla of tankers bound for Baniyas, Syria. We have visually identified all of them. The first one shall arrive in about three days’ time, all depending on congestion,” it added.

Further, local sources revealed that a clash erupted between the Iranian-affiliate Baqir Brigade and Al-Qaterji Group that is committed to protecting the oil carriers moving from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) regions to regime-run areas.

According to the Eye of the Euphrates‎, the Baqir Brigade prepared a military column in Aleppo of 300 members and 72 vehicles. The militias headed towards Kafr Ubayd and Tal Aran in the southern countryside of Aleppo.

Al-Qaterji Group was kicked out of the area, knowing that the militia evacuated its bases and enrolled with the 93th Brigade in Ain Issa in the northern countryside of Raqqa.

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Kremlin: Putin Discussed Iran, Ukraine War in Call with Trump

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)
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Kremlin: Putin Discussed Iran, Ukraine War in Call with Trump

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)
In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends a video meeting in Moscow on June 13, 2026, amid the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. (Photo by VYACHESLAV PROKOFYEV / POOL / AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin called US counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday, Trump's 80th birthday, and discussed the wars in Ukraine and Iran and an upcoming visit of Washington's envoys to Russia, the Kremlin said.

"The conversation focused on the situation surrounding the memorandum of understanding being drafted between the United States and Iran. Donald Trump said an agreement is close," Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.

Ushakov also said that "it has been agreed that US presidential special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are currently closely involved in Iranian affairs, will return to Russia soon".

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday he will discuss the Russian invasion and peace efforts to end it during a meeting with Trump at the G7 summit in France.

Zelensky, who earlier spoke by phone with the US leader, said they "discussed things that could help bring about peace now, and I informed the president about the latest developments on the battlefield and how our position has strengthened. We agreed that we will discuss more during our meeting at the G7 summit."

World

Six Killed as Helicopters Collide in Rio de Janeiro

A fire truck is seen next to burned vehicles at the site of a helicopter crash in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14, 2026. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)
A fire truck is seen next to burned vehicles at the site of a helicopter crash in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14, 2026. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)
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Six Killed as Helicopters Collide in Rio de Janeiro

A fire truck is seen next to burned vehicles at the site of a helicopter crash in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14, 2026. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)
A fire truck is seen next to burned vehicles at the site of a helicopter crash in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on June 14, 2026. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)

At least six people died in Brazil on Sunday after two helicopters collided in western Rio de Janeiro, firefighters said.

The helicopters crashed into the parking lot of an electric car dealership, igniting a fire that engulfed at least 20 vehicles.

A statement from firefighters said that initial reports pointed to a mid-air collision, adding "six fatalities have been confirmed, all were crew members of the aircraft involved in the accident."

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said that there were "foreign nationals on board one of the aircraft," without giving further details.

Fire services spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Fabio Contreiras told CNN Brasil at the scene that it was unclear exactly how the accident unfolded.

"Parts of the aircraft are scattered hundreds of meters away, so the information we have is still very preliminary. We really need to get the recordings and videos to understand exactly what happened," AFP quoted him saying said.

Contreiras said rescue workers had discovered one helicopter in flames among the electric cars, with five victims inside.

A second helicopter found some 100 meters away was carrying only the pilot, who also died.

The accident took place in the suburb of Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

Images in local media showed a thick plume of black smoke rising from the car dealership, where several vehicles were on fire.

Contreiras said the fact that the aircraft had crashed in the parking area had prevented a higher death toll.

"Given the surrounding residences, the accident could have been far more tragic," he said.

He highlighted the challenges in fighting a fire impacting electric vehicles, which contain lithium-ion batteries.

"When this type of battery catches fire, it releases highly toxic gases and intensifies both the temperature and the severity of the blaze. Extinguishing a fire in one of these vehicles requires three to four times the amount of water needed for a fire in a standard car."

World

Somaliland President Makes 'Historic' Visit to Israel

Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (L) is welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, 14 June 2026, during his first visit to Israel. EPA/ABIR SULTAN
Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (L) is welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, 14 June 2026, during his first visit to Israel. EPA/ABIR SULTAN
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Somaliland President Makes 'Historic' Visit to Israel

Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (L) is welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, 14 June 2026, during his first visit to Israel. EPA/ABIR SULTAN
Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (L) is welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the presidential residence in Jerusalem, 14 June 2026, during his first visit to Israel. EPA/ABIR SULTAN

Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi met his Israeli counterpart on Sunday in Jerusalem in his first-ever state visit, which comes months after Israel officially recognized the breakaway African state.

In December, Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of Somaliland since it declared its autonomy from Somalia in 1991 following a civil war.

"The visit carries special significance," said Abdullahi, according to a statement issued by the office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

"It is the first state visit by a president of the Republic of Somaliland to another country, and we are deeply appreciative that the State of Israel has chosen to receive us with such an honor on this historic occasion," AFP quoted Abdullahi as saying.

"Somaliland has been talking, has been reaching out to the world leaders for the last 35 years. They were asking only one question: to see us. Only one country desired to see us and recognize Somaliland, and that's the government of Israel and its people."

Somaliland enjoys a strategic position on the Gulf of Aden and has its own currency, passport and army, but has struggled to win international recognition amid concerns in many capitals that this would provoke Somalia and encourage other separatist movements in Africa.

Herzog said that Abdullahi's visit "symbolizes the great potential of this wonderful new partnership", according to the statement, adding that he hoped for increased bilateral "cooperation in a range of fields".

"We both face the threat of radical extremism. We both seek security and stability in the region and in the Horn of Africa. We both see the importance of protecting maritime freedom," Herzog said.

The visit comes just weeks after Israel appointed its first ambassador to Somaliland, a reciprocal move after Somaliland named its own envoy to Israel.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had travelled to Somaliland in January -- a trip that drew sharp condemnation from Somalia, which described it as an "unauthorized incursion".