The Delta variant of COVID-19 has seen a sharp spike in Iran in recent weeks, with the number of cities marked “high risk” jumping to 92, according to the country's anti-coronavirus headquarters.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Alireza Raeisi, the spokesman for Iran's national anti-coronavirus headquarters, said the new variant, which first emerged in India, has spread across the country, especially in southern, eastern and southeastern provinces.

He said adherence to health protocols has also dropped "below 70%", warning of more infections and hospitalizations if the variants with "high transmission rate" are not contained.

Raeisi said the cities marked as "red" (high risk) have increased to 92 from 63 last week, including Tehran, where new infections and hospitalizations have surged alarmingly.

However, the province that has complicated the fight against the pandemic is southeastern Sistan-Baluchistan, bordering Pakistan and Afghanistan, where the situation has been reported as critical.

On Wednesday, a lawmaker from the province had warned of a "humanitarian catastrophe" if attention is not paid to the unfolding crisis in the province.

President Hassan Rouhani, addressing a meeting of anti-coronavirus headquarters in Tehran on Saturday, also expressed grave concern over the evolving situation, saying the Delta variant has made inroads into the country from the south and southeast.

Terming the new variants "dangerous and incurable", he said public gatherings during the recent Tehran City Council elections had contributed to the latest spike in infections.

Meanwhile, Raeisi said vaccine rollout will intensify from this week, as the production of two domestically-produced vaccines and import of foreign vaccines continues.

On Saturday, Iran reported 8,341 new infections beside 111 deaths, taking the overall tally to 3.3 million cases and 84,627 fatalities.

According to officials, the cases are likely to increase in coming days with a surge in new hospitalizations./aa

IDLIB, Syria 

At least eight civilians were killed and nine others wounded in attacks by forces of the Bashar al-Assad regime and their allied Iran-backed foreign terrorist groups in a de-escalation zone in northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, a Syrian civil defense group said on Saturday.

Regime forces fired shells at the villages of Mashun, Iblin and Balyun in southern Idlib, violating a cease-fire deal in the de-escalation zone, Hassan al-Ahmad, media head of the White Helmets civil defense group, told Anadolu Agency.

According to the official, five civilians were killed in Iblin, two in Balyun, and one in Mashun.

Regime attacks on the de-escalation zone have escalated in recent months.

Syria has been mired in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity./aa

Over the past decade, around half a million people have been killed and more than 12 million had to flee their homes.

Idlib falls within a de-escalation zone forged under an agreement between Turkey and Russia in March 2020.

The Syrian regime, however, has consistently violated the terms of the cease-fire, launching frequent attacks inside the de-escalation zone.

Every weekend along Mida Creek beach in the Kenyan coastal town of Watamu, a spectacular sight is witnessed as people of all ages walk the soft oceanfront sand with waves crawling the shore in a rhythmic movement repeating itself over and over.

“You see that?” asked Lela Omari, a 26-year-old student, while pointing to the gurgling waves.

“According to our community traditions, we believe that it is a pulse, it is like a heartbeat, it very steady and peaceful. The ocean has a heart that beats, that sounds ridiculous, right? But, it's funny because our ancestors devised such things to make us take care of our oceans,” said Omari.

Omari is among dozens who drop everything each weekend to spend time cleaning an area of the ocean beach.

The most common plastics they collect include beverage bottles, plastic bags, plastic food containers, straws and plastic bags used in food wrapping and grocery shopping.

Locals, including children, can be seen picking up plastics along the Indian Ocean coast. The things they gather are sorted and thrown into community-maintained garbage bins to burn or recycle.

Sadeeki Shanit, a tour guide on Watamu Beach for more than eight years, said the cleaners are not paid -- they do it for their love of the ocean and believe it is in their genes to be ocean caretakers.

“We are connected to the ocean, there is no doubt about that. What motivated us more as a community to take care of our ocean was after our president banned the use of single-use plastic. Before that, the task of cleaning our oceans was so huge, it was a terrible sight.”

Sanctuary for turtles

Shanit said plastics used to come from all over the ocean and settle in the creek which has only one inlet.

“The ocean can only do much to protect itself. It is self-cleaning but the plastics would come here and dot the whole beach. Sea turtles breed in these sands. They used to be tangled in the plastic and choke or even suffocate. Those that entered inside plastics suffocated. I have seen this so many times in the past,” he said

The tour guide explained that after the plastic ban, the area "has become a proper sanctuary for turtles. They thrive in this area and we work with the ocean to ensure we protect them. That is why we always come out to clean this place. We depend on the ocean, the animals. And plants do, too.”

The most common turtles that thrive in the area are the hawksbill and green sea.

All flora and fauna in the area depend on the ocean, including many fish that breed in the many adjoining mangrove channels. This was once jeopardized by plastic waste the deprived these fish of oxygen but now, residents have taken it upon themselves to save the ocean that supports their livelihood.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) notes that the area is rich in diverse birdlife, fish, turtles, and large marine mammals known as dugongs.

With more than 100 species of birds, Mida Creek is an internationally recognized Bird Area and a UNESCO Biosphere. The most commonly seen birds include the Black Kite, Bulbul, White-Browed Coucal and Speckled Mousebird, according to the KWS.

Regional leader in fighting plastic pollution

As the world marks International Plastic Bag Free Day on July 3, the Kenyan government and people have vowed that its oceans would not be dumping grounds for plastic and are doing everything they can to keep the oceans clean.

The UN in Nairobi hailed Kenya, saying it was emerging as a leader in the fight against plastic pollution and is among the first countries in East Africa to limit single-use plastics and sign the Clean Seas initiative to rid waterways of plastic waste.

Juliette Biao, a regional director for Africa of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), said: “Kenya has invested heavily in both policies and law enforcement to win the fight against plastic pollution. The result of this investment is today boosting Kenya’s environmental stewardship in Africa and the world.”

Most of the plastics manufactured on land end up in the oceans and waterways, according to a UN study conducted in Kenya’s second-biggest city, Mombasa.

It found “as much as 3.7 (kilograms) (8.1 pounds) plastic per capita enters the waterways each year of the total waste generated.”

Environmentalists have lauded Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta for banning the use of single-use plastics which was the biggest source of pollution, killing flora and fauna on Indian Ocean shores.

The UN said Kenya is turning the tide regionally when it comes to saving the oceans and fighting pollution, urging other East African countries to follow its example.

“Working closely with communities and in partnership with the private sector as well as UNEP, Kenya’s national and devolved county-level governments are establishing a plastic waste management programme -- one that could be scaled and replicated across the East African community and beyond,” according to the UN report.

Across Kenya, many are investing in plastic recycling, companies have sprung up and paying communities for plastic waste which they, in turn, convert to fencing poles and plastic bricks as low-cost building materials, among other things.

Launching the New Ocean Action Agenda, Kenyatta had said last year that it was clear that the ocean economy was a smart investment that could deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to Kenyans.

“As a member of the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, I commit myself and my Government to achieving 100% sustainable ocean management of areas within our national jurisdiction, guided by Sustainable Ocean Plans, by 2025,” the Kenyan leader said, noting that his country sought to fully realize the potential of its 142,400 square-kilometer (88,500 mile) Exclusive Economic Zone along its in Indian Ocean coast.

Residents of Mida Creek said that as the world celebrated World Oceans Day 2021 last month, it should be noted that the responsibility to safeguard oceans started with local communities and respecting and adhering to laws set by governments to save water bodies./aa

A Syrian mother has emerged triumphant from a Danish courtroom after the country declared Syria's capital Damascus and its surrounding areas safe for the return of refugees.

"Today, when I woke up I felt that I was born again. And, of course, I'm feeling very happy. I believe God saved us during the long journey at sea," Rasha Kairout said a day after her Wednesday court hearing.

First making her way to Turkey from Syria -- now in its 11th year of civil war -- Kairout then crossed to Europe in rubber boats in a voyage she had previously recounted to Anadolu Agency.

"And God also saved us this time by granting us asylum-seeker status here in Denmark, Copenhagen," she added.

Denmark recently became the first EU country to deem Damascus and its surroundings safe for the return Syrian refugees.

Kairout, like many other Syrians in Denmark, faced uncertainty and had to challenge the decision of the Danish authorities. She appealed to the court, which on Wednesday ruled that she and her two children -- daughter Louseen, 15, and son Qusai, 13 -- remain in Denmark.

She came to Denmark in 2015 and for six years has lived in safety and security, making the Scandinavian nation a home for herself and her family.

"The court started at 9 a.m. (0700GMT), and they announced the ruling at 4 p.m.(1400GMT)," Kairout said, relating her surprise at being told that they would be allowed to stay.

"I was at the court with my children, and they were very stressed and afraid of the ruling before it was taken. When I left (the courtroom) and informed them of our status, it was like we were born again and we have a new life here," she added.

After working at a hotel for a year and a half, Kairout lost her first job during the coronavirus pandemic but found another at an elderly care home.

"After this ruling, my workplace contacted me and told me they would grant me a permanent job opportunity. And, of course, my children will continue their normal life as it is supposed to be after four or five months of tension waiting for the verdict," she said.

'Not 100% happy'

Kairout said she could not be "100% happy" as there are still Syrians facing the difficulties she faced.

"I can count 200 cases from Damascus who are in the same situation, we can say that the Syrians are facing a lot of difficulties from such a situation and they're going through its psychological effects," she said.

Syrians came to Denmark to flee from the war crimes of the Bashar al Assad regime in Syria, she added.

"It was an unfair decision to name Damascus as a safe place. We can say that there is no shelling, no bombardment in Damascus but the regime is still there," she said.

"And that's the threat for Syrian families and Syrians who fled Syria. We can say that after more than six years of living in Denmark, it would be very difficult for Syrians to return to Damascus under the regime of Bashar Assad."

Kairout called on Danish authorities to re-examine the situation at hand and appealed people in the country to extend their support to the Syrians' plight.

Praising her Danish lawyer, she said: "She was very strong. She was very courageous. And, she tackled and addressed the case very professionally."/aa

Strikes, demonstrations and protests for the environment continued across the globe in the sixth month of 2021, with protesters demanding more decisive action to tackle climate change.

Activists and citizens continued online campaigns and street protests while keeping socially distant due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Events during the month included the Fridays for Future protests launched in 2018 by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg and various campaigns worldwide against anti-environmental practices and attitudes, including demonstrations near the venue of a G7 summit and several virtual climate strikes.

Below is a timeline of protests and demonstrations compiled by Anadolu Agency:

June 4:

- On the first Fridays for Future strike of the month, climate activists and environmental protesters continue to raise awareness about climate change in efforts supported and retweeted by nonprofits.

June 5:

- Environmental groups show solidarity with indigenous communities around the globe following tragic reports of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in Canada.

- Climate activists around the world hold physical and virtual demonstrations for World Environment Day, stressing the role of a healthy environment for a healthy future.

June 7:

- "Not activism, but the destruction of our livelihoods must be criminalized," Fridays for Future movement says on Twitter in solidarity with activists in Switzerland for a new anti-terror law in the country.

June 10:

- Climate activists express satisfaction over the termination of the Keystone XL Pipeline Project in Canada which was constantly criticized by environmental organizations.

June 11:

- On the second Fridays for Future strike of June, climate activists and environmental protesters continue to raise awareness on climate change and environmental issues.

- A group of climate activists, environmental protesters hold a demonstration in Falmouth in the UK, pointing out the "historical responsibilities" of the wealthiest countries ahead of a G7 Summit.

June 12:

- Extinction Rebellion activists in French Guiana hanging banners on sculptures to protest for the prohibition of cyanide use.

- Climate activists gather at Cornwall to protest a G7 meeting and call on world leaders to act against climate change.

June 16

- Climate activist group 350 Pacific urges efforts to get insurance firm Lloyd's to stop insuring Trans Mountain Pipeline.

June 18:

- Fridays for Future holds its third strike of the month with climate activists and environmental protesters raising awareness on climate change and environmental issues.

- Fourteen-year-old Turkish climate and environmental activist Yagmur Ocak completes her 100th week of climate striking. "Now is the time to unite and to continue fighting for our future together with all climate activists," she writes on Twitter.

June 19:

- Four Extinction Rebellion activists entered the Royal Ascot race track in the UK with a banner reading "Racing to extinction" and calling on Queen Elizabeth II to "act now" in the face of biodiversity loss and climate emergency.

- Some activists stay inside the Science Museum, London overnight to demand the museum drop Shell's sponsorship.

June 20:

- Youth For Climate Turkey launches an online petition campaign to include climate change in the curriculum in the country.

June 21:

- "As the climate crisis intensifies, more people from most affected areas will be displaced," the Fridays for Future Movement says on Twitter on the occasion of World Refugee Day, demanding the protection of migrants, refugees and addressing the root causes of displacement.

June 25:

- Climate and environmental activists continue protesting for action on climate change and the environment, demanding more action from world leaders.

- A group of activists in Sweden, including Greta Thunberg, hold a protest outside parliament, celebrating midsummer./aa

Afghan health authorities on Saturday warned of surging cases of mucormycosis, also known as "black fungus," among coronavirus patients as the war-ravaged country grapples with a shortage of vaccines and medical oxygen.

Health Minister Waheed Majorh said that health professionals had identified at least three confirmed cases of the fungal infection caused by exposure to mucor mould, commonly found in soil, plants, manure, and decaying fruits and vegetables. The condition mainly affects people who have a weak immune system causing loss of eyesight, removal of the nose and jaw bone.

Underlining that officials were using all available means to procure and purchase vaccines, Majorh said that low output of jabs and little competition among producers has made it difficult for Afghanistan to procure vaccines in the open market.

"We are faced with the third wave of the pandemic, and as neighboring Iran is facing the fifth wave and Pakistan is faced with the fourth wave, we are going to face another catastrophic wave soon," he warned.

"The raging war is on one side and the pandemic on the other side. For God's sake, avoid gatherings and obey safety measures," he urged Afghans.

According to the Ministry of Public Health, over 500 people died due to the pandemic in the past week alone.

According to official figures, more than 1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have already been administered in the country.

Half of these, an estimated 500,000 doses, were gifted to Afghanistan by India, while another 486,000 doses came through COVAX, a global vaccine-sharing facility.

In February, Afghanistan began the rollout of the Indian-made COVID-19 vaccine as it calls for more international support to vaccinate at least 20% of the estimated population of 38 million this year and 60% by the end of 2022./aa

A court in Germany on Friday ruled that the Turkish-Muslim umbrella group, DITIB, which was prevented from teaching religion in the state of Hessen, could continue with lessons. 

The Wiesbaden Administrative Court found it unlawful to prevent the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs from teaching religion as of April 28, 2020, by the Hessen Culture Ministry.

The court said DITIB could again give lessons in Hessen, as it did from 2013 - 2014 and 2019-2020.

DITIB Hessen State Union expressed satisfaction with the decision.

“Islamic religious lessons will be offered again to Hessian Muslim students, teachers and parents, including their constitutionally fundamental rights, with its pedagogical and didactic advantages,” it said.

“Within the framework of a curriculum, school accompaniment and opportunity will be provided for them to receive a scientific education,” it added.  /aa

Pakistan on Friday rejected its "unsubstantiated and baseless" inclusion on the US Child Soldiers Prevention Act (CSPA) list.

"Pakistan does not support any non-state armed group; nor any entity recruiting or using child soldiers," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, insisting that Islamabad's efforts in fighting non-state armed groups including terror entities are "well recognised."

Washington on Wednesday added Pakistan and Turkey to the CASP list -- a designation included in the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Person (TIP) report that ranks countries in various tiers in accordance with their efforts to eliminate trafficking.

The 2021 list includes Afghanistan, Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Venezuela and Yemen.

"The inclusion of Pakistan in the ‘CSPA List’ depicts a factual error and lack of understanding," said Islamabad. "No State institution was consulted by the US prior to the publication of the report. Nor were any details provided of the basis on which the conclusion was reached."

Overall, it said, Pakistan is committed to fighting this scourge both at the national and international levels.

"We have taken a range of legislative and administrative actions in that regard during the last one year, including the approval of Rules under the domestic Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Acts; National Action Plan 2021-25 prepared jointly by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); and enhancement of capacity building and inter-agency cooperation of Law Enforcement Agencies involved in anti-human smuggling," it said.

Pakistan said it has been "voluntarily" submitting information for the TIP report to the US since 2007 and has actively worked on implementing the practicable recommendations of the reports.

It urged the US to review the "baseless" assertions, especially concerning the unwarranted inclusion of Pakistan on the “CSPA List.”

"Pakistan’s views and perspective on the subject have been conveyed to the U.S. side. Pakistan would continue to remain engaged with the US government through bilateral channels for constructive dialogue on all issues of mutual interest," it said.

The CSPA prohibits the issuance of licenses for direct commercial sales of military equipment to listed countries, apart from preventing them to be included in several US programs, including International Military Education and Training, Foreign Military Financing, Excess Defence Articles, and Peacekeeping Operations.

The countries may avoid restrictions in case of a presidential waiver/aa

“Israeli” forces intervene in demonstrations by using tear gas, live, rubber bullets

Eighty-seven Palestinians were injured Friday when tear gas was thrown at protesters by Israeli forces in the northern occupied West Bank. 

Palestinians held demonstrations against illegal Jewish settlements in different parts of the West Bank, especially in Beita in Nablus and the village of Beit Dajan.

“Israeli” forces intervened and used tear gas and live and rubber bullets. Palestinians responded by throwing stones.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said three people were injured by live bullets and 84 with rubber bullets.

A tear gas canister hit the windshield of a Palestinian ambulance and a health worker inside was injured by broken glass. Two Palestinian volunteer health workers were injured with rubber bullets.

“Israeli” and Palestinian estimates indicate that there are about 650,000 settlers in West Bank settlements, including occupied Jerusalem, living in 164 settlements and 116 outposts.

Under international law, all Jewish settlements in occupied territories are considered illegal.

“Israeli” police began allowing settler incursions in 2003, despite repeated condemnations from the Islamic Endowment Department in Jerusalem./agencies