Category: The Citizen

Oil prices declined on Monday after US-Iran talks concluded in ?Switzerland with Tehran saying it had secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, easing worries about a supply shortage global markets.

Brent crude fell $1.68, or 2.09%, to $78.89 a barrel by 0633 GMT. Prices had climbed to $82.30 at the start of trading, fuelled by a bumpy start to the talks with threats from US President Donald Trump to restart the war on Iran and Tehran’s announcement it had again closed the Strait of ?Hormuz.

US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $76 a barrel, down 60 cents, ahead of the contract’s expiry later on Monday. ?The more active August contract fell 69 cents to $75.16 a barrel. There was no settlement in the ?U.S. market on Friday due to a holiday.

“The decline has been driven primarily by improving prospects for a diplomatic breakthrough between the United ?States and Iran … reviving hopes that sanctions on Iran could eventually be eased,” said Sugandha Sachdeva, founder of SS WealthStreet, a New Delhi-based ?research firm.

High-ranking US and Iranian officials wrapped up their first round of talks in Switzerland on Monday, mediators said. The talks began on Sunday under the terms of a memorandum of understanding reached last week to extend a tenuous ceasefire from April for at least another 60 days.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said his ?country had secured waivers for oil and petrochemical exports, the release of some frozen assets and the launch of a reconstruction and development ?plan for Iran.

“Such a development would allow nearly 1.5 million barrels per day of Iranian crude to return to international markets, significantly improving global supply at ?a time when demand growth remains moderate,” Sachdeva said.

‘Very real risks’

Before the talks, the number of ships that passed the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply on Sunday, shipping data showed, after Iran announced it had again closed the waterway, citing Israeli and US violations of the interim peace deal.

Israeli strikes in Lebanon killed at least 20 people on Saturday, Lebanon’s state news agency NNA said, one day after a ceasefire with Hezbollah ?took effect, aimed at halting months ?of escalating violence.

“Recent developments show ?that moving towards a more permanent deal will be challenging, with very real risks of a flare-up in hostilities during the 60-day ceasefire,” ING analysts said in a note ahead of the announcement of the ?conclusion of the talks in Switzerland.

Still, oil prices fell more than 8% last week on hopes ?of more supply ?from the release of cargoes stranded in the Gulf and the potential lifting of US sanctions on Iranian oil as part of the US-Iran deal.

Over 25 million barrels of Iranian oil have passed through the virtual blockade line since Monday, the head of the National Iranian Oil Company, Hamid Bovard, ?told state ?TV on Sunday.

The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq have offered more oil to customers in ?the past week.

Iraq plans to restore crude production gradually to between 4.2 million and 4.3 million barrels per day, Iraq’s deputy oil minister for upstream affairs said in ?a statement on Sunday.

The body of the late Tabora Regional Police Commander, Richard Abwao, who passed away on June 20, 2026 while receiving treatment at Muhimbili National Hospital, is expected to be laid to rest in Tabora before being transported to Shirati Village in Rorya District, Mara Region, for burial.

Tabora Regional Commissioner, Mr Paul Chacha, told journalists in Tabora that the public farewell ceremony will take place at the Field Force Unit (FFU) grounds in Kitete Ward, Tabora Municipality.

He said officers from the Tanzania Police Force, political leaders from various parties, government officials, and residents of Tabora will be given an opportunity to pay their last respects. He further noted that, alongside the official convoy, 10 buses have been arranged to transport residents from Tabora to Rorya for the burial.

‘We have lost a very strong and dedicated leader in our region, and I urge residents of Tabora to turn up in large numbers to bid farewell to our beloved Abwao as he takes his final journey,’ said Mr Chacha.

He added that the public viewing ceremony will begin at 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, following a Holy Mass to be held at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Tabora.

Mr Chacha also reassured residents that Tabora will remain peaceful throughout the period, calling on police officers to continue working with professionalism and strength, and to ignore negative commentary on social media, which he dismissed as lacking substance.

‘Those mocking remarks on social media, I can only say they are the work of criminal gangs. It is clear that no criminal can love the police or any security organ,’ he said.

Tabora Municipality Mayor, Mr Gulam Dewji, described the late Commander Abwao as a principled leader who understood his responsibilities and executed his duties with integrity.

‘We will remember him for his patriotism, his approachable nature, his inclusive leadership style, his respect for both senior and junior members of society, and the sense that everyone mattered in his leadership,’ said Mr Dewji.

Tabora Regional Chairperson of Transport Operators, Mr Mrisho Shime, said the group once had strained relations with the police, but Commander Abwao helped bridge the gap between boda boda riders and law enforcement, significantly improving compliance with traffic regulations.

‘We used to be like cats and dogs whenever we met police officers. But it was simply a lack of education on road safety. He worked tirelessly, and today you even feel like visiting a police station just to continue learning,’ he said.

A resident of Tabora, Mr Omari Msuya, said he had never had the opportunity to sit at the same table with the regional police commander until Abwao’s tenure, during which community engagement became a reality.

‘For us in Tabora, we have lost a very good leader. We are short of words, other than to thank God for the gift of Abwao to the people of Tabora,’ he said.

The government has urged mining investors to accelerate the implementation of licensed projects, saying Tanzania now expects investment commitments to translate into jobs, exports and broader economic gains.

The call comes as Faru Graphite Corporation, which is preparing to develop a major graphite project in Mahenge District, Morogoro Region, says it is ready to resume preliminary construction activities after the rainy season.

Lionel Messi scored twice as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 on Monday, with the captain becoming the outright leading scorer in men’s World Cup history with 18 goals.

The 38-year-old entered the Group J match level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose on 16 goals before opening the scoring in the first half to set a new record.

He later added a second goal to seal victory and take his tally to 18, extending his remarkable scoring streak to six consecutive World Cup matches.

Messi’s first goal came after he had missed an early penalty, but the Argentina captain made amends by finishing off a flowing move after combining with his teammates before converting Facundo Medina’s low cross.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had already made history in Argentina’s opening 3-0 victory over Algeria, becoming the first player to appear at six World Cups and the oldest player to score a hat-trick in the tournament.

The victory moved the defending champions closer to the knockout stage and maintained their perfect start to the tournament after successive wins in Group J.

The Argentine, who turns 39 later this week, continues to add to a legacy that has already placed him among football’s greatest players.

The Opposition party Chadema has called on leaders at all levels to uphold integrity, accountability, and prioritise public interest in the execution of their duties.

Speaking at a public rally held in Njombe Town Council on June 21, 2026, Chadema Vice Chairman, John Heche said leaders must be role models by shunning corruption and the abuse of public office, while also respecting the law and ensuring justice for all.

Heche emphasised that ethical and transparent leadership is essential in strengthening public trust and accelerating social and economic development in the country.

He further stressed that leaders must listen to citizens and implement promises made for the benefit of communities, rather than making unilateral decisions that disregard legal frameworks.

‘That is why, as Chadema, we are saying we need a new Constitution that will introduce provisions capable of transforming your lives,’ Heche said.

He added that the push for a new Constitution is driven by the need to ensure leaders can be held accountable when they misuse their powers and harm citizens.

Chadema Secretary General John Mnyika said the country has long experienced demands for constitutional reform, noting that the current Constitution, enacted in 1977, is outdated and no longer fits the present political and governance environment.

‘The committee that drafted the CCM Constitution is the same one that drafted the national Constitution under a one-party system,’ Mnyika said.

He added that when multiparty politics was introduced, the Nyalali Commission recommended a new Constitution, but the ruling party rejected the proposal despite sustained public calls.

Meanwhile, Benedicto Mligo said they fully support constitutional reforms, arguing that the Warioba draft Constitution had already taken the country closer to a people-driven constitutional framework.

‘To be honest, at present, all resources are being plundered and citizens are not benefiting,’ Mligo said.

For many patients, weight becomes a hospital matter only after it has started affecting sleep, movement, blood pressure, sugar levels or daily work.

Doctors say the delay is common because many people still see weight as a private matter rather than a medical risk.

The concern was highlighted during specialist clinics held on 17 and 18 June 2026 at The Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam, involving Dr Syed Tanseer Asghar and Dr Sana Sharafat Ali.

Dr Tanseer is a bariatric, laparoscopic and general surgeon. In ordinary language, he treats patients whose weight has begun to harm their health, often using small cut surgery.

‘Many people hear weight loss surgery and think of appearance,’ Dr Tanseer said. ‘But for the right patient, the concern is health. When weight is linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, poor sleep, reflux, joint pain or difficulty walking, it needs proper medical assessment.’

The hospital’s Comprehensive Obesity Clinic, launched in May 2026, places such care within a wider process of assessment, counselling, lifestyle support and follow up. The clinic focuses on medically supervised care for people struggling with weight management and related long term diseases.

Dr Tanseer’s Tanzania work has been linked to the growth of surgery for serious weight related illness, with about 100 surgeries performed locally, according to figures shared ahead of the consultations. His wider international experience runs into thousands of bariatric procedures.

Specialists caution that surgery is only suitable for selected patients. Patients need medical checks, review of diabetes and blood pressure, nutrition advice, emotional readiness and follow up planning.

‘Good surgery begins before the operation,’ Dr Tanseer said. ‘Sometimes the safest advice is to wait until the patient is better prepared.’

The issue is becoming harder to ignore. WHO says one in eight people globally were living with obesity in 2022. In Tanzania, a 2025 study found that overweight and obesity among women rose from 22 percent in 2010 to 32 percent in 2022.

Dr Sana, recognised as Pakistan’s first female vascular surgeon, brings another part of the same health picture. Her work deals with blood flow problems, painful veins, wounds that heal slowly and safe blood access for kidney patients who need dialysis.

‘Blood flow problems may begin quietly,’ Dr Sana said. ‘Swelling, painful veins, wounds that do not heal and dialysis access problems should be assessed early.’

Doctors say patients should seek help when symptoms keep returning, including burning stomach acid, painful swelling, visible painful veins, wounds that fail to heal, uncontrolled sugar or blood pressure, or weight that affects normal activities.

The Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam is expected to host another similar specialist clinic in September 2026. For many patients, the first consultation may simply help them understand the problem before it becomes an emergency.

Dar es Salaam’s night-time soundscape is increasingly becoming a public health concern, as rising noise from bars, concerts and entertainment venues disrupts sleep, affects productivity and exposes residents to long-term risks such as stress, hypertension and hearing loss.

Across Kinondoni, Ilala, Temeke, Ubungo and Kigamboni districts, residents say loud music has become a regular feature of night life, particularly over weekends and during public entertainment events.

Israeli strikes and gunfire killed ?at least nine people, including a child and a journalist from Al Jazeera, in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, health officials said.

An Israeli airstrike killed four Palestinians, including two women and a child, in an apartment building in Gaza City, health officials said. The attack on the building in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City destroyed the apartment and wounded several other people, medics added.

The Israeli military said it struck a militant, without elaborating.

In another incident, Israeli forces shot and killed a woman ?in Beit Lahiya town further north, medics said. An Israeli airstrike killed at least one person and wounded eight others in Khan Younis, ?south of the enclave.

Later on Saturday, an Israeli airstrike killed three people, medics said, including Ahmed Wishah, a journalist working ?for Al Jazeera, in the Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Al Jazeera said Wishah, a cameraman, was killed in what the network called ?a “heinous crime,” about two months after his brother, Mohammed Wishah, also an Al Jazeera journalist, was killed by the Israeli military.

The Palestinian Journalist Syndicate condemned Wishah’s killing on ?Saturday and called for Israeli leaders to be held accountable for such attacks, which have killed nearly 300 Palestinian journalists since the war began in October 2023.

Israel has often claimed without evidence that the journalists it has targeted in Gaza were linked to militants, including Hamas.

The Israeli military said in a statement it killed a Hamas militant, who posed a ?threat and served as an Al Jazeera photojournalist. It did not provide evidence. It said Wishah served as a “sniper,” adding that he was killed along with ?two other Hamas militants.

It had also accused the brother it killed in April of being a senior Hamas armed operative. Hamas and Al Jazeera denied that Wishah had any with ?the group.

“Al Jazeera Media Network condemns the deliberate killing of its Al Jazeera Mubasher Channel’s cameraman Ahmed Wishah by Israeli occupation forces today, Saturday 20 June, in an Israeli bombardment that targeted a house in the Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip,” Al Jazeera said in a statement.

The latest killing raised the number of Al Jazeera journalists killed by Israel in Gaza since October 2023 to 12, Al Jazeera said.

An October ceasefire has halted major fighting between Hamas and ?Israel, but it has not ended ?Israeli attacks.

Gaza’s health ministry said more ?than 1,010 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire. Militants killed four Israeli soldiers in Gaza over the same period.

Israel says its strikes are aimed at thwarting imminent attacks by Hamas and other militants. Hamas rarely discloses ?information about the deaths of its fighters.

Israel and Hamas remain deadlocked over how to proceed with the next ?stage of U.S. President ?Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, which involves Hamas laying down its arms and Israeli withdrawals.

Talks held by mediators Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and Trump’s Board of Peace envoy for Gaza, Nickolay Mladenov, over the implementation of the second phase of Trump’s Gaza plan, have not yet reached an agreement, sources close to the talks said.

Israel says Hamas must ?cede power ?in Gaza, disarm, and play no role in the future governance of the enclave. Hamas links ?any full disarmament to launching a political track towards establishing a Palestinian state.

Hamas-led fighters killed 1,200 people during their cross-border attack into Israel on October 7, 2023, according to Israeli tallies. The ?Gaza health ministry said more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed in the territory since then.

The population of Gombe National Park’s chimpanzees has fallen by nearly 50 percent since the early years of research by Jane Goodall in the 1960s, raising concerns about the future of one of the world’s best-known primate populations.

From an estimated 150 chimpanzees recorded during the early years of research, the population had fallen to about 77 individuals by 2024, according to Tanzania National Parks (Tanapa).

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) has urged higher learning institutions in Tanzania to learn from leading global universities to enhance international competitiveness, improve academic quality, and strengthen research and innovation.

The regional body also called on universities to deepen collaboration with regional and international institutions, describing partnerships as a key pillar in advancing the higher education sector.