By: Dr Avi Verma

Iran has urged the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to condemn what it called
Israeli attacks on its peaceful nuclear infrastructure, following a recent strike on the Arak
heavy water reactor facility in Khondab County. Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic
Energy Organization of Iran, sent a formal letter to IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi,
criticizing the agency’s “inaction” and demanding an official response to what he described
as violations of international law.

The call comes amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, now entering their seventh
day. Israeli airstrikes launched on June 13 targeted several military and nuclear sites across
Iran, reportedly killing top commanders and nuclear scientists. In retaliation, Iran launched
missile and drone strikes on Israeli targets. A missile struck Soroka Medical Center in
southern Israel on Thursday, injuring at least 71 people. However, Iran’s UN mission claimed
the intended target was a military telecommunications base, not civilian infrastructure.
Iran insisted it remains committed to international humanitarian law, denying any attacks on
non-military sites. The recent attacks have deepened concerns among global observers about
the risk of broader regional escalation and the vulnerability of nuclear facilities during
conflict.

UK moves to allow drilling at North Sea oilfields after court setback

British ministers have reopened the possibility of drilling at two controversial North Sea
oilfields—Rosebank and Jackdaw—by issuing new guidance on how environmental impacts
should be assessed. Energy Security Minister Michael Shanks said the updated framework
provides clarity for developers following a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that blocked the
projects for failing to include downstream emissions in environmental assessments.

The new guidance applies to already licensed oil and gas projects and outlines how emissions
from burning the extracted fuel must be factored in. Shanks emphasized the government’s
goal of balancing energy security with climate commitments, calling it a “managed and
prosperous transition” for the North Sea.

Despite the government’s green ambitions, climate group Uplift warned that the UK will be
94% reliant on imported gas by 2050, even if these fields are approved. Developers Equinor
and Shell welcomed the updated rules, signaling plans to comply and reapply. The move puts
pressure on Labour to align climate goals with energy needs while under scrutiny from both
environmentalists and industry.

Cambodia bans Thai produce and entertainment as border dispute intensifies

Cambodia has banned Thai fruit, vegetables, films, and soap operas amid escalating tensions
over a long-standing border dispute. The conflict reignited in May after a fatal clash near the
Mom Bei area, where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge. In response, Cambodia
imposed trade and media restrictions and shortened visa stays. Tens of thousands rallied in

Phnom Penh in support of the Cambodian government’s stance. Deputy Prime Minister Hun
Many said the people would “stand in united spirit” against threats. Cambodia has asked the
International Court of Justice to intervene, though Thailand prefers bilateral negotiations.
Prime Minister Hun Manet stressed peaceful resolution but vowed to protect Cambodia’s
territorial integrity, while Thailand pledged to safeguard its sovereignty amid growing
nationalist sentiment on both sides.

Flights to Bali canceled after Indonesian volcano spews 10-kilometer ash plume

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted on the island of Flores, Indonesia, spewing an ash
column 10 kilometers high and disrupting air travel to and from Bali. The eruption on
Tuesday prompted officials to raise Indonesia’s disaster alert to the highest level. Virgin
Australia, Jetstar, and Air New Zealand were among airlines canceling flights due to
hazardous ash conditions. Domestic AirAsia flights were also affected. Authorities advised
staying at least 7 kilometers away from the crater and warned of potential lahar floods if
heavy rain occurs. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency reported evacuations from
nearby villages. Residents were urged to wear masks as ashfall was detected outside the
exclusion zone. The volcano last erupted fatally in November 2023.

Measles alert issued in Sydney after infected traveler arrives from Southeast Asia
Health officials in New South Wales have issued a measles alert after a confirmed case
arrived at Sydney International Airport aboard Vietnam Airlines flight VN773 on Monday.
Passengers and airport visitors between 8:00 and 9:30 a.m. are urged to monitor for
symptoms over the next 18 days. Acting public health director Mitchell Smith warned that
early signs include fever, cough, and sore eyes, followed by a spreading rash. Australia has
seen 80 measles cases in 2025, up from 57 last year. Measles is a highly contagious airborne
virus that can lead to serious complications. Vaccination remains the most effective
prevention method, particularly for children and those traveling to regions with active
outbreaks.

United Nations warns of possible famine as hunger deepens in Yemen

The United Nations has warned that famine hotspots could emerge in Yemen in the coming
months, citing widespread acute hunger. The UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs urged immediate action to prevent a humanitarian disaster. On
Wednesday, Yemeni Foreign Minister Shaya Zindani met with UN Resident Coordinator
Julien Harneis to seek greater international support. The 2025 Yemen Humanitarian
Response Plan remains less than 10 percent funded. Yemen’s civil war, ongoing since 2014,
has displaced millions and collapsed public infrastructure. The Saudi-led coalition’s
intervention in 2015 worsened the crisis. Despite years of mediation, peace remains elusive,
and millions remain at risk of malnutrition, disease, and displacement.

UN rights chief urges China to end rights violations in Tibet and Xinjiang

United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk has called on China to end
ongoing rights violations in Tibet and align its policies with international human rights law.
Speaking at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Türk highlighted a
lack of progress on legal reforms in China and ongoing infringements on cultural and civic
rights in Tibet.

“I call for the release of all individuals detained for exercising their rights,” he said, stressing
the need for urgent legal changes. Türk also voiced concern over violations in Xinjiang,
including incommunicado detention and harsh prison terms, as well as Hong Kong’s
shrinking civic space under national security laws.

Türk reiterated that his office continues to engage with Beijing but regrets the lack of
resolution in individual cases raised. He also warned of a broader erosion of international
law, citing the military escalation between Iran and Israel as a growing humanitarian concern
requiring immediate diplomatic intervention.

Russia to exit 1996 defense pact with Germany amid worsening ties

Russia has announced plans to terminate its 1996 military-technical cooperation agreement
with Germany, citing the deal’s irrelevance amid rising diplomatic tensions. The Russian
Foreign Ministry stated Thursday that the agreement no longer reflects the reality of “openly
hostile” German policies and growing militarism from Berlin.

Moscow accused Germany of fueling anti-Russian sentiment and warned that internal
procedures to exit the agreement are already underway. Russia is also preparing retaliatory
measures over what it described as the persecution of a Russian journalist in Berlin. Foreign
Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said German journalists in Moscow are now being
reviewed for potential countermeasures.

The agreement, once a symbol of post-Cold War cooperation, has unraveled since the start of
the Ukraine conflict. Russia accuses Germany of trying to erase Russian media from its
information space and pursuing foreign policy ambitions that undermine Russian security.
The fallout reflects the sharp decline in bilateral relations between the two former strategic
partners.

Czech government survives no-confidence vote over bitcoin donation scandal

The Czech Republic’s coalition government led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala narrowly
survived a no-confidence vote on Wednesday. The motion, triggered by opposition party
ANO, centered on a controversial Bitcoin donation to the Ministry of Justice and received
only 94 votes—seven short of the 101 needed to bring down the government.

The scandal involves a billion-crown Bitcoin donation from a man previously convicted of
drug trafficking. Though Justice Minister Pavel Blazek resigned over the issue, he claimed no
knowledge of illegal activity. Prime Minister Fiala said Blazek acted in good faith but
acknowledged the donation was a misstep.

Opposition leader Andrej Babis accused the government of losing moral credibility and
demanded Finance Minister Zbynek Stanjura’s resignation. Despite the controversy, Fiala
asserted that his government remains stable and continues to enjoy parliamentary support.

Argentina’s ex-president Cristina Fernández to serve corruption sentence
under house arrest

A federal court in Argentina has allowed former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner to
serve her six-year prison sentence for corruption under house arrest in Buenos Aires. Judges
cited her age (72) and security concerns, including a failed assassination attempt in 2022. She
must remain at her registered address unless under exceptional circumstances.

Fernández, who led Argentina from 2007 to 2015, was convicted in 2022 for fraudulently
awarding public contracts to an ally, causing significant financial loss to the state. Last week,
the Supreme Court upheld her conviction and banned her permanently from holding public
office.

The ruling came just days after she launched her legislative campaign, sparking street protests
from her supporters. A polarizing figure in Argentine politics, Fernández has denied the
charges and accused the judiciary of political bias. She still faces additional trials for other
corruption-related offenses.

Israel says Hezbollah commander killed in southern Lebanon airstrike

The Israeli military announced it killed Yassin Abdel Menam Ezz al-Din, a senior Hezbollah
artillery commander in Lebanon’s Litani sector, in an airstrike near Barish. The Israel
Defense Forces (IDF) said he was responsible for repeated rocket fire on northern Israel and
attempts to rebuild Hezbollah’s artillery operations.

The strike comes amid ongoing regional tensions linked to the broader conflict with Iran. The
IDF said al-Din’s actions violated security understandings between Israel and Lebanon.
In a separate operation, the IDF demolished the home of Samer Hussein in the West Bank
village of Einabus. Hussein, linked to Hamas, carried out a 2024 shooting that injured nine
people—four soldiers and five civilians—at the Gitti Avishar intersection in Ariel. Israeli
officials cited the demolition as part of a deterrence strategy.

North Korea fires multiple rockets after US-South Korea-Japan air drills

North Korea fired around 10 multiple rocket launcher shells into the Yellow Sea on Thursday
morning, South Korea’s military said. The launch occurred from the Sunan area near
Pyongyang, just one day after trilateral aerial exercises were held by South Korea, the United
States, and Japan.

The North’s 240mm multiple rocket system is capable of striking Seoul and nearby regions.
Officials say intelligence authorities are analyzing the test, which follows a pattern of
provocative weapons demonstrations in response to joint military drills.

Last month, North Korea also fired cruise missiles after an incident involving a damaged
warship launch. The Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul warned Pyongyang not to misjudge the
security situation and said South Korea maintains strong capabilities to respond to
provocations.

Despite global sanctions banning ballistic missile tests, North Korea continues frequent
launches, while cruise missile launches are typically not announced immediately by the
South.

India and Croatia boost ties across trade, tech and defense

India and Croatia have agreed to strengthen cooperation in key sectors including defense,
pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and digital technology. During high-level meetings in
Zagreb, both countries emphasized enhancing trade, cultural exchange, and people-to-people
ties.

Leaders also discussed building resilient supply chains and deepening collaboration in areas
like shipbuilding, semiconductors, and cybersecurity. The two nations affirmed shared
democratic values and a mutual commitment to diplomacy over conflict.

Croatia expressed solidarity with India following the April terror attack, and both sides
underscored the importance of peace and territorial integrity in global affairs. The visit
marked a major step forward in India’s outreach to European partners.

Bolsonaro accused of running illegal spy network from palace

Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro has been formally accused of overseeing an illegal
spying operation during his presidency. Federal police allege the scheme targeted journalists,
politicians, and environmentalists from 2019 to 2022 through a “parallel” intelligence unit
embedded in Brazil’s official intelligence agency, Abin.

The investigation claims Bolsonaro’s appointee, Alexandre Ramagem, led the surveillance
effort, which reportedly used hacked data to launch online attacks via a secretive media team
inside the presidential palace. Bolsonaro’s son Carlos is also among more than 30 individuals
implicated.

Victims allegedly included Supreme Court justices, lawmakers, and Ibama officials, such as
Hugo Loss, a key Amazon defender. Bolsonaro, who already faces charges over a coup plot,
could be arrested following a Supreme Court ruling. He and Ramagem have denied the
accusations. Carlos Bolsonaro dismissed the charges as political retaliation from President
Lula’s administration.

Australian tech trial to block under-16s from social media faces accuracy
issues

A trial of age-verification technologies aimed at banning under-16s from social media in
Australia has revealed major flaws, according to a preliminary report released Friday. The
study, commissioned by the federal government, tested tools using artificial intelligence,
facial recognition, and voice analysis. Results showed that many tools were only 85%
accurate, with some misidentifying teens as adults.

Experts leading the trial admitted there is no universal solution and that most systems have an
error margin of up to 18 months. Privacy concerns were also raised, as some providers sought
to collect excessive personal data. Despite the limitations, officials insist age assurance can
work with improved safeguards and document verification.

The report comes ahead of the law’s implementation in December. Critics warn that children
may still bypass controls using VPNs or help from older relatives. A final report is expected
in July to guide the Albanese government’s enforcement approach.