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Iran made preparations to potentially block the strategic Strait of Hormuz following Israel’s missile strike on June 13, according to a Reuters report citing two US officials. The officials revealed that Iran's military loaded naval mines onto vessels operating in the Gulf shortly after the attack. Although the mines were not deployed, their presence indicates Tehran may have seriously considered closing the strait — a move that could have dramatically worsened regional tensions and disrupted global trade. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most vital shipping routes, with nearly 20% of global oil and gas supplies passing through. Any disruption there could cause energy prices to surge worldwide. The report added that it remains unclear whether the mines are still onboard the Iranian vessels. The officials did not specify how the US obtained the intelligence, though such information is usually gathered through satellite surveillance, human intelligence, or both. While Washington acknowledges the possibility that Iran’s actions were a strategic bluff to pressure the US, the officials noted Tehran may also have been preparing for real action if leaders decided to escalate.

A domestic Virgin Australia flight was delayed for two hours after a snake was discovered in the cargo hold, officials reported on Wednesday. The reptile was found on Tuesday while passengers were boarding Flight VA337 at Melbourne Airport, which was headed to Brisbane, according to professional snake catcher Mark Pelley. The snake, a non-venomous green tree snake about 60 centimeters (2 feet) long, initially appeared dangerous in the dim light of the hold, Pelley said. “At first, I thought it might be venomous. It looked threatening until I caught it and realized it wasn’t,” he explained. Australia is home to many of the world’s most venomous snakes, making any unexpected reptile a cause for concern. When Pelley entered the cargo area, the snake was partially concealed behind a panel and risked slipping further into the aircraft. He warned the airline staff and an aircraft engineer that if the snake got away, the entire plane would need to be evacuated. “I told them if I didn’t catch it on the first attempt, it might disappear into the plane, and then we’d need to evacuate and possibly dismantle parts of the aircraft to find it,” Pelley said. “Luckily, I was able to grab it immediately. Otherwise, we might still be taking apart a Boeing 737 trying to track it down.” Pelley mentioned that he spent 30 minutes driving to the airport and experienced further delays due to security procedures before reaching the aircraft. A representative for the airline confirmed the incident delayed the flight by approximately two hours. Since the green tree snake is native to Brisbane, Pelley suspects it hitched a ride in a passenger’s luggage during the flight from Brisbane to Melbourne and escaped afterward. Due to quarantine rules, the snake cannot be released back into the wild. As a protected species, it has been handed over to a Melbourne veterinarian who will arrange for it to be rehomed with a licensed snake keeper.      

US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has accepted the "necessary conditions" to finalise a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said all sides would work together to end the war during the proposed pause in fighting, though he did not elaborate on the specific terms. "The Qataris and Egyptians have worked tirelessly to help achieve peace and will deliver the final proposal. I hope Hamas accepts it, because there won't be a better offer — only worse," Trump warned. Israel launched its Gaza offensive following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, which killed around 1,200 people in Israel. Since then, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza claims at least 56,647 people have died. It remains uncertain if Hamas will accept the proposed ceasefire terms. Trump's remarks come ahead of his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, where Trump has pledged to take a tough stance. He also expressed confidence that Netanyahu wants to end the conflict. Meanwhile, Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer is in Washington for talks with US officials including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Vice President JD Vance. International charities, NGOs call for end to controversial Israeli-backed aid group in Gaza Although international mediators have intensified efforts to secure a truce and hostage release, negotiations between Israel and Hamas have so far stalled. Israel insists the war will not end until Hamas is dismantled, while Hamas demands a permanent ceasefire and Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. Roughly 50 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with at least 20 believed to be alive. Trump’s announcement comes as Israel expands military operations in northern Gaza, where 20 Palestinians were reportedly killed in an airstrike on a Gaza City café on Monday. The Israeli military also said it is reviewing reports that civilians were harmed while approaching aid centres run by the US- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Over 170 NGOs have called for GHF’s closure, accusing Israeli forces of firing on Palestinians seeking aid — a claim Israel denies, insisting the group is vital to bypass Hamas's influence over aid. 74 killed in Gaza as Israeli strikes hit cafe, aid seekers shot A previous ceasefire agreement collapsed in March after Israel launched renewed strikes, calling them preemptive actions against Hamas's military build-up. That deal, which began on January 19, included plans for a permanent ceasefire, prisoner exchanges, and Israeli troop withdrawal, but only the initial phase was implemented. Source: BBC 

Hurricane Flossie intensified into a Category 2 storm off Mexico’s Pacific coastline on Tuesday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The hurricane is packing maximum sustained winds of 100 mph (155 kph), with rainfall already affecting parts of Mexico’s coastal regions. As of the latest update, Flossie was located approximately 150 miles (245 kilometers) southwest of Manzanillo. Russian drone strike kills a married couple and injures 17 others, Ukraine says The storm is currently moving northwest at a speed of 10 mph (17 kph) and is expected to maintain this trajectory over the coming days. Forecasters predict the system will move away from southwestern Mexico by Tuesday night. Further strengthening is anticipated, with Flossie likely to reach major hurricane status — defined as Category 3 or higher, with sustained winds of at least 111 mph (180 kph) — as early as Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.  

A Danish national suspected of gathering intelligence on Jewish individuals and locations in Berlin on behalf of Iranian authorities has been arrested in Denmark, German prosecutors said Tuesday. The suspect, identified only as Ali S. in accordance with German privacy laws, was detained last Thursday in the Danish city of Aarhus, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. He is accused of working for an Iranian intelligence agency, which allegedly tasked him earlier this year with collecting information on “Jewish sites and specific Jewish individuals” in Berlin. Prosecutors say he conducted surveillance on three properties in June, which they believe may have been part of preparations for additional intelligence operations or potential attacks on Jewish targets in Germany. "If these suspicions are confirmed, we are facing a deeply alarming operation," said German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig, adding that the protection of Jewish communities remains a top priority for the German government. Denmark reiterates support for 'peaceful, democratic, equitable' Bangladesh  Following a brief but intense conflict between Israel and Iran in June, German security agencies increased protective measures for Jewish and Israeli establishments across the country. The suspect’s arrest followed intelligence shared by Germany’s domestic security service. He is expected to be extradited to Germany, where a judge will decide whether he remains in custody while formal charges are prepared. The exact timeline for his extradition remains unclear. In response to the incident, Germany summoned Iranian Ambassador Majid Nili Ahmadabadi to its Foreign Ministry. The Iranian Embassy in Berlin dismissed the allegations as “unfounded and dangerous,” claiming they are part of a deliberate attempt to distract from Israel’s recent military actions against Iran and the deaths of Iranian citizens. Germany, a close ally of Israel, has long had strained relations with Tehran. Nevertheless, it remains one of the European nations engaged in diplomatic efforts regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Relations worsened further in October, when Germany ordered the closure of all three Iranian consulates following Tehran’s announcement of the execution of Jamshid Sharmahd — an Iranian-German national living in the United States who was abducted by Iranian security forces in Dubai in 2020. Iran's embassy in Berlin now remains its only diplomatic mission in the country.

Iran on Tuesday acknowledged significant damage to several key nuclear sites following Israeli and US airstrikes, though Tehran left the door open for possible talks with Washington over its nuclear program. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani confirmed that Iran’s Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear facilities were “seriously damaged” in the strikes, according to state news agency IRNA. Her remarks mark a rare public admission from Iranian authorities, as the scale of destruction from the 12-day conflict with Israel continues to emerge. Despite the damage, Mohajerani suggested Tehran has not ruled out diplomacy with the United States. “No date has been set for US talks, and it probably won’t be very soon, but no final decision has been made,” she told reporters. The conflict, which erupted on June 13, saw Israeli fighter jets repeatedly strike Iran, including its ballistic missile stockpiles and upper ranks of the Revolutionary Guard. Israel claimed the attacks targeted nuclear facilities to prevent Tehran from developing atomic weapons — a claim Iran denies. US intelligence and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have said Iran halted its organized nuclear weapons program in 2003. However, Tehran continues to enrich uranium up to 60%, just below the 90% weapons-grade threshold. Israeli airstrike on Iran’s Evin Prison raises fears for political prisoners Iran revises death toll, claims ‘victory’ Iranian officials also sharply increased the reported death toll from the conflict. Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said 935 Iranians were killed, including 38 children and 102 women, according to IRNA. Jahangir accused Israel of trying to destabilize Iran by assassinating military leaders and scientists, but insisted the country emerged victorious, echoing similar claims by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Independent groups have provided higher casualty estimates. The US-based Human Rights Activists group reported at least 1,190 deaths, including 436 civilians and 435 security personnel, with more than 4,400 others wounded. Nuclear facility assessments underway Meanwhile, satellite images indicate Iran is assessing the aftermath of the June 22 US strikes on its nuclear sites. Planet Labs imagery shows trucks, cranes, and excavation equipment at Fordo, a heavily fortified facility built under a mountain southwest of Tehran. Images suggest Iranian officials may have taken steps to protect or remove sensitive materials before the attack, though Tehran has not provided full details. The IAEA has previously warned that its inspectors lost “continuity of knowledge” regarding Iran's nuclear activities, raising concerns about undisclosed materials or sites. Iran says its Atomic Energy Organization is preparing to release a full damage report. Internal divisions grow over possible US talks Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also left the door open for dialogue with Washington, but the idea faces strong opposition from hard-liners within Iran. Iran could resume uranium enrichment within months: IAEA Hossein Shariatmadari, managing editor of Iran's hard-line Kayhan newspaper and a close ally of Khamenei, dismissed any suggestion of negotiations, saying, “Being a traitor or being foolish are two sides of the same coin.” Kayhan has also sparked international condemnation for suggesting IAEA chief Rafael Mariano Grossi should face trial and execution if he visits Iran. Source: Agency 

Thailand's Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office, pending an investigation into allegations that she breached ethical standards during a leaked phone conversation with a senior Cambodian leader regarding a border dispute. Paetongtarn, who has faced mounting criticism over her handling of the dispute that escalated into an armed clash on May 28, allegedly appeared overly submissive to Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen during the call. The confrontation resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The leaked audio, intended to ease tensions, instead provoked widespread backlash, sparking public protests and accusations that Paetongtarn compromised national interests. The court voted unanimously to examine the complaint and, by a 7-2 margin, decided to suspend Paetongtarn with immediate effect while the investigation is underway. She has been granted 15 days to present her defense. Following the court's decision, Paetongtarn defended her actions, stating, "I only thought of ways to avoid conflict and prevent casualties among soldiers." She also expressed regret to those upset over the leaked conversation and left Government House shortly after. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit has been appointed as acting prime minister, said Chousak Sirinil, minister in the prime minister's office. The suspension comes amid political unrest and growing dissatisfaction with Paetongtarn and her Pheu Thai party. Critics have labeled her government’s performance as disappointing, while Thailand faces economic challenges. Thailand banning cannabis sales without prescription 3yrs after decriminalisation The leaked phone call added fuel to the controversy. In it, Paetongtarn urged Hun Sen — a close ally of her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra — to disregard criticism from a Thai regional army commander, referring to him as "an opponent." The remarks angered nationalists and conservatives, triggering protests in Bangkok demanding her resignation. Paetongtarn also faces a separate investigation by another state agency over the leaked call, which could lead to her removal. Her suspension has drawn parallels to previous political turmoil in Thailand, where courts and unelected institutions have frequently intervened against elected leaders. Both her father Thaksin, ousted in a 2006 coup, and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, removed by court order in 2014, experienced similar fates. “This recurring cycle of political instability will continue unless Thailand enacts genuine democratic reforms to curb the power of unelected institutions,” said Purawich Watanasukh, a political science lecturer at Thammasat University. Meanwhile, Thaksin, a polarizing figure in Thai politics, appeared in court Tuesday over a 2015 defamation case involving the monarchy. He also faces scrutiny over his controversial return to Thailand in 2023, when he was granted clemency on corruption charges after avoiding prison. The Shinawatra family's influence, once firmly rooted among Thailand's rural and working-class supporters, has shown signs of weakening. Many of Thaksin’s former supporters were disillusioned after his behind-the-scenes deal with conservatives, which sidelined the reformist Move Forward Party despite its election victory. Thailand to tighten cannabis rules amid rise in smuggling Thailand's courts, especially the Constitutional Court, are widely viewed as protectors of the royalist establishment, often accused of using legal mechanisms to undermine political rivals. Source: Agency 

Russia’s former deputy defense minister, Timur Ivanov, was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Tuesday after being found guilty of embezzlement and money laundering in a high-profile corruption case that has highlighted deep-rooted graft within the Russian military — a factor many blame for Moscow’s failures on the battlefield in Ukraine. Ivanov, 49, is the most prominent figure caught up in an extensive investigation into military corruption that has implicated several senior officials linked to former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Despite the crackdown on his associates, Shoigu, a longtime ally of President Vladimir Putin, retained his political influence and was recently appointed as the head of Russia’s Security Council. Appointed as deputy defense minister in 2016, Ivanov was responsible for overseeing military construction, property management, housing, and medical support for armed forces personnel. His extravagant lifestyle sparked public anger in Russia, particularly as the war in Ukraine revealed significant shortcomings in military logistics and organization that contributed to Russia’s military struggles. Russian drone strike kills a married couple and injures 17 others, Ukraine says Ivanov was arrested in April 2024 and has been in detention since. On Tuesday, Moscow City Court convicted him of embezzling 3.9 billion rubles — approximately $50 million — which he has denied. In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered the seizure of his assets, which reportedly include luxury real estate and a valuable collection of vintage cars. Ivanov’s legal team announced plans to appeal the verdict. He has also been placed under sanctions by both the United States and the European Union for his involvement in Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.    

The escalating war of words between billionaire Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump over tax breaks and government spending cuts has intensified, with Musk hinting at launching a new political party and Trump lashing out at the Tesla CEO over electric vehicle subsidies. The primary flashpoint in their clash is the President's sweeping tax and spending bill. Musk has sharply criticized the legislation, which Republican senators are currently scrambling to push through, warning that it would harm jobs and stifle emerging industries. Musk, who also heads SpaceX, took to X on Saturday, describing the bill as “political suicide for the Republican Party.” As the Senate endured a marathon overnight session stretching into Tuesday, Musk ramped up his rhetoric, pledging to campaign against lawmakers who back the legislation. “Every member of Congress who ran on cutting government spending and then turned around to vote for the biggest debt increase in U.S. history should hang their heads in shame,” Musk posted on X. “They will lose their primary next year if it’s the last thing I do on this Earth.” The post attracted significant attention, garnering 26 million views. Just hours later, Musk went a step further, declaring his intention to establish a new political movement if the bill becomes law. Trump orders review to toughen US policy on Cuba “If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be launched the next day,” Musk wrote. “Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so the people finally have a real VOICE.” His statement about forming the America Party quickly went viral, amassing 32 million views on X. Meanwhile, Trump, via his social platform Truth Social, directed his criticism at Musk’s reliance on electric vehicle mandates and subsidies. Trump emphasized that he has always opposed forcing people to adopt electric vehicles. “Elon probably receives more subsidies than any person in history by a huge margin, and without those subsidies, he’d likely have to pack up Tesla and head back to South Africa,” Trump wrote. The President further argued that eliminating such subsidies could lead to major national savings. “No more rocket launches, satellites, or electric vehicle production — our country could save a FORTUNE,” Trump added. “Maybe DOGE should take a long, hard look at this? BIG MONEY TO BE SAVED!!!” Later, speaking to reporters from the White House lawn before departing for Florida, Trump suggested Musk’s aggressive stance stems from concerns over losing EV subsidies. “He’s very upset. You know, he could lose a lot more than that, I can tell you that right now,” Trump remarked. “Elon can lose a lot more than that.” Senate votes on amendments to Trump’s big bill ahead of July 4 deadline The President also issued a veiled warning to Musk, referencing the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which Musk once led. “DOGE could be the monster that turns around and eats Elon,” Trump warned.  

The Royal Train, a symbol of Britain’s monarchy for over a century and a half, is set to be retired as part of King Charles III’s efforts to modernize and reduce royal spending, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday. The decision, marking the end of a tradition that began with Queen Victoria in 1869, comes amid rising maintenance costs and the need for significant upgrades to meet modern rail standards. Palace officials confirmed the train will be taken out of service before its current maintenance agreement expires in 2027. James Chalmers, who oversees royal finances, said the move reflects the monarchy’s shift toward financial discipline and modernization. “As we move forward, we must not be held back by tradition,” he said, noting that many parts of the royal household have adapted to reflect the needs of today’s world. The Royal Train, made up of nine carriages that are pulled by standard locomotives, has served generations of monarchs on official journeys. Its decommissioning was revealed during the palace’s annual financial briefing. Despite the move, the royal household will continue to receive £86.3 million ($118 million) from public funds for the fourth consecutive year, including £34.5 million earmarked for the continued renovation of Buckingham Palace. This funding comes from the Sovereign Grant, which allocates 12% of profits from the Crown Estate to support the monarchy’s official duties. The Crown Estate is a vast portfolio of properties technically owned by the monarch but managed independently, with all profits going to the Treasury. The Sovereign Grant was introduced in 2012 to replace older forms of royal funding. While the grant has remained static, palace officials highlighted that inflation has reduced its real value. Had it been adjusted for inflation, the grant would have totaled around £106 million this year. Additional income of £21.5 million ($29.5 million) was generated from royal properties not part of the Crown Estate, with increased revenue attributed to a record number of visitors to Buckingham Palace, especially tours of the newly refurbished East Wing. Constitutional expert Craig Prescott of Royal Holloway, University of London, argued that royal funding remains modest relative to overall government spending and brings global attention to the U.K. He pointed out that major events like Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and King Charles III’s coronation have drawn unprecedented international focus. Over the past year, the king visited Australia and attended his first Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa. The royal family also played key roles in commemorations marking the 80th anniversaries of D-Day and V-E Day and hosted state visits by leaders of Japan and Qatar. In total, royal family members carried out around 1,900 official engagements in the U.K. and abroad. Royal palaces hosted 828 events, welcoming approximately 93,000 guests.