World News
G7 leaders' June summit to include India, Brazil, Kenya, not China: Elysee
France invites India, Brazil, South Korea and Kenya to G7 summit as it pushes to fix global imbalances amid energy shocks and geopolitical uncertainty
 "G7 leaders' June summit to include India, Brazil, Kenya, not China: Elysee")
Iran must act fast to salvage talks before 'it's too late', warns Trump
A day earlier, Iran said it had reviewed the ceasefire framework proposed by Trump but found the terms unacceptable
 "Iran must act fast to salvage talks before 'it's too late', warns Trump")
Pentagon considers redirecting Ukraine military aid to West Asia: Report
The weapons that could be redirected include air defense interceptor missiles purchased through a NATO initiative launched last year, under which partner countries buy US arms for Kyiv
 "Pentagon considers redirecting Ukraine military aid to West Asia: Report")
Oil rises as investors reassess West Asia ceasefire prospects
Oil jumps over 3% as Middle East tensions threaten supply, with Hormuz disruption and global outages intensifying fears of a prolonged energy crisis
 "Oil rises as investors reassess West Asia ceasefire prospects")
Israel media claims Iran Naval commander killed, no confirmation from Iran
Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, Alireza Tangsiri was responsible for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz
 "Israel media claims Iran Naval commander killed, no confirmation from Iran")
Tanker carrying Russian oil hit by drone in Black Sea near Turkey
The attack, just outside Turkish territorial waters, likely aimed to disable the engine room in the Sierra Leone-flagged vessel that was carrying Russian oil
 "Tanker carrying Russian oil hit by drone in Black Sea near Turkey")
Why Bangladesh PM Rahman's post on 1971 genocide puts revisionism to rest
Tarique Rahman's Genocide Day post names Pakistan's role, signalling a shift in Bangladesh's narrative amid Yunus-era revisionism and evolving ties with Islamabad
 "Why Bangladesh PM Rahman's post on 1971 genocide puts revisionism to rest")
Iran, US harden their positions as Tehran keeps grip on Strait of Hormuz
Tehran moved to formalise its control over the crucial Strait of Hormuz while Washington prepared for the arrival of US combat forces in the region
 "Iran, US harden their positions as Tehran keeps grip on Strait of Hormuz")
SE Asia revisits nuclear power plans for AI data centres amid Iran war
The Iran war is underscoring the vulnerability of Asia's energy supplies, raising the sense of urgency about finding alternatives to oil and gas in Southeast Asia
 "SE Asia revisits nuclear power plans for AI data centres amid Iran war")
US court sides with Trump admin on detaining immigrants without bond
A US appeals court panel in St Louis overturned a lower court ruling that required a Mexican national arrested for lacking legal documents to be granted a bond hearing before an immigration judge
 "US court sides with Trump admin on detaining immigrants without bond")
Asian stocks fall, oil climbs over Iran war de-escalation uncertainties
Tokyo's Nikkei 225 was trading 0.3 per cent lower at 53,607.75. South Korea's Kospi lost 1.9 per cent to 5,537.30
 "Asian stocks fall, oil climbs over Iran war de-escalation uncertainties")
Iran working on draft law to introduce tolls for passage via Hormuz
The narrow waterway has been all but closed since US and Israeli strikes on Iran began almost a month ago, and has become a focal point of the war
 "Iran working on draft law to introduce tolls for passage via Hormuz")
USS Abraham Lincoln continues ops against Iranian targets: US Centcom
Iranian Navy issued another direct warning to the United States, stating that its aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln, is being closely monitored and faces potential strikes
 "USS Abraham Lincoln continues ops against Iranian targets: US Centcom")
US DOJ settles lawsuit from Trump ally Michael Flynn for $1.2 million
The settlement resolves a 2023 lawsuit in which Flynn sought at least $50 million and asserted that the criminal case against him amounted to a malicious prosecution
 "US DOJ settles lawsuit from Trump ally Michael Flynn for $1.2 million")
US hits 10k targets in Iran war, including two-thirds of munition plants
If you combine what we've accomplished with the success of our Israeli ally, together, we have struck thousands more, said US Navy Adm. Brad Cooper
 "US hits 10k targets in Iran war, including two-thirds of munition plants")
US circulates 15-point peace plan while sending troops to West Asia
The 2,000 paratroopers heading to the region may give President Trump more leverage in negotiations, but they also leave him with the option of doubling down on military force
 "US circulates 15-point peace plan while sending troops to West Asia")
Gulf airspace closures leave travellers stranded and bleeding cash
Some people booked on Gulf carriers have described hours on hold to reach customer service, repeated cancellations with little explanation and automatic refunds without rebooking options
 "Gulf airspace closures leave travellers stranded and bleeding cash")
US troop movements raise fears of a risky ground attack on Iran
Iran has publicly rejected Trump's diplomatic outreach and threatened massive retaliation if the US does put boots on the ground in a bid to break Tehran's will
 "US troop movements raise fears of a risky ground attack on Iran")
No one wants Iran's top job, fears being killed by US, says Trump
Trump, while delivering remarks at the NRCC Annual Fundraising Dinner, said that there has never been a head of a country who wanted that job less than being the head of Iran
Hormuz route opened for friendly countries, including India: Iran
Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai said in a post, "Iran FM Abbas Araghchi: We permitted passage through the Strait of Hormuz for friendly nations including China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan"