A British Royal Navy F-35B stealth fighter jet remains grounded in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 19 days after an emergency landing due to adverse weather. Repeated repair attempts by British engineers have failed, and the UK is now considering transporting the aircraft back using a C-17 cargo plane—a rare move. The fifth-generation fighter was returning from joint exercises with the Indian Navy in the Indo-Pacific region. The aircraft remains under Indian security supervision while arrangements are made.

An Iranian missile strike on June 15 reportedly "completely destroyed" the Weizmann Institute of Science, a prominent Israeli military-affiliated research facility located south of Tel Aviv. The attack damaged at least 45 laboratories, causing an estimated financial loss of $300–570 million. The targeted strike destroyed valuable research data and samples, affecting the work of over 100 researchers.

Saudi Arabia has deployed the U.S.-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system to enhance its air defense capabilities and secure strategic zones. The system, stationed after training in Jeddah, is capable of intercepting short- and medium-range ballistic missiles. However, questions have been raised about its effectiveness, especially in countering missile threats from Iran and Yemen.

India has taken a firm stance against China’s claim that it must approve the Dalai Lama's successor. Speaking at an event in Dharamshala, Indian Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju asserted that the Dalai Lama alone holds the right to determine his spiritual successor. “It is a purely religious matter, and any political interference is unacceptable,” Rijiju said. India reaffirmed that the decision would be made either by the Dalai Lama himself or the Gaden Phodrang Trust, his designated institution.

Recent U.S. airstrikes have reportedly damaged several Iranian nuclear facilities, delaying Tehran's nuclear program by nearly two years, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell. The strikes involved heavy use of bombs and missiles on three key sites. However, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned that Iran could still produce weapons-grade uranium in the coming months, casting doubt on the long-term impact of the strikes. Analysts believe Iran may have hidden enriched uranium before the attacks.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi strongly condemned EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas’s remarks suggesting the JCPOA talks aim to end Iran’s nuclear program. Araghchi argued such statements violate both the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and UN Security Council Resolution 2231, undermining future negotiations with the EU and UK. He emphasized Iran’s right to a peaceful nuclear program and criticized calls for one-sided cooperation with the IAEA, while ignoring threats from Israel and the U.S.

Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf claimed that Tehran dealt a devastating blow to both the aerial and ground forces of Israel during a 12-day conflict. Speaking at a memorial in Tehran on Wednesday, Ghalibaf said Iranian forces began surrounding and dismantling Israel’s military capabilities by the second and third days of the war. He asserted that Iranian ballistic missiles even struck fortified Israeli defense systems—evidence, he said, of Iran’s growing military power. Ghalibaf further claimed that Israel's aggression, backed by the United States, was met with a powerful Iranian response. "Without U.S. support, Israel wouldn’t last a single day," he added.

Microsoft is reportedly preparing to lay off approximately 9,100 employees — about 4% of its global workforce — in what would be its largest job cut since 2023. The layoffs are expected to mainly affect the sales division. This follows a prior round of 6,000 job cuts earlier this year. Once a booming employment sector, the global tech industry has seen repeated layoffs since the COVID-19 pandemic. Microsoft currently employs about 224,000 people. An official announcement is yet to be made.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has admitted that US B-2 bombers inflicted significant damage on the Fordow nuclear facility. While the full extent is still unclear, the installations have reportedly been severely compromised. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization is assessing the losses. Araghchi insisted that bombs cannot destroy scientific progress or peaceful uranium enrichment. The Washington Post, citing intercepted Iranian communications, reported that Tehran is likely downplaying the scale of the damage.

Japan has committed $4.8 million in aid to the Election Commission’s ballot project, implemented under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), ahead of Bangladesh’s national parliamentary elections. The total project cost is $18.53 million. The contract signing ceremony at the Election Commission building in Agargaon was attended by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller, and Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi. Earlier, Australia had pledged $2 million in support. The funds will be used to strengthen the Election Commission’s institutional and technical capacity, enhance voter and civic education, promote participation by women and youth, ensure representation of marginalized groups, and improve electoral transparency.

U.S. intelligence reports have revealed that Iran’s military loaded naval mines in the Persian Gulf last month, although they have not yet been deployed. The information comes amid rising concerns following Israeli strikes across Iran, and fears that Tehran may move to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The strait handles roughly one-fifth of global oil trade, and any disruption could significantly impact global energy markets. While Iran’s parliament has approved a motion to consider the blockade, the final decision rests with its National Security Council. The origin of the U.S. intelligence report has not been disclosed.

On July 1, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of prisoners held in each other’s custody through diplomatic channels, in accordance with the 2008 Consular Access Agreement. Pakistan shared details of 246 Indian detainees — 193 fishermen and 53 others — while India provided a list of 463 Pakistani prisoners — 81 fishermen and 382 others. Pakistan has called for the early release and repatriation of prisoners who have completed their sentences and requested special consular access for those who are physically or mentally unfit. Islamabad has also urged New Delhi to ensure the safety and well-being of all Pakistani prisoners in its custody.

Advisor Asif Mahmud has proposed the establishment of an "Islamic Culture and Language Center" in Bangladesh during a meeting with ICESCO Director-General Dr. Salim M. Al Malik in Rabat, Morocco. Mahmud also sought ICESCO’s support in youth skill development, expansion of smart classrooms, and research initiatives. Dr. Al Malik praised Bangladeshi youth and expressed interest in working in the country’s education, health, and climate sectors. He also discussed the possibility of involving Bangladeshi experts in ICESCO's international programs and launching a microcredit project. The meeting concluded with Mahmud touring the ICESCO museum and expressing hope to establish a similar institution in Bangladesh.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Israel has agreed to the conditions of a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, based on a proposal drafted by his special envoy, Steve Witkoff. “During this period, we will work with all parties to reach a permanent end to the conflict,” Trump stated. However, tensions remain: Israel is seeking the right to resume military operations after the temporary ceasefire, while Hamas demands a guarantee of a permanent truce. Trump praised the mediation roles played by Qatar and Egypt and urged Hamas to accept the proposal. Ahead of his Monday meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, the U.S. has been ramping up pressure on Israel to halt military action.

Istanbul, Turkey — Intense unrest has erupted in Istanbul following allegations that a satirical magazine published a cartoon depicting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The controversy has sparked widespread protests and condemnation across the city.

Turkish authorities have issued an arrest warrant for the editor-in-chief of the satirical magazine Le Man on charges of religious defamation. Additionally, four cartoonists associated with the publication have been detained. The incident has drawn strong criticism from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who described the act as a “vile provocation.”

The magazine’s office was attacked, and protests took place in front of their premises. Police responded by deploying tear gas and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.

In response to the backlash, the editor claimed that the controversial cartoon did not depict Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but rather used the name of a Palestinian child in the image. He emphasized that the cartoon was not intended as religious defamation.