Oxford University Press will stop publishing the Chinese-funded journal Forensic Sciences Research by the end of 2025 due to ethical concerns. The journal, backed by China’s Ministry of Justice, faced criticism for publishing research involving DNA from Uyghur minorities, raising questions about consent and surveillance. One controversial study used blood samples from Uyghurs in Xinjiang, with ties to Chinese security forces. Though an “Expression of Concern” was issued, the original paper remains unretracted, prompting OUP to sever ties over human rights concerns.

Ukraine has launched a gamified military initiative called "E-Points," where soldiers earn points—and rewards—for destroying Russian troops and equipment via drones. Inspired by video game mechanics, the system incentivizes strategic kills: 50 points for a rocket launcher, 40 for a tank, and so on. Each drone strike is recorded and analyzed in Kyiv for accuracy and reward allocation. While some soldiers find it motivating, others criticize it as a reflection of a distorted wartime mindset. The program is led by Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

The UK government has announced plans to grant voting rights to 16 and 17-year-olds, marking a significant shift in the country’s democratic structure, pending parliamentary approval.

Currently, these age groups can vote in local elections in Scotland and Wales. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said the move aims to broaden democratic participation. The proposal also includes acceptance of digital voter IDs, stricter checks on political donations to prevent foreign interference, and closing loopholes related to shell companies. Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus had earlier suggested lowering Bangladesh's voting age to 17 in a similar spirit.

US President Donald Trump has advised Ukraine against launching strikes on Moscow, countering earlier reports that claimed he encouraged attacks inside Russia. According to the White House, Trump’s comments were exploratory rather than directive. He has issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russia to end the war or face 100% tariffs on its exports. Simultaneously, Trump pledged continued military assistance to Ukraine.

Frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin, former US President Donald Trump has issued a 50-day ultimatum to end the war in Ukraine, warning of imposing 100% sanctions on Russia if hostilities continue. In a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump reportedly asked whether Ukraine could strike Moscow and St. Petersburg, to which Zelensky responded affirmatively if supplied with adequate weapons. Trump also pledged to provide Ukraine with the Patriot missile defense system. Meanwhile, Russia warned that Trump’s aggressive rhetoric could prolong the war and escalate tensions. Analysts believe Trump’s shift in strategy stems from failed negotiations and Putin’s stubborn stance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a major government reshuffle over three years into Russia’s invasion. He has proposed Finance Minister Yulia Svyrydenko as the new Prime Minister and plans to appoint current Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal as Defense Minister. The reshuffle comes amid military setbacks and intensified Russian airstrikes. Zelensky emphasized the need for fresh energy in leadership and a renewed focus on the war effort, economy, and defense. Parliamentary approval is required, but backing is likely.

A recent report claiming that North Korea plans to deploy 30,000 troops to support Russia in its war against Ukraine has been dismissed by Ukraine’s military intelligence agency.

Ukrainian officials stated they have found no evidence to support the claim of such a large-scale deployment. However, they acknowledged receiving information suggesting that a smaller force of approximately 1,500 to 3,000 North Korean troops, along with 50 to 100 military units, could be sent between July and August.

North Korea has already been providing military support to Russia, including weapons, and the two countries have recently strengthened defense cooperation through bilateral agreements.

A small aircraft, identified as a Beechcraft B200 model, crashed shortly after taking off from Southend Airport in Essex, UK, on Sunday afternoon around 4 PM local time.

Eyewitnesses reported that the plane broke apart moments after takeoff and was engulfed in flames following an explosion. Emergency services responded quickly, but as of now, there is no confirmed information on casualties. Firefighters are working to bring the blaze under control, and the airport has been closed indefinitely. The aircraft was reportedly en route to the Netherlands.

Following the UK government's decision to ban the pro-Palestinian group "Palestine Action," protests erupted in London, Manchester, and Cardiff. More than 70 people were arrested, including 41 in London, 16 in Manchester, and 13 in Cardiff, mostly for expressing support for the outlawed organization. Meanwhile, in Gaza, 110 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes within 24 hours, including 34 in an attack on a food distribution center. Hamas condemned the attack, calling for the closure of GHF (Gaza Humanitarian Facility) and urging international intervention.

A group of 59 Labour MPs in the UK has sent a letter to the Foreign Secretary demanding recognition of Palestine as a sovereign state and an immediate end to the genocide in Gaza. Organized by “Labour Friends of Palestine,” the letter denounces Israeli plans to build a tent city in Rafah under the guise of humanitarian aid as a form of forced displacement and ethnic cleansing. The MPs called for the reinstatement of UNRWA funding, the release of hostages, and a trade embargo on Israeli goods from the West Bank, arguing that failure to recognize Palestine undermines the UK's two-state policy.

Scientists from University College London and the University of Cambridge have developed a new type of electric skin that enables robots to feel touch, temperature changes, and even pain. Made from a soft gelatin-based material, this artificial skin uses a single multi-modal sensor to detect various external stimuli. Although not yet as perfect as human skin, researchers say it's more advanced than any existing technology. The innovation could lead to more sensitive and interactive robots in the future.

The UK government has designated the pro-Palestinian activist group ‘Palestine Action’ as a terrorist organization following symbolic protests at a military base involving red paint splashed on two planes at RAF Brize Norton. In the House of Commons, 385 MPs voted in favor of the motion, while 26 opposed it. Among those supporting the measure were MPs Tulip Siddiq, daughter of Sheikh Rehana, and Rushanara Ali. Opposition votes included Apsana Begum. The United Nations and human rights organizations have expressed concern over the decision.

Ukraine has announced its decision to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines, citing national security needs and the ongoing Russian invasion. The move requires parliamentary approval and UN notification. Other Eastern European nations — including Finland, Poland, and the Baltics — are also stepping away from the treaty, citing modern warfare realities. Analysts suggest these countries may begin producing and stockpiling landmines by 2025, further intensifying militarization along NATO’s eastern front.

Leonid Pasechnik, the Russian-appointed official in Ukraine's Luhansk region, has claimed that Russian forces now fully control the territory. If confirmed, Luhansk would be the first Ukrainian region entirely under Russian control since the full-scale invasion began over three years ago. The area was one of four regions Russia claimed to annex in September 2022. Earlier on June 20, President Putin reiterated his ambition to absorb all of Ukraine into Russia.