US-Iran talks over $6bn Iranian assets to restart

• The United States and Iran have reached a preliminary agreement to pause hostilities and strikes in West Asia to prevent further escalation. • U.S. envoys Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with mediators in Doha, Qatar, though Qatari officials clarified that no direct talks between the U.S. and Iran are currently taking place.

• The United States is reportedly accelerating its withdrawal from European security commitments following a diplomatic rift regarding support for the U.S.-Israeli conflict against Iran. • An upcoming NATO summit in Turkey is expected to serve as a pivotal transition point for the alliance's structure and strategic direction.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a renewed global commitment to combat terrorism by addressing its root causes rather than relying solely on security measures. • Guterres warned that terrorist threats are evolving, emphasizing that a rights-based approach is essential to prevent radicalization and ensure long-term stability.

• Internal power struggles within the Iranian regime have intensified as rival factions clash over the direction of the country's nuclear talks. • The conflict has escalated beyond foreign policy disagreements, evolving into a bitter battle for political influence at the highest levels of government.

• Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler stated that NATO is adapting to a changing security environment rather than facing a crisis. • Guler dismissed concerns regarding a U.S. exit from the alliance, asserting that Washington is seeking better burden-sharing from European allies rather than withdrawal.

• Iran and the United States are scheduled to hold diplomatic talks in Doha, Qatar, on June 29, 2026. • The primary objective of the meeting is to discuss the specific implementation details of a previously established US-Iran memorandum of understanding.

• The European Union is implementing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), shifting the focus of global energy competition from physical resources to regulatory frameworks. • While traditional energy diplomacy centered on securing oil fields, gas reserves, and pipelines, CBAM introduces environmental regulations as a tool for geopolitical influence.

• The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) convened for a two-day session on June 30, 2026, to discuss critical governance and human rights issues. • The session focused on the obligation of governments to guarantee children's rights to survival, development, and protection from violence, exploitation, and discrimination.

Justices to consider whether bans on AR-15s and similar semi-automatic firearms violate second amendmentThe US supreme court will consider whether bans on semi-automatic rifles, often called assault weapons, violate the second amendment.The justices said Tuesday they will hear appeals challenging bans on the AR-15 and similar semi-automatic firearms in Connecticut and the Chicago area. Continue reading...

Tournament’s serving machine can deliver balls in the style of anyone from John McEnroe to Elina SvitolinaCould you return Emma Raducanu’s 110mph serve, or receive a 145mph stroke from Andy Murray? What about Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard’s 153mph torpedo, which broke Wimbledon records last year?This year’s tournament attendees have had the opportunity to try their luck on the court, facing off against a robotic serving machine rather than their tennis heroes. Continue reading...

The vessel, thought to have been carrying 10 people, did not issue a mayday call before sinking in the strait of GeorgiaSearch teams in Canada have launched a recovery effort for six people believed to have drowned in a “bizarre” sinking of a fishing charter off the coast of Vancouver.Police and rescue crews praised a couple who were passing in their yacht for making a critical mayday call and saving stranded passengers by pulling them onboard their craft. Continue reading...

Parliament comments follow investigation revealing how man was tried at court martial on US airbaseDavid Lammy, the deputy prime minister, is raising with the US government the “extremely concerning” case of an American fighter pilot who avoided a trial under English law for strangling a woman at his home in Cambridge.Lammy, who is also the justice secretary, told parliament on Tuesday that he wanted the US government to give a full account of the case of Sarah Steele, an academic who was assaulted by the pilot. Continue reading...