Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, resurfaced publicly for the first time since the Iran-Israel ceasefire, claiming a “victory” over Israel and a symbolic blow to the US. In a video speech, he accused Washington of stepping in only to save Israel from collapse and condemned its role in attacking Iran’s Fordow nuclear site. The remarks followed a retaliatory Iranian missile strike on a US base in Qatar. Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament moved to suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, deepening tensions over Iran’s nuclear future.
NORTH KOREA UNVEILS BEACH RESORT
North Korea is set to open the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist zone next week, marking a rare development aimed at reviving its economy through tourism. The 4-kilometre stretch features hotels, restaurants, and a water park, with capacity for 20,000 guests annually. Leader Kim Jong-un, joined by his wife and daughter, called it a major success. Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora’s presence suggests Moscow may be first to access the resort, reflecting growing North Korea-Russia ties. While foreign tourism remains limited, the regime’s investment signals a renewed push to court international visitors amid ongoing sanctions and isolation.
SHUKLA MAKES HISTORY IN SPACE
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS), marking a historic milestone 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s spaceflight. Aboard the Axiom-4 mission launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Shukla joined a multinational crew for a two-week stay. The commercial mission, backed by ISRO and SpaceX, will conduct 60 scientific experiments, including seven from India. Shukla’s experience is expected to shape India’s Gaganyaan mission in 2027 and long-term space goals. A toy swan named Joy also accompanies the crew as a zero-gravity indicator.
EU LEADERS PUSH ISRAEL’S ACCOUNTABILITY
At a pivotal one-day summit in Brussels, EU leaders confronted multiple global crises, including the Israel-Iran conflict, the humanitarian emergency in Gaza, and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia spearheaded a call for “real pressure” on Israel to address the escalating situation in Gaza. Discussions also touched on tariffs, migration, climate targets under the Green Deal, and concerns over EU-US ties in the Trump era. The summit reflects the EU’s struggle to maintain unity amid growing geopolitical instability and humanitarian urgency, especially with divisions deepening over foreign policy and defense.
INDIA SNUBS SCO JOINT STATEMENT
India refused to sign the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) joint statement, objecting to its perceived bias toward Pakistan and omission of the April 22 terror attack in Kashmir that killed 26 Indian tourists. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh argued that the draft aligned with Pakistan’s narrative and ignored India’s key concerns on cross-border terrorism. Though Singh didn’t directly name Pakistan, he urged the SCO to condemn states using terrorism as a policy tool. The move underscores rising India-Pakistan tensions and reflects broader friction within the China-led bloc, particularly as Beijing seeks to expand its geopolitical influence through platforms like the SCO.
