Afghanistan’s Taliban government has ordered a nationwide ban on smartphones for civil servants, including judges, from June 16, with violators punished. Rights activists warn the move may further restrict access to information.
The US and Iran disagree over whether Tehran agreed to “infinite” nuclear inspections and whether frozen assets will be released, raising doubts about a fragile war-ending deal.
The US Treasury issued a general licence to authorise Iranian oil sales until August 21, linked to Iran’s commitments on IAEA inspections and free transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Thirteen people died and dozens were injured in a blast during restart work at Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG complex. Officials called it a technical accident, with exports unaffected.
India is in talks with the UAE to sell the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile and air defence system Akashteer, as Abu Dhabi expands procurement after recent attacks.
Keir Starmer resigned as Britain’s prime minister after criticism over indecision and a lack of clear vision. His exit clears the way for Labour’s next leader, likely Andy Burnham.
White House AI policy adviser Sriram Krishnan says he will leave his role at the end of June. His exit comes amid US AI regulation efforts, cybersecurity tests, and security tensions.
President Donald Trump said he hasn’t received word that Iran will suspend talks with the US, after reports Iran halted indirect negotiations. Trump said silence is acceptable and denied plans to escalate.
Iran’s top negotiator and foreign minister met Qatar’s prime minister in Doha to discuss a potential US-backed peace framework. Talks center on opening the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s uranium stockpile, and possible release of frozen funds.
Trump said he asked multiple countries to sign the Abraham Accords en masse to normalize with Israel, tying it to negotiations to end the war with Iran. He said talks with Iran are “proceeding nicely.”
