Iran accelerates production of near weapons-grade uranium, IAEA says

This evening’s $12 million Lotto Powerball jackpot was not won, rolling over to $15 million for Saturday. A MyLotto player from Napier won $1 million in the First Division draw, while a player from Christchurch celebrated a $200,000 win with Strike Four. The winning numbers were 35, 11, 9, 14, 10, and 6, with a bonus ball of 30 and the Powerball being 10. Full Article

Kenyan free-speech advocates have criticized the arrest of author Webster Ochora Elijah for publishing an unauthorized biography of Charlene Ruto, daughter of President William Ruto. Accused of impersonation for "misusing" her name without permission, he pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. Critics argue that the prosecution undermines free expression, as the book's contents were not challenged, and emphasize that public figures should expect scrutiny; similar instances in the past have raised concerns about...

Guyana’s UN Ambassador, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, emphasized that the right of people under colonial rule to resist is recognized in international law. As the president of the UN Security Council for June, she highlighted the council's priorities, which include maintaining international peace and security and protecting children in conflict zones, with 29 meetings planned on various global issues. Additionally, a session on June 30 will address the implementation of Resolution 2334 regarding settlement activities in the...

Former Biden officials are urging Europe to defend democracy as concerns rise over Trump's potential return to power and its implications for transatlantic relations, particularly regarding military commitments to Europe. The real threat, however, is Trump's intent to redefine shared values, leading to a possible betrayal of democratic principles, as seen in recent political maneuvers in Poland and Romania. As European democracies grapple with rising far-right movements, they must first stabilize their own political landscape...

Russia plans to deploy 10,000 troops to the separatist Transnistria region bordering Ukraine, with the aim of installing a pro-Kremlin government in Moldova ahead of its parliamentary elections. Moldova's Prime Minister Dorin Recean accused Moscow of undermining Moldovan democracy through propaganda and financial influence, expending 1% of Moldova’s GDP on such efforts. He emphasized the need to bolster Moldova's defenses while pursuing EU membership, highlighting the strategic military implications of increased Russian presence near NATO...

A Republican-backed budget package proposes new restrictions on the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC), requiring both tax filers to possess Social Security numbers, which could disqualify millions of U.S. citizen children from the benefit if their parents are mixed-status or undocumented. This change is aimed at preventing tax breaks from going to undocumented immigrants but may inadvertently affect 4.5 million children, primarily in states like California, Texas, and Florida. While the bill seeks to increase...