North Korea parades largest long-range missile array
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Trump Wins on Injunctions
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Middle East Iran Acknowledges Major Damage to Nuclear Facilities Amid Strained Diplomacy
Iran Acknowledges Major Damage to Nuclear Facilities Amid Strained Diplomacy Iran’s foreign minister has publicly confirmed that recent bombings carried out by the United States and Israel caused “excessive and serious” damage to key nuclear infrastructure, marking one of the most candid admissions from Tehran regarding the scale of impact on its nuclear program. Speaking on state television Thursday evening, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran is currently conducting a thorough assessment to determine the full extent of the damage. While Iran has often downplayed foreign strikes on its facilities in the past, Araghchi’s acknowledgment suggests the latest attacks have significantly disrupted the country’s nuclear ambitions. “There has been excessive and serious damage,” Araghchi stated. “An evaluation is underway by our Atomic Energy Organisation, and the consequences are still being investigated.” The foreign minister also made it clear that Iran has no intention of reengaging in stalled nuclear negotiations with the United States. A sixth round of talks had been on the table but was cancelled following a series of Israeli attacks on Iranian targets, which began earlier this month. “I would like to state clearly that no agreement, arrangement or conversation has been made to start new negotiations,” Araghchi said. The cancellation signals a growing freeze in diplomacy between Tehran and Washington at a time when regional tensions are escalating and nuclear non-proliferation efforts are under immense strain. Adding a note of ambiguity to the diplomatic deadlock, Araghchi said the Iranian government is evaluating the situation through the lens of national interest and hinted at a shift in diplomatic posture. “We are examining what is in the interest of the Iranian people,” he said. “Our approach to diplomacy will take a new form.” He did not elaborate on what that new form might be, nor did he clarify whether it would involve closer alignment with allies such as Russia and China, or a more defiant posture toward the West. The lack of detail leaves Tehran’s intentions open to interpretation and raises questions about how the country plans to navigate its increasingly precarious international position. The recent bombings are widely seen as part of a broader strategy by the US and Israel to disrupt Iran’s nuclear progress and send a strong signal about the consequences of moving closer to weapons-grade enrichment. Iran, meanwhile, has insisted its nuclear program remains peaceful and that it is the target of unjust aggression. The comments from Araghchi mark a significant moment in the ongoing conflict over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, as they reflect not only the physical toll of military strikes but also the growing diplomatic rift that could push both sides further from any negotiated resolution. Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-06-28 -
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USA San Francisco Bookstore Drops J.K. Rowling Titles Over Anti-Trans Controversy
San Francisco Bookstore Drops J.K. Rowling Titles Over Anti-Trans Controversy A beloved independent bookstore in San Francisco has decided to stop selling any works by J.K. Rowling, including her globally celebrated "Harry Potter" series, in response to what it views as the author’s continued hostility toward transgender rights. The move comes after Rowling launched a new legal initiative, which the bookstore claims crossed a final line. Booksmith, a fixture in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury neighborhood since 1976, made the announcement on Instagram earlier this month. The decision follows Rowling’s public declaration that she would be using her personal fortune to back the J.K. Rowling Women’s Fund — a legal project aimed at defending what she and her supporters call “women’s sex-based rights.” The fund states it will support “individuals and organisations fighting to retain women’s sex-based rights in the workplace, in public life, and in protected female spaces.” Although the fund does not explicitly mention transgender individuals, critics point to Rowling’s outspoken opposition to the inclusion of trans women in women’s spaces as a clear indication of the fund’s intent. Activists and advocates for transgender rights argue that rhetoric framed around “sex-based rights” is often code for policies that exclude or disadvantage trans people. “With this announcement, we’ve decided to stop carrying her books,” the Booksmith team wrote on Instagram. “We don’t know exactly what her new ‘women’s fund’ will entail, but we know that we aren’t going to be a part of it.” The post was deeply personal for the store’s staff, who openly identify as queer and described how Rowling’s books had shaped their youth. “As a group of queer booklovers, we also had our adolescences shaped by wizards and elves. Look at us, it’s obvious,” the statement continued. “If you or someone you love wants to dive into the world of Harry Potter, we suggest doing so by buying used copies of these books.” A representative for Rowling said she was unavailable for comment. In addition to pulling Rowling’s titles, Booksmith also published a list of recommended fantasy novels that serve as alternatives to the “Harry Potter” universe. The list is available on their website and is intended to spotlight authors who, according to the bookstore, reflect values of inclusivity and diversity in their work. However, the decision has not come without backlash. On social media, some users criticized the move as political censorship and accused the bookstore of ideological gatekeeping. “So you’re going to curate your selections to only sell books by authors that you agree with politically,” one commenter wrote. “Good to know. I’ll be shopping elsewhere.” Despite the criticism, Booksmith has remained firm in its stance. The shop joins a growing number of institutions and individuals reckoning with the legacy of Rowling’s work and her polarizing views on gender identity. The incident is yet another example of the evolving relationship between artists, their politics, and the cultural spaces that once celebrated them. Adapted by ASEAN Now from NBC 2025-06-28 -
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UK Reform would be largest party if general election held today
Farage’s Reform Poised to Overtake Labour and Tories in Historic Political Shift Nigel Farage’s Reform UK would emerge as Britain’s largest political party if a general election were held today, according to a landmark poll that underscores the dramatic collapse in support for Labour and the Conservatives. The YouGov MRP survey—its first since Labour’s landslide victory last year—suggests Reform is on track to send 271 MPs to Westminster, up from just five currently, making it the dominant force in a hung parliament. The findings reveal an extraordinary reversal in fortunes for Sir Keir Starmer, whose Labour Party would lose 233 of the 412 seats it won just one year ago. “Just a year since Labour’s election landslide, the party is on course to win fewer seats than it did in 2019,” said Patrick English, director of political analytics at YouGov. “That a clear majority would now vote for someone other than the two established main parties of British politics is a striking marker of just how far the fragmentation of the voting public has gone over the past decade.” The Conservatives would fare even worse, losing 75 more seats and falling to just 46 MPs—leaving Kemi Badenoch’s party trailing Reform, Labour, and the Liberal Democrats. While Badenoch would retain her seat, senior Tories including former foreign secretary Sir James Cleverly and former chancellor Sir Jeremy Hunt would be swept out. Of the 119 current Tory MPs, 73 would lose their seats, with many falling to Reform and the Lib Dems. Labour’s front bench would also be gutted. According to the poll, home secretary Yvette Cooper, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, and education secretary Bridget Phillipson would all be defeated by Reform challengers. Other projected Labour casualties include business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, culture secretary Lisa Nandy, defence secretary John Healey, and Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden. The Lib Dems, meanwhile, would continue their resurgence, climbing from 72 seats in 2024 to 81, their highest total in decades. The SNP is expected to bounce back from its previous losses, reclaiming most of the Scottish seats lost to Labour and securing a total of 38. Smaller parties would also benefit: both the Greens and Plaid Cymru are predicted to gain three seats each, bringing them to seven MPs apiece. Despite its surge, Reform would fall short of an outright majority. A coalition with the Conservatives would still leave the right-leaning bloc nine seats shy. On the other side, Labour would be unable to form a majority even with support from the Lib Dems, SNP, Plaid Cymru, and Greens. The MRP poll, based on over 11,000 interviews and considered one of the most reliable predictors of seat-level outcomes, paints a picture of a political order being upended. Labour and the Conservatives—dominant forces in British politics for over a century—are projected to win only 224 of the 650 seats between them, a mere 34 per cent of Parliament. Their combined vote share has dropped to just 41 per cent, down from 59 per cent at the last election. Reform’s gains are widespread and geographically diverse. The party is projected to be the largest in the east Midlands, east of England, northeast, southeast, Wales, West Midlands, and Yorkshire and the Humber. It is even set to match Labour in the northwest, a region traditionally dominated by the left. The political map shows that Reform would seize 194 seats from Labour alone. Starmer’s party would also lose 27 seats to the SNP in Scotland, six to the Tories in England, three to the Greens, three to Plaid, and one to the Lib Dems. This unprecedented surge for Farage and collapse for the traditional parties is likely to trigger intense pressure on both Starmer and Badenoch. Labour faces internal rebellion, particularly from MPs concerned about the political costs of welfare cuts, while Badenoch may face a leadership challenge before the next election. In a single year, British politics has been transformed. Reform UK, once a fringe movement, now stands on the brink of making Nigel Farage the next prime minister of the United Kingdom. Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Times 2025-06-28 -
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USA China Surges Ahead in the Military Space Race, US Warns of Shrinking Technological Lead
China Surges Ahead in the Military Space Race, US Warns of Shrinking Technological Lead China is rapidly transforming space into a battlefield, developing military capabilities at a pace that has alarmed top US defence officials. General Stephen Whiting, commander of the United States Space Force (USSF), has described China's advancements as “breathtakingly fast,” warning that the country’s ability to use space-based systems to complete its “kill chain”—the process of identifying, tracking, and destroying a target—has become “very concerning.” The space arms race is intensifying between the world’s major powers, with the United States, China, and Russia all pouring resources into military space technology. While the US pursues initiatives like Donald Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system, China is pushing forward in three crucial areas: space-based targeting, anti-satellite weapons, and the fusion of space assets with conventional forces. According to Gen Whiting, Beijing’s space-based targeting systems pose a direct threat to US and allied military forces, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. These systems enable China to “track and target US and allied forces,” supporting precision, long-range “over-the-horizon” strikes. General Anthony Mastalir, who oversees USSF operations in the Indo-Pacific, echoed this concern, saying that China’s ability to strike depends heavily on space-based technologies. “Space tech is how China closes its kill chain and strikes its targets with precision,” he said. China’s space surveillance and reconnaissance capacity has grown dramatically. The USSF estimates that by the end of 2023, China operated over 500 satellites capable of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). Over the past ten years, the country has launched close to 900 satellites. In 2023 alone, China deployed 260 satellites, 67 of which had ISR capabilities. Earlier this year, Chinese scientists unveiled what they claim is the world’s most powerful satellite tracking camera, capable of capturing millimetre-level images from over 100 kilometres away. Equally troubling to US officials is China's development of counter-space weapons designed to neutralise enemy satellites. These include reversible cyber-attacks, GPS and satellite communication jamming, high-energy lasers, direct-ascent anti-satellite (Da-Sat) missiles, and co-orbital ASATs—satellites that threaten other satellites in orbit. General Whiting explained that these systems are “an important part” of China’s growing space arsenal. China demonstrated its capacity to destroy satellites as far back as 2008 and has since conducted multiple anti-satellite tests. In March, the USSF reported that Chinese satellites were executing complex, synchronised manoeuvres in orbit. General Michael A. Guetlein, deputy chief of US operations at the USSF, interpreted this as evidence that China is “practising tactics, techniques, and procedures to do on-orbit space operations from one satellite to another.” Such systems are capable of launching kinetic kill vehicles, designed to destroy other satellites using sheer force, or even cause collisions. While this creates dangerous debris fields in orbit, other methods like jamming can quietly disable satellites without physical destruction. Jamming technology targets the communication link between satellites and their operators, rendering them inoperable. Experts have long warned that the US remains vulnerable to GPS jamming and “spoofing,” where signals are manipulated to mislead or shut down military operations. These disruptions could disable munitions, reroute drones, or cripple critical infrastructure. The third area of concern, according to Gen Whiting, is China’s seamless integration of space assets into its broader military framework. He noted that through “space-enabled services,” China has made its army, air force, and navy “more lethal, more precise and more far-ranging.” A major military overhaul in 2016 saw the creation of a military aerospace unit within the People’s Liberation Army’s Strategic Support Force. In April 2024, this structure evolved further, dividing into three branches: an aerospace force, a cyberspace army, and an information support arm, highlighting the strategic value of space in modern warfare. Despite the US having roughly 8,000 satellites in orbit—compared to China's 1,000—both nations are estimated to operate around 250 military satellites. General Guetlein remarked, “There used to be a significant capability gap between the United States and our adversaries, driven by our technological advantage. That gap, once massive, has narrowed considerably. If we don’t change our approach to space operations, we risk seeing that gap reverse, putting us at a disadvantage.” The United States’ answer to this challenge is the $175 billion “Golden Dome” project, a space-based missile defence system expected to be operational by 2029. Designed to detect, track, and destroy incoming missiles, this network would primarily shield the US homeland. However, in a hypothetical conflict with China—such as one involving Taiwan—Washington could find itself not only outgunned on the ground but outmanoeuvred in space. Adapted by ASEAN Now from CNN 2025-06-28 -
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USA “This Time, It Was a Big One”: Trump Reflects on the Moment a Bullet Nearly Took His Life
“This Time, It Was a Big One”: Trump Reflects on the Moment a Bullet Nearly Took His Life Donald Trump was in his element that summer evening in Butler, Pennsylvania—energised, grinning, rallying his base as he has done for nearly a decade. I had followed him through his improbable rise in 2016, his tumultuous presidency, and his loss in 2020. This rally was supposed to be just another campaign stop, one more crowd, one more headline. But everything changed in seconds. Trump had just taken the stage. Applause roared. He stood a few feet away from me, my daughter Shannon, and my son-in-law Michael. As he began to speak, a large chart about illegal immigration appeared behind him. In a moment that now feels like divine intervention, he turned to look at the screen. Then the gunfire started. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. The sound cracked through the air like firecrackers, but I knew instantly they weren’t. Shannon, instinctively in denial, asked if they were fireworks. Then, almost absurdly, whether Michael had tripped on a wire. We’re a family of gun owners—we knew better. I saw Trump flinch. His hand went to his ear. Blood marked his face. As the stage erupted into chaos, I heard someone yell, “Get down, get down, get down!” Secret Service agents swarmed the stage in a blur of navy blue. “Where are we going?” a female agent cried out, her voice fading under the pressure. “Shooter’s down,” someone said moments later. “Are we good to move?” came the response. Michael tackled Shannon to the ground. I was knocked down by Michel Picard, one of Trump’s press advance team, who covered me with his body. His voice was calm, but his hands trembled. “Stay still, stay calm,” he whispered, his knees pinning me to the gravel. The crowd, strangely, wasn’t screaming. From the dirt, I could still hear them cheering. One woman’s primal scream cut through it all. As the agents moved Trump, I heard him insist, “Let me get my shoes.” An agent said, “Hold on, sir, your head is bloody.” But he was determined. “Let me get my shoes,” he repeated. And then, defiantly, he lifted his fist. “Fight. Fight. Fight,” he rasped. The crowd exploded with chants of “USA! USA!” He did it again, three times, as agents ushered him offstage. A rifle barrel from a Secret Service agent hovered just above me. Oddly, I wasn’t afraid. Trump’s MAGA hat, knocked off in the scuffle, landed next to me in the dirt. Later, I saw Trump’s Diet Coke still perched on the podium next to a bloodied rag. Then the call came. “Good morning, Salena! It’s Donald Trump. I wanted to see if you and your daughter Shannon and Michael are OK. And I wanted to apologise that we weren’t able to do the interview.” Stunned, I answered. “All due respect, but are you f***ing kidding me? You’ve just been shot.” He laughed. “Seriously, Salena, are you and your family OK?” he asked again. We spoke for 12 minutes. He marveled at the lack of chaos, at the courage of the crowd. He mourned the death of Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old firefighter at the rally, and expressed concern for the two other men who had been hit. He described the moment he was shot—the breeze on his face, the thought that maybe it was a mosquito, “the greatest mosquito in history.” “If I had done things the way I always do, that bullet would have struck between both ears,” he told me. He kept asking aloud why he had changed his routine that day. “Why didn’t I wait to talk about the chart?” He repeated the question as if searching for meaning. Then, finally, he paused. “God,” he said. “The hand of God.” He told me he believed that divine presence had been with him before—in the impeachments, the legal battles. “None of that compares to what happened yesterday,” he added. “But this time—it was a big one.” Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Times 2025-06-28
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