Israel attacks Iran, striking nuclear sites and military command centres; Tehran responds with drones

Today's news: Chinese and Hong Kong police conduct their first joint operation in the city; After yesterday's incident, another Air India flight makes an emergency landing; North Korea says it has restored its new destroyer; Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte asks The Hague for temporary release; A locust invasion has begun in Kazakhstan.

ISRAEL – IRAN

Israel launched an attack overnight against Iranian nuclear sites and several prominent military and scientific figures, including the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami. In response to this action, Iran launched about a hundred drones against Israel, according to Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack was part of Operation “Rising Lion” and that Iran threatens Israel's survival. The feared escalation comes as negotiations between the United States and Iran for a nuclear deal were underway, but also after the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) yesterday approved a resolution by France, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States formally declaring that Iran “is not complying with its nuclear obligations”.

INDIA

Following yesterday's dramatic incident, an Air India flight from the Thai island of Phuket to Delhi requested an emergency landing after a bomb threat was received on board. A passenger found a note with the warning in the toilet, according to Thai authorities who questioned the man. Passengers were escorted off the plane in accordance with emergency procedures. Meanwhile, India and Britain are mourning the victims of the Ahmedabad tragedy and the story of Vishwashkumar Ramesh, the only passenger on the plane with 242 people on board to survive the crash.

CHINA – HONG KONG

Hong Kong's Chinese national security authorities and the city's police conducted their first joint operation, raiding the homes of six people suspected of collusion with foreign forces. Officers also searched other buildings and seized material for investigation. The six suspects, whose identities have not been disclosed, had their travel documents withdrawn.

NORTH KOREA

North Korea claims to have successfully repaired its new 5,000-tonne naval destroyer, less than a month after it capsized during its first launch attempt, according to state media reports. At least four officials were arrested following the incident. State media say the ship has been completely refurbished. These are the largest ships in Pyongyang's fleet and are theoretically capable of launching nuclear weapons.

INDONESIA – RUSSIA

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during a visit between 18 and 20 June. Jakarta maintains a neutral foreign policy, refusing to take sides in the Ukrainian conflict or in the competition between Washington and Beijing, but Prabowo has promoted stronger relations with Moscow, where he travelled last year to meet the Russian president, whom he called ‘a great friend’.

PHILIPPINES

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has filed a petition with the International Criminal Court for provisional release to another country, his lawyer said in a document, citing his advanced age and promise not to flee or commit further crimes. Duterte was arrested and taken to The Hague in March on charges of murder linked to his “war on drugs”, in which thousands of people were killed.

KAZAKHSTAN

The much-feared invasion of locusts has begun in Kazakhstan, destroying all vegetation in their path, with shocking videos shared by residents of the Kostanay region showing millions of insects invading the streets, raising fears of a catastrophe similar to that of 2023, although the authorities have so far assured that “everything is under control”.

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