Amidst escalating tensions following Israeli strikes, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has taken unprecedented measures to safeguard the Islamic Republic. He has pre-selected replacements for military commanders and, remarkably, designated three senior clerics as potential successors, signaling the gravity of the situation.
A United States federal judge has stopped the Donald Trump administration from cutting research funds. The National Science Foundation faced restrictions. Judge Indira Talwani blocked a policy change in Boston. Universities feared losing millions for research. Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity work was at risk. The NSF's move was arbitrary, the judge said. Indirect costs were the issue.
Lieutenant General Sajjad Ghani (Retd.) has resigned as chairperson of Pakistan's WAPDA amid disagreements between the civilian administration and the military regarding the Indus Water Treaty (IWT). Differences within WAPDA and the water resources ministry also contributed to his resignation. The civil administration blames the army for the IWT's suspension by India following a terror attack.
Israel announced the thwarting of an Iranian plot targeting its citizens in Cyprus, a key transit point for Israelis returning home amidst ongoing conflict. Cypriot authorities, in collaboration with Israeli security, apprehended a suspect linked to espionage and terror charges, though the connection to the foiled plot remains unconfirmed.
The United States has initiated assisted departure flights from Israel. This is for US citizens and lawful permanent residents. Ambassador Mike Huckabee made the announcement. It comes as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues. US citizens in Iran are advised to leave via Azerbaijan, Armenia, or Turkey. They should only do so if it is safe.
His wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who took over the opposition cause after his jailing, shared a video of him smiling and embracing her after his release with the caption: "FREE".
Gulf Cooperation Council ambassadors conveyed their apprehension to the U.N. nuclear watchdog chief, Rafael Grossi, regarding the safety of nuclear facilities near their nations amidst the ongoing Israeli-Iranian tensions. During a Vienna meeting, the ambassadors cautioned Grossi about the potentially severe consequences of targeting these facilities, highlighting concerns about contamination following a mistaken Israeli military statement regarding the Bushehr plant.
