Ukraine Urges EU to Sanction Bangladesh Over Alleged Import of ‘Stolen Grain’

Reuters,

Ukraine has announced plans to request European Union sanctions against Bangladeshi entities allegedly involved in importing wheat taken from Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. Kyiv says repeated diplomatic warnings to Dhaka have been ignored, and that entities in Russia are blending Ukrainian grain with Russian supplies to mask its origins. According to Ukraine’s ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, Dhaka’s failure to respond to several diplomatic notes has led Ukraine to escalate the issue, citing humanitarian concerns and international law. The letters sent to Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry named vessels allegedly transporting stolen grain from Crimea and other occupied ports to the Russian port of Kavkaz before shipping it to Bangladesh. Ukraine says such activities not only support Russia’s illegal occupation but also contribute to the suffering of Ukrainian farmers. The EU has not yet sanctioned the vessels involved, but Ukrainian authorities warn that sanctions could extend to government officials knowingly facilitating these imports. Bangladesh denies importing stolen grain, stating it bans shipments originating from occupied Ukrainian regions. The situation may strain relations between Kyiv, Dhaka, and Brussels as investigations continue.

Iran Holds State Funeral for Military and Nuclear Leaders Killed in Conflict With Israel

BBC News,

Iran held a massive state funeral for around 60 individuals, including high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists, killed in the recent 12-day conflict with Israel. The funeral, held in Tehran’s Enghelab Square, featured coffins draped in national flags and portraits of the deceased. Among the dead were Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s top military officer, and Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, as well as several nuclear scientists. The ceremony followed a ceasefire mediated after U.S. airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran reports 627 deaths in the conflict; Israel reports 28. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed he spared Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei from assassination and said he was reconsidering sanctions relief following provocative statements from Tehran. Iran’s Foreign Minister Araghchi criticized Trump’s rhetoric as disrespectful, while acknowledging that Iranian nuclear infrastructure sustained “serious” damage. IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi stressed that diplomatic agreement—not military action—is the only path to curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The humanitarian and strategic toll of the conflict continues to draw global scrutiny.

GHF Defends Gaza Aid Amid Mounting Civilian Casualties Near Distribution Sites

BBC News,

Johnnie Moore, head of the U.S. and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), defended the organization amid mounting international criticism over repeated civilian deaths near its aid distribution sites. Since late May, over 500 Palestinians have reportedly been killed and 4,000 injured en route to receiving aid, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The UN and humanitarian groups condemned GHF’s placement of aid points in militarized zones, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres labeling the operation “inherently unsafe.” Eyewitnesses claim Israeli forces have opened fire on aid seekers. An Israeli report by Haaretz alleged IDF soldiers were instructed to shoot civilians, which the Israeli government denies. Moore argued that both UN and IDF casualty attributions are unreliable, blaming misinformation. Despite scaling up to provide 50 million meals, Moore admitted the operation is insufficient. The U.S. has pledged $30 million in direct funding to GHF, while international pressure mounts for safer, more transparent humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

Thailand Calls for Dialogue After Hun Sen’s Verbal Attack on Thai Premier and Family

Reuters,

Thailand’s foreign ministry called for calm and diplomacy following an unprecedented verbal attack by Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen against Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her father, Thaksin. Hun Sen, now Senate President, accused Paetongtarn of disrespect and claimed Thaksin faked an illness to avoid jail time. The remarks followed leaked audio of Paetongtarn appearing submissive in a phone call with Hun Sen and criticizing a Thai general. The incident intensified tensions after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a May border clash. Despite the inflammatory statements, Thailand remains committed to opening talks between both nations’ foreign ministers. Cambodia is reportedly considering bringing the border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), though Thailand does not recognize the ICJ’s jurisdiction. Thai officials are engaging with UN Security Council members and legal experts to resolve the dispute diplomatically and de-escalate tensions along the 817-kilometer border.

India Blocks UN Investigator from Joining Probe Into Air India Crash

Reuters,

India has denied entry to a UN investigator from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in connection with the June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8, which killed 260 people in Ahmedabad. Despite ICAO’s offer of assistance, Indian authorities declined to grant observer status, citing adherence to protocol. This has raised concerns among safety experts about the transparency and pace of the investigation, particularly regarding delays in analyzing black box data. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau retrieved two flight recorders by June 16 but has shared little public information. The government faces criticism for holding just one press briefing without taking questions. Under ICAO’s Annex 13 protocols, decisions on analyzing flight data should be made swiftly to prevent future incidents. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is involved, yet ambiguity remains about where the black boxes will be examined. India’s aviation ministry insists it is complying with all international procedures amid growing scrutiny of the crash response.