Taliban fire on Herat protest over arrests of women for dress-code violations
At least two people have been killed and more than 20 others wounded after Taliban police opened fire on a protest in the western Afghan city of Herat, according to accounts from witnesses and a statement by UN-appointed experts. The demonstration was held in response to the arrest of women over alleged dress-code violations. Witnesses said the crowd numbered about 100 to 150 people.The protest followed weekend arrests in Herat, where morality police detained dozens of women for not wearing the body-cloaking chador or burqa. The UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts said one of those killed was a boy who... [Continue Reading]
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Iran threatens SpaceX and Starlink-linked assets in West Asia
Iran's military has said it will consider Elon Musk's companies, including SpaceX's Starlink internet service, as potential targets in West Asia, according to Iranian state media. The warning was framed as part of Tehran's retaliation against renewed US attacks. A regional Starlink ground station was specifically mentioned as a possible target.The report said Iran was targeting "all interests related to economic holdings managed by Elon Musk in West Asia". It cited an "informed source" saying the Islamic Republic reserves the right to attack facilities linked to Musk-managed holdings in the region and in occupied territories. The warning appeared around the... [Continue Reading]
Australia flags risks over reliance on Starlink as SpaceX prepares public offering
Australian government officials are privately warning about the risks of growing reliance on Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by SpaceX. The concern comes as tens of thousands of Australians are preparing to buy shares in SpaceX ahead of its public offering on 12 June. The issue has drawn attention because Starlink is already used by about 200,000 Australians and several government agencies.Documents obtained under freedom of information laws say officials have been assessing the implications of essential communications depending on a privately owned foreign satellite network. An internal notice from a spy agency described satellite internet providers as a... [Continue Reading]
US adds Alibaba, BYD and Baidu to Chinese military companies list
The United States has added Alibaba, BYD and Baidu to its list of companies it says have ties to the Chinese military. The Pentagon update was published on Monday and expands a blacklist that is used to flag firms considered to support China's military-civil fusion strategy. The move affects some of China's best-known commercial brands and comes at a sensitive moment in US-China relations.China's embassy in Washington condemned the designation as discriminatory and said the US was overstretching the concept of national security. It said Chinese companies doing business overseas had been strictly observing the laws and regulations of host... [Continue Reading]
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OpenAI confidentially files for US initial public offering
OpenAI has confidentially filed for a United States initial public offering, according to the supplied report, but has not disclosed the size or terms of the offering. The company also said a timeline has not yet been determined. The filing places the ChatGPT-maker among a growing group of artificial intelligence firms moving towards public markets as investor interest in the sector remains strong.The company said in a statement that it may remain private for some time because there are things it wants to do that are likely easier as a private company. The report says Reuters previously reported that OpenAI... [Continue Reading]
Tehran teacher describes daily life under war as schools move online and prices rise
A teacher in Tehran has described how daily life has changed after the war between the United States and Israel and Iran disrupted schools, internet access and ordinary routines across the city. The account centres on Mehran, a 47-year-old teacher in central Tehran, who is now teaching students online from a cramped apartment while his family also tries to study and work remotely. The picture that emerges is of a capital city where normal activity continues in limited form, but under conditions shaped by weak connectivity, shortages and rising costs.According to the account, the conflict has forced universities, schools and... [Continue Reading]
UK submarine fleet protecting nuclear assets removed from service for repairs
The UK's fleet of Astute-class submarines has been removed from service after being found unfit for use, according to the supplied report. The vessels are used to help protect submarines carrying Trident missiles, making the issue a matter of immediate national-security concern. The report says all five Astute-class boats have been docked and are now undergoing repair work.The incident was reported on 7 June 2026 and comes amid heightened concern in London about threats from Russia. The UK's military chief said on Friday that the threats facing the country are greater than during the Cold War, according to the report.... [Continue Reading]
The role of community policing in nurturing acceptance
In a highly polarized world and a highly volatile situation, many wars are perturbing the lives of many, forcing governments to take real measures to protect their citizens. Away from the geopolitical analysis and speculation, I would like to highlight one of many important aspects related to war preparation, which is the protocol of living in community shelters, historically comparable to the use of air raid shelters during major conflicts. During the war in Lebanon in the mid-eighties, I published an article about this protocol, and it seems very relevant to these days. 1- This is not your house: A... [Continue Reading]
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