The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of American troops from the Iran war, marking a political setback for President Donald Trump. The measure was approved by a 215-208 vote, with four Republican lawmakers joining Democrats in support.   The resolution, which now moves to the Senate, is largely symbolic as Trump can veto it if it reaches his desk. Democrats argue that the president launched military action against Iran without congressional approval, violating constitutional war powers. The Trump administration rejects the claim and insists the conflict is effectively over. The vote reflects growing debate in Washington over the US role in the conflict and presidential war powers.  

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to renew their fragile ceasefire under a US-brokered deal aimed at reducing tensions along the border. The agreement is conditional on Hezbollah completely stopping attacks against Israel and withdrawing its operatives from areas near the Israeli border.   The deal also proposes the creation of pilot security zones inside Lebanon, where only the Lebanese Armed Forces would operate. Representatives from Israel and Lebanon are expected to meet again on June 22 to continue negotiations toward a broader agreement.   The announcement came despite fresh violence, with Israeli strikes and Hezbollah rocket attacks reported on Wednesday. The United States said the agreement is intended to support Lebanon's stability and prevent further escalation. (PC: BBC)

More than 700 whales and dolphins were killed during the annual grindadrap hunt in the Faroe Islands, drawing sharp criticism from animal rights groups. According to conservation organisations, 706 marine mammals, including pilot whales, white-sided dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, were killed across three separate hunts.   Activists alleged that some animals were killed without mandatory equipment, prolonging their suffering. The hunt, a centuries-old tradition in the Faroe Islands, is defended by local authorities as an important cultural practice and source of food for residents.   Animal welfare groups have renewed calls for the practice to be banned, arguing it is outdated and cruel. The killings have sparked international debate over tradition, conservation and animal welfare.  

The US House of Representatives voted 215-208 to pass a resolution seeking to limit further military action by the administration of Donald Trump against Iran. Four Republicans joined Democrats in backing the measure, marking the fourth House attempt to curb presidential war powers amid the conflict that began in February. The resolution now moves to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain. Supporters argued that Congress alone has the authority to declare war, while critics of the administration said the conflict has increased fuel prices and complicated diplomacy. Trump maintained that negotiations with Iran were progressing and a deal could be reached soon.

A Pakistani court has upheld the death sentences of Abid Ali and Shafqat Ali, convicted of gang-raping a French tourist in front of her three children after her vehicle ran out of fuel on the Sialkot-Lahore Motorway in September 2020. The Lahore High Court dismissed their appeals against a 2021 anti-terrorism court verdict that found them guilty of rape, kidnapping, robbery and terrorism-related offences. Investigators linked the accused to the crime through mobile phone data, DNA evidence and victim identification, while one convict reportedly confessed before a magistrate. The case sparked nationwide outrage, and the court ruled that the convictions and punishments would remain in force under existing judicial orders unchanged. (PC: Reuters)

At least 9 people were killed in southern Lebanon on Wednesday as Israeli air strikes continued despite a partial ceasefire agreement. Lebanese authorities said the victims included two paramedics whose ambulance was hit in the Chehour area, while several other strikes targeted locations near Tyre and Nabatieh.   Hezbollah said it launched rockets into northern Israel in response to what it called Israeli violations of the ceasefire. The Israeli military said it intercepted a drone and two projectiles crossing the border.   The violence has raised concerns over the fragile truce announced earlier this week. Meanwhile, Israeli and Lebanese officials continued talks in Washington aimed at strengthening the ceasefire and preventing a wider regional escalation involving Iran and the United States.  

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "f***ing crazy" during a heated phone conversation over Israel's military operations in Lebanon.   Speaking on a podcast, Trump said he was "perturbed" by the continued fighting and urged Netanyahu to stop military actions that were complicating US diplomatic efforts with Iran. The exchange reportedly came as Washington sought to keep fragile nuclear talks with Tehran on track.   According to reports, Trump warned that Israel's attacks risked increasing the country's international isolation. Despite discussions on de-escalation, Israel and Hezbollah later exchanged fresh attacks, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.   Trump also defended recent US military action against Iran, saying Tehran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. (PC: India Today)

India has received the fourth squadron of the Russian-origin S-400 Triumf, strengthening its long-range air defence network. The delivery is part of a 2018 agreement with Russia for five squadrons, with three already operational and one remaining to be delivered. Each squadron includes command-and-control units, advanced radars, missile launchers and 128 missiles with engagement ranges from 120 km to 380 km. Delays caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict had slowed deliveries. India has also approved plans to acquire five additional S-400 squadrons while simultaneously advancing the indigenous Project Kusha to develop comparable air defence capabilities. (PC: X)

The United States and Iran exchanged fresh attacks overnight, further escalating tensions in the Gulf region. The US military said it carried out "self-defence" strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island after alleged Iranian attacks across the Middle East.   The US military also said it intercepted Iranian missiles and drones aimed at Gulf countries and ships in regional waters. Meanwhile, Kuwait said Iranian drones struck several locations, including Kuwait International Airport. One person was killed and more than 60 others were injured in the attack.   Iran said it targeted US military assets in a regional country in retaliation for American actions. The latest escalation comes as ceasefire and peace negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain stalled. Both sides have continued to trade accusations, raising concerns about wider instability in the strategically important Gulf region.  

7 people were killed and 11 injured after a drone struck a passenger bus in Russian-controlled Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, according to Kremlin-backed regional authorities. The bus was travelling from Moscow to Simferopol in Crimea when it was hit near Yenakiyevo. Ukraine has not confirmed responsibility for the attack. The incident came as Ukraine launched a large-scale drone strike on Russia, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying key facilities, including an oil terminal in St Petersburg, were hit. Russia said it intercepted 350 Ukrainian drones overnight amid escalating cross-border attacks between the two countries. (PC: BBC)