Efe Ozkan
29 June 2025•Update: 29 June 2025
ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including Trump threatening North Carolina senator for voting against his Big Beautiful Bill; 6 Israeli settlers being detained after attacking soldiers in West Bank; and Iran barring the entry of the UN nuclear agency chief, refusing surveillance at nuclear sites.
TOP STORIES
- Trump threatens North Carolina senator for voting against his Big Beautiful Bill
US President Donald Trump went after North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis for voting against his One Big Beautiful Bill, The Hill website reported.
“Looks like Senator Thom Tillis, as usual, wants to tell the Nation that he’s giving them a 68% Tax Increase, as opposed to the Biggest Tax Cut in American History,” Trump wrote on social media. “Thom Tillis is making a BIG MISTAKE for America, and the Wonderful People of North Carolina!”
“Numerous people have come forward wanting to run in the Primary against ‘Senator Thom’ Tillis,” he said, indicating he will meet them in the coming weeks to look for someone “who will properly represent the Great People of North Carolina and, so importantly, the United States of America. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
- 6 Israeli settlers detained after attacking soldiers in West Bank
Israeli settlers who attacked Palestinians in the village of Kafr Malik in the occupied West Bank, turned on Israeli soldiers in an escalation of violence, according to media reports.
Israeli state broadcaster KAN said the six settlers were detained after attacking the soldiers near Ramallah. The group had previously seized Palestinian land and had been involved in earlier assaults.
The Israeli army reported that the settlers hurled stones at the soldiers, slightly injuring one. The settlers reportedly beat the soldiers, slashed the tires of military vehicles and attempted to run them over.
- Iran bars UN nuclear agency chief from entering country, refuses surveillance at nuclear sites
Iran’s foreign minister announced that the country will prohibit Rafael Mariano Grossi, who heads the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), from entering the country and will also not allow the agency to install surveillance cameras at nuclear facilities.
“We will not allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to install cameras at our nuclear sites, and the agency’s chief will be banned from entering the country,” Abbas Araghchi said in a statement that was reported by the Iranian national news agency. IRNA.
The announcement follows growing tensions between Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog about monitoring access and transparency in the wake of recent military confrontations with Israel and the US.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- Secretary-General Naim Qassem said Hezbollah would not lay down its arms while Israel continued attacking southern Lebanon.
- At least 41 people were killed previously in an Israeli strike on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters in northern Alborz province, the group announced.
- Former Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson and Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene praised New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s win earlier this week in the New York City Democratic primary race for mayor.
- Türkiye condemned a terror attack in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned demands in Iran for the arrest and execution of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi as "unacceptable."
- The Gaza Civil Defense announced that the Israeli army killed 63 Palestinians, including 19 children, seven women and several aid seekers, in attacks across the Gaza Strip.
- China expressed opposition to "any deal" agreed upon "at the expense of China's interests for so-called tariff relief," a Commerce Ministry spokesperson said.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in the Kyrgyz resort town of Cholpon-Ata for a visit that includes high-level talks and his participation in a regional security summit, according to the Russian news agency Tass.
- Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said it carried out an overnight drone strike on the Kirovske airfield in Crimea and claimed that multiple Russian helicopters and an air defense system were destroyed.
- South Korea held its first national commemoration for citizens abducted by North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, vowing to resolve long-standing humanitarian issues linked to the peninsula’s division.
- A former Venezuelan military intelligence chief has pleaded guilty in the US to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges, admitting his role in smuggling cocaine to American cities.
- At least 66 Palestinian children have died from acute malnutrition in the Gaza Strip under Israel’s blockade since October 2023, local authorities said, as severe shortages of food, medical supplies and baby formula continue to grip the enclave.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Türkiye sets sights on greater role in Antarctica, eyes consultative status goal
Türkiye is preparing to play a more active role in Antarctica, aiming to gain consultative status under the Antarctic Treaty System, its industry and technology minister said.
During the 47th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in Italy, Fatih Kacir hosted a reception at Türkiye’s consulate general in Milan, meeting delegates from 28 countries.
“Based on the scientific expertise, diplomatic experience, and institutional maturity we have built so far, Türkiye is preparing to apply for consultative status under the Antarctic Treaty System,” Kacir said at the reception.
SPORTS
- More than 30,000 runners race in Jakarta International Marathon
More than 30,000 runners from over 50 countries are participating in the 2025 Jakarta International Marathon in Indonesia on Sunday, according to state-run media.
The marathon began in the morning in Jakarta with 31,000 domestic and international runners, according to the Antara News Agency, citing Gov. Pramono Anung.
"Participants in the Jakarta International Marathon came from 51 countries," he said.
