ST. PETERSBURG -- Despite the complex situation surrounding Iran, Russia remains committed to the Bushehr nuclear reactor project, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday at the plenary session of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
"Despite the complexity surrounding Iran, we completed the Bushehr nuclear reactor there. We've also signed contracts to build two additional reactors," Putin said.
U.S. President Donald Trump promised to support Russia's demand to ensure the safety of Russian employees of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, Putin said, adding that Russia acts within the framework of international norms in Iran and asks to ensure the safety of personnel in Bushehr.(Russia-Iran-Nuclear)
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ISTANBUL -- Arab League foreign ministers held an emergency meeting in Istanbul on Friday to address rising tensions between Iran and Israel, Türkiye's state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
Citing diplomatic sources, Anadolu said the talks focused on the consequences of the recent hostilities and their potential impact on regional stability.
After a closed-door meeting, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, who chaired the session, told reporters the international community must act to prevent a full-scale war, warning that global peace and security were at risk.(Türkiye-Arab League-Meeting)
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NEW YORK -- A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration's efforts to keep Harvard University from hosting international students.
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that Harvard preserves the ability to host foreign students while the case is decided, local media reported Friday.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security on May 22 revoked Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, forcing roughly 7,000 foreign students at Harvard to transfer or risk being in the United States illegally.
Harvard sued the department, calling it illegal retaliation for its rejecting the Trump administration's demands to overhaul Harvard policies around campus protests, admissions, hiring and other issues. Burroughs temporarily halted the action hours after Harvard sued.(US-Harvard-Foreign Students)
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UNITED NATIONS -- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi on Friday warned of the risk of nuclear contamination from Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.
Attacks on nuclear sites in Iran have caused a sharp degradation in nuclear safety and security in the country. Though they have not so far led to a radiological release affecting the public, there is a danger this could occur, said Grossi.
In his briefing at an emergency meeting of the Security Council, Grossi said that although the level of radioactivity outside the Natanz site after an Israeli attack has remained unchanged and at normal levels, there is both radiological and chemical contamination within the facility.
"The radiation, primarily consisting of alpha particles, poses a significant danger if inhaled or ingested. This risk can be effectively managed with appropriate protective measures, such as using respiratory devices. The main concern inside the facility is chemical toxicity," he said.(UN-Iran-IAEA)
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LONDON -- Britain's grocery regulator has launched a formal investigation into Amazon over suspected delays in payments to food suppliers, citing possible violations of rules designed to protect supplier interests.
The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) said on Friday it has "reasonable grounds to suspect" Amazon breached Paragraph 5 of the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP), which requires retailers to pay suppliers on time.
The probe will cover Amazon's conduct from March 1, 2022 to June 20, 2025, with a focus on practices since January 2024. It will examine how Amazon processes payments, resolves disputed deductions, and negotiates settlements with suppliers.(Britain-Amazon-Investigation) ■
