Nuclear states spent $100 billion on atomic arsenals in 2024, say ICAN

• ICAN said Britain, China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia and the United States together spent nearly $10 billion more than in 2023
• The United States spent $56.8 billion in 2024, followed by China at $12.5 billion and Britain at $10.4 billion, ICAN said in its flagship annual report

US still wants talks with Iran on Sunday: US official

• The official had no further information on whether Iran had agreed to the talks
• Oman had earlier planned talks Sunday involving Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's friend

MENA brief Jun 13: Prince Salman to skip G7 meet, OpenAI in funds talks with PIF

• Qatar’s real estate sector recorded transactions exceeding QAR 1 billion in the first five days of June, driven by strong demand for residential and commercial assets.
• Morocco emerged as North Africa’s financial leader, with six of the region’s top 20 listed firms based in the country.

Israel says Hamas ‘weaponising suffering in Gaza’ as aid workers killed

• The distribution of food and basic supplies in the blockaded and war-ravaged Gaza has become increasingly fraught and perilous
• Asked to respond to the GHF accusation, the Hamas government media office in Gaza said GHF was a "filthy tool" of Israeli forces

Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear sites, kills top generals; Tehran, Iraq shut airspace, casualties reported

• Israel's operation struck at the "heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme", taking aim at the atomic facility in Natanz and nuclear scientists
• Iranian state media said residential buildings in Tehran were also hit, killing a number of civilians including women and children

Flames and smoke in aftermath of crashed India passenger jet

• Air India's flight 171 -- a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London's Gatwick Airport -- crashed shortly after takeoff around 0810 GMT.
• The passengers included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and a Canadian. Two pilots and 10 cabin crew were also aboard.

Chip-maker Micron expands US investment to $200 bn backed by Trump

• The investment plan comes as the United States pushes to reduce its reliance on foreign semiconductor production.
• Memory chips are critical components used in national defense systems, automobiles and national security applications.

UN to vote on calling for unconditional Gaza ceasefire

The most eye-catching products at Vivatech fair

• olumn-shaped robots from Hong Kong firm Robocore can serve as mobile ad billboards -- but for now are mostly deployed for medical purposes in hospitals and retirement homes.
• French startup Aemotion's four-wheeled electric vehicle is designed to weave through traffic, saving commuters time spent in jams.

Israel urges Egypt to block Gaza-bound activist convoys

• Katz added that such actions "would endanger the safety of (Israeli) soldiers and will not be allowed."
• Egypt said on Wednesday that it backs efforts to put "pressure on Israel" to lift its blockade on Gaza