Russia and Syria break deal; Afghanistan ends ceasefire

After US Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy decided to retire, President Donald Trump has the opportunity to propose a replacement candidate.

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One to New Jersey, President Trump said he is considering five candidates for the position of US Supreme Court justice after Anthony Kennedy retires.

He said he would meet with several candidates this weekend and could begin discussions with them on July 2. The identity of President Trump's pick will be announced on July 9.

Ukraine says ready to swap convicted prisoners with Russia

Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovnaya Rada (Parliament of Ukraine), Ms. Lyudmila Denisova. Source: UNIAN

Sputnik reported that the Verkhovnaya Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) Human Rights Commissioner Lyudmila Denisova announced that Kiev is ready to return to Moscow 23 Russians convicted in Ukraine in exchange for 23 Ukrainians who were tried in Russia.

This can be done both within the framework of extradition and within the scope of exchange, Ms. Denisova added.

There has been a lot of information in the press about the possibility of a prisoner exchange, specifically the exchange of Ukrainian prisoner Oleg Sentsov, who is serving a sentence in Russia, for journalist Kirill Vyshinski, head of the RIA Novosti Ukraine news portal, who was arrested in Kiev.

Kim Jong-un inspects area near China

Leader Kim during an inspection tour of a reed farm in Sindo County.Photo: Yonhap

The North Korean leader has just inspected a reed farm in Sindo County, North Pyongan Province bordering China, according to KCNA. This is his first inspection since his summit with US President Donald Trump in Singapore on June 12 and his third visit to China on June 19 and June 20.

Mr Kim's rare visit to the remote northern region has raised speculation that North Korea may seek to boost economic cooperation with China as relations warm.

On June 30, Russian and Syrian warplanes continued heavy airstrikes on several areas in Daraa province in southern Syria.

The Syrian government army is taking control of many areas. This campaign has broken the "de-escalation" agreement between the US, Russia and Jordan reached last year.

Official media said government forces had taken control of the towns of Hirak and Rahm while several opposition groups had agreed to hand over weapons and sign "reconciliation" deals with the government.

Canada responds to US import tariffs

On June 29, Canada responded to the United States by imposing tariffs worth $12.6 billion on imported products from the world's number one power.

"Canada has no choice but to respond with a reciprocal and measured response. That's what we're doing," Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in Hamilton, Ontario.

Foreign Minister Freeland stressed that this is Ottawa's toughest trade action since World War II.

Afghan President Announces End to Ceasefire with Taliban

Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on June 30 announced the end of the government's unilateral ceasefire with the Taliban and asked security forces to continue operations against the militants in the country.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, President Ghani stressed that the situation now depends on the Taliban's decision, whether they want to participate in the peace process or continue violent activities in the country.

US intelligence accuses North Korea of ​​secretly producing more nuclear fuel

In a report released on June 29, the US intelligence network said that what it described as the latest intelligence assessment appeared to contradict the statement made by US President Donald Trump after the June 12 summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that "there is no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea".

North Korea has stepped up production of enriched uranium for nuclear weapons in recent months, even as it pursues diplomatic efforts with the United States, according to the source.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the US State Department did not comment on this information.

Thailand races against time to rescue teenage soccer team trapped in cave

Rescuers search for missing youth soccer team in cave in Chiang Rai province, Thailand on June 26. Source: THX/TTXVN

Thai rescue teams searching for a youth soccer team of 12 boys trapped in a flooded cave in the northern province of Chiang Rai have conducted evacuation drills and medical procedures as the search enters its seventh day.

Medical teams conducted drills on June 30 to prepare for the possible situation in case the boys are pulled out of Tham Luang cave if they are found.

The soccer team of 12 boys, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach have been missing since the evening of June 23. Rescuers have been searching for them since June 24 after discovering the team's bicycles and soccer shoes at the entrance of Tham Luang cave.

Australia moves towards recognizing a third gender

The Australian Constitutional Court has ruled that citizens can choose not to identify as male or female when filling out forms.

The Australian Constitutional Court made the ruling after an application by a military officer named Alex Juergen. The Australian Constitutional Court cited the European Union (EU) Convention on Human Rights, which states that the legislature can make the choice “other”.

However, the decision of the Australian Constitutional Court is facing opposition from the far-right Liberal Party, a political party participating in the coalition government.