## Global Briefing: Natural Disasters and International Tensions
**Japan Issues Tsunami Advisory After Major Quake**
A powerful earthquake struck Japan’s northeastern region, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami advisory. The quake, recorded at 11:44 AM local time, registered a magnitude of 6.7 according to local seismological centers, although the European Seismological Centre recorded it at 5.7 R. The tremor originated at a shallow depth of 20 kilometers and was strongly felt across the island of Honshu.
Japanese officials have instructed citizens in Hokkaido and surrounding areas to move away from coastal waters. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned of potential sea level fluctuations up to one meter high near the affected zones. Authorities emphasized that a Tsunami Advisory is a lower-level alert compared to a Tsunami Warning; while no immediate evacuation is required, residents are strongly urged to avoid the sea. This event follows a significant 7.5 magnitude quake experienced in Japan just days prior on Monday night, which had initially triggered a full Tsunami Warning and resulted in over 30 injuries.
**Humanitarian and Environmental Crises**
* **Gaza Hit by Storm Bayrun:** The Gaza Strip is reeling from the effects of Storm Bayrun, which has caused widespread devastation. Heavy rains, high winds, and the collapse of structurally weak buildings have resulted in the deaths of at least 14 Palestinians, including several children.
* **Antarctica Glacier Alarm:** Scientists have expressed deep concern following the detection of hundreds of icequakes surrounding the notorious ‘Doomsday Glacier’ (Thwaites Glacier) in Antarctica.
* **Reconstruction Funding Urged:** The UN Special Representative for Palestine stated that nations supplying arms to Israel for the bombardment of Gaza—specifically the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy—should now bear the costs of the territory’s reconstruction.
## Geopolitical Developments and Diplomatic Incidents
**Middle East & Arms Control**
* **New Settlements Legalized:** Israel has formally granted legal status to 19 new Jewish settlements in the West Bank.
* **US Seizes Iranian Arms:** US Special Forces successfully raided a vessel in the Indian Ocean last month that was traveling from China to Iran, resulting in the seizure of defense materials.
**International Legal and Political Shifts**
* **H-1B Visa Lawsuit:** A coalition of 20 US states has filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the Trump administration’s decision to impose a substantial $100,000 fee on the H-1B visa category.
* **Ethiopian Status Revoked:** The US government has terminated the Temporary Legal Status previously granted to Ethiopian migrants.
* **Iranian Nobel Laureate Arrested:** Iran has detained Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
* **Russia Attacks Ukrainian Ports:** Russia launched attacks on two Ukrainian port facilities, leaving one person injured.
* **Diplomatic Engagements:** US President Donald Trump announced that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to cease all clashes and attacks, effective this Friday. Additionally, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of a summit in Turkmenistan.
* **UNHCR Appointment:** Former Iraqi President Barham Salih has been appointed as the new head of the UN Refugee Agency.
## Domestic and Security Incidents
**Pakistan Political Allegations**
* Khawaja Asif, a senior politician, alleged that former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Faiz Hameed was the officer in charge of a “project” aimed at the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claiming Hameed was instrumental in jailing political opponents.
* Pakistan’s Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Asim Gul Faraz, who was sentenced on April 12, 2021, to 14 years in prison and a fine of Rs 1 million.
**Crime and Public Appeal**
* **Canada Trucking Rivalry:** In Brampton, Canada, three Indian-origin truck drivers were apprehended following a shooting incident linked to a feud between two rival trucking groups. One suspect remains at large.
* **US Teen Homicide:** A 15-year-old boy in Texas was arrested for the fatal shooting of his girlfriend’s mother and her siblings.
* **Underworld Figure’s Daughter Appeals:** Husain Mastan Mirza, daughter of the late renowned Mumbai underworld figure Haji Mastan, appealed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking official recognition of her identity and justice.
*(Note: Reports regarding Pakistani film director Sangeeta’s criticism of Nauman Ejaz and actress Saba Faisal’s comments on her daughters-in-law’s clothing choices were also circulating on social media.)*
