71 killed in Israeli strike on prison in Tehran

At least 71 people were killed in an Israeli strike on Evin Prison in the Iranian capital Tehran last week, Iran's judiciary announced on Sunday.

The victims of the June 23 attack included prison staff, conscripts, jailed convicts, visiting family members, and residents of nearby buildings, the Mizan news agency quoted judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir as saying.

Jahangir said that by its "terrorist and brutal" attack on the prison, Israel once again proved its lack of commitment to international law. He noted that the sections of the infirmary, technical and engineering division, and the visitation area in the prison complex were also targeted.

He branded the attack as an "all-out crime," saying that the nearby buildings had sustained heavy damage and their residents suffered severe injuries.

Iran calls on UN to recognize U.S., Israel as initiators of "aggressors"

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Sunday called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to recognize Israel and the United States as the initiators of the "aggression" against Iran.

In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and UNSC President Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Araghchi urged the Council to fulfill its responsibility in maintaining international peace and security, according to the official IRNA news agency.

He accused Israel of deliberately targeting residential buildings, civilians, and civilian infrastructure, describing the attacks as a "flagrant breach" of the UN Charter and a "blatant violation" of international law.

Araghchi said Israel and the United States had also targeted Iran's nuclear facilities -- safeguarded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) -- in "grave violation of the UN Charter, the Non-Proliferation Treaty, as well as the IAEA's instruments and resolutions."

21 Palestinians killed by Israeli army across Gaza

At least 21 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in Israeli airstrikes and gunfire across the Gaza Strip, Gaza's civil defense said, as the Israeli army ordered the evacuation of wide areas in Gaza City and northern parts of the enclave amid escalating military operations.

According to Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the civil defense in Gaza, Israeli warplanes struck residential houses and tents sheltering displaced people in various areas of the enclave, killing at least 17 people, including women and children. Dozens of others were injured, some critically.

Basal told Xinhua that four other Palestinians were killed while searching for food near the U.S.-backed aid distribution center in the Shakoush area, north of Rafah in southern Gaza.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on these incidents.

S. Korean president names ministers, secretaries

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who took office on June 4, named six ministers and two senior secretaries, the presidential office said Sunday.

Koo Yun-cheol, former vice finance minister, was selected to lead the Ministry of Economy and Finance and double as deputy prime minister for economic affairs.

Lee Jin-sook, former president of Chungnam National University, was picked as education minister who doubles as deputy prime minister for social affairs.

Jeong Seong-ho, five-term lawmaker of the ruling liberal Democratic Party, was nominated as justice minister, while the Democratic Party's five-term lawmaker, Yoon Ho-jung, was named as interior minister.

Kim Jung-kwan, president of the country's major plant builder Doosan Enerbility, was nominated as industry minister, while former Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong was picked as minister of health and welfare.

U.S. Senate advances Trump's major tax-cut, spending bill

The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate on Saturday narrowly advanced President Donald Trump's major tax and spending bill, marking a key procedural step toward passing the legislation before his self-imposed July 4 recess.

The 940-page package, formally titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, was approved in a 51-49 procedural vote late Saturday night, with two Republicans joining all Democrats in opposition.

The vote allows formal debate to begin on the measure, which seeks to make permanent the 2017 tax cuts, increase military and border security spending, and reduce funding for key social welfare programs.

"Tonight we saw a GREAT VICTORY in the Senate with the 'GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL,'" Trump praised the victory in a post on TruthSocial.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York accused Republicans of rushing the process and insisted that the entire bill be read aloud on the Senate floor before debate could begin.