1) Iran agrees to grant UN inspectors "managed access" to military sites
- Iran has agreed to grant United Nations inspectors "managed access" to military sites as part of a future deal over its contested nuclear program
- Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi`s comments,carried by state television, came after he and Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif attended a closed session of parliament. Lawmaker Ahmad Shoohani, a member of parliament`s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee who attended the closed-door session, said restricted inspections of military sites will be carried out under strict control and specific circumstances.
- Iran and six world powers the US, Russia, China, Britain,France and Germany hope to work out terms of a final nuclear deal before a June 30 deadline. Inspection of military sites suspected to be taking part in the nuclear program is a top priority of the US.
2) Iran warns on excessive demands of global powers
- Iran on 28th May warned global powers against making excessive demands in talks aimed at sealing a ground-breaking nuclear deal, after France demanded access to its military installations. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif is to meet US Secretary of State John Kerry in Geneva after weeks of behind-the-scenes complex technical discussions in Vienna seeking to narrow the gaps on what would be an unprecedented deal on curtailing Iran`s nuclear programme. The negotiators are working towards a proposed June 30 deadline for agreement.
3) UN conference on prevention of proliferation of nuclear weapons ends in failure
- A United Nations conference aimed at preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons has ended in failure after a row over a nuclear-free Middle East proposal. The Egypt-backed plan had envisaged a regional forum, which analysts say might have forced Israel to reveal whether or not it has nuclear weapons. The proposal was blocked by the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. The next review is set for 2020. Israel neither confirms nor denies it has a stockpile of nuclear weapons.
4) China sets up Silk Road gold fund
- Current Affirs China has set up a gold sector fund involving countries along the ancient Silk Road which is expected to raise $16.1 billion. The fund, led by Shanghai Gold Exchange (SGE), is expected to raise an estimated 100 billion yuan ($16.1 billion) in three phases, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. It is said to be the “largest fund” set up by China.
5) Earth quake in Tokyo
- An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 shook Tokyo and surrounding areas on 25th May, but no tsunami warning was issued. The quake was centered in Ibaraki prefecture just northeast of the Japanese capital. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, and no reports of abnormalities at any nuclear facilities. The US Geological Survey measured the quake at 5.3 magnitude.
- The tremor shook buildings in Tokyo and briefly halted some train lines, including the Tokyo Metro subway lines. Narita airport closed both runways for checks shortly after the quake, but the capital`s Haneda airport was operating as normal. On March 11, 2011, Japan - one of the world`s most seismically active nations - was hit with a massive earthquake and tsunami that left nearly 20,000 people dead and set off meltdowns at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant.
6) Iraqi govt starts operation to drive IS from Anbar
- Iraqi government forces have formally launched an operation to drive Islamic State (IS) out of Anbar province. The announcement was made for the Popular Mobilisation. The operation would see troops and militiamen move southwards from Salahuddin province and seek to cut off IS militants in Ramadi. The provincial capital fell to IS this month after Iraq`s army withdrew. Since then government forces have been massing for a counter-attack, and they say they have regained some ground east of Ramadi in the past few days.