While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, June 30, 2025

Netanyahu sees Iran outcome opening door to Gaza hostage return

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on June 29 the 12-day war with Iran had created opportunities for Israel, and the first was the return of hostages held in Gaza by Palestinian militants who attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023.

His remarks, coupled with the Jerusalem District Court’s postponement of his testimony this week in his long-running corruption trial, gave rise to speculation that progress may be made to end the Gaza conflict and secure the hostages’ release.

The court accepted on June 29 Mr Netanyahu’s request for the delay, citing classified diplomatic and security grounds. US President Donald Trump had suggested on June 28 the trial could interfere with the Israeli leader’s ability to negotiate.

Israel’s military Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said on June 27 the war in Iran, which ended on June 24, could help advance Israeli objectives against the Iranian-backed Hamas group in the Gaza Strip.

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Ukraine F-16 pilot killed in large-scale Russian attack, Zelensky calls for US help

A Ukrainian F-16 fighter pilot died in a crash while repelling a Russian air attack that involved hundreds of drones, cruise and ballistic missiles, authorities said on June 29, as Moscow intensifies night-time air barrages in the fourth year of war.

President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the pilot, Maksym Ustymenko, and bestowed upon him posthumously the title of Hero of Ukraine, the country’s highest decoration.

He also called for more support from Washington and Western allies to bolster Ukraine’s air defences after the attack, which damaged homes and infrastructure across the country and injured at least 12 people, according to local authorities.

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Trump says he has group of ‘very wealthy people’ to buy TikTok

President Donald Trump said on June 29 a group of buyers had been found for TikTok, which faces a looming ban in the United States due to its China ties, adding he could name the purchasers in two weeks.

“We have a buyer for TikTok, by the way,” Mr Trump said in an interview on Fox’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.

“Very wealthy people. It’s a group of wealthy people,” the president said, without revealing more except to say he would make their identities known “in about two weeks.”

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Political ‘constraints’ led to jet losses in Pakistan clash, says Indian official 

India’s political leadership didn’t permit strikes on Pakistani military bases at the start of hostilities between the two countries in May, allowing Islamabad to shoot down its fighter jets, according to a military official.  

“I do agree we did lose some aircraft. That happened only because of the constraints given by the political leadership to not attack the military establishment or their air defence,” India’s military attachė to Indonesia, Shiv Kumar, said at a seminar on the India-Pakistan conflict at the Universitas Dirgantara Marsekal Suryadarma in Jakarta.

The worst clash between the nuclear-armed neighbours in half a century erupted May 7, with both sides trading air, drone and missile strikes, as well as artillery and small-arms fire along their shared border.

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S’pore golfer Shannon Tan claims second Ladies European Tour title with German Masters victory

Moments after sinking the putt that sealed her second Ladies European Tour (LET) title, Singaporean golfer Shannon Tan remained composed, her expression stoic as she showed little emotion, before her fellow players rushed over and doused her in champagne.

The 21-year-old had just held on for a dramatic one-shot victory at the Amundi German Masters on June 29, closing with a three-over 76 for a nine-under 283 total at Green Eagle Golf Courses’ North Course in Winsen (Luhe).

German Helen Briem (73) ended a stroke behind at the €300,000 (S$446,780) event, while New Zealand’s Amelia Garvey (72) was two shots back in third.

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