Edition timestamp · 25 stories on the board

Geopolitics in brief.

An editorial front page for global affairs. A fast, signal-first scan of borders, trade routes, power shifts, and the context behind the headlines.

Editor's note

Iran's internet blackout dominates headlines. US sanctions on a UN expert and appeals for Patriot missiles in Kyiv follow closely. The DR Congo Ebola outbreak also demands attention.

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25 stories off the wire

Back Online After Internet Blackout Ends, Iranians Still Face Limited Communications

1h ago

Lead story

Back Online After Internet Blackout Ends, Iranians Still Face Limited Communications

Internet access has been partially restored in Iran. The government had shut down communications in late February. This occurred at the start of the US-Israeli bombing campaign. Iranians reported being unable to check on loved ones during months of air strikes. Internet access in Iran has been partially restored after the government shut down communications at the start of the US-Israeli bombing campaign in late February.

2h ago

Image of Thai police in sparkly dresses with handcuffed suspect turns out to be AI fake

An image showing Thai police in sparkly dresses with a handcuffed suspect was an AI fake. Picture was created by administrator in charge of station’s Facebook account who wanted to create ‘friendlier image’It was an arresting image and an irresistible story. A group of tough Thai police officers – five men and one woman – all wearing elaborate festival-style dresses, surrounding a drug dealer they had caught while undercover. The image, released by local police, was so compelling that i.

2h ago

U.S. reimposes sanctions on UN expert on Palestinians

The U. S. Treasury Department reimposed sanctions on Ms. A notice on the Treasury Department's website showed that it had reimposed a sanctions designation on Ms. Albanese that blacklists her globally, making it impossible for her to use major credit cards or carry out bank transactions. U. reimposes sanctions on UN expert on Palestinians.

3h ago

Working For A Secret Family: The Foreigners Raising Putin's Purported Sons

At least 20 foreigners, primarily from Western countries, have worked for the family of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Alina Kabaeva over the past eight years. These individuals have been involved in raising and educating two boys believed to be the couple's children. This information comes from an investigation by RFE/RL's Russian investigative unit. Over the past eight years, at least 20 foreigners have helped raise and educate two boys believed to be the sons of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his purported partner Alina Kabayeva, most of them from Western countries, RFE/RL’s Russian investigative unit has determined.

3h ago

U.S. treasury officials moot $250 note featuring Trump

U. S. Treasury officials are considering a $250 note featuring former President Donald Trump. Federal law currently requires individuals to be deceased to appear on U. currency. Congress would need to pass a new law to permit Trump's portrait on a note., only deceased persons can be featured on currency notes; the U. Congress will have to pass a new law to allow Trump’s portrait to feature on a currency note.

3h ago

South Korea’s Starbucks furor revives an illiberal habit

Starbucks Korea faced public backlash over a marketing campaign. Critics argued the campaign promoted a harmful stereotype. The incident sparked debate about public outrage and due process in South Korea. Some observers noted a pattern of collective denunciation replacing formal judgment. This has led to discussions about fairness and accountability in public discourse. South Korea’s latest Starbucks controversy is not only about a badly judged marketing campaign.

4h ago

Kyiv’s Envoy Says Patriot Missiles Are Critical As Zelenskyy Appeals To Trump

Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova stated that Patriot missile systems are critical for Ukraine’s defense. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directly appealed to former President Donald Trump and the US Congress. He warned that Ukraine urgently requires more Patriot missile systems. Russia has increased its ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued an unusually direct appeal to President Donald Trump and the US Congress, warning that Ukraine urgently needs additional Patriot missile systems as Russia intensifies ballistic missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.

6h ago

Argentina’s ‘European’ self-image under renewed scrutiny after racist incidents in Brazil

Racist incidents in Brazil have renewed scrutiny of Argentina's self-image. A woman was filmed on a train. This event is the latest flashpoint in discussions about race relations in Latin America. Argentina faces debate over its perceived European identity. Case involving seven-year-old boy is latest flashpoint in debate over race relations in Latin America‘Argentina needs to end its fantasy of being a European country’: Lucrecia Martel on the story of a killingA woman celebrating her 32nd birthday on a train journey in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais was horrified when a fellow passenger alerted her that an unknown man had been secretly filming.

6h ago

Will Jamaica be the next country to drill and what does that mean for its green pledges?

Jamaica is considering oil production after seabed tests indicated crude oil presence. The Caribbean island imports all its fuel. This potential shift raises questions about its existing green pledges. Early tests suggest hydrocarbons off the south coast. With early tests suggesting the presence of crude oil, the Caribbean island has begun to debate whether it could justify becoming a producerJamaica is closer than ever to drilling for oil.

6h ago

WHO chief calls for ceasefire amid DR Congo Ebola outbreak

The World Health Organization Director-General traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Thursday. He called for a ceasefire in the country's eastern region. This region is currently experiencing a resurgence of Ebola. Instability is widespread in the affected area. The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) headed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Thursday as the country continues to combat a deadly resurgence of Ebola in its volatile eastern region where instability is rife.

6h ago

‘Critical new phase’ for UN reform effort

UN chief António Guterres outlined further progress for the UN80 Initiative UN chief António Guterres has outlined further progress in the wide-ranging UN80 Initiative, a major reform and restructuring project aimed at making the global body more effective, agile and better equipped to respond to global challenges.

6h ago

Iran-US Talks 'A Dangerous Game,' Says Ex-Pentagon Official Michael Patrick Mulroy

Former Pentagon official Michael Patrick Mulroy described Iran-US talks as a dangerous game. He stated both Washington and Tehran have reasons to avoid renewed conflict. The Strait of Hormuz remains a long-term pressure point, even if an agreement is reached. Former Pentagon official Michael Patrick Mulroy says both Washington and Tehran have incentives to avoid renewed war, but warns the Strait of Hormuz will remain a long-term pressure point even if an agreement is reached.

7h ago

‘I felt my humanity was bastardised’: Cynthia Erivo says reaction to Ariana Grande red carpet

Cynthia Erivo, co-star of Wicked, stated that public reactions to her Wicked co-star said reactions to the incident, which included suggestions she was Grande’s ‘bodyguard’, reflect an insidious view of Black womenWicked star Cynthia Erivo has said that reactions to the incident at the Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good, in which she stepped in to fend off a red-carpet invader who grabbed co-star Ariana Grande, revealed “the insidious nature of how we view Black.

7h ago

Ukrainian Ambassador To US: Kyiv Needs 'Surge' Of Air Defense

Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, stated Kyiv needs a surge of air defense systems to intercept ballistic missiles from Russia. She told RFE/RL that Ukraine is prepared to finance these additional systems. The ambassador described the need as desperate. Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, told RFE/RL that Ukraine is "desperate" to strike an agreement with the United States on military support to intercept ballistic missiles launched from Russia, adding that Ukraine is prepared to finance the additional systems.

9h ago

Belgrade bets on Beijing as Budapest pivots to Brussels

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic visited China on May 25, 2026, signing over 20 bilateral agreements. The deals cover infrastructure and artificial intelligence. This visit signals Belgrade's deepening ties with Beijing. It occurs as the international system fragments into competing power blocs. Hungary's recent pivot towards Brussels is noted in this context. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s state visit to China on May 25, 2026, sent a major geopolitical and geoeconomic signal at a moment when the international system is becoming increasingly fragmented between competing power blocs.

13h ago

Greener pasture of a shepherd’s life lures Chinese workers penned in by ‘996’ jobs

An Inner Mongolia farmer sought two shepherds for his 3,000 sheep. His job posting went viral. It attracted applicants including university graduates, factory workers, and white-collar professionals. Many city dwellers are seeking an alternative to demanding work schedules. The shepherd's life offers a perceived escape from the pressures of urban employment. When an Inner Mongolia farmer sought two herders to tend his 3,000 sheep, he was swamped with applicants including graduates, factory labourers and white-collar workersA Chinese farm owner’s recruitment drive for shepherds has ended in success after his job advert seeking people to work on his Inner Mongolia ranch went viral, drawing the attention of city dwellers struggling to find work and highl.

13h ago

Can South Korea really afford nuclear submarines?

South Korea's Ministry of National Defense has revealed plans to build its first domestic nuclear-powered submarine. This move could shift the nation's security posture from a US client to an undersea strategic power. The project carries significant financial, technological, and proliferation risks. South Korea’s push for nuclear-powered submarines could transform it from a US security client into an undersea strategic power, while at the same time accruing steep financial, technological and proliferation risks.

1d ago

Canada to order military plane fleet from Sweden in shift from US suppliers

Canada will purchase Saab’s GlobalEye early warning aircraft to patrol its Arctic territory. The decision marks a shift away from US defense suppliers. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the plan on Wednesday. The purchase aims to reduce Canada's reliance on American defense firms. Mark Carney announces purchase of Saab’s GlobalEye early warning aircraft to patrol Arctic territoryCanada has announced plans to buy a fleet of early warning planes from Sweden’s Saab rather than a competing option from Boeing, as the country seeks to reduce reliance on US defense firms. Mark Carney, the prime minister, said on Wednesday that Canada would opt for Saab’s GlobalEye, which is based o.

1d ago

Taliban Law Traps Child Brides In Marriages They Never Chose

The Taliban enacted a new divorce law that permits child marriage in Afghanistan. This legislation codifies the existing reality for many Afghan girls, who face forced marriages, delayed legal recourse, and silence interpreted as consent. The Taliban has issued a new law on divorce that explicitly acknowledges child marriage is permitted in Afghanistan. Two former child brides told RFE/RL that the law formalizes a reality many Afghan girls are already living: forced marriage, delayed justice, and silence treated as agreement.

1d ago

China rewriting world’s agriculture trade rules

China's updated import rules are restructuring agricultural supply chains across Asia. Sharp contrasts have emerged across Asia’s agricultural trade landscape, revealing how China’s updated import rules are restructuring supply chains throughout the region. In Brazil’s Sao Paulo, Chinese meat buyers are willing to pay a premium for beef certified free from deforestation. A purchasing team from the Tianjin Meat Industry Association, driving shifts in China’s consumption [] The post.

2d ago

Wars and geopolitical divisions constitute ‘dangerous erosion’ of world order, warns UN chief

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council that wars and arms races are dangerously eroding the world order. He warned that climate shocks and the weakening of international law are straining the multilateral system. Guterres stated the UN Charter faces one of its gravest tests in decades. The system was established to prevent a third world war. The UN Charter is facing one of its gravest tests in decades, Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council on Tuesday, warning that wars, arms races, climate shocks and the erosion of international law are placing intense pressure on the multilateral system established to prevent a third world war.

2d ago

International airlines urged to stick to safety measures in wake of Ebola outbreak

The UN aviation agency urged governments and flight operators to follow post-COVID safety guidelines. As a deadly Ebola strain continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with cases confirmed in neighbouring Uganda, the UN aviation agency is urging governments and flight operators to closely follow guidelines put in place following the COVID-19 pandemic.

2d ago

Founding principles of the UN facing ‘profound strain’, Guterres warns

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres stated the organization's founding principles are under "profound strain." He addressed the Security Council during a high-level debate on strengthening the UN-centred international system. Discussions focused on defending the UN Charter and reforming global governance. The meeting comes amid mounting pressure on multilateralism and deepening geopolitical divisions. The Security Council is meeting for a high-level debate on strengthening the UN-centred international system amid mounting pressure on multilateralism and deepening geopolitical divisions.

3d ago

Ebola epidemic spreading rapidly and outpacing containment efforts

The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces over 900 suspected Ebola cases and 220 deaths. World Health Organization head Tedros Ghebreyesus noted the epidemic is spreading faster than containment efforts. There are more than 900 suspected cases of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and 220 suspected deaths, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, said on Monday.

3d ago

The couple seeking to legalise same-sex marriage in Botswana

Bonolo Selelo and Tsholofelo Kumile are pursuing legal action in Botswana. Bonolo Selelo and Tsholofelo Kumile are going to court for right to wed but face fierce opposition from church groupsBonolo Selelo was at Botswana’s national museum for a Gaborone Pride event when she spotted Tsholofelo Kumile and was struck by her good looks. The two initiated a conversation and when Kumile expressed anxiety about what a tarot reading at the event might hold, Selelo thought nothi.