Archived edition · World
Every hourly briefing ever published, opened in a new tab as its own front page.
Latest briefing
12 stories off the wire
Lead story
Amanda Heng created A Pause for the Singapore Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. The 74-year-old artist designed the installation to encourage visitors to slow down and reflect. Her own ageing body informed the work's focus on rest and stillness. Singaporean artist Amanda Heng created A Pause inside the Singapore Pavilion at the ongoing Venice Biennale.
The United Arab Emirates and Israel are deepening ties. Saudi Arabia is increasing cooperation with Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan. These moves signal a divergence within the Gulf states. Their approaches to regional security and Iran differ. The UAE and Israel are getting closer, while Saudi Arabia is enhancing cooperation with Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan.
The World Health Organization revised its Ebola outbreak threat assessment to "very high" in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Suspected cases nearly tripled in a week to almost 750. The outbreak has caused 177 suspected deaths.
India plans to increase its Strategic Petroleum Reserve capacity. From a future energy security perspective, India will have to significantly enhance its SPR capacities from 17 days to a minimum of 45 days on land, with the possibility of another 10-15 days of SPR on sea on tankers.
The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted for a landmark climate crisis ruling. Resolution backed by 141 states hailed as ‘new chapter’ that could improve climate diplomacy and litigation effortsWhen the UN general assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of a landmark climate crisis ruling on Wednesday, the Pacific island of Vanuatu’s prime minister hailed the result as the start of “a new chapter” in climate action.“The task before all of us now is to translate legal clarity.
A senior UN envoy told the Security Council that delays in Gaza's transition As Gaza’s fragile ceasefire frays and humanitarian conditions deteriorate, a senior UN envoy warned the Security Council on Thursday that delays in implementing the Council-backed transition plan for the enclave will only increase suffering and undermine recovery.
The Security Council debated Gaza's future amid stalled peace progress. Discussions focused on governance and recovery. Conditions in the West Bank continue to deteriorate with mounting civilian casualties. The Security Council is discussing the stalled progress in Gaza as the fragile ceasefire there limps on, and deteriorating conditions across the West Bank amid continued civilian casualties and mounting humanitarian needs.
The United States government released a second batch of declassified UFO files on Friday, May 22, 2026. One of the 222 files contains 116 pages detailing reported sightings and investigations at a top-secret facility in Sandia, New Mexico. These documents cover events from 1948 to 1950.
Prime Minister Mark Carney stated Alberta is "essential" to Canada's future. This follows the province's premier pushing for an independence referendum. A judge previously ruled an initiative to force a binding vote invalid. Separatists in Alberta had collected signatures for months.
Marco Rubio expressed doubt about diplomatic solutions with Cuba. He stated the likelihood of a negotiated agreement is not high. This follows President Trump renewing threats of military action against Havana. The administration also announced criminal charges against former leader Raúl Castro.
A senior United Nations aid official stated the human cost of the Ukraine war defies international law. Russia accused Ukraine of targeting a student dormitory in Luhansk, reportedly killing six people including children. Kyiv denied targeting the civilian building, stating it struck a Russian military drone command headquarters.
The International Court of Justice ruled the right to strike is protected under an International Labour Organization convention. This advisory opinion resolves a dispute between workers and employers. The decision clarifies protections for collective bargaining. The UN International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday ruled that the right to strike is protected under a core International Labour Organization (ILO) convention, in a landmark advisory opinion settling a long-running dispute between workers and employers worldwide.
No stories match this region right now.
