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Min Aung Hlaing transitioned from commander-in-chief to president in Myanmar. Five years after mounting a coup that ousted an elected civilian government, Min Aung Hlaing has overseen tightly staged elections transitioning him from commander-in-chief to president. Foreign governments should ensure interaction with Naypyitaw is calibrated, so as not to confer unwarranted legitimacy on the administration.
The Pentagon restored the designation US Pacific Command, replacing the Indo-Pacific Command name The Pentagon’s decision to restore the designation US Pacific Command (USPACOM), replacing the Indo-Pacific Command name adopted in 2018, has officially been presented as a historical adjustment rather than a strategic shift., the command’s area of responsibility remains unchanged, stretching from America’s Pacific coastline to India’s western border,.
Armenia will hold its first general election since 2021 on 7 Armenians will head to the polls on 7 June for the country’s first general election since 2021. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Joshua Kucera explains why foreign policy has dominated the campaign and what the results may mean for Yerevan’s external relations.
Djibouti occupies a strategic location on the Horn of Africa, bordering the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. This position has made it a hub for foreign military bases and international trade. The country navigates shifting alliances and regional turmoil. It hosts bases for countries including the United States, China, France, and Japan. This week on The Horn, Alan speaks with Samson Abebe Bezabeh, Assistant Professor of African Studies at the University of Hong Kong, about Djibouti’s history, politics and efforts to navigate turmoil and shifting alliances in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
Pakistan is mediating proposals between the United States and Iran following U. S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Islamabad has taken on this role despite the inherent risks. The nation views the stakes as sufficiently high to continue its efforts toward de-escalation. Soon after the U. and Israel began bombing Iran on 28 February, Pakistan started conveying proposals for ending the war.
The European Union's next seven-year budget proposal may reduce funding for conflict prevention and aid to fragile states. Experts warn this could impact the EU's ability to address global instability. The proposed budget shifts priorities away from these areas. This change risks undermining efforts to foster peace and security in vulnerable regions. The European Union’s next seven-year budget could put spending on conflict prevention and aid to fragile states at risk.
AXSMarine reported 25 commercial vessel crossings through the Strait of Hormuz on AXSMarine said that on June 18 it observed “25 verified commercial vessel crossings through the Strait of Hormuz – the highest single-day count since April 18 and more than five times the average daily level recorded during the first ten days of June”. Hormuz ship crossings spike after U. S.-Iran deal to end war, says marine tracker.
Lebanon reported 18 people killed in recent strikes. "With all due respect to the Americans, Israel must make it clear to the entire world that the blood of our sons and the security of our citizens are not up for bargaining," Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said in a statement.
U. S. Vice President JD Vance stated Donald J. “Donald J Trump is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time,” U. Vice President JD Vance said during a news briefing at the White House on Thursday, June 18, 2026. JD Vance slams Israeli officials who criticised U. S.-Iran deal, deepening rift between allies.
The term "Wasian" is gaining traction to describe individuals of mixed Asian and White heritage. Celebrities like Alysa Liu, Eileen Gu, and Olivia Rodrigo are associated with this label. Laufey featured several "Wasians" in her recent music video. “Wasians” are having a moment right now. Think of Winter Olympians Alysa Liu and Eileen Gu, singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, actors Lola Tang (The Summer I Turned Pretty) and Hudson Williams (Heated Rivalry), or singer/dancer Megan Skiendiel from Katseye.
France's Foreign Minister stated Israel must halt its military actions in southern Lebanon. He also called for the United States to exert pressure on Israel. This comes amid reported intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Israel’s military said on Friday (June 19) its forces struck targets throughout southern Lebanon overnight as Hezbollah reported intense fighting in the area, threatening the nascent agreement between Iran and the United States to end their war.
U. S. administrations find Iran cannot be coerced. This realization follows attempts with sanctions and isolation. The current strategy aims to address dangers through diplomacy. Despite any difference in ideologies, political affliations or strategies, every U. administration comes to the realisation that Iran cannot be bullied with airstrikes, sanctions or diplomatic isolation; treading the same path, Trump’s latest deal aims to address the most pressing dangers.
Barbados prime minister Mia Mottley announced a Caribbean leaders' manifesto for slavery reparations. The document asserts the moral, ethical, and legal case for compensation. It emphasizes harm done to African women. Other Caribbean nations are considering the manifesto. Updated document, which emphasises harm done to African women, is being considered by other Caribbean countriesBarbados’s prime minister, Mia Mottley, has announced a new manifesto from Caribbean leaders asserting the “moral, ethical and legal case” for reparations over damage caused by hundreds of years of enslavement. Mottley was speaking at a “historic” conference in Ghana to advance the push fo.
Dawie Groenewald and Tielman Erasmus were sentenced in South Africa for rhino ‘Mastermind’ Dawie Groenewald given fine of 2m rand or four-year jail term almost 16 years after arrestTwo traffickers of rhino horns have been sentenced by a South African court in what police said was the world’s largest such case, partly bringing to an end an almost two-decade legal saga. Dawie Groenewald and Tielman Erasmus had faced more than 1,700 charges ranging from illegally hunting and de.
Israeli drones struck southern Lebanon on Thursday. The Israeli military carried out drone strikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday, just hours after the presidents of the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding that establishes a framework for negotiations to end the war launched by the Trump administration and Israel in late February. Lebanese media reported that “an Israeli drone dropped a munition on Beit Yahoun, injuring The post I.
Iranian authorities sentenced singer Parastoo Ahmadi to 74 lashes. Iranian authorities have sentenced singer Parastoo Ahmadi to a punishment of 74 lashes for performing in a YouTube video that has racked up 2.9 million views over the last two years. Ahmadi sang the well-known patriotic song From The Blood Of the Youth to an empty theater space in 2024. Iranian Female Artist Sentenced For Virtual Concert.
The UN's top human rights official warned of impending atrocities in El Obeid, The UN’s top human rights official has issued an urgent warning that an imminent offensive against El Obeid, the capital of Sudan’s North Kordofan state, carries the risk of serious international crimes and threatens to deepen an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
The UN’s atomic energy agency head welcomed an Iran-US memorandum to end the war. He proposed direct talks with both parties. The agency will assist with concrete measures. Verification of Iran’s nuclear program is a key sticking point. The head of the UN’s atomic energy agency on Thursday welcomed the signing of an initial Iran-US memorandum aimed at ending the war, before proposing “to sit down” with both parties to assist with concrete measures such as verification of Iran’s nuclear programme, a key sticking point.
The World Health Organization has issued new guidelines as treatment capacity for the Bundibugyo species of Ebola expands in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The expansion aims to combat the rare and deadly disease. Community mistrust remains a major challenge to ending the outbreak in the region. Treatment capacity for the rare and deadly Bundibugyo species of Ebola is expanding in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that community mistrust remains a major challenge to ending the outbreak.
Severe thunderstorms caused destruction in the Balkans last week. The storms formed over the Adriatic Sea due to lingering hot air and a southward cold front. Slovenia experienced strong winds and heavy rain. Strong winds and heavy rain batter Slovenia, while France experiences atypical heatwaveSevere thunderstorms swept across the Balkans last week, bringing widespread destruction to parts of the region.
Repair crews began emergency work on Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral after a June 15 attack. The UNESCO-protected site sustained damage. Priceless items were moved to safety. Experts warn soot and moisture still threaten remaining historic artifacts. Ukrainian workers are conducting emergency repairs to a historic cathedral, part of a UNESCO-protected monastery, which was damaged in an overnight attack on June 15.
Ukrainian drones struck a Moscow oil refinery on the morning of June 18. Multiple Ukrainian drones hit a Moscow oil refinery on the morning of June 18, in what was the second attack this week on the largest fuel supplier to the Moscow region. At least 16 people were injured in the attack,.
U. K. Prime Minister Starmer stated he will not resign. He plans to fight any challenge to his leadership. This follows Healey's resignation. Rivals are expected to seek his replacement soon. “I’m not going to walk away,” Mr. Starmer told the BBC, making his first public comments since Healey’s shock resignation. With rivals expected to launch a contest to replace him in the coming weeks or months, Mr.
Government forces and soldiers were responsible for more grave violations against children in armed conflict For the first time, soldiers and Government forces were responsible for more grave violations against children in armed conflict than non-State armed groups – and 2025 set a grim new record for the total number of child victims.
An international review found commercial cannabis sales increase cannabis usage and rates of psychosis. Review reveals rise in users and rates of psychosis in countries where cannabis is sold commercially Decriminalising the possession of cannabis or strictly regulating access to the drug do not appear to drive up usage, but when the drug is sold commercially the number of users increases and more mental health problems are seen, a review has found. An international team analysed the dramatic shift i.
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