Archived edition · World
Every hourly briefing ever published, opened in a new tab as its own front page.
Latest briefing
25 stories off the wire
Lead story
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.
Zardaly, a Kyrgyz village in the Batken region, is seeing its only access road expanded and reinforced. Previously, the precarious mountain pass was dangerous for people and horses, with some falling to their deaths. The infrastructure improvements are bringing new life to the area. New housing is being built. A power station is also planned for Zardaly. In Kyrgyzstan's remote Batken region, locals say people and horses have fallen to their deaths while traversing the only road to the village of Zardaly.
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.
The United States and Iran delayed their first face-to-face technical talks What was supposed to be the first face-to-face technical engagement between the US and Iran after their surprise memorandum of understanding (MOU) has instead become an early test of whether the fragile diplomatic opening can survive the pressures of a wider regional war.
Marjane Satrapi was laid to rest in Paris on June 19. The Iranian-born author wrote the graphic novel Persepolis, which was later adapted into a Cannes-winning animated film. Satrapi's work was honored with tributes in Paris. She was a renowned artist, activist, and filmmaker. Iranian-born author Marjane Satrapi, who wrote the hit graphic novel Persepolis, was laid to rest on June 19 in Paris amid tributes honoring her work.
Tamil Nadu's assembly adopted a resolution against Karnataka's Mekedatu dam plan. In this episode we look at the Tamil Nadu Assembly revives the Cauvery dispute with a resolution against Karnataka’s Mekedatu dam project, while Kerala’s first budget under Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan sparks political debate. We also look at Israel-Hezbollah clashes test a fragile U. S.-Iran deal, and more.
Russia is experiencing gas shortages at fuel stations. Pulling up at a gas station with no fuel for sale, a Russian woman is aghast: “What’s going on in this country?” What’s going on is that in the fifth year of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine is fighting back with strikes on oil refineries, part of a bid to bring the war to citizens across Russia.
US and Iranian delegations delayed travel to Switzerland for peace talks after Israeli military bombardment in southern Lebanon US and Iranian delegations delayed plans to travel to Switzerland on Friday for the opening round of talks to cement the details of a peace agreement as the Israeli military bombarded southern Lebanon, killing at least 18 people and threatening once again to derail momentum toward a diplomatic resolution.
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.
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. This punishment was for performing in a YouTube video. She sang "From The Blood Of the Youth" in an empty theater in 2024. The video has 2.9 million views. 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.
The head of the UN-affiliated atomic energy agency welcomed the signing of an initial Iran The head of the UN-affiliated 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 UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights warned of impending international crimes as militias advance on El Obeid. The city is the capital of Sudan’s North Kordofan state. An offensive risks deepening the existing humanitarian crisis. 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.
Venezuela's government and opposition held US-backed talks on democratic transition. The meeting between National Assembly chief Jorge Rodriguez and former Opposition lawmaker Dinorah Figuera. who returned to Caracas on Thursday (June 18) after eight years of exile. "is a first step in what will be a thoughtful process to secure a free and open Venezuelan society," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
A U. S. The latest attack brings the number of people who have been killed in boat strikes by the U. military to at least 211 since the Trump administration began targeting those it calls “narcoterrorists” in early September. U. strike on alleged drug boat kills three in eastern Pacific Ocean.
Russian forces attacked Kramatorsk in Ukraine's Donetsk region. Three people died. Six others sustained injuries. The attacks occurred near an apartment building and a car park. Vadym Filashkin, Governor of Donetsk region, said on the Telegram app that six others had been injured in two attacks on the city, with strikes occurring near a high-rise apartment building and a car park.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni denied Donald Trump's claim that she begged for a photo at the G7 summit. Trump told an Italian television channel that Meloni had requested the picture. Meloni stated Trump invented the story. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accused Donald Trump of making up a story about her, after the US president told an Italian TV channel that she had "begged" him to take a picture with her at the G7 summit in France.
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.
No stories match this region right now.
