4,816 events tracked
geopolitical · geopolitical
Both Tehran and Washington hailed the negotiations that took place in Switzerland on June 22 to create a roadmap to close down the war in the Middle East. US Vice president JD Vance said it laid a good foundation for a deal to end the war. The parties agreed to establish mechanisms to open the strait of Hormuz but it is unclear who will control it.
geopolitical · geopolitical
Iran will be 'only country' to determine how to use unfrozen assets: ambassador Tehran alone will decide how to use its frozen assets once they are unfrozen under a US-Iranian deal towards ending the Middle East war, an Iranian ambassador said Tuesday, contradicting US claims. As part of the deal under negotiation, Washington has agreed to release $12 billion in frozen funds to Iran, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday, and temporarily suspend sanctions on oil from the Islamic republic. US Vice President JD Vance said on Monday that Iranian assets had not yet been unfrozen as part of the deal and that, if they were, they could be used to buy US goods such as soybeans and would not fund terrorism. Ali Bahreini, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, rejected that. "Iran is the only country who will decide what to do with its assets, which are going to be defrozen," he told reporters at a briefing in Geneva hosted by the UN correspondents' association ACANU. Reporting by AFP
geopolitical · geopolitical
The former first minister is to serve as deputy prime minister in a simulation of a Russian attack on the UK.
geopolitical · geopolitical
Russian forces launched a missile strike on the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on Tuesday 23 June, killing one person.
geopolitical · geopolitical
There are moments when life in Moscow feels completely normal - Thursday morning wasn't one of them, writes Steve Rosenberg.
geopolitical · geopolitical
Sergey Shoigu underscored that "the neocolonialists who have adapted to live at the expense of others in the race for resources and influence are not hesitant to use any methods including 'tariff wars' and unilateral sanctions"
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New York Mayor Mamdani condemns continued killings in Gaza and Aipac New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has sharply criticised the continuing violence in Gaza, saying that more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since the announcement of a ceasefire and arguing that the situation remains unacceptable. Speaking in a televised interview, Mamdani said: "I want to be very clear. We're talking about a status quo where children are being killed on a daily basis." He also referenced the death of Al Jazeera journalist Ahmed Wishah, who was killed in an Israeli strike on 21 June. Responding to questions about his previous criticism of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), Mamdani said the organisation had supported what he described as an unjust status quo. "When I am speaking about AIPAC, I'm speaking about an organisation that has been supportive of the status quo," he said. He added that the current situation represented "a status quo of immorality" and argued that those who enable it should also be held accountable.
geopolitical · geopolitical
Iran says technical talks with US have concluded, announces next phase Iran's deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, says technical talks in Switzerland aimed at advancing a final agreement with the United States have concluded, with future negotiations set to proceed under the supervision of a newly established high-level committee. According to Iran's IRNA news agency, Gharibabadi, who heads Tehran's technical negotiating team, said four working groups had been created to address the main areas of discussion. The groups will focus on sanctions relief, Iran's nuclear programme, reconstruction and economic development, and mechanisms to ensure both sides comply with the memorandum of understanding. Gharibabadi said the next phase of negotiations would take place under the oversight of the high-level committee and involve senior political figures from both sides. He said participants are expected to include the speaker of Iran's parliament, the Iranian foreign minister, the US vice president, and the prime ministers of Pakistan and Qatar, who are mediating the process.
geopolitical · geopolitical
Democrats criticise Trump over sanctions relief for Iran Democrats on the US House Foreign Affairs Committee have criticised President Donald Trump's decision to grant sanctions relief to Iran, arguing that Tehran received significant economic concessions before making progress on core issues under negotiation. In a post on X, committee Democrats said the administration's actions were "inconsistent with its own rhetoric about how it would approach any deal" with Iran. They noted that Trump officials had previously stated sanctions relief would be linked to progress on Iran's nuclear programme and its regional allies. "Neither has been addressed, but the regime has been gifted sweeping sanctions relief it has dreamed of for decades," the statement said. While ending this illegal war is better than disastrously doubling down, the admin’s steps are inconsistent with its own rhetoric about how it would approach any deal. Trump officials repeatedly said sanctions relief would be tied to Iran addressing its nuclear program and… pic.twitter.com/n04RRmPRhq — House Foreign Affairs Committee Dems (@HouseForeign) June 22, 2026
geopolitical · geopolitical
Iran negotiator says talks helped stop bloodshed in Lebanon Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf has defended his country's decision to engage in negotiations with the United States in Switzerland, arguing that the talks were necessary to help halt violence in Lebanon. In a post on X, Ghalibaf responded to domestic critics who questioned the Iranian delegation's participation in the negotiations. Referring to comments aired on Iran's state broadcaster, he wrote: "I tell those dear ones: If we hadn't gone to Switzerland, every moment more blood would have been shed from the Muslims and Shias of Lebanon." Iranian officials have cast the creation of a Lebanon deconfliction mechanism and ceasefire arrangements as among the most significant outcomes of the talks. در یکی از برنامههای خوب صداوسیما دیدم که گفتند کاش فرودگاه مهرآباد را میبستند تا تیم مذاکرهکننده به سوئیس نرود. به آن عزیزان میگویم اگر به سوئیس نمیرفتیم، هر لحظه خون بیشتری از مسلمانان و شیعیان لبنان ریخته میشد. — محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) June 22, 2026
geopolitical · geopolitical
Displaced families sheltering in Beirut express scepticism over truce Displaced Lebanese sheltering in tents along Beirut's waterfront say they remain unconvinced that the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah will hold, citing previous collapses of truce efforts and continued uncertainty about returning home. Mohammed Yassin, 60, told Reuters that he was ready to return to his hometown of Houla in southern Lebanon as soon as conditions allowed. "The moment they say the road is open and things are okay," he said. But he added that he did not trust the ceasefire, arguing that previous agreements had failed to prevent renewed violence. Suzanne, also 60, said her family lost their home in Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh, following Israeli attacks. "We were renting in the Dahiyeh and the homes are gone. They hit them. There are no homes left. Where are we supposed to go? We don't know where we're supposed to go," she said. According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli attacks since 2 March have killed at least 4,106 people and displaced more than 1.2 million others. People search for survivors at the site of an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburbs, 14 June 2026 (Ibrahim Amro/AFP)
geopolitical · geopolitical
Video: Pro-Israel group chief boasts about targeting Francesca Albanese Hillel Neuer, the executive director of UN Watch, a pro-Israel NGO, speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit, detailed his organisation’s efforts to lobby the US to sanction UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. Neuer explained that the sanctions against Albanese were prompted by her remarks about the influence of the "Jewish lobby" in America, as well as her comments regarding the 7 October attacks. “As you know, I don't have to tell this audience, she has said that America is controlled by the Jewish lobby," he said. Neuer further emphasized that they played a role in having Albanese's husband demoted from his position at the World Bank, stating, "After she was sanctioned, we got her husband, who works for the World Bank, who shares in her incitement.” Hillel Neuer, the executive director of UN Watch, a pro-Israel NGO, speaking at the JNS International Policy Summit, detailed his organisation’s efforts to lobby the US to sanction UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese pic.twitter.com/I6tzkPhLgT — Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) June 23, 2026
geopolitical · geopolitical
Could France do it on a hot, humid, waterlogged and lightning-threatened night in Pennsylvania? The answer was pretty straightforward. Despite an interruption of over two hours after a chain of severe thunderstorms disrupted play at Philadelphia Stadium, France brushed past the physical challenge of Iraq, and furthered Kylian Mbappé’s personal duel with Lionel Messi in the process. The France captain got another two goals on the night, the first a rip-snorter from outside the box after a period of dominance, the second a tap in after disastrous defending from Iraq. Ousmane Dembélé got the third, his first goal at a major tournament, while Didier Deschamps, who had already made three changes to keep his side fresh, was also able to retire Dembélé and Michael Olise on the hour, preserving them for more taxing contests. Continue reading...
geopolitical · geopolitical
The former first minister is to serve as deputy prime minister in a simulation of a Russian attack on the UK.
geopolitical · geopolitical
Researchers say these coral strongholds may help repopulate more degraded reefs.
geopolitical · geopolitical
The United States said on Thursday that it had lifted its maritime blockade on Iran, while Tehran announced measures to reopen the Strait of Hormuz following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries, marking a significant step towards easing regional tensions.
geopolitical · geopolitical
Russian forces attacked four districts in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones, artillery and a guided aerial bomb on 22 June, killing one person and injuring nine others.
geopolitical · geopolitical
Russian forces conducted a guided aerial bomb attack on Sumy on 22 June. A trolleybus was hit and three people were injured.
geopolitical · geopolitical
Ukraine’s air defence forces intercepted 118 out of 135 Russian drones, although some strikes were recorded. The attack rages on.
geopolitical · geopolitical
The Russians attacked Donetsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, killing five people and injuring 29.
geopolitical · geopolitical
Russian-held Crimea, a popular tourism destination, suspended children’s summer camps and tourist activities until September 1, its governor said on Monday, as the peninsula reels from a fuel crisis due to Ukrainian attacks on its supply routes. Supplies of fuel and other products to Crimea have become strained as Ukraine has targeted both sea routes and supply roads from the north. The availability of petrol and diesel in Russia, the world’s third-largest oil producer, has also been undermined...
geopolitical · geopolitical
Victims of violent acts and threats by loan sharks have been urged to come forward under a nationwide initiative led by the Malaysian Chinese Association’s Public Services and Complaints Department. MCA chief Michael Chong said the party’s youth and women’s wings have also been roped in to collect data and provide aid to loan shark victims. “Throwing paint at homes is now considered lenient, as we are seeing loan sharks throwing petrol bombs. They are getting rampant with no regard for the law...
geopolitical · geopolitical
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Washington’s National Mall is set to be drained again for repairs after algae and peeling paint appeared just weeks after a US$14.7 million renovation, while President Donald Trump threatened prison time for anyone caught damaging the pool. The DC Water authority issued a permit to drain the 609-metre rectangular pool, it said on Monday, while the repair company said it would fix the pool as part of its warranty. Peeling paint and algae growth have been...
geopolitical · geopolitical
Lebanese media reported an Israeli airstrike in Southern Lebanon on Friday, after a US official said Israel and Hezbollah had agreed a ceasefire.
geopolitical · geopolitical
It comes less than a day after US officials said Israel and the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah had agreed to a renewed ceasefire.
geopolitical · geopolitical
"We're going to hopefully make progress on the nuclear issue, make progress on the Lebanon ceasefire issue," US Vice President JD Vance told reporters.
geopolitical · geopolitical
Ukraine has intensified its drone attacks on the Russian-controlled territory of Crimea, prompting a fuel shortage on the peninsula. The campaign has prompted officials there to halt gasoline sales to the public and has caused a larger threat to Russia's fleet in the Black Sea. FRANCE 24's Monte Francis has the story.
geopolitical · geopolitical
Lionel Messi is now the all-time top scorer in World Cup history, after scoring twice Monday against Austria in the 2026 World Cup. His first match, where he scored a hat-trick against Algeria, saw some online controversy. According to internet users, Algerian fans allegedly targeted him with an aggressive chant, calling Messi the "enemy of Allah" and threatening Argentina. But the audio is manipulated, and an old Arab protest chant against al-Sisi.
geopolitical · geopolitical
Top stories from the Russian press on Monday, June 22nd
geopolitical · geopolitical
IMF warns Middle East instability could have lasting impact on Africa Instability caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran has created challenges for African economies that could take months to overcome, according to the International Monetary Fund's new Africa director, Zeine Zeidane. Speaking at a media briefing, Zeidane said the Middle East's role as a major fertiliser exporter meant disruptions in the region could have significant consequences for Africa's food security and agricultural production costs. "My immediate priority is really to help countries in the region to weather this shock," he said. Zeidane warned that the effects of the conflict were likely to persist even after a ceasefire, noting that Gulf countries had indicated it typically takes six to seven months for production and exports to return to normal levels.