Stories for 2026

Friday, June 19th 2026 - 17:34 UTC
Trump opens a new rift with Meloni by claiming she 'begged' him for a G7 photo

US President Donald Trump opened a new rift with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni by claiming that she “begged” him for a photo during the G7 summit and that he obliged out of “pity.” Meloni called the account fabricated, and in response Italy's foreign minister canceled a planned trip to the United States this weekend.
Friday, June 19th 2026 - 10:47 UTC
De la Espriella leads Colombia's runoff with contained triumphalism as Cepeda hopes for a late surge

Right-wing lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella heads into Colombia's presidential runoff, set for this Sunday, June 21, as the favorite, though with contained triumphalism, while left-wing senator Iván Cepeda trusts that a late push can still overturn the result. Both campaigns sense the election is closer than the polls reflect.
Friday, June 19th 2026 - 07:11 UTC
Ukraine launches its largest drone attack on Moscow, striking an oil refinery

Ukraine on Thursday launched one of its largest drone attacks on Moscow since the start of the Russian invasion in 2022, hitting the capital's oil refinery in the Kapotnya district, covering the city in black smoke and forcing the closure of its four airports. It was the second strike on that facility —run by a subsidiary of state-owned Gazprom— in a week.
Friday, June 19th 2026 - 06:49 UTC
US-backed opposition figure Figuera returns to Venezuela to negotiate a 'credible' electoral body

Opposition figure Dinorah Figuera, president of the National Assembly elected in 2015 and exiled in Spain for nearly eight years, returned to Venezuela on Thursday at the invitation of the US State Department to negotiate a “credible” electoral authority with Delcy Rodríguez's interim government. The return is part of Washington's plan for a democratic transition in the country.
Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 18:13 UTC
Healey MP, “my resignation was necessary for the future of the Britain’s Armed Forces”

UK Former Defense Secretary John Healey has said his surprise resignation last week was “necessary in securing the future of Britain's Armed Forces”. Now a backbench Labour MP, Healey told the House of Commons: ”I took the decision to resign with the very greatest regret and reluctance, but I continue to be certain about this decision.”
Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 17:53 UTC
Brazil softens Selic rate but concerns grow about fiscal stimulus on election year and impact of El Niño

Brazil’s central bank interest rate-setting committee, Copom, ‌unanimously voted on Wednesday to lower its benchmark Selic rate by 25 basis points to 14.25%, a level last seen in May 2025, ‌but acknowledging a tougher inflation outlook given the risks from election-year fiscal stimulus and the impact of a likely El Nino weather pattern shock.
Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 16:45 UTC
Why More New Zealanders Are Choosing Mobile Gaming Over Traditional Entertainment

If you sit in any café in Auckland for long enough, you'll probably notice the same thing. Almost everyone has a phone in their hand. Some people are checking messages, some are scrolling through social media, and others are playing games. It's become such a normal part of everyday life that most people don't even think about it anymore.
Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 15:06 UTC
Falklands’ Government requests input on modern anti-discrimination legislation

The Falkland Islands Government is currently developing modernized anti-discrimination legislation, with the first phase focusing on protections relating to race.
Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 14:54 UTC
Fed keeps rates unchanged; new chairman Warsh anticipates FOMC summaries will be shorter…and to facts

The Federal Open Market Committee from the US Federal Reserve voted unanimously to keep its benchmark overnight borrowing rate anchored in a range of 3.5%-3.75%. It was the first meeting of the Fed with the newly appointed chairman, Kevin Warsh.
Thursday, June 18th 2026 - 14:48 UTC
Falklands, regular military activities around Stanley at the end of June

From 28–30 June 2026, BFSAI’s (British Forces South Atlantic Islands) current RIC (Roulement Infantry Company), 5 RIFLES, will be conducting activity in and around the capital of the Falkland Islands, Stanley.