Latest news for 2 June 2026

UNITED STATES

You’re f***ing crazy.

President Trump has announced an Israel-Hezbollah de-escalation, but only after the US president (per Axios) called the Israeli PM “f***ing crazy” for resuming strikes on Hezbollah’s southern Beirut stronghold! Iran has long hinged its US talks on Israel first reaching a Hezbollah truce, though there are already reported clashes and statements casting doubt on Trump’s claimed Hezbollah de-escalation. (Yahoo)

Comment: It all reminds us of this quip via Bloomberg’s Tracy Alloway: “Lord, grant me the confidence of an equity investor trading on an Axios headline.”

RUSSIA

Tanker seized.

French authorities have seized a Russian tanker in the Atlantic suspected of shadow fleet activities. Meanwhile, Putin has launched another 600 missiles and drones in his latest overnight attack on Ukrainian cities. (France24)

UNITED KINGDOM

Court says no, Brussels says yes.

The Hague’s Permanent Court of Arbitration has rejected Rwanda’s $134M compensation claim over the UK’s scrapped deal to deport irregular arrivals and asylum seekers to Rwanda. Meanwhile, the EU has just reached an in-principle deal allowing similar ‘return hubs’ outside the bloc. (DW)

Comment: That court case helps Starmer close the book on one of the more vexed legacies he inherited, while the new EU law keeps the ‘return hubs’ concept alive elsewhere (including for the long-running Italy-Albania proposal).

DR CONGO

Ebola borders tightening.

As the Bundibugyo outbreak tops 300 cases across Congo’s east, neighbours like Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi have intensified their border screening. Jitters have reached as far as Brazil and Italy, where authorities investigated (then ruled out) suspected traveller cases over the weekend. (ABC)

Comment: The good news (per the WHO) is several confirmed cases have now made full recoveries. And the bonus good news is there are now three new vaccines in development (via Oxford, IAVI, and Moderna). The tougher news is that, in the meantime, this is all exacerbating Congo’s isolation when it can least afford it.

ETHIOPIA

Ballot over bullet?

50 million folks have queued up to cast votes in their country’s first general election since the Tigray war, with Prime Minister Abiy’s party on track for a landslide. (News24)

Comment: The Nobel laureate has a big base, but he’s also milking full incumbent advantages and suspended voting across restive regions like Tigray and parts of Amhara/Oromia. So this feels less a national election and more a controlled consolidation of power that risks deepening rather than healing ethnic fractures.

DENMARK

Third time’s the charm.

Under the shadow of another Trump tweet hinting he might yoink Greenland from Denmark, Prime Minister Frederiksen has finally secured a third term after a record 69 days of coalition talks. Surviving her party’s worst result since 1903, she’s now at the head of a centre-left minority government with four parties. (Al Jazeera)

Comment: Trump’s rhetoric has realistically played a cameo role here, with Frederiksen’s tough stance probably helping her glue this fractious grouping together. But the result also feels vulnerable to collapse, whether via budget votes or beyond.