At least five people are killed in Gaza, including two children, from Israeli strikes on a residential area.
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June 20, 2026 (Saturday)
0.9 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
The Iranian military command announces that the Strait of Hormuz is closed to traffic because of Israel's violations of the Islamabad Memorandum ceasefire in Lebanon. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy warns ships to stay away from the strait.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry announces that technical talks between the United States and Iran will occur on June 21st. Mediators Pakistan and Qatar will participate in the talks.
The United States Central Command says that 55 ships transporting more than 17 million barrels of oil and cargo have crossed the Strait of Hormuz and that traffic on the chokepoint increased, rejecting Iran’s claims that the waterway is closed.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance rejects claims that the Strait of Hormuz closed during an interview with Fox News.
Health and environment
The Australian Government confirms the first detection of the avian influenza subtype H5N1 in the country after identifying the virus in a wild seabird in Western Australia. The strain has now been recorded on every continent.
Politics and elections
Bolivian president Rodrigo Paz declares a state of emergency, deploying the Armed Forces to clear the blockades.
June 19, 2026 (Friday)
2.6 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
The Swiss foreign ministry confirms that the planned talks between Iran and the United States at the BĂĽrgenstock Resort, Switzerland, have been cancelled after U.S. vice president JD Vance cancelled his trip.
The United States announces that Israel and Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei rejects reports that Iran has re-closed the Strait of Hormuz.
The UN secretary general envoy to Sudan calls for RSF head Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo to halt attacks on the North Kordofan area of El-Obeid.
Rapid Support Forces launch a drone strike on the El-Obeid area of North Kordofan, Sudan, amidst warnings about the situation in the area.
The Sudanese human rights organization Emergency Lawyers reports that nine civilians have been killed in a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) drone strike on a passenger vehicle carrying civilians in North Darfur. Additionally, another drone struck the Um Bayada market, causing a massive fire.
Arts and culture
Mexican archaeologists uncover Early Classic-period ruins in Veracruz featuring a circular stone platform and other previously undocumented architectural elements for the region. Researchers also discover a carved monolith depicting figures with possible Maya cultural influences.
Business and economy
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority states that tariffs and insurance will not be collected from ship owners during the 60-day period of the Islamabad Memorandum. However, it also calls for ships to register with it, and requires that a transit request for the Strait of Hormuz must be made 48 hours prior to arrival.
Disasters and accidents
One person is killed and 89 others are injured, including 33 seriously with and nine in critical condition, after two passenger trains collide near Bedford, Bedfordshire, England.
International relations
Philippine president Bongbong Marcos announces that 24 Filipino nationals detained in Russia will be released and repatriated to the Philippines following a meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Kazan.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki strips Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the country's highest honour, the Order of the White Eagle, for naming an army unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, which massacred Poles during World War II.
Law and crime
The Australian Government agrees to pay A$28 million (US$20 million) in a settlement with 38 former asylum seekers who alleged harm while detained at the Baxter and Woomera immigration detention centres. The agreement follows a High Court ruling on compensation claims for unlawful detention.
Costa Rican police arrest a man in connection with an alleged threat against president Laura Fernández Delgado. The president is evacuated during a visit to northern Costa Rica after an explosion was reported nearby.
Politics and elections
British home secretary Shabana Mahmood, energy secretary Ed Miliband, and transport secretary Heidi Alexander meet with prime minister Keir Starmer and reportedly urge him to set out a timetable for his departure following Andy Burnham's win in the 2026 Makerfield by-election.
Bolivian president Rodrigo Paz and the Bolivian Workers' Confederation trade union reach an agreement aimed at easing a 50-day protest crisis marked by road blockades and supply shortages. Other protest groups continue demonstrations and demand Paz's resignation.
Science and technology
Malaysian researchers identify Pleurocordyceps cornusynnemata, a new fungal species in Borneo that parasitizes Ophiocordyceps fungi infecting ants. Scientists also report the discovery of a previously undocumented spider-infecting fungus.
Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre announces new school guidelines that generally prohibit the use of generative AI by primary school pupils and restrict its use for older students. The policy takes effect in the next academic year.
Sports
In swimming, American swimmer Kate Douglass sets a world record in the women's 50-meter freestyle at the Pro Swim Series in Indianapolis, finishing in 23.59 seconds and surpassing the previous mark of 23.61 seconds set by Sweden's Sarah Sjöström.
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