Middle East
US-Iran talks begin in Switzerland. A new round of US-Iran negotiations is set to start in Switzerland, with Vice President JD Vance expected to talk with Iranian negotiators — though the conflict in Lebanon threatens efforts to reach a broader peace and keep the Strait of Hormuz open. (NYT)
US-Iran delegations arrived as talks began in Switzerland. (Al Jazeera) The talks were also covered by Bloomberg (Bloomberg) and the Guardian, which reported the talks getting under way as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. (Guardian)
Strait of Hormuz tensions. Iran’s military said it had closed the Strait of Hormuz in response to continued Israeli military strikes in Lebanon; the US said it remains open. (CNBC)
Iran nuclear talks. Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, while the Trump administration is demanding assurances that Iran cannot secretly develop a weapon. The talks are expected to hinge on four key questions. (NYT)
Israel and Hezbollah. Israel and Hezbollah traded fire as the US-Iran talks began in Switzerland. (France 24) Israel directed its military to limit its actions in Lebanon, though tensions persist. (NYT) Lebanon’s ancient monuments remain at risk from Israeli attack. (Al Jazeera)
Journalist killed in Gaza. Ahmed Wishah is the 12th Al Jazeera journalist killed by Israel in Gaza since October 2023; colleagues remembered him as “kind, principled.” (Al Jazeera) Al Jazeera says an Israeli “smear campaign” targets journalists and threatens their safety. (SCMP)
Iran school bombing. Four months after the Iran school bombing in Minab, fears are growing that Trump and Hegseth will bury the truth of the investigation findings. (Guardian)
Europe & UK
Starmer expected to depart. Keir Starmer is expected to announce his departure on Monday as growing numbers of MPs back Andy Burnham for PM. (Guardian) The threat to Starmer’s position increased sharply on Friday when former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham won a seat in parliament; a UK minister said the PM is weighing “political realities.” (CNBC)
Scotland attack. A man was arrested in Scotland after a rampage left 5 people hurt. An advocacy group identified some victims as Muslims; counterterrorism authorities are leading the investigation, but a motive is so far unknown. (NYT)
Brexit and Scotland. A look at how Brexit altered Scotland’s political landscape. (Guardian)
Ukraine & Russia
Ukraine strikes Crimea and Krasnodar. Crimea’s Moscow-installed leader said four people were killed in a drone attack on the Russian-occupied Black Sea peninsula, as Ukraine strikes hit oil facilities in Crimea and Russia’s Krasnodar. (Al Jazeera) Fuel sales were halted in occupied Crimea, where fuel had already been rationed due to shortages caused by Kyiv’s attacks against supply routes. (BBC)
Zelensky and Poland. Zelensky was stripped of Poland’s top award amid a diplomatic spat. (France 24)
Americas
Colombia run-off. Colombians vote in a presidential run-off pitting leftist Ivan Cepeda against far-right lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella. (Al Jazeera) A profile looks at who Ivan Cepeda is. (France 24)
Albania resort protest. Albanian protesters rallied against a Kushner-backed resort in a protected area, chanting “Albania is not for sale” and challenging coastal projects amid environmental concerns. (Al Jazeera)
Prediction markets. Prediction markets are surging in the US as public health advocates call for support to combat gambling. (Guardian)
Asia
India medical exam. Millions of candidates faced biometric checks and frisking as Indian students resat a medical exam after an alleged paper leak, with the air force deployed to secure exam papers. (BBC)
Afghan women entrepreneurs. With secondary education and most jobs out of reach, thousands of Afghan women have turned to entrepreneurship as the only path to make money and maintain a social life under Taliban rules. (NYT)
Cambodia scam centers. Cambodia’s crackdown on scam centers has created a secondary crisis: thousands of stranded foreign trafficking victims are now roaming the streets of Phnom Penh. (NPR)
Taiwan trade. Taiwan’s KMT accused the DPP of targeting Taiwan’s farmers over trade ties with the mainland. (SCMP)
Finance & Business
Whey shortage. “Proteinmaxxing” is creating a whey shortage that is pushing up prices and leaving snack companies to eat costs or change recipes. “You’re seeing protein capitalism at play,” David Protein CEO Peter Rahal said. (Fortune)
ETF-only retirement. An analysis argues that retiring with an ETF-only portfolio is not only possible but may be what some investors are looking for. (Motley Fool)
Sport
World Cup 2026. Hat-trick hero Lionel Messi is back in action for Argentina as they look to take a step toward the knockout stages against Austria. (Al Jazeera) Dutch royals enjoyed two big results in one World Cup day, watching both the Netherlands and former colony Curacao play. (BBC)
Compiled from RSS feeds on June 21, 2026. Sources: The New York Times, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, BBC, France 24, NPR, CNBC, Bloomberg, South China Morning Post, Fortune, The Motley Fool. Every story above traces to a published RSS entry; verify via the linked articles.
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