Russian Strikes on Ukraine
An explosion lights up the sky over the city during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine June 2, 2026
In recent days, following Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow and Russian oil facilities, Russian drones and missiles have pounded Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv and Dnipro killing dozens of people and wounding hundreds more. Throughout the four year war Russia has targeted Ukraine’s power supply and civilian infrastructure, but the recent strikes on Kyiv have been stronger than anything the capital city has witnessed before. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that the European Union would be sending more weapons to help Ukraine reinforce its air defense systems.
A Russian drone hit a block of flats in Romania, causing large fires and injuring two people. The event in Romania, a NATO member, raised alarm at the possibility of the war escalating. NATO secretary general, Mark Rutte, said the alliance “stands ready to defend every inch of allied territory”. Talks to end Russia’s war on Ukraine have stalled, and key meditator, the United States has been preoccupied with its own war on Iran. More recently on June 3rd, in a high profile attack, Ukrainian drones hit infrastructure in St Petersburg, Russia. The attack came only hours before Vladimir Putin’s glitzy annual economic forum in the city, designed to attract foreign investment. The attack signaled both that Russia and its major cities are not insulated from the war and that at least for now, more escalation will follow in the coming weeks and months.
Israel’s invasion of Lebanon
A woman searches through rubble after an Israeli strike in Beirut. Photo: Anwar Amro/AFP via Getty
As the United States and Iran continue negotiations that might put an end to the war, the Israeli-Lebanese front remains as active as ever. Israel has increased strikes and incursions deeper into Lebanon. Israeli forces have reached the outskirts of the southern Lebanese cities despite a ceasefire agreement in place since April, as analysts warn that Israel is laying the groundwork for long-term control and annexation of Lebanese territory. The incursion into the country marks Israel’s deepest push into Lebanon in more than a quarter of a century. Israeli forces now occupy about 770 square miles of Lebanese territory, or nearly one-fifth of the entire country and the death toll is at over 3,000 people.
Meanwhile, ceasefire talks between Washington and Tehran have become increasingly tied to developments in Lebanon. Iranian officials warn that an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon is a prerequisite for any meaningful progress in negotiations between the two countries to end the US-Israel war on Iran and achieve aims like the reopening of the strait of Hormuz. More recently Iran for the first time since the ceasefire, launched missiles at Israel, in what Tehran said was retaliation for Israeli strikes and invasion into Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. Israel in turn bombed sites in Iran, while President Trump, at least publicly, urged Israel against resuming the war on Iran and continues to claim a peace deal with Iran is within reach.
Ebola outbreak in the DRC
Doctors Without Borders health workers wearing personal protective equipment move through the isolated red zone to monitor patients, provide medical care and ensure sanitation at the Ebola Treatment Center in Munigi in Congo on June 2, 2026.Jospin Mwisha | AFP | Getty Images
An outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a rare form of the virus for which there are currently no vaccines or targeted treatments, is spreading rapidly across eastern DRC. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” which is an extraordinary designation reserved for events that require a strong and immediate international response. In the country it is estimated that 3.9 million people live in immediate emergency conditions, while 73% of the population live in extreme poverty with millions facing hunger. The DRC is facing a multitude of critical issues all at once, collapsing health services, record hunger, armed fighting and drastic aid cuts, all pushing millions of people toward the brink, making them more susceptible to the ebola virus.
UN votes to enforce action on climate change
Image source: Wikimedia Commons, United Nations General Assembly Hall (3).jpg, by Basil D Soufi, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
The U.N. General Assembly recently voted overwhelmingly to support strong action to combat climate change despite recent diplomatic efforts by the United States to have the measure withdrawn. The 193 member General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution endorsing the landmark advisory opinion by the U.N. ‘s top court, the International Court of Justice, in 2025, called failure by countries to protect the planet from climate change a violation of international law. The vote was 141-8 with 28 abstentions. Countries such as the U.S., Russia, Belarus, Israel, Iran and Saudi Arabia opposed the measure. Part of the court’s decision stated that states may be legally required to stop the wrongful conduct and make full reparations for climate damages. A major signal that the global stance on climate change is moving forward and promoting action and accountability.
Protests in Albania over Trump-Kushner land privatization
Protestors take part in a demonstration in front of the prime minister’s office in Tirana, Albania, on June 3. AFP via Getty Images
Thousands of Albanians have taken to the streets of Tirana in recent days protesting against the selling of their country’s coastline and islands to a company linked with Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka Trump. The $1.6 billion luxury resort is being built by Kushner’s investment firm, Affinity Partners on land that is on an environmentally sensitive part of the country’s coast. The Trump-Kushner project sites include Sazan island, which is just off the coast of Albania and a stretch of coastline near the Vjosa-Narta protected wetland home to flamingos, seals and sea turtle nesting sites. Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has faced massive criticism and protest over the deal, has insisted the investment from the project would bring benefits to Albania, promising both jobs and improved infrastructure. Albania’s state anti-corruption agency has confirmed it opened an investigation related to the project but has not yet disclosed details.