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Why Ethiopia’s June Vote Is a Turning PointThe upcoming national election, slated for June 2026, marks the first scheduled poll since the 2018 political reforms and the subsequent postponement of the 2020 vote. Observers see it as a litmus test for the durability of the reform agenda and the country’s ability to manage deep‑seated ethnic and security challenges.Key Political Players and the Electoral CalendarThe contest pits incumbent Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his Prosperity Party against a fragmented opposition that includes the Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (ECSJ) and regional parties representing the Oromo and Tigray regions. The electoral timeline, set by the National Election Board, includes voter registration deadlines in April 2026 and a campaign period that officially opens in May 2026.Economic and Demographic Indicators Shaping Voter SentimentInflation has hovered above 30% for the past year, eroding real wages.Unemployment among youth remains above 20%, fueling discontent.Population growth of roughly 2.5% annually adds pressure on public services.These macro‑economic pressures intersect with regional grievances, influencing how different constituencies view the ruling party’s performance.Potential Ripple Effects Across the Horn of AfricaA credible election could bolster Ethiopia’s role as a stabilising force in the Horn, encouraging investment and cooperation on trans‑border water projects. Conversely, a contested result risks reigniting cross‑border tensions, especially with neighboring Sudan and South Sudan, where refugee flows and trade links are already sensitive to Ethiopian domestic stability.Scenarios to Watch as the Ballot ApproachesScenario A – Peaceful Transfer: International observers certify the vote, opposition gains parliamentary seats, and reforms accelerate.Scenario B – Disputed Outcome: Allegations of fraud trigger protests, security forces intervene, and the political crisis deepens.Scenario C – Postponement or Cancellation: Renewed security concerns lead to another delay, further eroding public trust.Each pathway carries distinct implications for Ethiopia’s democratic trajectory and for regional geopolitics.

The Lead: Iran's Energy Recovery After AttacksIran has restored gas production at three offshore platforms in the South Pars gasfield, the world's largest natural gasfield, after it was attacked by Israel in March. The resumption of operations comes amid ongoing tensions in the region and continued negotiations with the United States over a potential deal to end the conflict.Technical Recovery at South Pars GasfieldTouraj Dehqani, head of the Pars Oil and Gas Company, confirmed that the three platforms were not damaged in the Israeli attacks and that production is being rerouted to other processing plants in the region while repairs continue at damaged facilities. The South Pars gasfield, located off the coast of Iran's southern Bushehr province, spans 9,700sq km and is shared between Iran and Qatar, with the Iranian side known as South Pars and the Qatari side called the North Field.Economic Impact of Production ResumptionThe restoration of gas production at South Pars is significant both symbolically and practically for Iran's economy. As the country's largest source of domestic energy, the facility plays a crucial role in Iran's ability to generate electricity and maintain energy security. The resumption of operations represents an important first step forward, though challenges remain in fully restoring export capabilities amid ongoing US port blockades and sanctions.Regional Energy Security ImplicationsThe Israeli attacks on South Pars in mid-March and on Iran's largest petrochemical facility in early April prompted retaliatory Iranian missile and drone strikes on energy infrastructure across the wider region. These attacks have highlighted the vulnerability of energy infrastructure in the Middle East and the potential for regional conflicts to disrupt global energy markets. The resumption of production at South Pars sends a message of resilience but also underscores the precarious nature of energy security in the region.Future Outlook Amid Ongoing TensionsAs negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue, Iran's chief negotiator has stated that Tehran will not agree to any deal with Washington unless it secures Iran's full rights. The US President's administration has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports as part of a pressure campaign. While the reopening of South Pars is a positive development, the long-term sustainability of Iran's energy sector depends on resolving both internal challenges and external pressures, particularly the US sanctions and regional tensions that continue to impact the country's ability to fully utilize its energy resources.

Colombian Voters Head to Polls in First Round of Presidential RacePolls opened across the country for the inaugural round of Colombia’s presidential election, featuring a left‑wing lawmaker, an independent businessman and a right‑wing senator vying to succeed President Gustavo Petro. A heavy security presence and a ban on public alcohol sales aim to keep tensions low. Poll Numbers and Candidate StandingsIvan Cepeda (government‑aligned senator) – 33.4% in the latest CNC poll, currently the frontrunner.Abelardo De La Espriella (businessman) – second place, campaigning on hard‑line security and megaprison projects.Paloma Valencia (senator backed by former President Alvaro Uribe) – third, would become Colombia’s first female president if elected.Fourteen candidates in total are contesting the presidency. If no one surpasses the 50% threshold, the top two will face a runoff on June 21. Implications for Colombia’s Political Landscape and SecurityThe result will gauge the durability of Petro’s left‑wing legacy, including his “Total Peace” negotiations with armed groups. A Cepeda victory could extend Petro’s social‑reform agenda, while a win for De La Espriella or Valencia would likely shift policy toward a tougher security stance, echoing approaches seen in El Salvador.Violence remains a concern; last year candidate Miguel Uribe Turbay was assassinated, underscoring the persistent threat from paramilitaries, drug cartels and rebel factions. What the First Round Results Could Mean for a Run‑offShould the vote fall short of the 50% mark, a June runoff will force the left‑wing and right‑wing blocs to consolidate around a single contender, potentially reshaping alliances. Analysts warn that a fragmented right could coalesce behind a hard‑line candidate, while the left may need to rally behind Cepeda to preserve Petro’s reforms.

Lead: Marsch’s Final 26‑Man Roster Emphasises Speed and HealthCanadian head coach Jesse Marsch announced a 26‑player squad for the 2026 World Cup, trimming six names and placing a premium on fitness, especially in defence, while keeping attacking talent intact.The Squad Selection Focuses on Speed and HealthIn a primetime TV address, Marsch highlighted speed as the decisive factor, bringing in winger Jacob Shaffelburg as the last addition. The coach explained that the health of key players, notably captain Alphonso Davies, will dictate the team’s performance.The Numbers Behind the Roster26 players selected (3 goalkeepers, 9 defenders, 4 midfielders, 6 attacking midfielders/wingers, 4 strikers)Defensive injuries: Moïse Bombito (broken leg), Derek Cornelius (hamstring), Alfie Jones (ankle ligament)Captain Alphonso Davies – 58 caps, 15 goals for Bayern Munich, still recovering from a muscular issueTop scorer Jonathan David – 75 caps, 39 goals for JuventusGoalkeeper indecision: Maxime Crépeau vs Dayne St Clair, both to share minutes in the first pre‑tournament testImplications for Canada’s 2026 CampaignThe emphasis on fitness aims to mitigate a defence that has missed its first‑choice back four for the past 15 months. With the tournament set to be co‑hosted on Canadian soil, a healthy back line and a fit Davies are seen as essential for a historic group‑stage performance.Offensive concerns remain, as the attack is described as “fully‑healthy but mostly anemic.” Marsch’s confidence in Jonathan David and the revived Cyle Larin will be tested against strong group opponents.Outlook Ahead of the TournamentCanada will face Uzbekistan in Charlotte on Monday, giving both goalkeepers a 45‑minute run‑out. The results will inform the final starting XI for the opening match against Bosnia & Herzegovina. If key injuries resolve, Marsch believes the squad is “the best 26 players this country has ever assembled.”

The Lead: Iran's Internet Partially Restored Tehran, Iran – Authorities in Iran have reinstated some internet access three months after taking the country offline at the start of the war with the United States and Israel, but restrictions remain in place for most people. The Iranian government said last week that it had started a process to bring internet access back to a pre-war level, which was already very restricted as Iran was at the time still coming off an earlier 20-day shutdown imposed during deadly nationwide protests in January. The World's Longest Internet Blackout Last week's move ended more than 2,000 hours of near-total internet shutdown in the country of 90 million people, the longest-ever nationwide blackout in the world. But according to numerous user reports, local media accounts and expert analysis, Iranians' free access to the global internet is far from restored. Restricted Access and Blocked Services Access to millions of web pages remains blocked by the state, and almost all global services and apps such as YouTube, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook and Waze are closed off and are not under consideration for reinstatement. Mobile, wireless and landline connections are slow and patchy, to varying degrees, while many local applications and services regularly malfunction or fail to load. The Black Market for Internet Access Most people are forced into a black market for access to the internet, which has proven lucrative for those selling virtual private networks (VPNs) or other circumvention methods, often through affiliations with the state. Those connections have now become cheaper after the authorities restored some internet bandwidth, but demand for VPNs has skyrocketed, and people remain exposed to scammers and malware while navigating the market. The Architecture of Filtering Meanwhile, even after the partial reopening, Iranian authorities continue to impose several complex layers of restrictions that have effectively turned full internet access into a privilege that very few people authorised by the state can enjoy. Many data centres have yet to be fully brought back online, and some internet protocols like IPv6 and HTTP/3 are blocked, while others like UDP are actively disrupted by the authorities, local media reported. Political Conflict Over Internet Policy That has prompted more criticism against Iran's relatively moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian, who campaigned against hardliners, in part, on reopening the internet. The Sazandegi reformist newspaper criticised the government over the "belated opening" in an op-ed on Saturday while the state-linked KhabarOnline news site wrote that the "Internet's technical infrastructure is the victim of the new architecture of filtering". The Tiered-Access Internet System Authorities have also failed to elaborate on what exactly they plan to do with the tiered-access internet system that they began expanding during the war. As part of the system, Iranians get varying degrees of access – or no access at all – to the global internet based on their profession and other classifications made by the state. To implement the scheme, a so-called "Internet Pro" scheme was introduced, which offers slightly less restricted access for about three times the price of a regular, more restricted internet package. Frustration and Limited Normalcy Still, more people have been able to get back on social media, where they have posted more videos from the war, including one that showed a new view as dozens of missiles rained down on the headquarters of Iran's supreme leader in downtown Tehran on February 28. Others are sharing war experiences, including where they were and how they felt when the first bombs hit the capital. But that hasn't alleviated the frustrations for many. "What we have right now is not the internet," said a Tehran resident, who spoke to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity. "It's a return to the previous half-closed condition that is now being sold as an achievement."

The Lead Israeli forces have reached the outskirts of the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh and captured the strategic Beaufort Castle, despite a ceasefire agreement in place since April. This marks Israel's deepest incursion into Lebanon in more than a quarter of a century. The Event Details Israeli forces now occupy about 2,000 square kilometers (770 square miles) of Lebanese territory – nearly one-fifth of the country. The advance marks a significant escalation in the conflict, with Israeli forces operating well beyond the Litani River, which was initially presented as the effective limit of the zone they sought to clear of Hezbollah forces. Israeli troops have reached the towns of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah and Choukine on the outskirts of Nabatieh – a Hezbollah stronghold. Israeli strikes on Deir ez-Zahrani at dawn on Sunday killed several people. The Data Analysis The Israeli military has issued evacuation orders extending as far north as the Zahrani River (around 10km or 6 miles north of the Litani River), further expanding its military control. This has raised questions about Israel's long-term objectives and the potential for a deeper security belt or prolonged territorial control. The Impact Analysis Analysts warn that Israel's actions suggest objectives that extend beyond its stated goal of removing Hezbollah from areas south of the Litani River. The continued advance into southern Lebanon follows blanket evacuation orders issued for Nabatieh earlier this week, as well as similar orders covering the coastal city of Tyre. Nabatieh is strategically important because it represents far more than a military hub; it is one of the principal political, economic, and social centers of Lebanon's Shia community and a key connective node between southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and Beirut. The Prediction The military escalation is undermining efforts by the Lebanese government to strengthen state authority and negotiate a lasting settlement. Analysts say Israel's actions may not be seeking a permanent occupation similar to the one it maintained in southern Lebanon between 1982 and 2000, but instead a longer-term system of military control through buffer zones, surveillance, and freedom of action inside Lebanese territory.

The Election Outcome Malta’s Labour Party (PL) has won an unprecedented fourth term in a victory for Prime Minister Robert Abela, according to preliminary results of the election held on Saturday. The party secured a comfortable parliamentary majority, although it appeared to be narrower than in 2022, when it took 55 percent of all ballots cast. Abela's Victory Speech “This is a victory of all the people based on the programme we presented for all the people,” Abela told reporters, saying results showed his party had “won a strong mandate”. He called for national unity, stating, “Let us maintain the spirit of national unity and move the country forward together.” Election Details Election held on Saturday with a turnout of 87.4 percent, slightly up from the last general election in 2022. Abela, 48, called the snap election a year early to shield Malta from geopolitical crises. The economy grew 4 percent last year, but there are concerns about the impact of the Middle East conflict on tourism and inflation. Opposition's Response Charles Bonello, general secretary of the opposition Nationalist Party (PN), conceded the election but noted that his party had managed to slash back Labour’s majority. The Road Ahead Abela has led Malta since 2020. His government will continue to focus on economic stability and addressing challenges such as corruption, which remains a significant issue in the country.

The Escalating Conflict in Southern Lebanon Israel has ordered the forced displacement of all residents living south of the Zahrani River in southern Lebanon as it expands its invasion of the country before a possible assault on the city of Nabatieh. Displacement Orders and Military Advances In a post on the social media platform X on Sunday, Israeli military Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee instructed residents to move immediately north of the Zahrani River, warning that anyone who remained in the area risked being killed. Israel had issued more than 10 displacement orders in the previous 24 hours as it expanded its offensive against Hezbollah. Israeli forces crossed the Litani River on Friday for the first time since 2006. The Strategic Significance of Beaufort Castle Israel seized Beaufort Castle, which sits atop a strategic hill near Nabatieh, Lebanon's fifth largest city. The Israeli military previously captured the 12th-century fortress in 1982 and maintained control of it until withdrawing from Lebanon 18 years later. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the capture as a significant tactical victory. The Impact on Nabatieh and the Region Israel has been encircling Nabatieh, a city that is key to southern Lebanon's economy and a cultural hub for the region. Nabatieh is viewed by many Lebanese as a symbol of resistance due to its historic role on the front line of Israeli assaults. The Humanitarian Crisis and Peace Talks Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has denounced Israel's invasion of the country, accusing its southern neighbour of pursuing a "scorched-earth policy" and imposing "collective punishment" on residents of southern Lebanon. Israel and Lebanon are currently engaged in peace talks facilitated by the United States, but the negotiations are expected to resume next week.

Martin Parr—renowned for documenting the idiosyncratic corners of British life—was given a farewell as unconventional as his work. On 31 May 2026, the chapel at Woodlands Memorial Garden near Bristol hosted a colourful country‑fete celebration, complete with music from The Girl from Ipanema, bunting, and a bus that famously got stuck in the mud. The Fete‑Style Send‑off That Defied Funeral Norms The ceremony blended solemnity with the photographer’s trademark humour. Guests were served cling‑film‑wrapped sandwiches, cupcakes with tiny Union Jack flags, and a tombola of unwanted Christmas gifts—an homage to the annual auction the Parr family used to run. The event was organised with help from the Martin Parr Foundation and featured a collaborative food installation by Ellen Parr (the photographer’s daughter) and set‑designer Alice Hodge. Key Players and Personal Touches Grayson Perry – celebrated artist and longtime friend, described the service as “tasteful, pared‑back and very touching.” Sophie Green – photographer who documented the funeral, linking the occasion to her “Death Rituals” project. Helô Pinheiro – the original “Girl from Ipanema,” whose music featured in the playlist. Family – Susie Parr, Martin’s wife of 40 years, confirmed he would have wanted the ceremony photographed. Why Parr’s Funeral Resonates in the Photography Community Parr spent half a century turning the mundane into visual satire; his own send‑off mirrored that ethos. By inviting a photographer to capture the event, the family highlighted a long‑standing taboo—funeral photography—while honoring Parr’s fascination with death rituals, evident in his 1993 Indonesian funeral series and the 2013 Photographers’ Gallery exhibition. What This Means for Future Death‑Ritual Documentation Sophie Green’s involvement underscores a growing interest in recording funerary moments as cultural artifacts. She notes that, on average, she photographs five funerals a year, a figure that may rise as artists and families seek more personalized memorials. The blend of celebration and documentation at Parr’s funeral could inspire a new genre where mourning and festivity coexist, reshaping how societies view death. Looking Ahead: From Taboo to Tribute As the conversation around death becomes more open—accelerated by pandemic‑era restrictions—events like Parr’s funeral suggest a shift toward inclusive, creative rituals. Institutions such as the Martin Parr Foundation may increasingly support projects that capture these moments, offering both solace to grieving families and valuable visual records for future generations.