Nations

• The UN human rights chief formally praised a new peace treaty signed between the United States and Iran on June 13, 2026. • The accord aims to resolve decades of conflict between the two nations and serves as a critical step toward establishing broader regional stability. • This diplomatic breakthrough is significant as it signals a mutual intention to settle long-standing differences and move forward in peace.

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature an expanded format with 48 participating nations, ranging from small debutants like Curacao to co-hosts USA. • The tournament highlights a diverse array of countries, with a specific focus on the population disparity between the smallest and largest competing nations. • In India, the event will be broadcast via Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network across four channels (Unite8 Sports 1, 1 HD, 2, and 2 HD).

• Enda McElhinney has released power rankings for all 48 nations competing in the upcoming World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. • The analysis highlights challenging group draws, including Australia facing France, Norway, and Senegal, while Iceland must contend with Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia in Group H. • Scotland enters the tournament with low expectations following a 4-1 victory over New Zealand, facing a potential upset against Haiti on June 14 in Foxborough.

Labor MP Ernest Wong and restaurateur Jonathan Yee are facing court over allegedly circumventing election funding lawsGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastNew South Wales prosecutors have launched proceedings against two state Labor officials after they allegedly disguised donations to Chris Minns during his election campaign almost a decade ago.On Tuesday, the NSW Electoral Commission revealed the director of public prosecution had begun proceedings against former Labor MP Ernest Wong and restaurateur Jonathan Yee. The commission commenced an investigation in 2019 into a “potential scheme to circumvent” election funding laws during the campaign to elect Minns for the seat of Kogarah. Continue reading...

• The United States Mission to the United Nations issued a briefing calling for immediate economic and political reforms by the Cuban regime. • The U.S. demanded the release of political prisoners, the opening of the economy, and an end to the government's practice of blaming American policies for Cuba's internal misery. • The U.S. urged UN Member States to stop voting for the annual anti-embargo resolution and to ensure humanitarian aid reaches the Cuban people directly rather than the government.

Hanson’s party is leading in the polls, but it has a long way to go before being recognised as a serious political outfitGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen sent out to do a cleanup job, it usually helps to not make the mess even worse.It took One Nation six separate attempts over nearly 24 hours to clarify the basic details of their policy on foreign ownership of housing. Between Thursday night and Friday afternoon, the story turned from bizarre to farcical, with attempts to clarify the policy just making the situation murkier as Australians watched:a Barnaby Joyce interview;a quick do-over on Sky News on Thursday;a Pauline Hanson social media update on Friday morning;a Sean Bell interview, again on Sky, on Friday;and then a 2GB spot;before a written press release from Bell on Friday afternoon Continue reading...

• Germany and Austria are competing for a coveted seat on the UN Security Council for the 2027–2028 term. • Germany is leveraging its status as the EU's largest economy and its history of peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts to secure alliances. • Austria is positioning itself as a neutral mediator, emphasizing its expertise in nuclear disarmament, climate security, and hosting international talks.