Key Storylines
- AFRICA: Thirteen U.N. peacekeepers were wounded in the north by a car bomb, while the army said six of its soldiers were killed in a separate attack in central Mali.
- AMERICAS: A helicopter carrying Colombian President Ivan Duque was hit by gunfire near the border of Venezuela
- ASIA: President Joe Biden promised Afghanistan’s top leaders a “sustained” partnership even as he works towards winding down the United States’ longest war amid escalating Taliban violence.
- EUROPE: Three people have been killed and five others seriously injured by an assailant with a knife in Wuerzburg in the German state of Bavaria.
- MIDDLE EAST: The United States and France have warned Iran that time is running out to return to a nuclear deal, fearing that Tehran’s sensitive development program could advance if talks drag on.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: The United Kingdom’s tax authority formally disciplined more staff for failing to protect taxpayer data last year than at any point in the past five years.
Top Story
- United States: Fallout continues from the collapse of a high-rise building in Miami, with exact casualties currently unknown.
- Nearly 160 people remain unaccounted for after an oceanfront condominium building collapsed near Miami, with at least four deaths.
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated people “have a right to know” how a 12-story building collapsed in Miami as the search for survivors continues.
- Israeli media said the country’s consul general in Miami, Maor Elbaz, believed that 20 Israel citizens are missing, with 22 more people unaccounted for from Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
- An emergency services veteran asked the community of Surfside, Florida, not to lose hope as rescuers continue the search for survivors following the collapse of a 12-story ocean-front condo tower.
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it sent three Urban Search and Rescue teams to assist with the search.
- Reported: AP, BBC, AP2, CNBC, CNN
Africa
- Region: Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Felix Tshisekedi met at the Rwandan border town Rubavu to improve bilateral relations. (Xinhua)
- Mali: Thirteen U.N. peacekeepers were wounded in the north by a car bomb, while the army said six of its soldiers were killed in a separate attack in the center of the nation. (The Guardian)
- Uganda: The nation will import over 882,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine through the global COVAX facility next month to deal with a nationwide vaccine shortage. (Xinhua)
Americas
- Colombia: A helicopter carrying President Iván Duque was hit by gunfire near the border of Venezuela. (DPA)
- Mexico: The bullet-ridden bodies of 18 men were discovered after what appeared to have been fighting between members of rival drug cartels in the state of Zacatecas. (AP)
- United States: The Biden administration is under pressure from a major business group and diplomats to end a travel ban on EU citizens. (AFP)
- United States: Former President Donald Trump will hold a rally this weekend, his first campaign-style event since leaving the White House. (AP)
Asia
- Afghanistan: President Joe Biden promised the nations’ top leaders a “sustained” partnership even as he works towards winding down the United States’ longest war amid increasing Taliban violence. (AP)
- Australia: New South Wales recorded 29 locally acquired COVID-19 cases with authorities signaling more restrictions may be imposed on partially locked Sydney as cases increased. (Reuters)
- Philippines: Former President Benigno Aquino was buried amid calls for citizens to honor his life by remembering to choose leaders who are kind and never compromise the people’s dignity. (DPA)
- South Korea: Daily new COVID-19 cases remained over 600 for the fourth straight day due to outbreaks of cluster infections nationwide as authorities prepare to introduce a new set of eased social distancing rules. (YNA)
Europe
- Germany: Three people have been killed and five others seriously injured by an assailant with a knife in Wuerzburg in the state of Bavaria. (DPA)
- Ukraine: The country celebrates the Day of the Crimean Tatar Flag and publicly declares support for the Tartar community in the nation. (Interfax)
- United Kingdom: Prime Minister Boris Johnson falls under mounting pressure to fire his health secretary after the admission that he broke COVID-19 guidelines by kissing an employee, causing accusations of hypocrisy. (Reuters)
Middle East
- Iran: The United States and France have warned that the nation is running out of time to return to the nuclear deal, fearing that Tehran’s sensitive development program could advance if talks drag on. (The Guardian)
- Lebanon: Citizens were struggling to fill up their cars, a day after the country’s caretaker government reduced fuel subsidies amid increasing economic strife. (DPA)
- Syria: A draft U.N. Security Council resolution would authorize the delivery of humanitarian aid to the nation across the borders of Turkey and Iraq. (AP)
Tech & Communications
- Cybersecurity: The United Kingdom’s tax authority formally disciplined more staff for failing to protect taxpayer data last year than at any point in the past five years. (Telegraph)
World
- Cyclones:
- Typhoon Champi
- Location: 26 N 140 E
- Movement: NNE at 12 mph
- Wind: 70mph
- Map
- Typhoon Champi
- Hurricanes:
- Tropical Storm Enrique
- Location: 16.7 N 104.7 W
- Movement: WNW at 7 mph
- Wind: 75mph
- Map
- Tropical Storm Enrique
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 26JUN21)
- Confirmed cases: 180,447,976
- Deaths: 3,910,311
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 26JUN21)
Tomorrow’s Outlook (27JUN21)
- Global: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken continues trip to Germany, France, Italy, and Vatican City (to 29JUN)
- Global: The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, will start his trip traveling to Italy, the Middle East, and Lithuania from ( to Jul 8th)
- France: Regional and department elections second round.
END