**Summary:** Former world number one and 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams will return to professional tennis at the Queen's Club grass-court tournament in London, beginning June 8, 2026.

**Key points:**
- Williams, 44, has been granted a wildcard entry to compete in the women's doubles event.
- She has not competed professionally since her final appearance at the 2022 US Open.
- The American tennis legend is expected to partner with 19-year-old Canadian player Victoria Mboko.
- Williams re-entered the anti-doping program in December 2025, a mandatory requirement for returning to the professional tour.

**Why it matters:** The return of one of the most decorated athletes in tennis history marks a significant moment for the sport, drawing global attention to her comeback after nearly four years away from professional competition.

myjoyonline.com - Serena Williams, 44, to return to action in Queen’s doubles

thesouthafrican.com - BREAKING | Serena Williams to return to tennis

cbc.ca - Serena Williams returning to professional tennis at 44

elpais.com - Serena Williams volverá al tenis profesional con 44 años

lalibre.be - Serena Williams va faire son grand retour au en double à 44 ans

Serena Williams to Return to Professional Tennis at Queen's Club

**Summary:** The Ghanaian government has successfully evacuated its citizens from South Africa following a surge in xenophobic violence. Authorities have secured 120 job opportunities to support the reintegration of the returning nationals.

**Key points:**
- Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa led the coordination of the evacuation efforts.
- Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament, commended the government's swift response.
- The government provided emergency travel documentation and consular assistance to those affected.
- Ghana has advised its citizens against non-essential travel to South Africa due to the ongoing security concerns.

**Why it matters:** The evacuation and subsequent job placement highlight the government's commitment to protecting its citizens abroad during regional instability and xenophobic unrest.

Ghanamma.com - 120 jobs secured for Ghanaians evacuated from South Africa

MyJoyOnline - Okoe Vanderpuije hails gov’t over swift evacuation of Ghanaians from South Africa

Ghana Secures 120 Jobs for Citizens Evacuated from South Africa

**Summary:** Colombia will hold a presidential runoff election on June 21 between ultrarightist candidate Abelardo de la Espriella and leftist candidate Iván Cepeda after neither secured a majority in the first round.

**Key points:**
- Abelardo de la Espriella secured 43.7% of the vote, while Iván Cepeda received 40.9%.
- President Gustavo Petro has refused to accept the preliminary results, citing concerns over the electoral software and potential irregularities.
- Former President Álvaro Uribe acknowledged the defeat of his party's candidate, Paloma Valencia, and endorsed Abelardo de la Espriella for the second round.
- Iván Cepeda has formally challenged Abelardo de la Espriella to a political and electoral debate ahead of the runoff.
- Voter turnout reached 57.41%, surpassing the participation levels seen in the 2022 first-round election.

**Why it matters:** The runoff represents a sharp ideological divide in Colombia, with the outcome set to determine the country's future political direction amid significant social and security challenges.

elamazonico.com - Elecciones en Colombia: Petro no acepta resultados, mientras Uribe reconoce la derrota

elamazonico.com - Abelardo de la Espriella e Iván Cepeda disputarán segunda vuelta presidencial en Colombia

latercera.com - Cepeda invita a De la Espriella a medirse en un “debate político y electoral” de cara al balotaje en Colombia

Colombia to Hold Presidential Runoff Between Abelardo de la Espriella and Iván Cepeda

**Summary:** The United States and Iran have engaged in a new round of military exchanges, despite an existing ceasefire. The U.S. military targeted Iranian radar and drone facilities, while the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps struck a U.S.-linked base.

**Key points:**
- U.S. Central Command stated the strikes were in response to the downing of a U.S. MQ-1 drone over international waters.
- The U.S. military reported hitting a ground control station and two one-way attack drones on the Iranian Gulf coast.
- Kuwait's air defense systems intercepted missile and drone attacks, with sirens sounding across the country.
- The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have successfully targeted an air base used by the U.S. for operations in southern Iran.

**Why it matters:** These recurring military exchanges threaten to derail ongoing negotiations aimed at establishing a durable agreement to end the three-month-old conflict.

Trend.Az - IRGC retaliates after U.S. military strikes communication hub in southern Iran

tagesschau.de - Trotz Waffenruhe: USA und Iran melden neue Angriffe

DIE ZEIT - Irankrieg: US-Militär greift Radar- und Kontrollstation im Iran an

Cyprus Mail - US says it struck Iranian military sites, Tehran responds with air base attack

US and Iran Exchange Military Strikes Despite Ongoing Ceasefire

**Summary:** Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has denounced alleged U.S. interference in national affairs, citing recent investigations into Mexican officials and a security incident in Chihuahua as evidence of a campaign against sovereignty.

**Key points:**
- President Claudia Sheinbaum questioned the legitimacy of U.S. investigations into ten Mexican politicians, including the governor with license of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya.
- The President criticized the U.S. for allegedly using Mexico to gain political leverage for the 2026 U.S. elections.
- Sheinbaum referenced the death of two Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agents in a Chihuahua operation as a violation of the Mexican Constitution.
- The President accused former Mexican presidents Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderón of maintaining past ties to drug cartels and allowing foreign intervention.

**Why it matters:** The rhetoric marks a significant escalation in diplomatic friction between Mexico and the U.S., highlighting deep-seated concerns over national sovereignty and the influence of foreign agencies in domestic security matters.

tiempo.com.mx - Sufrieron desmayo dos personas en evento de Sheinbaum en la XðŸŽ¦

razon.com.mx - México , que se oiga claro , no acepta injerencia , afirma Claudia Sheinbaum

eldiariodechihuahua.mx - Responde Sheinbaum que el nѧrcogobierno fue con Calderón

eldiariodechihuahua.mx - Señala Sheinbaum a EU por injerencia y campaña contra soberanía

Sheinbaum Rejects Foreign Interference Amid Tensions with U.S.

**Summary:** Preliminary results from the May 31, 2026, runoff elections in Moldova confirm the election of new mayors in Orhei, Taraclia, and Ruseștii Noi, with a voter turnout of 31.44%.

**Key points:**
- Independent candidate Ramiz Ansarov won the Orhei mayoral race with 57.88% of the vote.
- Ecaterina Iacobceac of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova (PSRM) secured the mayoralty in Taraclia with 51.23% of the vote.
- Diana Nastas of the 'Democrația Acasă' (Democracy at Home) party was elected mayor of Ruseștii Noi, receiving 61.18% of the vote.
- The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) reported that the voting process concluded without incidents across all 24 polling stations.

**Why it matters:** These local elections determine the leadership of three distinct Moldovan municipalities, impacting local governance and community development.

zdg.md - Ramiz Ansarov a câștigat turul doi al alegerilor locale din Orhei, conform datelor preliminare

zdg.md - Diana Nastas, candidata Partidului „Democrația Acasă”, a câștigat alegerile locale pentru funcția de primar al comunei Ruseștii Noi, conform rezultatelor preliminare

moldova1.md - Oamenii din trei localități și-au ales primarii: Rezultatele preliminare ale turului doi

moldova1.md - La Orhei – independent, la Taraclia – socialist, iar la Ruseștii Noi – de la „Democrația Acasă”: Cine sunt învingătorii în turul doi al alegerilor locale noi

Mayoral Runoff Election Results Announced in Three Moldovan Localities

**Summary:** Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo held a mass rally at the Monumento a la Revolución in Mexico City to mark the second anniversary of her 2024 electoral victory, emphasizing her administration's commitment to social welfare and reform.

**Key points:**
- The event, titled 'Honestidad, resultados y amor al pueblo y a la patria', was broadcast to public squares across 31 Mexican states.
- President Sheinbaum highlighted the continuity of the 'Cuarta Transformación' and progress in social justice and national sovereignty.
- The president reiterated her administration's focus on honesty and the rejection of past political privileges and corruption.
- State leaders, including Governor Delfina Gómez in the State of Mexico, organized large-scale local gatherings to support the president's address.

**Why it matters:** The event serves as a significant political milestone for President Sheinbaum, reinforcing her administration's base of support and its ongoing policy agenda two years into her term.

edomex.quadratin.com.mx - Respalda Delfina Gómez a Sheinbaum junto a más de 60 mil mexiquenses

mexico.quadratin.com.mx - Adiós al pasado de privilegios , corrupción y decadencia : Sheinbaum

elimparcial.com - Arranca Sheinbaum su informe en Monumento a la Revolución

nortedigital.mx - Claudia Sheinbaum rinde su segundo informe de gobierno en el Monumento a la Revolución

chihuahua.quadratin.com.mx - Miles llegan a la X para celebrar 2 años de trabajo de la presidenta Sheinbaum

President Claudia Sheinbaum Marks Two Years in Office with Nationwide Accountability Report

**Summary:** Guineans went to the polls on May 31, 2026, to elect deputies and local councilors, marking a significant step in the country's transition back to constitutional order.

**Key points:**
- The elections involved a triple ballot for communal, uninominal, and national representatives.
- Dansa Kourouma, former president of the National Transition Council (CNT), praised the peaceful conduct of the voting process.
- Djénabou Touré, Director General of Elections (DGE), reported that initial logistical issues were resolved and confirmed that voting proceeded across the country.
- Officials noted high voter maturity and a generally calm atmosphere throughout the election day.

**Why it matters:** These elections represent a critical milestone in Guinea's transition to democratic governance following a period of military-led rule.

guineenews.org - Conakry : la cheffe de la DGE après avoir voté, salue la “maturité politique” des électeurs et rassure sur les difficultés techniques

guineematin.com - Élections en Guinée : Dr Dansa Kourouma salue un scrutin historique

Guinea Holds Legislative and Communal Elections to Advance Constitutional Order