**Summary:** Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has declared a 90-day state of exception to clear road blockades that have paralyzed the country for seven weeks. The measure authorizes the military and police to restore free transit and ensure public safety.

**Key points:**
- The ongoing unrest has resulted in at least 16 deaths and severe shortages of food and medical supplies.
- Economic losses from the protests are estimated at 2.6 billion euros by the National Chamber of Industries.
- While the government reached an agreement with the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) labor union, campesino groups remain in opposition.
- Campesino organizations, including the Túpac Katari federation, have rejected the government's deal and vowed to continue blockades.

**Why it matters:** The state of exception marks a significant escalation in the government's attempt to resolve a prolonged political and economic crisis that has severely impacted national infrastructure and public welfare.

almomento.net - BOLIVIA: El Gobierno declara 90 días de estado de excepción

eltiempo.com - Rodrigo Paz, presidente de Bolivia, declaró estado de excepción en el país para desbloquear carreteras tras siete semanas de protestas

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz Declares State of Exception Amid Ongoing Protests

**Summary:** The Supreme Court of Guinea has officially proclaimed the final results of the May 31, 2026, legislative elections, marking the end of a four-year transition period and the formal return to constitutional order.

**Key points:**
- Supreme Court President Fodé Bangoura finalized the results after resolving all electoral disputes.
- Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah characterized the conclusion of the electoral process as a significant victory for the Guinean people and democracy.
- The GMD (Guinée Mouvement Démocratique) secured a majority of seats in the new National Assembly.
- Government officials credited the successful transition to the political will of the President and the professional conduct of security forces during the polls.

**Why it matters:** The proclamation of these results signifies the end of a four-year military-led transition, restoring constitutional governance and parliamentary representation in Guinea.

guineenews.org - Retour à l’ordre constitutionnel : « Une grande victoire pour le peuple de Guinée », se réjouit Bah Oury

guineematin.com - Législatives du 31 mai 2026 en Guinée : voici la liste intégrale des députés déclarés élus par la Cour suprême

Guinea Concludes Transition with Proclamation of Legislative Election Results

**Summary:** A persistent heatwave across Germany is triggering severe thunderstorms, bringing risks of heavy rain, large hail, and damaging wind gusts to the western and northern regions.

**Key points:**
- The German Weather Service (DWD) has issued heat warnings for large parts of the country, with temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius in some areas.
- Storms in Lower Saxony caused significant damage, including downed trees that injured a driver and forced the evacuation of a children's camp in Moormerland.
- The Hurricane Festival in Scheeßel experienced disruptions due to lightning, heavy rain, and strong wind gusts.
- Meteorologists attribute the early-season heatwave to hot air flowing from Southwestern Europe, noting that such temperatures are typically expected later in the summer.

**Why it matters:** The combination of extreme heat and sudden, violent weather events poses significant risks to public safety and infrastructure, highlighting the increasing frequency of intense summer weather patterns.

DIE ZEIT - Wetter: Sonne brütet über NRW – am Sonntag drohen heftige Gewitter

ndr.de - Wetter im Norden : Zwischen extremer Hitze und Gewittern

Heatwave and Severe Storms Impact Germany

**Summary:** Voters in Ekiti State participated in the 2026 gubernatorial election on June 20, with the incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji seeking re-election against 13 other candidates.

**Key points:**
- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Dr. Wole Oluyede alleged voter intimidation by security operatives and reported delays due to Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machine malfunctions.
- Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives were deployed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s polling unit in Ikogosi to monitor for potential vote-buying.
- Electoral officials prioritized elderly voters at various polling units to facilitate a smoother voting process.
- Ekiti State Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye expressed confidence in an All Progressives Congress (APC) victory following her own participation in the polls.

**Why it matters:** The election is a significant test of democratic processes and electoral integrity in Nigeria, marked by concerns over technology failures and security conduct.

tribuneonlineng.com - Ekiti guber: Voting begins as elderly voters receive priority

legit.ng - Ekiti 2026: Deputy governor forecast likely winner of governorship election

tribuneonlineng.com - #EkitiDecides2026: ‘The process is useless,’ PDP candidate decries INEC delays, alleges manipulation

premiumtimesng.com - #EkitiDecides2026: EFCC operatives storm Governor Oyebanji’s Polling Unit amid vote-buying concerns

Ekiti State Holds 2026 Gubernatorial Election Amidst Logistical and Security Concerns

**Summary:** Ukrainian officials, including Ambassador Vasyl Bodnar and Head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Budanov, have returned their Polish state awards in protest of President Karol Nawrocki's decision to strip President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle.

**Key points:**
- The diplomatic tension follows President Zelenskyy's decision to name a Ukrainian Special Operations Forces unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).
- President Karol Nawrocki stated the revocation of the Order of the White Eagle was a response to the glorification of historical figures associated with violence against Polish citizens.
- Prime Minister Donald Tusk noted that while the naming decision lacked tact, it was not intended as a deliberate insult to Poland.
- Ukrainian officials emphasized that the dispute serves the interests of Moscow and expressed hope for a resolution through dialogue.

**Why it matters:** The diplomatic fallout highlights deep-seated historical grievances between Ukraine and Poland that threaten to undermine their strategic partnership during the ongoing war with Russia.

espreso.tv - Від польської нагороди відмовився і Посол України у РП Василь Боднар

unian.ua - Кирило Буданов - голова ОП відмовився від польського ордену

odessa-life.od.ua - Зеленского лишают ордена Белого Орла в Польше : подробности

Ukrainian Officials Return Polish Awards Following Revocation of Zelenskyy's Order

**Summary:** A collision between two passenger trains near Bedford, England, resulted in one fatality and dozens of injuries on Friday. Emergency services, including air ambulances, responded to the scene of the incident.

**Key points:**
- The crash involved two East Midlands Railway (EMR) trains traveling southbound toward London St Pancras station.
- Emergency responders confirmed 11 people suffered very serious injuries, while 22 were seriously injured and 56 sustained minor injuries.
- The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has deployed inspectors to the site to begin gathering evidence.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and those affected by the incident.

**Why it matters:** This rare fatal rail accident has prompted a major emergency response and an official investigation into the cause of the collision.

manilatimes.net - One dead, dozens injured after two trains collide in UK

france24.com - One dead and dozens injured after passenger trains collide north of London

faz.net - Zugverkehr eingestellt: Ein Toter und mehrere Verletzte bei Zugunglück in England

theage.com.au - One dead, multiple injured after two trains collide in England’s east

One Dead and Dozens Injured in Train Collision North of London

**Summary:** Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has asserted that Poland will not recognize any peace agreements regarding the war in Ukraine unless Warsaw is directly involved in the negotiation process.

**Key points:**
- Donald Tusk stated that Poland will not be bound by decisions made in formats where it lacks representation, such as the E3 group consisting of France, Germany, and the UK.
- The Polish Prime Minister emphasized that any security arrangements concerning Ukraine directly impact Poland's national security.
- Discussions within the European Union have intensified regarding who should represent the bloc in potential ceasefire or peace negotiations with Russia.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that while negotiations with Russia may resume, the specific format remains uncertain.

**Why it matters:** This development highlights internal EU tensions regarding diplomatic representation and the insistence of Eastern European states on having a direct voice in security matters affecting their region.

pressorg24.com - Туск заявил , что Польша не признает договоренностей по Украине без своего участия в переговорах

rbc.ua - Туск різко відреагував на дискусію про представництво ЄС у переговорах з РФ

vm.ru - Зеленский заявил , что переговоры РФ и Украины могут возобновиться

rss.unian.net - Польша требует место за столом переговоров с Россией,

Poland Demands Direct Participation in Potential Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks

**Summary:** Polish President Karol Nawrocki has revoked the Order of the White Eagle from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, citing the renaming of a Ukrainian military unit after the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA).

**Key points:**
- The UPA is a nationalist organization held responsible in Poland for the mass killing of approximately 100,000 Poles during World War II.
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized the revocation as a strategic error that benefits Moscow.
- The decision follows a decree signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in late May to honor the UPA, a group viewed by some in Ukraine as independence fighters.
- The diplomatic move occurs shortly before a scheduled conference on Ukraine's reconstruction in Gdansk.

**Why it matters:** The revocation marks a significant diplomatic rift between two close allies, potentially complicating bilateral relations and regional cooperation during the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Cyprus Mail - Polish president decides to strip Ukraine’s Zelenskiy of top honour over WW2 dispute

newsfeed.zeit.de - Ukraine: Polen entzieht Wolodymyr Selenskyj höchsten Landesorden

sudouest.fr - Le président polonais annonce retirer la plus haute distinction du pays à Volodymyr Zelensky

ladepeche.fr - Guerre en Ukraine : le ton monte entre Varsovie et Kiev... la Pologne décide de retirer sa plus haute distinction à Volodymyr Zelensky

lalibre.be - Le président polonais retire la plus haute distinction du pays à Volodymyr Zelensky : "Une erreur stratégique"

Polish President Revokes Top Honor from Ukraine's Zelenskiy