Dozens of governments back stronger energy efficiency action at Montreal conference
PARIS, 30th June, 2026 (WAM) -- Dozens of governments from across the globe issued a joint statement today agreeing to make energy efficiency a cornerstone of energy policy, recognising its critical role in building resilience against future energy shocks, improving affordability for consumers and boosting economic competitiveness.Meeting at the IEA's 11th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Montreal, co-hosted by the Government of Canada, ministers and senior officials from all continents said recent disruptions to global energy markets following the war in the Middle East had reinforced the need to accelerate energy efficiency as one of the quickest and... [Continue Reading]
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Day News Recap: Hormuz truce, Ukraine strikes and global shocks dominate a volatile day
The biggest development was a fragile de escalation around the Strait of Hormuz, with the United States and Iran agreeing to stand down for now after several days of strikes and counterstrikes near the waterway, even as a separate report said talks in Doha remain disputed and volatile. 🔗 🔗In the Middle East, Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least four Palestinians, including a 13 year old girl, as attacks on tents and other civilian sites continued, while Israel also carried out further strikes in southern Lebanon, including the destruction of what it described as a tunnel near the village... [Continue Reading]
Senegal to hold referendum after parliament backs constitutional reform
Senegal's president is set to call a referendum after the National Assembly overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment that would shift the balance of power between the executive and parliament. The vote took place on Monday in a tense atmosphere outside and inside the chamber, with opposition protesters trying to force their way into the building and police using tear gas during scuffles. The reform was proposed by the ruling Pastef party and is now headed for a national vote.Justice Minister Moussa Sarr told lawmakers that President Bassirou Diomaye Faye had decided to inform the speaker of the National Assembly that... [Continue Reading]
Burkina Faso severs diplomatic ties with France amid deepening rift with former colonial power
Burkina Faso's military government has announced that it is severing diplomatic relations with France, in a move that further widens the country's break with its former colonial ruler. The decision was announced on national television and said to take effect immediately on 26 June 2026. Officials said the step concerns diplomatic relations only and does not alter the historical, human, cultural and social ties between the two peoples.Communications Minister Gilbert Ouedraogo said the move followed a review of relations with Paris. He accused France of persistently acting against Burkina Faso's interests and said the conditions for relations based on mutual... [Continue Reading]
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DR Congo takes Rwanda to international court over decades of conflict
The Democratic Republic of Congo has filed a case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice, accusing its neighbour of breaching multiple international treaties. The filing marks a new legal escalation in a conflict that has repeatedly drawn in regional and international actors. It also places renewed scrutiny on allegations that Rwanda has supported armed groups operating in eastern DR Congo.In a statement, DR Congo said Rwanda had dispatched forces and backed armed groups to carry out unlawful military operations on its territory following the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Congolese Justice Minister Guillaume Andali said on Friday that his country... [Continue Reading]
Venezuela declares state of emergency after twin earthquakes kill at least 164
Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after back-to-back earthquakes collapsed buildings in cities including the capital, Caracas. The disaster has killed at least 164 people and wounded close to 1,000, according to the supplied reports. Rescue operations continued overnight as authorities and emergency teams searched for survivors and assessed the scale of the damage.The quakes struck on Wednesday, with the immediate impact felt across Caracas and other nearby areas. Buildings were reported to have collapsed, adding to the challenge for rescue crews working in unstable conditions. The emergency declaration reflects the severity of the destruction and the pressure on... [Continue Reading]
Iran threatens Israel after troop withdrawal dispute deepens in south Lebanon
Iran has threatened Israel after Israeli officials said troops would not withdraw from southern Lebanon, even if the United States demanded it. The warning came on Thursday and followed a day of sharp exchanges over the future of the ceasefire that has been in place for about a week. The dispute centres on whether Israel will leave the south as part of the wider understanding linked to the truce with Hezbollah.Esmaeil Qaani, the head of the Quds Force, said in a statement carried by state media that Israel would face consequences if it continued on its current path. A day... [Continue Reading]
US-Iran talks intensify as Rubio rejects Hormuz tolls and Senate backs war powers measure
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Iran will not be allowed to charge tolls or fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz under any final agreement with Washington. His comments sharpen one of the main disputes in the negotiations, which are taking place alongside a 60-day diplomatic process launched after a preliminary agreement in Switzerland. Iran has meanwhile said planned transit fees through the waterway will be suspended for 60 days while talks continue.The latest developments come as the US Senate passed a war powers measure pressing President Donald Trump either to halt the war in Iran... [Continue Reading]
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