Anadolu Agency

More than 40 million Colombians are eligible to vote in a presidential election that sources describe as a three-way race expected to reach a second round. Left-leaning senator Ivan Cepeda leads opinion polls with endorsement from term-limited incumbent Gustavo Petro, while right-wing senator Paloma Valencia and independent Abelardo De La Espriella also compete. The runoff is scheduled for June 21.

Russia has recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations in Moscow. The move follows an Armenia-EU summit held in May and is linked by Russian officials to Yerevan's steps toward closer ties with the European Union. Multiple outlets report statements from Russian and EAEU sources describing the actions as incompatible with Eurasian Economic Union membership.

Armed clashes between rival FARC dissident factions in southeastern Colombia killed at least 52 people, according to reports from Reuters and Anadolu Agency. The fighting, which occurred over territorial control, prompted Colombian authorities to deploy additional troops. Analyses from progressive, conservative, and libertarian perspectives interpret the events differently in relation to the 2016 peace accord and state responses.

The World Health Organization announced on May 29 the discharge of the first confirmed Ebola patient in the Democratic Republic of Congo following two negative tests on May 27. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, has recorded 125 confirmed cases and 17 confirmed deaths alongside over 900 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths. The confirmed-case fatality rate stands at 24.6 percent, below the strain's historical potential of up to 50 percent.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated on May 31 that Iran will not approve any agreement without upheld rights and tangible results first, citing distrust of US promises. Reports indicate President Trump sent a new framework with tougher terms on May 30 and emphasized preventing Iranian nuclear weapons in a Fox News interview. The statements occur against the backdrop of prior JCPOA withdrawal and sanctions.

Lebanese President Aoun received a call from US Secretary of State Rubio according to the Lebanese presidency and Anadolu Agency. Unverified reports from Audacy mention Israeli troop movements in Lebanon and Pentagon military talks. The verified call focused on regional developments and ceasefire efforts.

Deutsche Welle reports that Lebanon entered the regional war on March 2, 2026, after Hezbollah fired on Israel following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. More than 3,213 deaths and over 1 million displacements have occurred amid nearly three months of Israeli strikes. Anadolu Agency reports 670 projectile trajectories and eight deaths from recent strikes in south Lebanon.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed the Israeli military to increase territorial control in Gaza to 70 percent. Israel has acknowledged current control of approximately 60 percent. EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib stated that shifting military lines are restricting aid access and essential services.

Tom Frieden, former head of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that the current Ebola outbreak represents a failing global stress test while assessing low risk to large numbers of Americans. Africa CDC reported 1,077 suspected Bundibugyo strain cases, with partial border closures in place and funding pledges covering slightly over half of the requested US$500 million. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus visited DR Congo as several countries implemented travel measures.

Polish President Karol Nawrocki called for Volodymyr Zelensky to be stripped of Poland's Order of the White Eagle after Zelensky granted the title 'Heroes of the UPA' to Ukraine's Special Operations Center North. Former Polish leaders Lech Wałęsa and Leszek Miller criticized the decree as an insult to Polish victims of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army. Poland continues to provide military support to Ukraine despite the dispute over historical memory.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated at the Shangri-La Dialogue that the era of the United States subsidizing wealthy nations' defense is over and called for alliances based on shared responsibility. All 32 NATO members met the 2% GDP defense spending target for the first time in 2025, while the United States accounted for 60-62% of alliance military spending. The remarks reference a 2014 NATO agreement and a 2016 comment by Barack Obama on free riders.