https://www.rferl.org Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is an international news organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Wed, 27 May 2026 12:20:24 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said "good news" on the Iran negotiations could come sometime on May 24, telling reporters during a trip to India there’s had been "significant progress” in the talks. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-trump-ceasefire-negotiations-pakistan-mediation/33763328.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-trump-ceasefire-negotiations-pakistan-mediation/33763328.html Sun, 24 May 2026 00:28:44 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories Pakistan has emerged as a central intermediary as regional and global powers intensify efforts to turn a fragile cease-fire into broader U.S.-Iran negotiations amid ongoing talks in Iran and China. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-pakistan-america-nuclear-diplomacy-china-rubio/33763157.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-war-pakistan-america-nuclear-diplomacy-china-rubio/33763157.html Sat, 23 May 2026 11:03:21 +0200 NewsIranThe Rundown StoriesChina Afghanistan is drawing travel influencers, many of whom showcase the country’s beauty and hospitality under Taliban rule. But critics say these videos whitewash human rights violations and overlook the harsh restrictions Afghan women face, including strict bans on education, work, and public life. https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-welcomes-female-tourists-as-afghan-women-face-harsher-restrictions/33762706.html https://www.rferl.org/a/taliban-welcomes-female-tourists-as-afghan-women-face-harsher-restrictions/33762706.html Sat, 23 May 2026 04:58:00 +0200 VideosVideo ArchiveThe Rundown Stories US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there has been "slight progress" in Pakistan-mediated talks to end the Iran war, while warning against what he described as Tehran's attempt to establish a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz, which he said no country should accept. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-rubio-iran-ceasefire-hormuz-uranium/33762051.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-rubio-iran-ceasefire-hormuz-uranium/33762051.html Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:42 +0200 NewsIranThe Rundown Stories A Ukrainian drone strike targeted the Syzran oil refinery in Russia. The Samara regional governor reported two deaths and injuries following the attack. Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces confirmed the strike, saying the refinery supplies fuel to the Russian military. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainian-drones-strike-oil-refinery-deep-inside-russia/33761797.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainian-drones-strike-oil-refinery-deep-inside-russia/33761797.html Thu, 21 May 2026 14:39:28 +0200 RussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Over two days, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly raised the prospect that the cease-fire with Iran will be broken by new US military strikes -- in comments that have drawn close scrutiny from analysts and policymakers. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-strike-iran-restraint-war/33760289.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-strike-iran-restraint-war/33760289.html Wed, 20 May 2026 10:39:25 +0200 IranFeaturesThe Rundown Stories Three people have been reported dead as Russia's Moscow region faced the largest Ukrainian assault in over a year on May 17. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-drone-attack-moscow-russia/33758725.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-drone-attack-moscow-russia/33758725.html Sun, 17 May 2026 10:22:41 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Eyewitness video captured an explosion as a Ukrainian drone hit an apartment building in the Russian city of Ryazan, killing at least four people, according to local officials. The drone attack targeted a major oil refinery in the city southeast of Moscow. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ryazan-drone-strike-apartment-oil-refinery/33757934.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ryazan-drone-strike-apartment-oil-refinery/33757934.html Fri, 15 May 2026 23:45:58 +0200 RussiaVideo ArchiveVideos US President Donald Trump described the cease-fire with Iran as being on "life support," adding he is considering restarting naval escorts -- dubbed Operation Enduring Freedom -- through the Strait of Hormuz amid a continuing a deadlock over how to bring the conflict to an end. https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-response-peace-proposal-unacceptable/33753884.html https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-iran-response-peace-proposal-unacceptable/33753884.html Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:37 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East Iranian media said Tehran has sent its response to the latest US peace proposal, but the country's officials have maintained belligerent stance toward the United States. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-trump-rubio-irgc-war-negotiations/33753414.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-trump-rubio-irgc-war-negotiations/33753414.html Sun, 10 May 2026 01:30:02 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories Iran blamed the United States for a recent escalation of skirmishes in the Persian Gulf as Washington awaits a response from Tehran over the latest proposal to end their war. https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-peace-proposal-response/33752830.html https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-peace-proposal-response/33752830.html Sat, 09 May 2026 14:57:25 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories Russian President Vladimir Putin said he thought the conflict with Ukraine is "coming to an end," but stressed that he would meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy only once a final peace deal has been agreed. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ictory-day-parade-putin-speech-ukraine-war/33753222.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ictory-day-parade-putin-speech-ukraine-war/33753222.html Sat, 09 May 2026 11:47:28 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Headline US President Donald Trump announced a three-day cease-fire in the war between Russia and Ukraine, with both sides quickly confirming they had agreed to the truce along with a major prisoner swap. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-victory-day-cease-fire-drone-attacks/33752482.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-victory-day-cease-fire-drone-attacks/33752482.html Fri, 08 May 2026 08:39:19 +0200 UkraineNewsRussiaRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories Security is tight as Moscow prepares for the May 9 Victory Day parade on Red Square, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. For the first time in nearly 20 years, the event will be held without military hardware. Mobile Internet restrictions are already in effect across the Russian capital. https://www.rferl.org/a/snipers-checkpoints-limited-internet-moscow-prepares-for-victory-day/33752111.html https://www.rferl.org/a/snipers-checkpoints-limited-internet-moscow-prepares-for-victory-day/33752111.html Thu, 07 May 2026 19:20:10 +0200 VideosRussiaVideo ArchiveThe Rundown Stories Iran said it was reviewing the latest US proposal that sources say would end the fighting but leave several key issues open, as US President Donald Trump claimed a deal was “very possible” but also warned of renewed fighting if Tehran rejected the deal. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-peace-proposal-trump-ceasefire-hormuz/33751441.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-peace-proposal-trump-ceasefire-hormuz/33751441.html Thu, 07 May 2026 01:31:41 +0200 IranNewsThe Rundown Stories Russia warned Kyiv-based diplomats and representatives of international organizations to prepare to evacuate the Ukrainian capital, saying its forces would launch a "massive" missile attack against the city if Ukraine disrupted its May 9 World War II commemorations. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-kyiv-ukraine-victory-day-wwii-attack-parade/33751440.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-kyiv-ukraine-victory-day-wwii-attack-parade/33751440.html Thu, 07 May 2026 00:20:24 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Stories A Russian drone hit a kindergarten in northern Ukraine, and Moscow launched scores of drones and missiles across the country, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of ignoring a Kyiv-proposed cease-fire. https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-kindegarten-drone-cease-fire-attacks-war/33751265.html https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-kindegarten-drone-cease-fire-attacks-war/33751265.html Wed, 06 May 2026 19:34:41 +0200 NewsRussiaUkraineRussia Invades UkraineThe Rundown Headline Russian drones hit a kindergarten in Ukraine's Sumy region on May 6. The attack came during a May 5-6 cease-fire unilaterally declared by Kyiv. Russia has declared its own cease-fire to coincide with Victory Day celebrations on May 9, marking the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-drone-attack-hits-ukrainian-kindergarten-amid-kyiv-declared-cease-fire/33751192.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-drone-attack-hits-ukrainian-kindergarten-amid-kyiv-declared-cease-fire/33751192.html Wed, 06 May 2026 14:40:49 +0200 VideosUkraineVideo ArchiveThe Rundown Stories US President Donald Trump has announced that the operation called Project Freedom to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz will be “paused for a short period of time.” https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-war-cease-fire-shipping-blockade/33750501.html https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-war-cease-fire-shipping-blockade/33750501.html Tue, 05 May 2026 16:39:57 +0200 NewsIranThe Rundown Headline Several countries have condemned Iran and called an attack on oil facilities in the United Arab Emirates a dangerous escalation. The UAE claimed IT was hit by an Iranian drone on May 4. This comes as both the US and Iran fired shots in the Strait of Hormuz amid a fragile cease-fire. https://www.rferl.org/a/uae-accuses-iran-of-hitting-oil-sector-world-leaders-condemn-dangerous-escalation/33750468.html https://www.rferl.org/a/uae-accuses-iran-of-hitting-oil-sector-world-leaders-condemn-dangerous-escalation/33750468.html Tue, 05 May 2026 15:59:36 +0200 VideosIranVideo ArchiveThe Rundown Stories