July 2, 2026

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday announced a €20 million ($22.7 million) program to promote peace in the South Caucasus region as she embarked on a visit to Azerbaijan.   The “peace-fostering program” was announced by von der Leyen at a joint press conference in Baku following talks with President Ilham Aliyev….

Afghanistan’s Taliban regime said they have carried out strikes on targets along the border with Pakistan, injuring several people in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province.   Pakistan’s military said it had shot down four rudimentary drones and warned any further provocation “would receive a befitting response”. The BBC has been unable to independently confirm the attack….