CDC temporarily halts testing for several infectious diseases amid staffing shortages

• A geopolitical crisis in the Middle East that began on February 28 has evolved into a global food security emergency, causing rising hunger in Africa and medical shortages in Afghanistan. • Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, which previously handled roughly 20% of global oil shipments, have spiked crude oil prices and increased transport and supply chain costs.

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned that urgent action is needed to prevent a global food security crisis caused by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. • FAO Director-General Qu Dongyan met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain, and IFAD President Alvaro Lario in Rome to address these risks.

• The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) May Chief Economists’ Outlook warns that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and Middle East conflicts are severely damaging global economic prospects. • The report highlights a period of heightened uncertainty driven by geopolitical tensions, persistent inflationary pressures, and the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains.

• Qatar has formally condemned Iranian attacks on civilian targets in Bahrain and Kuwait, labeling the actions a "grave violation" of national sovereignty. • The State asserts that these strikes breach the 1949 Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, specifically the principles prohibiting indiscriminate attacks on civilians.

Jess Asato’s lawyer says others want to take action over demeaning sexualised material created by Grok AI toolNew claimants have come forward to take legal action against Elon Musk’s company xAI after the Labour MP Jess Asato launched a test case against the firm over demeaning sexualised material created by its Grok AI tool.A handful of complainants contacted Asato’s lawyer on Thursday in response to coverage of the MP’s decision to sue Musk’s company for damages over its creation and circulation of fake images of her in a bikini and an AI-created video that she said showed her “being chloroformed and prepared for a sexual assault”. Continue reading...

In today’s newsletter: ​Global powers​ are focused on oil markets and elections​ but those living through conflict in the Middle East feel abandonedGood morning. It’s been another week of brinkmanship via Truth Social and ceasefires broken before they’ve been announced.While US president Donald Trump claims an agreement with Iran could happen soon, for those living in the Middle East it does not feel like peace is anywhere near. People have seen more bombs dropped in Lebanon this week; and the death toll continues to rise, national economies falter, and displacement abounds.UK politics | Andy Burnham has signalled he would begin transforming the broken social care system this year if he became prime minister, he has said in an interview with the Guardian, accusing Westminster of “flinching away” from tackling difficult policy problems.Environment | Humanity can raise living standards, reduce inequality and keep global heating within a 2C rise, according to a sweeping vision for planetary survival.Ukraine | The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has called for face-to-face negotiations in a public letter addressed directly to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.England news | The poorest and most nature-deprived communities in England will be further left behind in their access to green spaces if proposed changes to planning laws go ahead, a report finds.UK news | Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor received private income from subletting three cottages on his Windsor Royal Lodge estate while paying a “peppercorn rent” to the crown estate, a report into royal property arrangements has revealed. Continue reading...

Son of actor’s girlfriend arrested after 81-year-old found unconscious in his front yard in Tarzana, Los AngelesVeteran actor James Handy has died at his home in Los Angeles after a fatal stabbing, allegedly by his girlfriend’s son.The 81-year-old actor was found in the front yard of his home in Tarzana, California, at 9.30am on Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles police department. He was unconscious and had multiple stab wounds to the chest. Continue reading...

Tech giants claim Australia’s free trade agreement with the United States will be violated, as they try to kill a proposal to force them to pay news companiesTech companies are invoking Australia’s free trade agreement with the United States, and threats of a Trump administration retaliation in a bid to kill off the federal government’s proposal to force them to pay news companies.The news media bargaining incentive is designed to force Meta, Google and TikTok to make commercial deals with Australian media outlets, or be forced to pay a dedicated 2.25% levy on local revenues. Continue reading...

British Retail Consortium figures show footfall rose in May, with consumer confidence improving after spending squeezeGreater numbers of consumers went shopping last month as spring sunshine brought welcome relief to retailers, which have faced a squeeze on spending since the US-Israel war on Iran.Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and a separate survey by the accountancy firm BDO showed a bounce-back in footfall during May, reversing a sharp decline in April. Continue reading...

Without disclosing that work has been generated using the technology, faith in existing industries will continue to be undermined Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcasWhen a university vice-chancellor this week admitted to using AI in writing an opinion piece for a major Australian masthead, but did not disclose that use prior to publication, it highlighted the growing gap between people’s use of AI and trust in the technology.Data from Roy Morgan this week showed 13.6m or 58% of the population older than 14 now use AI each month, with ChatGPT being the most popular, followed by Google’s Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. Continue reading...

Report into royal property affairs reveals disgraced ex-prince generated private income from Windsor Royal LodgeAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor received private income from subletting three cottages on his Windsor Royal Lodge estate while paying a “peppercorn rent” to the crown estate, a report into royal property arrangements has revealed.The National Audit Office (NAO) review also shows that King Charles pays an “adjusted” rent from his private Duchy of Lancaster income, below open market value, for his disgraced brother’s non-working royal daughters, princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, to live in royal palaces. Continue reading...

Campaign wants to transport people back to weekend of her disappearance when England drew 1-1 with Switzerland in Euro 96 matchThe family of Melanie Hall, who was murdered after vanishing from a Bath nightclub 30 years ago, have said they still hope her killer may be found – but felt time was running out – as police launched a fresh appeal for information.Melanie’s father, Steve Hall, said: “You always think in the early days there’s going to be a quick resolution. That’s not been the case but we travel in hope. I hope I live long enough to see a conclusion.” Continue reading...