Conrad ‘Cronos’ Lant, frontman of UK heavy metal band Venom, dies aged 63

• The DID Press Agency reported that the security and political order of the Middle East is undergoing a significant transformation due to recent regional conflicts. • The agency cited the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation, direct confrontations between Iran and Israel, and Ansarullah's influence over Red Sea security as primary drivers of this change.

• The 81st United Nations General Assembly met in New York to address the breakdown of multilateralism and the paralysis of the Security Council. • The assembly focused on the structural stagnation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the lack of binding laws for disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence.

• Washington and Beijing are exploring a new framework to manage their rivalry as Donald Trump considers his second-term diplomacy. • The U.S. is weighing the costs of prolonged confrontation, including trade uncertainty and China's control over critical minerals.

• Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik criticized the UN General Assembly for its inability to address escalating conflicts in Ukraine, Iran, Palestine, and Sudan. • UN development programme administrator Alexander De Croo described the current global state as a series of crises piling up on one another.

• A Group of Friends of the Process has proposed the Muscat Process to address international diplomacy during a period of geopolitical fragmentation. • The initiative focuses on the economic dimensions of diplomatic crises, specifically targeting impacts on energy prices, shipping, insurance, and supply chains.

• Acting UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Ramiz Alakbarov reported that Palestinians in Gaza are seeking a return to normal life. • The UN is currently working to overcome major challenges regarding humanitarian access, the restoration of essential services, and reconstruction efforts.

Jorge Messias calls Guardian report ‘an important alert for Brazilian sovereignty’, as nation prepares to go to pollsBrazil’s attorney general has said foreign meddling in his country’s institutions and democracy “cannot be tolerated” after a Guardian report revealed how the Trump administration was pushing to direct funds to a campaign against the Brazilian supreme court.Writing on X, Jorge Messias called the report “an important alert for Brazilian sovereignty”. “The information is especially serious in light of Brazil’s electoral process and the recent episodes of external pressure on our institutions,” Messias added. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Plan under discussion involves intensive package of support to help young people into employment Ministers are working up sweeping plans for welfare changes including scrapping a key disability benefit for under-25s and replacing it with a multibillion-pound package of support to get into work, the Guardian has learned.Multiple Whitehall sources said the package of changes under debate was much bigger than previously thought, as Andy Burnham’s government hopes to persuade more people on benefits back into work. Continue reading...

Chancellor faces challenge of volatile global headwinds and soaring energy costs at home as some insiders worry lack of clarity could trigger fresh market shockSenior Labour figures are privately voicing unease about John Healey’s approach to his crucial first budget this month, against the backdrop of volatile global markets and soaring energy costs.The chancellor’s work has been made significantly harder by the global bond sell-off, which continues to raise the cost of government borrowing, and ever increasing energy prices as Donald Trump continues the US war with Iran. Continue reading...

Team behind documentary push back against IDF attempt to discredit its exposure of military systemsThe team behind the award-winning film NAZA, which details the Israeli military’s targeting policies in Gaza and its alleged acceptance of high numbers of civilian deaths, have revealed they spoke to more than 100 sources with knowledge of the military systems used in the war.The disclosure came in response to an Israel Defense Forces statement seeking to discredit the documentary. Continue reading...

About 900 demonstrations, blockades and related incidents under way outside high schools around the countryA fast-growing protest by high-school students over long hours, teacher shortages and decaying facilities has escalated into “urban violence”, the French government has warned, as it said many schools would switch to online classes to protect teachers and pupils.The prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, called a crisis cabinet meeting on Thursday and told ministers to cancel travel plans to deal with the demonstrations, which erupted in the Paris region last week but have snowballed across the country. Continue reading...