ITV says World Cup will be ‘six-week Super Bowl’ for advertising

• The UK, Australia, and Canada have launched a major new international fund designed to scale civil society initiatives and address the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. • The fund will invest in grassroots projects aimed at rebuilding trust and reducing community divisions, integrating civil society efforts directly into broader diplomatic strategies.

• Tensions in the Middle East are escalating as warring parties resume hostilities and diplomatic relations deteriorate. • Iran remains defiant, demanding that the United States take accountability for ceasefire violations involving military strikes.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed a Security Council open debate in New York, urging member states to utilize the UN Charter to settle Middle East disputes peacefully. • Guterres highlighted how restrictions on navigational rights in the Strait of Hormuz are destabilizing global energy prices and disrupting critical supply chains.

• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk announced that investigators will probe potential breaches of international humanitarian and human rights law by all parties involved in the Lebanon conflict. • The escalation, featuring Hezbollah attacks and an extensive Israeli air and ground campaign, has resulted in over 3,660 deaths and the displacement of more than one million people.

• India's Secretary (East) Rudrendra Tandon advocated for a rules-based order and strengthened diplomacy during the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting held in Manila. • The ARF operates as a "track-one" diplomatic forum, focusing on a gradual evolutionary process to move from confidence-building measures toward full conflict resolution.

• The United States launched a second consecutive day of military strikes against Iran, following Donald Trump's vow to "hit them hard again" after accusing Tehran negotiators of deception. • Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baqaei, stated that these attacks have jeopardized ongoing ceasefire negotiations and accused Washington of undermining diplomatic efforts.

• The UAE is positioning its energy transformation as a global model for balancing economic growth with long-term environmental sustainability. • The strategy focuses on reconciling the urgent need for energy security with accelerated climate action to meet international goals.

Allison Kirkby pocketed the payment after BT’s share price surged nearly 80% since she became chief executiveThe chief executive of BT saw her pay and bonus package more than double last year to £5.6m, the biggest pay award to a boss of the telecoms company in more than a decade.Allison Kirkby, who stepped up from the board to take the helm in February 2024, received a pay, bonus and share award package of £5.58m for the year to the end of March. Continue reading...

PSNI receive reinforcements from Great Britain amid further condemnation of violencePolice have fired plastic bullets and received reinforcements from Great Britain in an effort to contain race riots in Northern Ireland.The force has fired 17 of the projectiles since disturbances erupted on Tuesday, pitting officers against crowds that have thrown rocks, petrol bombs and other missiles. Continue reading...

Pregnant woman in Scotland ‘stressed’ and unsure what will happen as result of UK government visa clampdownA heavily pregnant mother living and working in the UK legally fears the Home Office could try to separate her from her unborn baby after her husband and first child were sent “go home” letters.Sachintha Warnakulasuriya lives in Scotland with her husband, Indika Kumara and their six-year-old daughter Heily. Warnakulasuriya, 36, has a visa permitting her to work in the UK as a care worker and is sponsored by her employer. Her husband, also 36, and daughter are legally entitled to live in the UK as her dependents. Continue reading...

European Central Bank increases main deposit rate to 2.25%, with two further rises expected by next springBusiness live – latest updatesThe European Central Bank has raised interest rates for the first time since 2023 in response to higher inflation caused by the war in Iran.The ECB raised its main deposit rate from 2% to 2.25% and financial markets are pricing in two more rises by next spring. Continue reading...

With some matches being held in nearby Miami, a Cuban response to US military action could mar the tournamentAs Cuba crumbles under a nearly five-month-long US oil blockade, many on the island hope that the World Cup might save the island from US attack – or at least offer a respite until the competition ends on 19 July.“The beginning of the World Cup will make it more difficult for the United States to carry out a military action in Cuba,” said Carlos Alzugaray, Cuba’s former ambassador to the EU. “Cuba is very close to the US, and can hit many targets inside the US, especially in south Florida, with drones or other weapons.” Continue reading...