Cooper

• Member states are meeting at the U.N. General Assembly to address global food crises and humanitarian diplomacy amid ongoing financial shortfalls and political tensions. • The session on realigning global food action is scheduled to last only 75 minutes. • These brief discussions reflect a trend of competition over cooperation, potentially limiting the U.N.'s ability to resolve major international crises.

• Verve Research published a report titled "Voices From the Region: Reimagining Global Cooperation From Southeast Asia" detailing the region's push for a larger role in global governance. • The report highlights a regional demand for international institutions that provide tangible results while maintaining the strategic autonomy of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). • This shift indicates that Southeast Asian nations are prioritizing their own leadership and decision-making power over traditional global power structures.

• A new 34-country survey released ahead of the United Nations General Assembly found that preventing wars and conflicts is the top priority for international cooperation. • Support for global cooperation rose to 61% in wealthier economies but fell to 53% in developing economies this year. • These shifting priorities indicate a growing divergence in how different economic regions view the effectiveness of global partnerships.

Black called on to comply with subpoenas and appear as required to clarify connections to convicted sex offenderMore than a dozen survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse have called on the billionaire Leon Black to appear before the House oversight committee in order to clarify his connections to the late disgraced financier and convicted sex offender.In a letter released on Wednesday, the survivors urged Black to comply with congressional subpoenas ahead of Thursday’s deposition before the House oversight committee. Continue reading...

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Bishkek, calling for global institutions to be reformed to reflect modern geopolitical realities. • Guterres urged for stronger multilateralism and specifically demanded that the ceasefire in Gaza be respected to protect civilians. • He called for the full implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict and the immediate removal of obstacles hindering humanitarian relief.

Test of US rhetoric will rest on whether nations such as India, China and Russia view economic threats as credibleIran has vowed to retaliate against any country that cooperates with the US attempt to impose fresh sanctions against Iran in what the Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, has billed as “the single greatest financial offensive ever marshalled against an adversary”.In advance of the US announcement, the United Arab Emirates, Iran’s single biggest trading partner in the Middle East, announced it was ending all trade with Iran, a move Tehran believes was coordinated between Washington and Dubai. Continue reading...

• A new column from Xinhua argues for returning development to the center of global cooperation to address systemic failures in current international progress. • The piece highlights that while science and technology are advancing rapidly, millions are being left behind due to persistent poverty, climate risks, and widening inequality. • Geopolitical tensions, trade barriers, and supply-chain disruptions are identified as primary obstacles hindering the achievement of sustainable development goals.

• Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the Japanese Defence Minister have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. • The agreement focuses on enhancing strategic partnerships and security collaboration between India and Japan. • This move is significant as it reinforces the geopolitical alignment of both nations in the Indo-Pacific region to ensure stability and security.

• Southeast Asia is experiencing an AI boom, driving significant investments in cloud infrastructure, semiconductor production, and data centers across the region. • Malaysia has become the fastest-growing data center market, benefiting from a 2019 moratorium on new facilities in Singapore due to land and energy constraints. • Major tech giants, including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services, are launching large-scale projects in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Health secretary praises more collegiate style under Andy Burnham and says previous No 10 sidelined her from key policy launchYvette Cooper admits Labour has “not done government very well” in the last couple of years, and accused Keir Starmer’s No 10 of sidelining her during the launch of a key immigration policy when she was home secretary.Speaking on the Political Currency podcast with the former Conservative chancellor George Osborne, Cooper highlighted some of the difficulties ministers faced with Starmer’s leadership, which she summarised as “bring me solutions, not problems”. Continue reading...

• Leading fitness trade show organizers in Asia are facilitating strategic connections between brands, manufacturers, buyers, and distributors for the 2026 event cycle. • These exhibitions span key markets including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia to strengthen regional sports business cooperation. • The initiative is critical as China's fitness equipment export volume continues to grow, requiring organizers to balance domestic supply-chain depth with international buyer reach.

Health secretary says global heating means UK hospitals and GPs will have to prepare for summer as well as winter peaks of demandAdapting to global heating: which UK public services are struggling in hot weather?The NHS has been warned to prepare for potential annual summer crises caused by extreme heat with the same pressures as winter, as heatwaves caused by the climate crisis become routine in the UK.The health secretary, Yvette Cooper, said NHS staff were feeling A&E pressures that would normally be expected only during flu season – and said the government would use major investment in NHS infrastructure to tackle the health service’s resilience to high summer temperatures. Continue reading...

Exclusive: New health secretary promises root-and-branch reform after damning maternity scandalsWomen should not feel pressurised into experiencing an “ideal birth”, the new health secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said, promising a root-and-branch reform of standards after several damning maternity scandals.Cooper, who returns to the department 27 years after she was the minister for public health under Tony Blair, said maternity and child health would be a major focus in the role, where she will also be expected to implement significant reforms to social care. Continue reading...

Labour politicians say mutualised model puts public in control without adding debt to government’s balance sheetMPs and mayors close to Andy Burnham have told the prime minister there is a “third way” tlauo gain more control of failing companies, as the row over whether or not to nationalise Thames Water rumbles on.Burnham is said to be concerned about the increase in government debt that Treasury projections show could be a result of nationalising water companies. Continue reading...

• Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced on July 17, 2026, that the DHS will penalize states that refuse to cooperate with a new federal election security program. • States that do not participate may be deprived of federal funding used to run elections, and individual state officials could be held accountable. • The initiative aims to ensure election security ahead of the upcoming November midterm elections.

• Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai for the first time in person to promote AI development cooperation. • The event featured high-level international attendees, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Prime Ministers from Cambodia and Thailand. • Xi's push for "AI diplomacy" is a strategic move intended to challenge the current technological dominance of the United States in the sector.

• India and the European Union have agreed to expand their strategic cooperation across critical technology sectors, including AI, semiconductors, quantum technologies, and clean energy. • The partnership will focus on deepening collaboration through the launch of new joint research initiatives and startup support programs to foster innovation. • This agreement matters as it strengthens the technological ties between two major global economies seeking to diversify supply chains and accelerate the transition to green energy.

Exclusive: Lewisham council’s move marks first step in Greens’ plan to create a corridor of sanctuary boroughs across LondonA Green-led London council is planning to ban its officials from working with the Home Office on immigration raids, after uncovering evidence suggesting government officials wanted to use environmental health data to target restaurant workers.Councillors on the Lewisham borough council are due to vote next week on a motion that would review its systems with a view to ending any cooperation with the government’s attempts to deport people without the right to remain in the UK. Continue reading...

Andrew Bailey warns that US will not be able to achieve its ambitions aloneThe Bank of England governor has called for international cooperation to tackle growing AI threats, warning that the US and Trump administration would not be able to achieve their ambitions alone.Andrew Bailey’s comments come weeks after the US president, Donald Trump, temporarily banned foreigners from using Anthropic’s powerful Claude Mythos model. Continue reading...

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday to discuss global hotspots and pressing international crises. • During the meeting, Jaishankar emphasized India's commitment to dialogue and diplomacy to bridge differences and mitigate the impact of global conflicts on the Global South. • The Minister presented a six-point manifesto titled "Shanti" (Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust and Integrity) to delegates and diplomats.

• Morocco has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening global humanitarian action, guided by the humanist vision of King Mohammed VI. • The initiative calls for systemic reforms, including increased investment in prevention, improved coordination with development efforts, and renewed global solidarity. • Key challenges identified include critical funding shortages, restricted access to affected areas, the politicization of aid, and the persistence of "forgotten crises."

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a diplomatic visit to Indonesia, where both nations signed 14 cooperation agreements to strengthen bilateral ties. • A primary highlight of the visit is a landmark deal to provide BrahMos supersonic missiles to the Indonesian armed forces. • This acquisition makes Indonesia the second Southeast Asian country to deploy the Indo-Russian weapons system, following the Philippines.

• UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned that artificial intelligence poses a "Hiroshima"-style existential threat to humanity if global regulations are not established. • Cooper highlighted AI as part of a broader set of systemic risks, including the climate crisis, irregular migration, and foreign interference. • The warning emphasizes the urgent need for international cooperation to curb how AI is developed to prevent catastrophic outcomes.

Exclusive: Foreign secretary warns of combined risks of AI, climate crisis, irregular migration and foreign interferenceArtificial intelligence poses a “Hiroshima”-style risk to humanity if governments do not agree to curb how it is developed, the foreign secretary has warned.Yvette Cooper urged countries, including the US and China, to agree international rules for AI, telling the Guardian she believes the issue will dominate foreign policy over the next two years. Continue reading...

• Japan and India have announced new agreements to strengthen bilateral cooperation across defense, economic ties, maritime security, and artificial intelligence. • The initiative aims to deepen strategic partnerships between the two nations to enhance regional stability and technological integration. • Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun criticized the move on Thursday, claiming such alliances promote "confrontation and division" rather than peace.

• A Global Peace Conference was held in Hyderabad on Thursday, bringing together diplomats, policymakers, and social leaders from nations including Russia, France, and the United States. • Organized by a news channel and Bliss Berg Future of Hope, the event focused on promoting humanitarian values, peaceful coexistence, and collaborative diplomacy. • The meeting underscores the urgent need for international cooperation as rising geopolitical tensions continue to threaten global stability.

• Bloomberg argues that the UK and EU must strengthen their security and trade partnerships to navigate the post-Brexit landscape. • The analysis suggests that closer cooperation is achievable and necessary, even though there are no immediate plans for the UK to rejoin the EU. • This shift is critical for stabilizing economic ties and enhancing collective security measures between the two major powers.