Development

Exclusive: Researchers call for urgent investigation of risks to babies of tablets, smartphones and other digital devicesScreen time for babies and toddlers under the age of two has been linked with long-term negative effects on health and quality of life and should be avoided, according to a landmark study.It warns that using screens during that period may lead to wide-ranging developmental concerns and calls for further urgent investigation of the risks smartphones, tablets and other digital devices pose to infants. Continue reading...

• AI is being integrated into the oil industry to complement existing digital technologies, specifically to accelerate engineering, planning, and operational decision-making. • The technology aims to materially shift the economics of new oil developments by increasing efficiency and reducing the time required for critical project phases. • This shift matters as it could lower the cost of production and optimize resource extraction in an increasingly competitive energy market.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) is utilizing restructuring announcements via the Employment Restructuring Monitor (ERM) to track labor market developments across the euro area. • Data indicates that Germany and France are the primary drivers of these trends, together accounting for approximately 40% of all recorded restructuring events. • Lower event numbers in Spain and Italy are attributed to a smaller proportion of their total employment being concentrated within larger firms.

• The United States, Cuba, and Iran have joined a global rescue effort to assist Venezuela following a series of devastating earthquakes. • UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher confirmed that specialist rescue teams are currently deploying to the region to search for survivors. • The international response includes additional solidarity and aid from various Latin American and European nations.

• On 3 June 2026, the European Commission proposed a new Regulation to establish a framework for strengthening the EU Cloud and AI Development Act. • The proposal mandates that cloud computing providers obtain a European cybersecurity certificate with at least a “high” assurance level. • Providers must maintain effective control over all software components and prove that no third-country entities exercise control over the design, development, or maintenance of such software.

• In early 2026, the FDA implemented four strategic actions to modernize drug development, shifting focus toward flexibility and human-centric science. • The agency is prioritizing evidence quality and analytical sophistication over the sheer volume of data, acknowledging that advances in genomic medicine and biomarkers have outpaced old frameworks. • A key regulatory change allows for drug approval based on a single adequate and well-controlled trial, provided it is supported by sufficient confirmatory evidence.

• G7 leaders have called for a comprehensive overhaul of the international development cooperation system to move away from traditional aid models. • The proposed reforms focus on creating "mutually beneficial partnerships" designed to strengthen the economic sovereignty of partner nations and reduce long-term dependency on foreign aid. • A key component of the strategy involves mobilizing increased private sector investment to fund sustainable development projects.