Forward

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned leaders from 193 member nations that the world is facing three existential threats as he prepares to leave office. • Guterres identified runaway artificial intelligence, galloping climate change, and escalating inequality as the primary drivers of global instability and conflict. • A paralyzed Security Council and a deep geopolitical divide have allowed powerful countries to ignore international law with impunity.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned leaders from 193 member nations that the world is deeply divided and the UN Security Council is paralyzed. • Guterres identified three existential threats facing the globe: runaway artificial intelligence, galloping climate change, and escalating inequality. • This geopolitical divide allows powerful countries to flout international law, creating an environment of impunity that hinders the end of global conflicts.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned leaders from 193 member nations that the world is facing three existential threats: runaway artificial intelligence, galloping climate change, and escalating inequality. • Guterres stated that a huge geopolitical divide and paralysis in the Security Council have allowed powerful countries to flout international law. • This instability creates an environment of impunity where the UN's most powerful body cannot effectively end global conflicts.

• Nine technological innovations in hardware, algorithms, and data processing are advancing artificial intelligence capabilities in 2026. • These breakthroughs are currently accelerating AI research and the deployment of new applications across multiple industries. • The integration of these tools allows businesses to scale AI capabilities more rapidly to improve operational efficiency.

The Liberal MP and former SAS soldier is under attack from One Nation after complying with a subpoena to give evidence in the failed 2022 civil caseGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcast“I don’t dislike Mr Roberts-Smith at all. I pity Mr Roberts-Smith. I pity this whole process. I don’t want to be here.”Andrew Hastie was a reluctant witness in the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case. Hastie appeared only under force of subpoena in 2022: compelled to attend court, obliged to swear an oath, and to tell “the whole truth and nothing but the truth”.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...

Reform UK’s home affairs spokesperson has faced criticism within party after post about Sagal Abdi-Wali, a former child refugeeLabour has accused Reform’s Zia Yusuf of “straightforward racism” after he suggested the party’s frontrunner to replace Keir Starmer in the Holborn and St Pancras byelection was not British.Sagal Abdi-Wali, a former child refugee from Somalia and the leader of Camden council, has been tipped as an early favourite to contest the London seat for Labour after the former prime minister’s resignation. Continue reading...

• NASA has launched the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, named after the agency's first chief astronomer and first female executive. • The telescope is embarking on a multi-year mission to map the universe and investigate the mysteries of dark energy and dark matter. • In addition to deep-space exploration, scientists expect the telescope to discover thousands of new planets within our own galaxy.

• Indian shooter Ashi Chouksey is preparing for the upcoming Asian Games with a specific focus on overcoming Chinese competitors. • Chouksey enters the competition following a successful 2023 Asian Games campaign, where she secured a silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle team and a bronze in the women's 50m rifle 3P. • The athlete expressed a desire for "revenge," signaling a high-stakes drive to upgrade her medal tally and outperform regional rivals.

• The Supreme Court has granted a temporary victory to Donald Trump, allowing the government to proceed with several mail-in voting restrictions. • Key measures include enabling the Department of Homeland Security to compile and share a federal citizenship list with states and allowing the Attorney General to prioritize prosecutions of officials issuing ballots to ineligible voters. • The ruling also permits the U.S. Postal Service to establish specific rulemaking regarding the design of state mail ballots.

• In August 2024, Thailand's Constitutional Court dissolved the Move Forward Party following a legal challenge regarding the party's eligibility and activities. • The dissolution follows a period of political instability since the May 2023 general election, during which Move Forward was excluded from government formation. • The Pheu Thai party shifted its strategy by dropping Move Forward and forming a surprise coalition with military-backed parties, despite previous campaign promises to the contrary.

Abdul El-Sayed is latest leftwing candidate to capture nomination for November’s midterm elections. Plus: gender parity in Latin America’s city of cyclingGood morning.The progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed has won the Democratic primary for the US Senate in Michigan. Despite many backing his opponent, Haley Stevens, in the race, leading Democrats are now uniting behind the former public health official with the goal of retaking control of the chamber in November’s midterm elections.What does El-Sayed’s victory mean for the Democratic party? Though a contentious general election, in a battleground state, awaits, his rise could serve as a revision to the political establishment’s prior playbook of requiring candidates to run from the center in swing-state politics.What do the Democrats need to retake the Senate? Republicans currently control the chamber with 53 lawmakers. The easiest path for Democrats to take back the Senate requires holding on to their seats in Michigan and Georgia while ousting Republicans from blue state Maine as well as three other red states.What was the vote? Schwartz was confirmed by a ⁠51-44 vote that broke largely along party lines, with Tim Kaine of Virginia the sole Democrat to support her nomination. Continue reading...

• The European Union is organizing consortia to develop AI infrastructure, requiring each group to have backing from at least one national government to secure support. • Member states are splitting their interests by scale, with Germany, Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Spain focusing on larger data centers. • Conversely, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, and Poland are competing to establish smaller-scale AI facilities.

• The European Union is preparing a strategic initiative to expand its AI capabilities by funding the construction of new data centers. • Member states are splitting into two camps: Germany, Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Spain are pushing for larger facilities, while Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, and Poland are competing for smaller-scale centers. • To secure funding and support, consortia must obtain backing from at least one national government, highlighting the competitive nature of the bid.

• On 14 July, the European Union held intergovernmental conferences in Brussels to advance the membership process for four candidate nations: Albania, Montenegro, Moldova, and Ukraine. • These meetings served to ceremonially inaugurate or conclude specific negotiation tracks, representing the most significant enlargement effort in over two decades. • This move signals a strategic shift in EU expansion, integrating Eastern European and Balkan nations to strengthen regional stability and political alignment.

• The European Union is initiating an overhaul of its lawmaking process to implement simpler regulations and integrate more advanced technological tools. • Experts warn that the initiative may fail due to vague implementation timelines, broad loopholes regarding "urgency," and significant understaffing in capital cities. • This modernization effort matters as the EU struggles to keep pace with rapid technological shifts and the need for more efficient governance.

• A federal court dismissed a lawsuit filed against the IRS by plaintiffs associated with Donald Trump, ruling that the parties "acted in bad faith." • The judge described the legal action as a "sham lawsuit" designed to fleece taxpayers rather than address legitimate legal grievances. • The case centered on challenges to OMB rules regarding federal funding, which critics argued could destabilize nonprofits and allow political pressure over $1 trillion in annual funding.

• European companies are increasing their AI readiness and currently outperform Asian firms, though they still trail behind North America, the global leader. • Several governments have established formal frameworks to drive adoption, including Spain's 2020 National AI Strategy and its updated 2024 official strategy, alongside similar plans in the UK and Italy. • Sweden and the Netherlands are emerging as regional leaders due to Sweden's high-skilled workforce and digital infrastructure, and the Netherlands' significant investments in innovative AI tools.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 7, 2026, to begin a three-nation diplomatic visit. • Addressing the Indian diaspora, Modi emphasized India's progress through the mantra of "reform, perform and transform" and expressed support for the "Indonesia Emas" (Golden Indonesia) vision. • On the global stage, the Prime Minister addressed current geopolitical turbulence and explicitly stated India's support for a two-state solution regarding Palestine.

• Forward (formerly Forward Networks) announced on July 1, 2026, that its Forward AI platform has won two major cybersecurity honors. • The company received a Gold Globee® Award for Best Vulnerability Management and Assessment Product and a Fortress Cybersecurity Award for Artificial Intelligence. • These awards recognize Forward AI's ability to bring certainty and security to agentic AI through the use of network digital twin technology.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing crisis in West Asia. • President Pezeshkian briefed the Indian leader on the latest regional developments and the proposed strategies for a way forward. • PM Modi reiterated India's consistent diplomatic stance, emphasizing that all regional issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.

• ASEAN is advancing its regional agenda for science, technology, and innovation to address rapid technological shifts and evolving social needs. • During his opening remarks, Thongsalith emphasized that these fields are critical foundations for driving economic growth and sustainable development across the region. • The initiative aims to mitigate pressing regional issues, including climate challenges and ongoing economic uncertainty.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that India remains on a steady growth trajectory despite prevailing global economic uncertainty. • The PM highlighted youth empowerment and women-led development as the primary cornerstones for achieving the vision of "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India). • This focus on inclusive growth is intended to ensure a prosperous future by leveraging the potential of India's diverse demographic.

Voters to choose between pro-Russian opposition and incumbent Nikol Pashinyan, who is more closely aligned with the westArmenians are going to the polls in an election that could cement the country’s shift towards Europe and away from its traditional alliance with Russia.Prime minister Nikol Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party enters the vote as the favourite, ahead of three opposition candidates who advocate for closer ties with Moscow. His main challenger, Samvel Karapetyan, a Russian-Armenian billionaire who built much of his fortune in Russia, has been forced to campaign from house arrest at his mansion outside Yerevan. Continue reading...

• The Globe and Mail has released its 2026 summer culture preview, featuring curated recommendations for film, television, music, and art exhibits. • Music highlights include a diverse range of genres from hip hop and country to "banjo-infused heavy punk," with reporter Josh O’Kane leading the coverage. • Major art exhibitions will feature a centenary celebration for landscape artist Takao Tanabe in British Columbia and circumpolar art displays in Ottawa.

• Ladakh leaders, including activist Sonam Wangchuk, are scheduled to meet with Home Ministry officials today to discuss regional concerns. • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged his Ministers to prioritize and advance ongoing governance reforms. • In Tamil Nadu, the DMK finds itself politically isolated as most former pre-poll allies have shifted their support to the TVK government.

Prime minister tells Jewish leaders legislation against malign state actors will go before parliament in JulyKeir Starmer has promised to proscribe Iran’s Revolutionary Guards by introducing legislation in the next session of parliament in July.On a trip to Kenton united synagogue in north-west London on Thursday, the prime minister said he wanted “to make Britain a country where our Jewish community feels safe”. Continue reading...

Judge’s repeal of Trump ban on gender-affirming care for children ‘a meaningful win for patients’, experts sayA federal judge overturned the Trump administration’s ban on gender-affirming care for children on Saturday, decrying Robert F Kennedy Jr’s “wanton disregard” for the law that “causes very real harm to very real people”.It’s another loss for Kennedy’s agenda as secretary for the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the second Trump administration – an agenda that has focused on restricting healthcare, including vaccines, abortion and gender-affirming care. Continue reading...

Residents waking to find line has moved overnight and they are now in free-fire zone as army takes more territoryIsraeli forces have been moving an agreed truce line in Gaza westwards over the six months since the ceasefire, expanding their zone of control and making the state of limbo ever more dangerous for Palestinians.The “yellow line” agreed in the US-brokered ceasefire in October was supposed to be temporary pending further Israeli withdrawals, but the partially observed truce has stalled after its first phase amid disagreements over the disarming of Hamas, and continued Israeli bombardment of Gaza. Continue reading...