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• The humanitarian crisis in Haiti is worsening, with the International Organization for Migration reporting over 2,600 people displaced in Artibonite following clashes between armed groups last week. • UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgent need to strengthen regional diplomacy and accelerate sustainable development to ensure global peace and dignity. • The Secretary-General announced the appointment of Mohamed Yahya of Somalia as the new Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the annual session of the Peacebuilding Commission in New York to mark the body's 20th anniversary. • Guterres warned that the world is currently experiencing more conflicts than at any time since the Second World War, driven by rising geopolitical tensions and deepening inequalities. • He highlighted that intensifying climate shocks and the rapid advancement of unregulated new technologies are further destabilizing global security.

• GITEX AI EUROPE 2026 will showcase Europe's next generation of deep-tech pioneers, with official support from the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises and Berlin Partner for Business and Technology. • The event highlights critical technological challenges, such as Yukihisa Tsuruta of SemiQon noting that current quantum computers lack the scalability required to fulfill their full potential. • Participating innovators include Belgium-based VoxelSensors, which is developing advanced perception systems tailored for robotics and Extended Reality (XR) applications.

• Amazon has invested €17 billion in low-carbon technologies across the EU and UK since 2021, focusing on carbon-free energy, transport electrification, and sustainable packaging. • An independent analysis by Frontier Economics reveals these investments have supported up to 144,000 jobs and generated approximately €11 billion in gross value added (GVA). • The initiative aims to accelerate Europe's transition to a low-carbon economy while enhancing the region's overall industrial competitiveness.

• The Japan Creator Support Fund held a progress report meeting highlighting the international success of Japan's next generation of artists, musicians, filmmakers, and game developers. • The initiative has fostered collaborations and co-productions across 23 countries and regions, including the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, China, and Thailand. • These efforts have resulted in tangible global outcomes such as awards, nominations, and expanded opportunities for overseas performances and international events.

• General Christopher Donahue, a highly respected four-star Army general commanding U.S. soldiers in Europe, is set to retire from his post. • The retirement follows a lack of new nominations for a position consistent with his rank from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. • This leadership change occurs as Secretary Hegseth conducts a broader review of U.S. military support and commitments to NATO allies.

Gen Christopher Donahue, commander of forces in Europe and Africa, is leaving after just 18 months in the jobThe army’s commander of its forces in Europe and Africa – who was famously the last American soldier to leave Afghanistan in 2021 – is unexpectedly stepping down from his post after just 18 months in the job, the Army confirmed late Tuesday.Gen Christopher Donahue, commanding general of US Army Europe and Africa and commander of Nato’s Allied Land Command, will relinquish his command on 2 July, according to an army statement provided to the Associated Press. He is the latest in a line of nearly two dozen top military leaders to either retire or depart their jobs early under the leadership of the defense secretary Pete Hegseth, who has undertaken an effort to thin the ranks of the military’s top brass with the mantra “less generals, more GIs”. Continue reading...

• Intelligence services have warned that next-generation AI models capable of executing destructive cyberattacks are expected to launch within a few months. • The US has restricted access to Anthropic's new Claude Mythos model due to its breakthrough ability to identify complex system vulnerabilities and automatically generate exploit code at an unprecedented scale. • This shift is critical because AI is transitioning from a defensive tool for authorized companies into a potent offensive weapon, fundamentally altering the landscape of digital warfare.

Designer turns to the accessory that launched his empire as he invokes the golden age of Italian sportFor his second standalone menswear show in Milan, Ralph Lauren reverted to the accessory that launched his empire in 1967 – ties.Skinny silk ties featuring subtle swirly prints were neatly knotted and used as the finishing touch to elegant pinstripe suits, while more brightly printed or striped cravats were whirled and worn like ties peeking out from under knitwear and rugby shirts. Continue reading...

Over 40 years, Italy’s Il Cinema Ritrovato – or ‘rediscovered cinema’ – has evolved into an influential international gatheringBologna will be transformed into an open-air museum of cinema on Saturday as a nine-day festival dedicated to restored, rediscovered and overlooked films – some dating back more than a century – gets under way in the northern Italian city.Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, Il Cinema Ritrovato, or “rediscovered cinema”, has evolved from its niche origins into an influential international gathering captivating a new generation of cinephiles. Continue reading...

• Indian markets extended their winning streak for a fourth consecutive session, with the Nifty reclaiming the 24,000 mark and approaching the 100-day EMA of 24,150. • The rally was driven by favorable global cues and sustained sector-wide buying across the board. • Specific stocks including IFCI, Tata Motors, HFCL, General Insurance Corp, and Corona Remedies are in focus due to IPO filings, turnaround projections, and major order wins.

Exclusive: Richard Hermer’s department understood to be first in government to restrict use after recent riotsThe attorney general has told his office to no longer post on X, making it the first UK government department to stop using the Elon Musk-owned platform amid increasing worries about its use to incite violence and racism.Richard Hermer’s office last posted on X on Friday, and it is understood that officials have been told to no longer use the site, unless for the specific purpose of combatting disinformation there. Continue reading...

Start-ups and testamentary trusts to receive carve-outs after criticism of Labor’s CGT changesAll of Australia’s 2.7m small businesses will receive “generous” exemptions from capital gains tax, as Anthony Albanese flagged startups and testamentary trusts would receive carve outs from the government’s contentious tax reforms.The prime minister’s announcement on Thursday follows weeks of sustained criticism from industry groups, who have labelled the move from a flat 50% CGT discount model to an inflation-linked approach as a “tax on growth”. Continue reading...

• Leaders from Brazil, India, and Kenya met with G7 representatives in Evian to discuss international cooperation and development. • The G7 is utilizing these meetings to present a new narrative on development aid as a strategic move to counter China's expanding economic influence. • This engagement highlights the shifting dynamics between the Western bloc and the Global South regarding global governance and financial support.

• UNICEF released a report revealing that 1.1 billion children—nearly half the global youth population—are exposed to at least three overlapping climate hazards. • These environmental threats are critically endangering the health, education, and overall survival of children worldwide. • Separately, Special Envoy Hans Grundberg briefed the Security Council on diplomatic efforts in cities including Riyadh, Muscat, and New York to resolve the conflict in Yemen.

• UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher has allocated $10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to combat food insecurity and famine risks in Somalia. • The funding arrives as humanitarian partners report that many newly displaced families have lost their belongings and tents, forcing them to rely on relatives and friends. • To address these urgent needs, humanitarian teams have activated a joint UN-run response mechanism designed to provide rapid support to families affected by sudden crises.

The US vice-president ⁠also said nuclear ​inspectors would return ⁠to Iran as part of the deal ⁠with Washington to end ​the warFull report: Trump declares deal ‘all signed’ as G7 leaders try to tie loose endsHello and welcome to the Guardian’s continuing coverage of the US-Israel war on Iran ahead of the expected signing of the framework peace deal in a couple of days. America’s ⁠memorandum ​of understanding (MOU) with Iran ⁠is “a very general document”, the US vice-president, JD Vance, has said, adding that specifics ⁠of the ​deal ‌will be ‌worked out during further ‌negotiations.With a memorandum ⁠of understanding ⁠between the ​US and Iran ⁠​signed, Trump said the strait of Hormuz “will be completely open” by Friday. A signing ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday in Geneva, which Trump said he will probably not attend.The deal included a ceasefire in Lebanon but did not provide for a withdrawal of Israeli troops from areas that they occupied. Lebanon’s prime minister Nawaf Salam has said diplomatic efforts with the US are continuing in order to achieve the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from territory in southern Lebanon.However, in his first public address after the deal signing, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli forces will also remain in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria “for as long as necessary”. He also announced he would be running for relection.Hezbollah has welcomed the memorandum of ⁠understanding ⁠between the ​US and ⁠Iran, saying it had resulted in ⁠a comprehensive ​ceasefire ‌across ‌all fronts, including Lebanon. In ‌a written statement, the Tehran-backed militant group warned Israel that it ‌would not accept any attacks ​that violate Lebanon’s sovereignty or targeted its ⁠people. It said Lebanon’s ​inclusion ​in the ​agreement reflected Iran’s ​commitment ‌to ​ending ​the war. Continue reading...

• The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) has launched its latest edition with a strategic focus on promoting emerging Chinese-language and regional filmmakers. • The event opened with the debut feature 'Afterpiece,' directed by first-time filmmaker Keane T.K. Wong, highlighting a diverse competition slate of new talent. • Managing director Chen Guo emphasized that talent development has become a defining strength of the festival, aiming to elevate the next generation of Asian cinema.

• OpenAI is facing an investigation by an undisclosed number of state attorneys general regarding its business practices. • The inquiries focus on several critical areas, including the company's advertising policies and its management of sensitive health data. • This investigation highlights increasing regulatory scrutiny over how AI companies handle user privacy and commercial transparency.

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) has adopted the Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, 2026. • This landmark agreement serves as the world’s first international labour standard specifically designed for work performed via digital labour platforms. • The convention establishes essential rights for all workers in the sector, focusing on fair remuneration and the provision of social protection.

Beloved movie critic and arts reporter was known for bushy hair and mustache and affection for groan-inducing punsGene Shalit, a movie critic and arts reporter for the Today show over four decades who was known for his puffy hair, oversized handlebar mustache and affection for groan-inducing puns, has died. He was 100.Shalit’s family announced the death Friday to NBC News, saying in a statement that he “passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life”. Continue reading...

Technique that examines fragments of foetal DNA in mother’s bloodstream could limit need for invasive screening, according to researchersA new maternal blood test that can detect thousands of serious genetic conditions in the developing foetus could limit the need for invasive screening during pregnancy, according to scientists.The test, to be described at the European Society for Human Genetics conference in Gothenburg on Saturday, relies on detecting tiny fragments of a foetus’s DNA that circulate in the mother’s bloodstream during pregnancy. Using advanced sequencing techniques, scientists were able to identify a very high proportion of genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, that are currently only reliably diagnosed using amniocentesis or other invasive tests. Continue reading...

• Veteran foreign correspondent Edward Girardet has co-founded the "Help Save The Med" initiative to protect the Mediterranean Sea. • The project leverages storytelling alongside science and diplomacy, utilizing a diverse team of scientists, writers, photographers, and videographers. • Drawing on over 40 years of experience in conflict and environmental reporting, the initiative aims to raise awareness through compelling narratives.

• The UN Peacebuilding Fund has approved $4.8 million for a new program targeting central Mali. • The initiative aims to strengthen local institutions and communities in regions severely impacted by violent extremism. • Implementation will be carried out through a partnership between the UN Development Programme, UN-Women, and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and terrorism.

• 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. • These disruptions are exacerbating global hunger by increasing fertilizer costs and fueling inflation and debt, particularly within fragile and developing nations.

Solar supplied 12.8% of US electricity in May even as Trump boosts coal over clean energyEven as Donald Trump boosts coal over clean energy, solar power is hitting new milestones in the US and remains the leading source of new power.Data released Wednesday by global energy thinktank Ember, along with a report by the Solar Energy Industries Association (Seia) and analytics firm Wood Mackenzie, show the continued growth of solar and decline of coal in the United States despite federal policy. In May, for the first time, solar supplied more of the nation’s electricity than coal, or 12.8%, Ember said. Coal supplied 12.2%, its fourth-lowest monthly share ever. Continue reading...

• North Dakota is conducting its primary elections for the office of Attorney General for the 2026 cycle. • Simultaneously, Maine's gubernatorial race is moving toward ranked-choice voting tallies for both primary contests. • These elections are critical for determining the party nominees who will compete in the general elections.

• UN partners in Gaza reported a significant decline in food aid as of May 31, with 80 kitchens delivering 678,000 meals daily, down from 1.5 million meals provided by 170 kitchens in mid-March. • UN official DiCarlo urged parties to return to diplomacy and good-faith negotiations, reiterating the Secretary-General’s demand for an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire. • Acting Assistant Secretary-General Indrika Ratwatte briefed Council members on the ongoing situation in Ukraine, identifying it as one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.