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It follows a similar move at the G7 earlier this week, where leaders calling on Russia to engage with the peace processNot many other leaders showed up to offer doorstep comments this morning – and can you really blame them, after they had just a few hours of sleep?But Ireland’s Micheál Martin popped in to tell reporters that “it’s imperative that we continue to make progress” on this budget.“There’s some distance to go yet before, before we get there [to negotiations], but opening up channels, in my view, given our own experience in conflict resolution, is not something that we would criticise or be negative about.” Continue reading...

• The U.S. government issued a joint statement reaffirming its commitment to protecting public health through sound science, transparency, and independent review. • The statement specifically addresses concerns raised by scientists and policymakers regarding the consistency and real-world applicability of cancer hazard assessments conducted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). • This move matters as it asserts the preeminence of U.S. regulatory bodies over international assessments when determining health risks for the American population.

New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon is among the witnesses expected to appear at the six-week trial in July next yearTwenty five people who were charged after they protested against the visit of the Israeli president will face a six-week joint trial next July.The protesters had their matters heard before Downing centre local court on Thursday after their lawyers made a successful application for the joint hearing after arguing there were common legal issues across the cases. Continue reading...

• France and Germany have agreed to abandon the joint development of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a next-generation fighter project valued at €100 billion. • The decision follows reports from Reuters and the Financial Times, signaling a significant breakdown in the strategic military cooperation between the two European powers. • Separately, Denmark’s National Audit Office revealed that F-35 fighter jet deliveries will cost $2.2 billion more than originally projected, accusing the government of attempting to conceal the price increase.

Paris and Berlin conclude firms involved unable to agree on way forward in blow to Europe’s common defence pushFrance and Germany have concluded that the companies involved in building a joint fighter jet will not be able to reach an agreement and have abandoned the project, officials in Berlin have said in a blow to Europe’s common defence efforts.The French president, Emmanuel Macron, and the Germany chancellor, Friedrich Merz, had “reached the shared assessment that the companies will not be able to come together”, an official told Agence France-Presse. “They acknowledge this reality.” Continue reading...

• The 6th Joint Technical Advisory Group (TAG) meeting recently took place in Taipei to focus on the importance of connection in population management. • The event highlighted a new framework developed over 18 months by the WAZA Committee for Population Management (CPM). • This initiative aims to strengthen the governance, management, and long-term sustainability of international studbooks.

• The Africa CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) have launched a joint continental response plan to combat an Ebola outbreak. • Running from June to November 2026, the initiative seeks to raise US$ 518 million to fund rapid detection, clinical care, and emergency coordination. • The "One Response" approach integrates governments and partners to strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory testing, and community engagement across affected regions.

Bosses believe having single booking process will drive up ticket sales for all festivals to offset funding squeezeThe Edinburgh festivals hope to launch a single box office for all the city’s 11 festivals to make it simpler to buy tickets and profit from the “lake” of customer data they hold.Festival directors hope a universal box office will allow them to increase ticket sales and attract a wealthy corporate sponsor, such as Mastercard, to offset deep cuts in public funding they expect to see in coming years. Continue reading...

• Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand announced on Thursday, May 28, plans to expand their joint flight network between Singapore and New Zealand. • The expansion aims to address increasing travel demand between the two nations and facilitate better connectivity to key markets across Asia and Europe. • This strategic move allows both carriers to optimize capacity and improve scheduling for passengers traveling on these long-haul routes.

• The United States has paused its participation in the Permanent Joint Board on Defense, the long-running U.S.-Canada military consultation forum, according to a CSIS analysis published this week. • CSIS says the pause comes about six weeks before the mandatory USMCA joint review, which makes the timing politically sensitive for both countries. • The analysis warns that while the short-term operational impact may be limited, a prolonged pause could erode planning culture and political trust on Arctic and continental priorities.

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar held a joint press availability at the State Department in Washington on May 25, signaling continued high-level US-India engagement. • The meeting comes as Washington and New Delhi manage trade, security, and Indo-Pacific coordination, with the two governments seeking to keep diplomatic channels active on strategic issues. • The talks matter because India remains a central US partner in regional balancing, supply-chain resilience, and coordination on global security challenges.

Muscat silent about plans – opposed by US – to charge fee and demand details on nationality of all transiting shipsOman has been caught in geopolitical crossfire after Iran said it was coordinating with Muscat over the future management of the strait of Hormuz, including Tehran’s plans – opposed by the US – for fees to be paid by commercial shipping to a new Iranian government agency.The Omani exclave of Musandam lies to the south of the contested waterway, which normally carries a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil traffic but has been blockaded for 10 weeks since since the US-Israeli attack on Iran in February. Continue reading...

• Airborne troops from Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom commenced joint military exercises, strengthening trilateral defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. • The drills involve coordination and interoperability training among elite paratrooper units from the three allied nations. • The exercises demonstrate commitment to regional security partnerships and deterrence against potential regional threats.

In a rare public appearance, Meta whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams warned of ‘networks of powerful elites’ using wealth and influence to silence dissenting voicesMeta whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams and the late Virginia Giuffre have jointly won the Freedom to Publish prize at this year’s British book awards, marking the first time the award has been shared.Wynn-Williams, a former Facebook executive, was recognised for Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed and Lost Idealism, her bestselling memoir about her years inside Meta, formerly Facebook. The book makes allegations about the company’s internal culture and practices, including its approach to political influence, China and the wellbeing of teenagers. Meta has disputed the claims. Continue reading...

Royal Navy chief says unified naval force will deter future Russian threats from the ‘open sea border’ to the northBritain has agreed to create a unified naval force with nine European countries to deter future Russian threats from the “open sea border” to the north, the head of the Royal Navy has announced.Gen Sir Gwyn Jenkins insisted that despite the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, where the strait of Hormuz remains closed after the US-Israel war in Iran that “Russia remains the gravest threat to our security”. Continue reading...

• Pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Pfizer announced a strategic research collaboration focusing on oncology and immunology, with combined commitments totaling $4.8 billion over five years to accelerate drug development and clinical trial timelines. • The partnership will leverage Eli Lilly's metabolic disease expertise and Pfizer's vaccine platform capabilities to pursue combination therapies for hard-to-treat cancers, with initial clinical trials expected to commence in mid-2027. • Industry analysts view the deal as emblematic of Big Pharma consolidating R&D resources amid rising drug development costs exceeding $2.6 billion per approved medication, while also signaling confidence in oncology market growth.

• Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have launched joint military exercises involving 8,000 NATO troops in response to Russian force mobilization along the eastern border, marking the largest Baltic-focused NATO drill this year. • Russian military intelligence reports indicate approximately 35,000 Russian troops have gathered near the Belarus-Poland border; NATO commanders assess this as a potential preparation for military action. • Pentagon officials have authorized increased US military presence in the region, with 2,500 additional American troops authorized for rapid deployment if tensions escalate further.

• British and French intelligence agencies announced a coordinated investigation Friday into suspected Russian interference in upcoming European elections, citing evidence of coordinated disinformation campaigns targeting NATO members. • Intelligence officials briefed parliament and the European Commission on Russian operatives' attempts to manipulate social media narratives, exploit internal political divisions, and sow discord regarding Ukraine support policies. • The investigation focuses on a Russian intelligence network allegedly operating from St. Petersburg that has infiltrated European political parties, media outlets, and online forums with false narratives about NATO expansion and Ukraine aid.

• North Korea fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on April 17, just hours before the U.S. and South Korea began combined military exercises involving 40,000 troops, according to Japanese and South Korean defense officials. • The missiles traveled approximately 600 kilometers, prompting South Korean and Japanese military responses; U.S. Indo-Pacific Command condemned the test as destabilizing and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. • Experts note the missile design appears improved from previous tests, suggesting continued technological advancement despite international sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

Legal charity argues ‘job lot’ prosecution approach is unjust and primarily targets young black menJoint enterprise cases in England and Wales have soared over the past four decades, according to a report calling for a change in the law so that individuals are held accountable only for their own actions.The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (CCJS) also found sentences have become harsher under the legal doctrine, which allows for individuals to be convicted of crimes they did not physically carry out if they were present at the scene or held an association with the principal culprit. Continue reading...

• Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Uganda formalized a coordinated military command structure on April 8 at a summit in Nairobi to strengthen counterterrorism operations against Al-Shabaab, which claimed responsibility for recent attacks in the region. • The joint task force will deploy approximately 8,500 personnel across border regions, with integrated intelligence-sharing platforms and unified rules of engagement for cross-border pursuit of militant cells. • The initiative marks a significant shift in regional cooperation following a series of coordinated insurgent attacks that killed over 400 civilians and security personnel in the past six months, with international donors pledging $127 million in support.

• US and EU officials finalized a coordinated sanctions package on April 8, 2026, targeting Belarusian entities supplying weapons to Russia. • Measures freeze $300 million in assets and ban 50 officials, including Lukashenko allies facilitating troop transit. • The pact strengthens transatlantic unity against authoritarian axis, vital as Belarus hosts 10,000 Russian troops near Ukraine's border.

• US and Israeli forces launched expanded 'Juniper Oak' drills on April 4, 2026, involving 12,000 troops simulating multi-front attacks near the Lebanon border. • Drills feature F-35 joint operations and Iron Dome intercepts, responding to 150 Hezbollah rocket launches since March 15. • Exercise underscores US commitment with $3.8 billion annual aid, amid warnings from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin of 'deterring wider escalation.'

• Japan and South Korea formalized a expanded military cooperation agreement on Thursday, establishing joint command structures and coordinated response protocols to address escalating North Korean weapons development and missile tests. • The two nations agreed to share real-time intelligence on North Korean military activities and established a rapid-response task force designed to coordinate anti-missile defense systems within 48 hours of any provocation. • The agreement represents the strongest formal defense partnership between the two countries in over a decade and signals growing concern about North Korea's advancing intercontinental ballistic missile capabilities.

• Canada and Mexico initiated formal trilateral negotiations with the United States on Thursday to revise specific provisions of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), focusing on energy sector regulations, labor standards enforcement, and digital trade frameworks. • The negotiations emerged following months of diplomatic pressure from the Trump administration over concerns regarding Chinese investment in Mexican manufacturing sectors and alleged labor standard enforcement gaps affecting North American supply chains. • Trade analysts estimate the negotiations could result in amendments affecting approximately $1.3 trillion in annual trilateral trade flows, with particular implications for automotive, agricultural, and energy sectors across the region.

The new rules are the first major change to the country’s laws governing child-rearing in more than a centuryDivorced couples in Japan will be able to negotiate joint custody of their children from Wednesday, in the first major change to the country’s laws governing child-rearing in more than a century.Previously, Japan’s Civil Code required couples to decide which parent would take custody of their children when they divorce. Continue reading...

• The FBI and IRS are initiating a joint investigation into nonprofits over possible ties to domestic terrorism, targeting groups promoting extreme views on immigration, gender ideology, and anti-American sentiment. • The probe follows a memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi last year ordering lists of such organizations. • This initiative raises concerns about free speech and government overreach amid heightened security focus.

Foreign minister Anita Anand says she has drafted principles to reduce risk of regional spillover and wider shocksMiddle East crisis – live updatesCanada is pushing for a collective G7 and Middle East approach to de-escalating the Iran war, including off ramps that might bring an end to the conflict, the Canadian foreign minister, Anita Anand, has told the Guardian.In London to meet the UK’s foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, after of talks with the her Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, she said she hoped a G7 meeting chaired by France, this year’s president of the group, might start to build a broader collective approach to the crisis. Continue reading...