National

• America's National Laboratories are highlighting 75 years of scientific breakthroughs that have significantly improved millions of lives. • A key focus is the use of supercomputers capable of quadrillions of operations per second to model complex systems, including the U.S. nuclear deterrent. • These advanced simulations are critical because they allow researchers to study phenomena that are too expensive or impractical to demonstrate physically.

• Former President Donald Trump admitted to calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "crazy," reflecting a shift in his previous strong support for the leader. • Trump claimed that Israel's current actions and policies are complicating potential peace negotiations and diplomatic efforts involving Iran. • These comments highlight growing tensions and a strategic rift between Trump's foreign policy approach and the current Israeli administration's tactics.

• Germany and Austria are competing for a coveted seat on the UN Security Council for the 2027–2028 term. • Germany is leveraging its status as the EU's largest economy and its history of peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts to secure alliances. • Austria is positioning itself as a neutral mediator, emphasizing its expertise in nuclear disarmament, climate security, and hosting international talks.

• Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas reported positive economic signals for Thailand, noting that both private sector analysts and government bodies have begun raising their GDP forecasts. • Despite this growth, the Thai economy remains volatile due to ongoing geopolitical tensions that have triggered an energy crisis and increased operational costs. • These external pressures are significantly dampening consumer purchasing power and negatively impacting overall household well-being.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) is advancing the euro's global appeal through Project Appia, which aims to develop a next-generation financial infrastructure to increase market efficiency. • To improve cross-border payment systems, the Eurosystem is linking its Target Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) system with key international partners. • A strategic connection with India is scheduled for completion by 2027, with further integration plans being explored for Brazil, Switzerland, and Nexus Global Payments.

• International NGOs are warning of a collapsing humanitarian situation in Yemen four years after the United Nations truce. • Geopolitical friction and tactical exploitation by disruptive actors are currently hindering regional stability and economic growth initiatives. • The crisis is straining global resources, as NGOs are forced to focus exclusively on basic relief rather than long-term development.

• The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) has unveiled its 2026 competition titles for the Crystal Globe and Proxima categories. • The selection features 24 world premieres from filmmakers spanning five continents, including works from Mexico, Japan, Croatia, Italy, and the United Kingdom. • This lineup reinforces the festival's commitment to showcasing new cinematic voices and promoting unconventional storytelling approaches.

• A new European Central Bank (ECB) report reveals that the euro's international use has seen a moderate increase, reaching approximately 20% in 2025. • The currency has achieved record levels of euro-denominated debt issuance and maintains a leading position within the global green bond market. • Despite these gains, the ECB warns of growing risks regarding monetary system fragmentation and an increase in gold hoarding by central banks.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) reported that the international role of the euro experienced moderate growth throughout 2025. • This trend indicates a steady increase in the currency's global usage, likely across foreign exchange markets and international reserves. • The growth matters as it reflects the euro's ongoing effort to diversify global currency dependence and strengthen its position relative to the US dollar.

• The European Central Bank (ECB) is introducing new indicators to assess the global appeal of the euro by analyzing currency exposures within the euro area's international investment position. • Data from 2024 reveals that the euro area accounted for approximately one-fifth of global cross-border assets and liabilities, totaling around €175 trillion. • This analysis is critical for understanding the single currency's role in international finance and its ability to maintain price stability and purchasing power.

• This edition of "My Take 5" provides a weekly roundup of five major international developments, including US-Iran efforts to negotiate an end to their conflict. • Key geopolitical events covered include a Russian drone attack in Romania, Armenia's upcoming parliamentary elections, and the strengthening of strategic ties between India and Cyprus. • The report highlights Morocco's economic rise, noting its emergence as the top industrialized economy across the African continent.

• The Shanghai International Film Festival announced the full nomination lineup for the 28th Golden Goblet Awards on May 30, 2026. • Multiple Chinese-language productions earned nominations across major categories, showcasing the competitive quality of regional filmmaking. • The nominations underscore the increasing influence and strength of Asian cinema within the global international film circuit.

• Hungary has officially decided to remain a State Party to the Rome Statute, withdrawing its previous notification to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC). • The decision was formally communicated by the Hungarian Government to the Secretary-General of the United Nations on May 29, 2026, following a statement from the Assembly of States Parties on May 25, 2026. • This move is significant as it signals Hungary's renewed commitment to ending impunity for the most serious international crimes.

• The United Nations has asserted that 100% of the Gaza Strip belongs to Palestinians, directly opposing plans by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to establish Israeli control over 70% of the territory. • This diplomatic clash occurs amid high regional tensions, with Iran and Hezbollah closely monitoring the situation for any signs of further escalation. • The UN's stance serves as an attempt to establish clear diplomatic parameters to prevent an expansion of the conflict that could involve additional regional actors.

• Former President Donald Trump is currently weighing whether to move forward with a potential deal involving Iran. • The decision remains undecided, with Trump pondering the strategic implications of re-engaging or altering the terms of the agreement. • This deliberation is significant as it could shift U.S. foreign policy and impact geopolitical stability in the Middle East.

• The author argues that the current AI competition between the US and China lacks necessary guardrails, creating a dangerous geopolitical dynamic similar to an unregulated nuclear arms race. • Proposed measures for a bilateral deal include establishing hotlines for AI incidents, implementing safety practice audits, and agreeing on shared red lines for capability thresholds. • Such an agreement is critical to reducing the risk of strategic miscalculations and providing a stable environment for policymakers to address cybersecurity and bio-nuclear security.

Torsten Bell says Labour manifesto ‘did not set out the timeline’ for changes to living wage after scale of youth unemployment crisis revealed in Milburn reportGood morning. Last night Alan Milburn suggested that he would like the government to drop its commitment to pay all people over the age of 18 the national living wage. The former Labour health secretary was speaking after he published a major report on the rise in the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet) and he implied that when the final report is published in the autumn, with policy recommendations, it will propose changes to the national living wage/minimum wage system to encourage more firms to hire young people. A change to the “discriminatory age bands” policy seems to be quite high up his list of demands.For the record, this is what Labour said in its manifesto.Labour will also make sure the minimum wage is a genuine living wage. We will change the remit of the independent Low Pay Commission so for the first time it accounts for the cost of living. Labour will also remove the discriminatory age bands, so all adults are entitled to the same minimum wage, delivering a pay rise to hundreds of thousands of workers across the UK.The manifesto sets out that the we should move the rates together over time. It doesn’t set a timeline on that because that’s the important role of the Low Pay Commission.No, that’s not what it says in our manifesto, Justin. But it’s an understandable mistake. It’s a long document.The manifesto commits us to equalising the rates. We’re absolutely committed to doing that. I’ve been a big proponent of the minimum wage over the last 25 years …We’re going to do it in a way that relies on the Low Pay Commission to provide independent advice on how that can happen, and in general how increases in the minimum wage happen but in a way that doesn’t affect employment levels.I’ve already said the answer is yes, we’re committed to our manifesto that we stood on and we will deliver it. But that manifesto did not set out the timeline. Continue reading...

• Thailand’s SET Index closed at 1,568.97 points on May 28, 2026, marking a slight decrease of 1.98 points or 0.13%. • The total trading value for the session reached THB 62.57 billion. • Market losses were partially offset in the afternoon session due to increased buying activity in stocks categorized under the "Domestic Play" theme.

• On Wednesday, May 27, Hungary's parliament approved legislation to maintain the country's membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC). • This move reverses a previous decision by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government to withdraw from the court, which had been slated for 2025. • The reversal follows claims from Orban's administration that the ICC had become "political," leading to the initial push for exit.

• Ditto (Thailand) Public Company Limited announced the launch of Thailand’s first "Blu Green Token," marking a significant milestone in the country's digital asset landscape. • The token is scheduled for public subscription and trading on the Digital Asset Exchange starting in the third quarter of 2026 (3Q26). • This move represents a groundbreaking integration of environmental sustainability and blockchain technology within the Thai financial market.

• Texas Senator John Cornyn lost his seat despite efforts to avoid conflict with Donald Trump. • Asian stock markets trended higher, with South Korea's Kospi jumping over 2% and Taiwan's benchmark surging. • The market growth was primarily driven by a boom in artificial intelligence and heavy investment in technology and computer chip companies.

Markwayne Mullin, DHS secretary, said move would come in response to protests outside ICE facility in New JerseyThe Trump administration has threatened to stop processing international flights in major cities around the country as a reaction to protests against immigration enforcement.Markwayne Mullin, the homeland security secretary, said on Tuesday that the administration is “drawing up plans” to take the action, in response to days of clashes at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in New Jersey. Continue reading...

Robert Kenyon castigated Brexit as an economically self-harming project on rugby league forum in 2016Reform UK’s candidate for the Makerfield byelection has castigated Brexit as an economically self-harming project promoted by politicians who “peddled the nationalistic pish”, raising more doubts about his commitment to Nigel Farage’s signature achievement.The comments by Robert Kenyon, unearthed on a defunct rugby league forum and first reported by the Telegraph, follow the emergence of another post in which he said people would be wrong to assume he had voted for Brexit. Continue reading...

• Top economists report that factors beyond the conflict in Iran are contributing to rising inflation. • These underlying economic forces are expected to continue driving bond yields higher globally. • The trend is significant as it suggests that market volatility is not solely tied to geopolitical instability in the Middle East.

• The International Finance Corporation (IFC) committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries during fiscal year 2025. • Leveraging over 60 years of experience, the IFC operates in more than 100 nations to unlock private investment and create inclusive growth opportunities. • These efforts aim to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity by creating millions of jobs and empowering global entrepreneurs.

• A suspect is dead after approaching a White House checkpoint while armed, according to the Secret Service. • Separately, the Trump administration is purging news releases regarding criminal charges and convictions related to the January 6 Capitol assault. • The administration has dismissed information regarding these prosecutions as "partisan propaganda" in an effort to rewrite the history of the event.

• A nine-story building under construction in a city north of the Philippine capital collapsed, resulting in the death of one Malaysian tourist and leaving 21 workers trapped. • In the U.S., Donald Trump cautioned against rushing a potential deal with Iran as new details regarding the agreement emerge. • The reports mark the five-year anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot, where Trump supporters attempted to block the certification of Joe Biden's 2020 election victory.

Ex-foreign secretary urges reset at ‘higher dosage’ after officials revealed to have pitched single market for goodsThe UK needs a “national consensus” about rejoining the European Union, David Miliband has said, in response to revelations that the UK government pitched the creation of a single market for goods with the EU to the bloc.The former foreign secretary, who is now president of the International Rescue Committee, said he thought the UK needed a reset of its relations with the EU at “a much higher dosage” than the government was planning. Continue reading...