As the G7 summit begins, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Brazil's President Lula da Silva urged world leaders to finalize a pandemic treaty. They highlighted the need for political will and equity, especially regarding the "pathogen access and benefit sharing" annex, to prevent a repeat of the Covid-19 pandemic's devastating human and economic toll.
A LaLiga study suggests over half of Spanish football fans will watch the 2026 World Cup in bars, but bar owners report a shift towards home viewing post-pandemic. While bars anticipate increased takings if Spain progresses, many fans now prefer home gatherings with food delivery orders rising.
Tech companies are reporting record profits while laying off thousands, citing AI. Skepticism is growing, with experts suggesting AI is a cover for pandemic-era overhiring, as seen in recent cuts at Block and Uber.
Hong Kong's economy is recovering, leading to a steady increase in foreign domestic helpers, nearing the 2019 peak. Most helpers are women from the Philippines and Indonesia, crucial for childcare and eldercare, a trend expected to continue due to an aging population and economic incentives for local families.
Ten years after the Brexit vote, analysis shows severe economic costs for the UK. The pound remains below pre-referendum levels, growth has slowed significantly, trade faces friction, business investment and productivity have stalled, and employment has suffered, with public support for Brexit fading.
The UN warns of the "biggest storm" for the HIV response due to unprecedented aid cuts, reversing decades of progress. Infections are rising, especially among women and girls in Sub-Saharan Africa, and AIDS-related deaths doubled 2025 targets. Funding drops of 23% globally have hit programs, with US aid cuts under Trump and UK/European redirects cited.
A 38-year-old inmate at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center in California is being treated for a possible hantavirus infection, with officials stating no person-to-person spread is believed and no quarantine has been announced.
Despite a push for omnichannel retailing, India's major retailers have experienced minimal growth in e-commerce's share of total revenue since 2021-22. Online sales increased in absolute terms, but the pandemic-driven surge in digital sales did not sustain, with some retailers seeing flat or only 1-2 percentage point increases.
The World Bank has warned that the Middle East conflict could slow global economic growth to 2.5% in 2026, down from 2.9%, due to surging energy prices and inflation. Developing countries are particularly at risk, with the bank pledging up to $100bn in support.
The World Bank forecasts global economic growth to slow to 2.5% this year, citing the Middle East war, rising inflation, and borrowing costs. The report highlights potential disruptions to oil flows, increased fertilizer prices, and a widening gap between developed and developing nations.
The World Bank forecasts global economic growth to slow to 2.5% in 2026, the lowest since the COVID-19 pandemic, due to Middle East conflict and rising energy prices. Inflation is expected to rise to 4.0% this year.
France and Switzerland are implementing week-long, pandemic-like border restrictions for the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains. Authorities fear violent protests from activists targeting issues like Trump's policies and capitalism, leading to business closures and significant security deployments.
The US car market continues to grapple with pandemic-induced supply shortages, leading to sustained high prices for both new and used vehicles. Production cuts and a shift to higher-profit models have reduced overall supply, impacting affordability for consumers.
Latest federal data shows 9-year-olds have rebounded to pre-pandemic reading and math scores, while 13-year-olds' test results remain stagnant, highlighting a need for increased focus on adolescent learners.
A record 1.92 million patients in England await diagnostic tests (e.g., CT, MRI, ultrasound scans), with over 400,000 waiting beyond the 6-week target, sparking concerns over delayed diagnoses and worsening health outcomes.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a vaccine designed entirely by AI, showing promise in protecting against all coronaviruses, including Covid variants, and potentially preventing future pandemics.
Leeds Rhinos overcome a 16-8 halftime deficit to defeat St Helens 18-16, claiming the Super League summit with Jake Connor's pivotal performance.
Australia's greenhouse gas emissions dropped 2.1% in the year to December 2025, reaching their lowest point since the COVID pandemic. This decline is primarily driven by clean energy replacing fossil fuels in electricity generation and falling transport emissions, with electric vehicles playing a significant role.
Australia's greenhouse gas emissions have fallen 2.1% to their lowest point since the COVID pandemic, driven by clean energy replacing fossil fuels in electricity generation and a decline in transport emissions. EV sales have doubled, reaching 20% of new car sales.
UK car sales reached their highest May level since before Covid, with a 7% rise to 160,662 units. Chinese brands like BYD and Chery saw significant growth, alongside Tesla. Electric car sales led the surge, accounting for over 27% of the market.
Quentin Tarantino has criticized contemporary Hollywood, describing it as a "flavourless sausage factory" that struggles to produce enjoyable films since the pandemic. He expressed a preference for reading books over watching new movies, though he did mention liking "The Rip" and Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story".
UK car sales rose 7% in May to 160,662, the highest for the month since before Covid. Chinese brands like BYD and Chery saw significant growth, alongside Tesla. Increased demand for EVs is driving compliance with ZEV targets, despite lobbying for weaker regulations.
Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, the author reflects on the global response, highlighting China's initial cover-up and the kindness shown by countries like Japan, the US, and European nations through vaccine donations. The article contrasts the memory of vaccine shortages and political disputes with the altruism of pharmaceutical companies and diplomatic efforts, particularly noting Japan's vaccine delivery on June 4th, the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.
PlayStation faces a competitive landscape with declining first-party game sales. Sony announces new titles like Marvel's Wolverine and Silent Hill: Townfall, while rivals Nintendo and Xbox gain ground in publishing and exclusive content.
