Global News

Attention is turning to the real scale of Russian military deaths in the war in Ukraine. Official Kremlin figures are widely believed to understate casualties, and analysts, journalists and independent researchers continue to estimate losses based on battlefield reporting, leaked documents and cemetery data. The true toll remains one of the war's most contested questions.

New data indicates the current El Niño is the strongest ever measured, driving a major shift in global weather patterns. Scientists say the event is altering rainfall and temperature patterns across continents, with potential impacts on droughts, floods and harvests worldwide. The finding is drawing wide attention as meteorologists track how the intensified pattern will affect weather in the months ahead.

The Israeli military says it has discovered a tunnel stretching roughly 600 meters in Gaza, describing it as a Hamas hideout, and footage shows the structure being destroyed. The report, circulated by Times Now, highlights the ongoing Israeli campaign to locate and demolish underground passages used by Hamas for movement, storage and attacks. The find underscores how tunnel networks remain a central focus of operations in the territory.

Donald Trump's second administration is overhauling how the United States funds the United Nations, according to reporting by NBC News. The changes touch the contributions Washington makes across UN bodies and programmes, with the administration reviewing and cutting support. The move is drawing attention because the US is the UN's largest single funder, so shifts in its payments have wide consequences for the organisation's budgets and operations.

World leaders are gathering in a live session to take stock of progress in the global fight against racism. The meeting, covered by UN News, brings together heads of state and government to review commitments and discuss remaining challenges in combating racial discrimination worldwide. The high-level discussion is drawing attention as countries evaluate what has been achieved and what more is needed.

The Muslim World League has called for the establishment of a Palestinian state and urgent international action to end the humanitarian suffering in Gaza. The appeal, reported by Arab News, adds a prominent religious diplomatic voice to ongoing global debate over the war's humanitarian toll and the future of Palestinian statehood.

A UN News roundup covers several global stories: US migration policies are triggering a 'cascade' of human rights violations, refugee funding is falling short, a new report assesses the state of the world's forests, and restorative justice efforts continue in Colombia. The brief groups humanitarian, environmental and justice developments affecting migrants, refugees and post-conflict communities worldwide.

A top Iranian army commander has asserted that Iran controls both sides of the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway through which a large share of the world's oil passes. The statement comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel, and is being widely discussed alongside concerns about oil prices, shipping security and the risk of a wider regional war.

Oil prices rose more than 4% after Donald Trump rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the key shipping route for global crude exports. The move has fueled debate about escalating tensions with Iran, with observers linking the standoff to wider risks for energy markets, shipping and the prospect of broader conflict in the region.

UN News reports that the recent global energy crisis has accelerated the shift toward renewable energy, changing how countries think about energy security. The piece argues that renewables reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets and imported supplies, turning the transition into a security strategy rather than only a climate goal. It highlights how governments are rethinking infrastructure and supply chains to build more resilient, domestically sourced energy systems.

A piece published by Baptist News Global and The Conversation examines 'NAZA,' focusing on revelations by Israeli whistleblowers about civilian deaths in Gaza. The reporting connects these disclosures to what it describes as a longer history of Palestinian isolation, prompting discussion about accountability and the treatment of Palestinians.

The UN Security Council convened its 10230th meeting to discuss the situation in the Middle East, with a focus on Palestine. The session, held in the morning, is part of the Council's regular consideration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and wider regional tensions. Details of statements or outcomes were not immediately available in the coverage.

The U.S. Navy is moving forward with the first new nuclear warhead development programme the service has pursued in nearly four decades. The effort marks a significant step in the modernisation of America's strategic nuclear arsenal, which has been undergoing review as officials weigh ageing weapons systems against emerging global threats. Discussion has focused on what the programme means for arms control, deterrence policy and the future of the U.S. nuclear posture.

Pope Leo has said that warnings about catastrophic or 'doom' scenarios involving artificial intelligence should be taken seriously, describing such concerns as genuine rather than 'fake news'. The remarks add the Vatican's voice to the global debate over AI risks, as governments and technology firms clash over how quickly and how strictly to regulate the fast-developing technology.

Belgium face France in a high-profile international football fixture that is topping search trends across the US, UK, Canada and the Netherlands. Belgium assistant Mark van Bommel says the Red Devils will show no fear and plan an attacking approach to upset Les Bleus, despite France's strength under coach Zinedine Zidane-era expectations. Fans in multiple countries are closely following the buildup and team news.

A large international study has examined how screen time relates to children's wellbeing, with findings now circulating through news outlets worldwide. The research adds to ongoing debate among parents, educators and health experts about how much time children should spend on phones, tablets and computers, and what effects screens have on mood, sleep and development.

DW News examines whether India's emerging space startups can transform the country into a global space power. Following the success of state agency ISRO, including its lunar landing, private Indian companies are now developing launch vehicles, satellites and other space technology, drawing international attention to India's growing commercial space sector and its ambitions on the world stage.

Pope Leo has said that warnings about catastrophic or doomsday scenarios involving artificial intelligence should be taken seriously, and are not 'fake news'. Speaking on the risks posed by rapidly advancing AI technology, the pontiff signalled that concerns about its potential harms are legitimate rather than alarmist. His remarks add the Vatican's voice to a growing global debate among governments, tech firms and researchers over how to regulate and manage artificial intelligence safely.

The Chips Joint Undertaking has opened calls worth €80 million to strengthen European AI computing capabilities. The funding aims to advance chip development and compute infrastructure across the EU, supporting Europe's push for greater technological sovereignty in semiconductors and artificial intelligence amid intensifying global competition.

World leaders continued addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York on the sixth day of the annual high-level debate. The sessions, broadcast live, feature speeches from heads of state and government on topics ranging from conflict and security to climate and development, drawing international attention to the diplomatic calendar's most prominent gathering.

Pope Leo has dismissed suggestions that warnings about the dangers of artificial intelligence are exaggerated, saying concerns about potential AI catastrophe are not 'fake news'. The statement underscores his position that the risks posed by rapidly advancing AI technology deserve serious attention rather than dismissal.

Pope Leo said that concern over artificial intelligence is not 'fake news,' while stressing that he remains optimistic about the technology. His comments add the Vatican's voice to the global debate over AI's risks and benefits, signalling that the Catholic Church takes the alarm seriously but does not want to slide into fatalism about the future.

Red Bull has filed a lawsuit against an Indian regulator after authorities moved to stop its product being labelled an 'energy drink'. The dispute centres on labelling rules for caffeinated beverages sold in India, and the company is challenging the ban through the courts. The case highlights growing friction between global beverage brands and Indian food-safety regulators over product classification standards.

A Northeastern University professor is calling for generic, one-size-fits-all AI models to become obsolete, arguing instead for specialized systems tailored to specific domains or tasks. The argument, featured by Northeastern Global News, touches on a live debate among AI researchers over whether broad general-purpose models can keep improving or whether domain-specific approaches will prove more reliable and efficient.

Air Canada is repositioning itself as a global carrier after a reported 27% collapse in US-bound travel demand. The airline is shifting capacity away from American routes toward international destinations, a strategy analysts see as a response to weaker cross-border demand between Canada and the United States.

The documentary '67 Bombs' is set for a theatrical release following a screening in Geneva. The film's title refers to nuclear weapons, and its Geneva screening is drawing attention amid ongoing global debates over arsenals and disarmament. Details about the film's subjects and release dates remain limited, but its move from screening rooms to cinemas suggests growing audience interest in nuclear history and policy.

New reporting by Global News shows Nova Scotia saw the largest rent increase requests in Canada, topping all other provinces. The findings add to ongoing debate over housing affordability in the Atlantic region, where rapid population growth has strained rental supply. Commenters are weighing what the data means for tenants and provincial rent regulations.

Packaging giant Smurfit Westrock has agreed to acquire CMPC's Chilean containerboard and corrugated packaging business. The deal would expand Smurfit Westrock's footprint in the South American packaging market, adding containerboard production and corrugated operations in Chile. Financial terms and further details have not been widely reported, and industry watchers are assessing what the consolidation means for competition in the region's packaging sector.