The Times

Formula 1 has released the qualifying highlights for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, drawing millions of views and engagement from fans worldwide. The session on the tight Baku street circuit sets the grid for the next race of the 2026 season, and viewers are reacting to the lap times, surprises and mistakes from qualifying.

Singapore has put forward a proposal for a United Nations framework convention on artificial intelligence safety, according to the Straits Times. The initiative would aim to create an international agreement setting common standards for the safe development and use of AI, positioning Singapore as an active voice in global AI governance debates.

CBS News reports that the U.S. military is laying the groundwork for possible action around Cuba. Details on the nature, scale, or timing of any potential operations were not provided in the report, and it remains unclear what specific steps are being taken or what would trigger them.

OpenAI's AI models accessed or scanned the websites of the Department of Education and other US federal agencies, according to an Education Week report. The disclosure raises questions about how artificial intelligence systems collect government data and what oversight applies to automated access to public agency sites. It is likely to fuel ongoing debate in Washington about AI companies' data practices and the security of federal information systems.

Mexico's national football team takes on Colombia in an international friendly that marks Rafa Márquez's debut as head coach of El Tri. Fans are searching for kickoff times and broadcast details, with interest strong in Mexico, Spain, and the United States, where large Colombian and Mexican communities follow the match.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is expected to announce a new help-to-buy scheme called 'Your First Home' next week. Under the plan, young people would be able to purchase their first home with a deposit of just 2.5%, far below typical requirements. The announcement is drawing attention amid ongoing debate about housing affordability for first-time buyers in the UK.

Storm activity across the Pacific basin has intensified, with multiple hurricanes active at the same time and forecasters tracking their paths toward populated coastlines. The clustering of systems has drawn attention to unusually warm ocean waters and what it may signal for the rest of the season. Coastal communities are monitoring advisories closely.

Ukraine has carried out what reports describe as its largest drone attack on Moscow, striking on the day of Russian elections. DW News reports fires burning across the Russian capital, calling it a record attack. The strike coincides with voting in Russia's presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin is widely expected to win another term. The timing has drawn wide attention, highlighting Ukraine's ability to hit targets deep inside Russia and casting a shadow over the vote.

Mexico and Colombia are meeting in an international football friendly, with fans searching widely for how to watch the match live. Coverage includes streaming options, TV channel details, team news and kickoff time. The fixture is topping search trends in several countries as supporters look for lineups and viewing information ahead of the game.

Poland's central bank is described as trapped in a political contest, according to the Financial Times. The report highlights growing tensions around the institution, suggesting its independence is under pressure amid a broader struggle over political influence in Poland. The row adds to scrutiny of the bank's leadership and policy decisions at a sensitive moment for the country's economy and institutions.

Russia is accusing European governments of obstructing negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, while Donald Trump has publicly urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to 'settle' with Vladimir Putin. The remarks heap pressure on Kyiv and its European allies at a time when Washington is pushing for a negotiated end to the conflict, deepening tensions over who is responsible for the lack of progress in peace efforts.

Researchers suggest a long-standing interpretation of a 2-billion-year-old geological record may be wrong, with implications for how scientists understand Earth's ancient atmosphere and early conditions. The claim is drawing attention because such clues underpin theories about the planet's oxygenation and climate history, and a misreading could require revisions to models of how Earth's environment evolved over deep time.

Germany has for the first time formally committed to phasing out fossil fuels, setting a target date of 2045. The pledge, reported by the Guardian, marks a significant step in the country's climate policy and signals a planned end to reliance on coal, oil and gas. Reaction online has been largely focused on the ambition of the timeline and what it means for Europe's largest economy.

Saudi Arabia has signalled it would be open to developing nuclear weapons, according to reports carried by major US outlets including The New York Times and The Seattle Times. The remarks raise fresh questions about nuclear proliferation in the Middle East and about Riyadh's nuclear ambitions at a time of ongoing regional tensions and talks over normalisation and security guarantees with Washington.

Researchers report the first direct radio signal detected from a planet outside the solar system, a milestone in the search for worlds beyond our own. The detection, picked up by astronomers studying distant planetary systems, could open a new way to study exoplanets' magnetic fields and potential habitability. Scientists caution that more observations are needed to confirm the signal's origin.

A new Guardian documentary follows Max, a 14-year-old struggling with climate anxiety, as he writes letters to imprisoned climate activists to understand the human stories behind direct action. The film explores why so many climate protesters have spent time in prison and how a younger generation is searching for hope amid the climate crisis.

Germany has selected Munich as its candidate city to host the Summer Olympics, targeting 2036, 2040 or 2044. Munich previously hosted the 1972 Games. The German Olympic Sports Confederation's choice sets up a potential bid to the International Olympic Committee, though a 2036 bid would land nearly a century after the Nazi-era 1936 Berlin Games, making the timing politically sensitive.

Ukraine carried out drone strikes targeting Moscow on the first day of Russia's presidential election, in which Vladimir Putin is seeking another term. The attacks on the Russian capital on election day are being widely discussed as a symbolic show of force, undermining the Kremlin's narrative of normalcy and control while voting takes place during the ongoing war.

The United Nations Secretary-General has delivered a pointed message to the world's major powers, declaring that 'their power isn't so super' in remarks widely read as a veiled criticism of Donald Trump. The comments are being framed as a challenge to big-power dominance and a call for multilateralism, drawing strong reaction and debate about the UN's standing against Washington.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany have met for the first time since 2022, holding talks on the margins of the United Nations. The meeting marks a rare direct diplomatic contact between Moscow and a major European power since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and is being closely watched for signs of any shift in relations.

The United States has rejected a United Nations declaration on preparing for future pandemics, according to a New York Times report. The declaration was intended as a framework for international cooperation on outbreak readiness. Details on the U.S. objections and the implications for global health coordination were not immediately available in the report.

Canada has called for stronger international partnerships, warning that the global order is facing a 'rupture'. The message, delivered in the context of the United Nations, stresses that countries must work together to preserve multilateral cooperation at a time of mounting geopolitical strain. Details of the specific remarks and the venue remain limited.

A quote from Chinese President Xi Jinping is circulating widely on X: he said the 'great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation' and Trump's 'Make America Great Again' slogan 'can be mutually inclusive.' Posts describe it as a big moment at the White House, apparently during a high-profile meeting between Xi and Donald Trump. Users are reacting to the striking framing of US-China relations, with many weighing what this apparent warmth between the two leaders could mean for trade and geopolitics.