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The Cannes Film Festival kicked off Tuesday with 22 films vying for the Palme d'Or, but behind the glamour, concerns over AI's impact on filmmaking and the absence of major Hollywood studios dominate the conversation. African cinema is represented in the Un Certain Regard section, though not in the main competition.
The U.S. Department of Defense has told Congress the war with Iran has cost nearly $29 billion, but independent trackers and Iranian officials put the figure much higher. The conflict, which began in late February and saw a ceasefire in April, has left Iran seeking compensation for what it says are hundreds of billions in damages.
Russian diplomats have expressed skepticism about the viability of the Trump Route transportation corridor, citing the US-Iran conflict and regional security concerns. The project, which aims to connect Azerbaijan with Nakhchivan through Armenia, faces multiple objective challenges, including infrastructure and geopolitical factors.
South Africa's official unemployment rate rose to 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026, with 345,000 jobs lost and 8.1 million people out of work. Youth unemployment remains critical at 60.9%, while the broader rate including discouraged jobseekers stands at 43.7%. Analysts point to economic pressures, including the Middle East conflict, as contributing factors.
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, is reportedly planning a new oil refinery in East Africa, expanding his industrial footprint beyond Nigeria. Kenya’s President William Ruto has announced talks for a joint refinery at Tanga port, Tanzania. Analysts say such projects could reshape Africa’s energy security, which currently sees the continent refining only 44% of its own oil.
Russian diplomats at a Valdai Discussion Club conference in Gelendzhik accused the West of attempting to transform Central Asian countries into a 'bridgehead' for security threats against Russia, and described the European Union as an 'aggressive, uncooperative player.' The statements were reported by TASS.
In Q1 2026, Russian tourist trips abroad increased by 15.4% year-on-year, with Thailand, China, and Turkey as top destinations, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia. Serbia also reported growth in Russian arrivals, with 174,000 visitors in 2025 and continued increases in early 2026, according to Serbian officials.
Rajiv Menon KC, a leading human rights barrister, has successfully challenged contempt of court proceedings brought against him over his closing speech during a trial of Palestine Action activists. The Court of Appeal ruled that the trial judge lacked the power to refer him directly to the High Court, marking a significant decision in a case believed to be the first of its kind in living memory.
Iran's chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has called on the US to accept Tehran's 14-point peace proposal or face repeated failure, following President Trump's rejection of the plan. The ceasefire, in place since April 8, 2026, remains fragile as both sides hold firm, with the US naval blockade and Iran's Hormuz restrictions continuing.
Australia's federal budget introduces a $250 annual tax offset for over 13 million workers, funded by higher taxes on investment properties and trusts. The opposition criticizes the plan while the government defends it as a fair rebalancing of the tax system.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said predictable budget policy can reduce inflation risks and allow for interest rate normalization, while noting the government's challenge of balancing the budget amid lower revenues. He also outlined economic forecasts including GDP growth and inflation trends, and commented on the impact of the Middle East conflict on Russia's fiscal position.
US President Donald Trump is traveling to China this week accompanied by more than a dozen top executives, including Tesla's Elon Musk and Apple's Tim Cook, according to White House officials. The delegation spans key industries as trade and technology dominate the agenda.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the UAE conducted strikes on Iranian territory, including an oil refinery on Lavan Island, during the recent US-Iran conflict. The report suggests the US quietly welcomed the Emirati involvement, while Iran responded with missile and drone attacks on the UAE and Kuwait. The revelations have raised concerns about Gulf states being drawn into a wider war.
The European Union has dismissed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder represent Europe in potential peace negotiations. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the idea a “trap,” emphasizing that Russia should not choose Europe’s negotiator. Meanwhile, Russian officials and some German voices have defended the proposal, highlighting a stark divide over the path to dialogue.
Britain and France are hosting a multinational defence ministers' meeting on Tuesday to turn diplomatic efforts over the Strait of Hormuz into a practical security operation, with more than 40 nations expected. The move comes amid warnings from Tehran of a 'decisive and immediate response' to any foreign deployment, as the closure of the strait has caused what the International Energy Agency calls the largest supply disruption in oil market history.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under growing pressure to resign after Labour suffered heavy losses in local elections, with over 70 Labour MPs publicly calling for his departure and several ministerial aides stepping down. Starmer has vowed to prove his doubters wrong and insists no leadership contest has been triggered, while some cabinet ministers urge an orderly transition.
US President Donald Trump has warned the ceasefire with Iran is on "massive life support" after rejecting Tehran's latest counteroffer to his peace proposal. Iran has responded by saying its military is ready to respond to any aggression, deepening uncertainty about a diplomatic breakthrough.
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Beijing for a three-day state visit, the first by an American president in nearly a decade, with trade, Iran, Taiwan and military communication expected to dominate talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The visit is seen as an attempt to stabilise the world's two largest economies amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid expects additional party mergers before the upcoming Israeli elections, with his new 'Together' alliance with Naftali Bennett aiming to unify centrist and right-wing blocs. Gadi Eisenkot and Avigdor Liberman are also deepening coordination, potentially reshaping the opposition landscape.
As Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet in Beijing, the escalating US-China rivalry over artificial intelligence takes center stage. China emphasizes its deployment advantages and institutional coordination, while the US maintains leads in chip design and private investment. The meeting also occurs amid the US-Iran war, raising questions about the Stargate AI project's future and calls for military AI safety discussions.