RES

Pope Francis pressed for a humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky, in Ukraine's occupied Kherson region, during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Vatican says the pontiff appealed for an end to hostilities and for humanitarian access for civilians in the area. Details of the Russian response have not been disclosed, and it is unclear what concrete outcome, if any, the appeal will produce.

A federal judge, Amit Mehta, has rejected Donald Trump's claim of presidential immunity in an ongoing legal case, delivering a significant blow to the former president's defense strategy. Trump's legal team has argued that actions taken while in office should shield him from prosecution or liability. The ruling is expected to be appealed, and it adds to the growing list of legal challenges Trump faces as he campaigns for a return to the White House. Legal commentators say the decision could set an important precedent on the limits of presidential immunity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has declared that Ukraine is ready for a ceasefire in the war with Russia. The statement, reported by ABC News, is drawing wide attention as observers weigh whether it signals a genuine opening for peace talks or a diplomatic move aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow and rallying continued Western support.

Ukrainian forces are reporting that their access to Starlink satellite internet has been suddenly restricted, according to a Guardian report. Starlink connectivity is a critical tool for Ukrainian troops on the battlefield, used for communications, coordination and drone operations, so any interruption to access carries immediate operational consequences and is drawing close attention.

Reuters reports that the order to limit SpaceX's Starshield (Starlink military variant) services in Ukraine came from inside the White House, according to sources. The report suggests US political leadership directly shaped restrictions on the satellite network's role in the war effort, raising questions about Washington's policy toward Ukraine and its control over critical battlefield communications provided by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

The President of Ukraine has issued a statement addressing a change of power, alongside reports that hundreds of soldiers have switched sides. The claim of mass defections is circulating widely, drawing intense attention to the stability of Ukraine's leadership and armed forces. Details of the president's remarks and the scale of the alleged defections remain limited.

Microsoft president Brad Smith has warned that artificial intelligence faces lighter regulation than everyday products such as milk, calling for tougher safety rules as AI systems spread rapidly through business and public life. His comments add to growing pressure on governments, including in the US and Europe, to introduce binding oversight of powerful AI technologies rather than relying on voluntary company commitments.

Security experts say recent reports of AI systems being hacked or behaving unexpectedly stem not from the technology going rogue, but from frontier AI labs failing at basic security practices. Failures of containment and monitoring—fundamental safeguards in traditional cybersecurity—are the real culprit, according to analysis published by CSO. The argument suggests labs are deploying increasingly powerful AI agents without adequately isolating them or watching their behavior, repeating preventable mistakes.

Google has been ordered to temporarily stop work on its datacentre projects in Finland while an environmental impact assessment is carried out. The decision concerns concerns over the projects' effect on the local environment. The halt adds to growing scrutiny of the environmental footprint of large tech companies' datacentre expansion across Europe, where water and energy use have become politically sensitive issues.

SpaceX has activated a speed-limit restriction of 100 mph on Starlink terminals in Ukraine. The move affects terminals used across the country, which has relied heavily on Starlink for military and civilian connectivity since Russia's invasion. Discussion centres on why the cap was imposed and what it means for Ukrainian users.

New research indicates that global warming is linked to a decrease in the number of tropical cyclones worldwide. The finding challenges assumptions that a hotter planet would bring more of these storms, and it is drawing attention from audiences interested in climate science, with many debating what fewer cyclones would mean for coastal regions and extreme weather overall.

Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has vowed to identify companies that may be responsible for the fires blanketing the city-state in haze for weeks. He warned that any firms found culpable could face legal action. The pledge comes as haze from regional fires continues to affect air quality and raises pressure on authorities to hold those responsible to account.

An OpenAI engineer has been arrested on allegations of planting listening devices in an executive conference room, according to the San Francisco Standard. The report is drawing attention because of the sensitivity of corporate secrets held at the artificial intelligence company and questions about internal security. Details about the engineer's identity, motive, and what may have been overheard have not been made clear.

Reports say Starlink service was restricted in Ukraine with no advance notice, raising concern among users who rely on the satellite network for battlefield and civilian connectivity. The change has prompted questions about whether the restrictions came from SpaceX or Ukrainian authorities, and how disruption would affect military communications.

A Wall Street Journal poll suggests that many Democratic voters are resistant to the party moving further to the left, raising questions about just how liberal the Democratic base really is. The findings point to a divide between progressive activists and a broader electorate that may prefer a more moderate direction.

China is increasing its gas reserves while the conflict involving Iran continues, according to a breaking news report. The move is being read as a step to secure energy supplies amid fears the war could disrupt shipments from the Middle East and push up global fuel prices.

Katie Zacharia has been removed from her role as White House press secretary just five days after taking the job, according to The New York Times. Her abrupt departure followed scrutiny of how she described her legal career and criticism of her performance at her first press briefing, making her one of the shortest-serving holders of the post.

EU High Representative Kaja Kallas delivered press remarks upon arriving at the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, setting out the bloc's diplomatic priorities ahead of the meeting of EU foreign ministers. Her comments came as ministers gathered to discuss ongoing foreign policy questions, and her remarks are being followed as an indication of the EU's unified position on current international issues.

Konami's president has publicly downplayed the significance of artificial intelligence, pushing back against the industry-wide enthusiasm for the technology. The remarks come as games companies face pressure over how far AI should be used in development, with many players and studios wary of its impact on jobs and creativity.

A Canadian who worked as a ransomware negotiator has been arrested as part of an FBI-led crackdown on hackers, according to CTV News. The arrest has drawn attention in cybersecurity circles because ransomware negotiators typically act as intermediaries between victims and criminal gangs, raising questions about where the legal line falls for people in that role. Details of the charges and the individual's identity were not available in the reported coverage.