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Daily news brief — 31 May 2026

10 stories · 12 sources · 5 minute read

Plus, Southeast Asia clinches a major digital trade pact, and tensions rise in Belgorod among 10 top stories

01worldCovered by 2 outlets

ASEAN Concludes Negotiations on Landmark Digital Economy Framework Agreement

Southeast Asian nations have concluded negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement. The landmark regional pact, aimed at deepening cross-border digital trade and integration, is scheduled to be signed in November 2026.

Why it matters

This agreement will establish stronger regional rules for data flows, e-commerce, and digital services across Southeast Asia's growing digital economy.

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Sources

  • Philippine News Agency
  • CNA
02world

Russian Officials Report Deadly Ukrainian Strike on Belgorod as Kyiv Targets Energy Infrastructure

Russian authorities reported that overnight Ukrainian attacks on the Belgorod region left three people dead and three injured. Meanwhile, Ukraine targeted major Russian energy infrastructure, and President Zelenskyy warned of an upcoming large-scale Russian offensive.

Why it matters

The escalation of cross-border strikes highlights the expanding geography of the conflict as both nations target critical infrastructure ahead of anticipated major military offensives.

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Sources

  • AL24news
03world

Dozens Killed and Wounded in Israeli Strikes on Southern Lebanon and Gaza

Recent Israeli military actions have resulted in significant casualties across two fronts. Israeli shelling in southern Lebanon killed at least 17 people, including a paramedic, while separate airstrikes in Gaza killed two Palestinians and left several others wounded.

Why it matters

The escalating cross-border violence and rising civilian casualties underscore the widening scope of the regional conflict and its severe humanitarian impact.

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Sources

  • AL24news

“Why it matters” for the rest of today's stories is available in the Fivly app.

04world

EU Warns of Escalation Risk as 200 Palestinian Homes in East Jerusalem Face Eviction or Demolition

The European Union office in the occupied Palestinian territories has warned that approximately 200 homes in East Jerusalem, particularly in the Silwan neighborhood, face the threat of eviction or demolition. Officials cautioned that these actions could sharply escalate already heightened Israeli-Palestinian tensions.

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Sources

  • AL24news
05techCovered by 7 outlets

SoftBank Group and Sesterce win bid to build 1 GW AI data center campus in France

SoftBank Group and Sesterce have partnered to build a 1 gigawatt AI data center campus in Bosquel, France. This project is part of a larger plan by SoftBank to invest up to €75 billion to develop 5 gigawatts of AI data center capacity across northern France.

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Sources

  • SoftBank Group
  • SoftBank Group
  • Free Malaysia Today
  • The Star
  • SoftBank Group
  • La Tribune Dimanche
  • SoftBank Group
06businessCovered by 3 outlets

IMF Warns Prolonged Middle East Conflict Could Cut 2026 Global Growth to 2.5%

The IMF has warned that prolonged tensions in the Middle East could severely disrupt energy supplies, potentially dragging global economic growth down to 2.5% in 2026. This scenario could push global inflation back above 5%, while S&P Global warned growth could fall even lower to 2.2% if disruptions persist.

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Sources

  • Standard Prva
  • Standard Prva
  • Standard Prva
07techCovered by 2 outlets

Debate over AI’s existential risks intensifies with new Yudkowsky–Soares book

In their new book, Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares argue that sufficiently advanced artificial intelligence poses an existential threat that could lead to human extinction. This warning contrasts with surveys showing that most AI researchers view such catastrophic outcomes as unlikely or very unlikely.

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Sources

  • El País
  • El País English
08ai

Opinion: The pope’s AI stance doesn’t go far enough on governance and inequality

A recent column in The Manila Times argues that the Vatican's stance on artificial intelligence ethics falls short. While Pope Francis has rightly highlighted risks to employment and democratic discourse, the author contends the Church must push harder for concrete global regulations on AI development.

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Sources

  • The Manila Times
09business

Studies Describe Shift Toward ‘Agent Economy’ as AI Systems Take Over Business Decisions

New academic research indicates that the global economy is entering the early stages of an 'agent economy.' In this shift, artificial intelligence agents and automated systems are increasingly taking over corporate decision-making and day-to-day operational processes.

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Sources

  • Standard Prva
10health

Phase III COMPETE trial reports quality‑of‑life benefits for radioligand therapy 177Lu‑edotreotide in neuroendocrine tumors

The Phase III COMPETE trial has demonstrated that the radioligand therapy 177Lu-edotreotide either improves or maintains patient-reported quality of life. The treatment was compared against everolimus in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.

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Sources

  • FirstWord Pharma