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The LeadFormer US President Donald Trump has declared the Iran nuclear deal to be in its "final throes," signaling continued opposition to the agreement that was a centerpiece of his predecessor's foreign policy.Trump's Latest Stance on Iran Nuclear AgreementIn his latest comments on international diplomacy, Trump characterized the 2015 nuclear deal as being in its "final throes," suggesting that the agreement is nearing its end. This statement aligns with Trump's previous administration's approach to the deal, which saw the US unilaterally withdraw from the agreement in 2018.Regional Implications of Trump's RemarksThe comments come at a critical time for Middle Eastern geopolitics, with tensions already high between Iran and several Western nations. Trump's declaration may further complicate diplomatic efforts and potentially influence the policies of current US administration officials who have been working to rejoin the agreement.Future of US-Iran RelationsAnalysts suggest that Trump's statement could signal his intentions regarding foreign policy if he were to return to office. It may also embolden hardline factions in both the US and Iran, potentially making diplomatic solutions more difficult to achieve in the coming months.

Didier Deschamps challenged forward Michael Olise to make his mark at the 2026 World Cup after the winger’s hat‑trick in a 3‑1 warm‑up win over Northern Ireland. Olise’s Hat‑Trick Sends a Clear Message Ahead of the World Cup The Bayern Munich winger delivered three goals in the final friendly, scoring before half‑time, shortly after the break, and finishing with a long‑range strike. Deschamps highlighted Olise’s confidence and work‑rate, saying, “We’ll need a Michel Olise at that level.” Final score: France 3–1 Northern Ireland Goals: Olise (3), Patrick Kelly (1 for NI) Key teammates in attack: Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Desire Doué Upcoming warm‑up fixtures: Iraq (Philadelphia) and Norway (Foxborough) before the Group I opener on June 16 Numbers Behind the Performance: Goals, Shots, and Warm‑Up Stats Olise’s three goals accounted for 100% of France’s tally in the match, while his shot accuracy stood at roughly 70% (7 shots, 5 on target). The win marked France’s third consecutive friendly victory, improving their warm‑up record to 4‑1. Strategic Implications for France’s Attack Line Deschamps’ endorsement signals a tactical shift toward a more fluid front three, pairing Mbappé with the pace of Olise and the creativity of Dembélé. The performance also eases concerns over recent injury doubts surrounding William Saliba, who returned to training and could provide defensive stability. What Deschamps’ Vote Means for France’s Group‑Stage Prospects With Olise’s confidence soaring, France gains a versatile option capable of cutting inside, delivering crosses, and scoring from distance. Analysts expect the winger to feature prominently against Senegal in New Jersey, potentially alleviating the pressure on Mbappé, who needs one more goal to equal Olivier Giroud’s national scoring record. As the squad departs for its Boston training base on Wednesday, the blend of experienced stars and emerging talent positions France as a strong contender in Group I.

The LeadKenyan police have fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the central town of Nanyuki, who have been opposing a quarantine centre for Americans exposed to Ebola that the United States government is racing to build despite Kenyan court orders barring further work.The Nanyuki Ebola Facility ControversyThe proposed 50-bed unit at an air force base has angered many Kenyans, who accuse the US of offloading the health risk of caring for those exposed to the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Last week, hundreds took to the streets in Nanyuki amid growing frustration among residents as Kenyan and US authorities publicly reaffirmed their commitment to the plan despite court orders. The demonstration turned violent, with at least two people killed and one wounded.During the latest protest, police used tear gas to disperse small groups of protesters. One protester carried a white cross emblazoned with the phrase "Respect Ebola" in red.Global Health ImplicationsThe World Health Organization declared an international public health emergency on May 17 after officials detected the rare Bundibugyo strain, which they discovered had been circulating for weeks in the DRC and had spread to neighbouring Uganda. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there are no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain.There are fears that the outbreak could become one of the worst on record due to the delay in detection, as well as recent declines in health funding from the US and other Western donors. Last year, the US cut most foreign aid and effectively closed the US Agency for International Development (USAID) following the start of President Donald Trump's second term.US-Kenya Diplomatic TensionsThe Trump administration has said it "cannot and will not allow" any cases to enter the US, unlike during the 2014-16 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, when several infected US nationals were treated on US soil. The Nanyuki facility is designated for Americans who have been exposed to the virus but are still asymptomatic. Patients who develop symptoms would be sent for care to other countries, US officials have said.US military planes have continued to ferry in staff and equipment even after court orders blocking the plan, according to US and diplomatic sources and flight tracking data, with several aircraft expected to land this week. Satellite imagery shows an increasing build-up of white tents in the middle of a plot of land about 0.046sq km (11 acres) in area, cleared within the Laikipia airbase since May 27.Future Outlook on the Ebola ResponseThe US has said it is aware of the court challenge and was "working with the Kenyan government to resolve any objections." Kenyan officials have said the facility would also serve Kenyans and foreign nationals in addition to American citizens, but US officials have not confirmed this. As the Ebola outbreak continues to spread in the region, the controversy over the quarantine center highlights the complex challenges of international health cooperation during political tensions.

Record $906 bn Fossil Fuel Lending by Top Banks in 2025The coalition of environmental groups behind the Banking on Climate Chaos report found that the world’s 65 largest banks committed $906 bn to the fossil‑fuel sector in 2025, an “unfathomable” increase that locks in additional coal, oil and gas production.Scale of the New Lending SurgeNew financing rose by $64 bn – roughly 8% compared with 2024 – signalling that major lenders are expanding, not curbing, exposure to high‑carbon assets.JPMorgan Chase: $58 bn (up 13% YoY), remains the top financier.Bank of America: second‑largest lender.Japanese banks MUFG and Mizuho Financial follow closely.Citigroup rounds out the top five; Barclays is the highest‑ranked British bank at #8.Financial Breakdown and ConcentrationFourteen banks – dubbed the “dirty dozen” – accounted for 40% of all fossil‑fuel financing. Six jurisdictions (the US, Canada, Japan, China, the UK and the EU) supplied the bulk of the capital.$508 bn was pledged for expansion of existing fossil‑fuel sites – a 27% jump on 2024.Three US operators – Venture Global, Enbridge and Energy Transfer – were the biggest recipients.Implications for Climate Goals and Industry CommitmentsThe financing trajectory directly conflicts with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target, which requires near‑total decarbonisation of energy supply. Since 2015, banks have already funneled $8.7 tn into fossil‑fuel extraction, widening the emissions gap.Recent political shifts, including the resurgence of climate‑skeptical leadership in the US, have weakened voluntary initiatives such as the Net‑Zero Banking Alliance, which was disbanded after key members withdrew.Looking Ahead: Regulatory Pressure and Market RealignmentAnalysts warn that voluntary pledges are insufficient; stronger regulatory frameworks and legislative action are likely to emerge in the major financial centres.If policymakers tighten lending standards, banks may face a forced reallocation of capital toward renewable‑energy projects, potentially reshaping the profitability landscape for both traditional and green finance.

The Final Tune-Up Before Tournament GlorySpain wrapped up their World Cup warm-up matches with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Peru in Puebla, Mexico. Mikel Oyarzabal opened the scoring on Monday after just two minutes with a fierce strike from the edge of the area, setting the tone for a straightforward victory for one of the favourites for the upcoming tournament.Key Goals and Match DynamicsPedri doubled the lead after the half-hour mark, tapping into an empty net following a cross from Ferran Torres, and Spain added a third early in the second half when Yeremy Pino's delivery forced an error from goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. Jairo Velez pulled one back for Peru with a low finish, providing a consolation goal in the final moments.Tournament Preparation and Fan AtmosphereThe World Cup kicks off on Thursday, while 2010 champions Spain open their campaign against Cape Verde on June 15. World Cup fever was evident around the stadium in Puebla, where Spain shirts dominated the stands alongside Barcelona jerseys, reflecting the club's strong representation in Luis de la Fuente's squad. Peru supporters were outnumbered but remained vocal throughout the evening.Player Reactions and Coach's PerspectivePedri, Rodri and Ferran Torres drew some of the loudest cheers as fans broke into chants and performed Mexican waves around the stadium. Pedri told reporters, "It was a match to build momentum, and we've managed to do just that. I didn't realise they loved me so much here in Mexico." Oyarzabal, whose opener extended his scoring streak with Spain to six consecutive games, added, "I'm happy, and I try to help in any way I can. What has made things go well for us is that as a group we know what we have to do and we trust each other."Managing Expectations as Tournament FavoritesCoach De la Fuente welcomed another convincing display but played down suggestions that Spain were clear favourites for the title. "Being recognised as favourites guarantees nothing," he said. "We have confidence in ourselves and in the way we play, but there are many other national teams with the same quality and ability as us."

The LeadIran and Israel have paused tit-for-tat attacks against each other that had threatened to unravel the fragile ceasefire in place since April 8, but tensions remain high. Tehran has warned that fighting could resume if Israel continues with its attacks, including on Lebanon.The Event DetailsThe ceasefire is facing pressure from growing public disagreements between Israel and the United States. According to Axios, US President Donald Trump warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be "careful" as continued strikes risk undermining the truce.The Iranian parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said repeated Israeli violations showed there was no "genuine will to build trust". He warned that the ceasefire remains brittle and could break.The Regional DevelopmentsIsrael said it targeted the Mahshahr petrochemical complex in the southwest on Monday, one of Iran's most important industrial centres. Iranian media reported no casualties, while authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage and potential economic losses.Hezbollah said it carried out 16 operations against Israeli forces on Monday, targeting troop gatherings, military vehicles and equipment across southern Lebanon. The group said it used drones, guided missiles, artillery and loitering munitions in attacks near Beaufort Castle, Odaisseh and Yohmor al-Shaqif, claiming to have destroyed ammunition transport vehicles and military bulldozers.The Diplomatic TensionsIsrael's ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, said negotiations between Washington and Tehran have "nothing to do with Lebanon", accusing Iran of trying to connect the two issues. Speaking to Fox News, Leiter said Israeli operations against Hezbollah are separate from the US-Iran talks and warned that "Lebanon will not have a future if it remains linked to Iran".Trump said on Monday he warned Netanyahu that the Israeli PM could find himself "on your own very soon" if he carried out further strikes on Iran. According to Axios, the president urged Netanyahu not to retaliate after Iran signalled it would halt attacks, highlighting growing tensions between Washington and Israel over the future of the ceasefire.The Strategic ImplicationsAnalysts say Israel's decision to launch new strikes on Iran despite Trump's calls for restraint was intended to signal to the US that no lasting agreement with Tehran can ignore Israeli interests. Military historian Danny Orbach said the strikes were a message to Washington that Israel retains the ability to disrupt negotiations if it believes its security concerns are being overlooked.Phyllis Bennis of the Institute for Policy Studies said Trump's warning to Israel would carry more weight if it were backed by concrete actions. She argued that continued US military aid, diplomatic support and weapons transfers undermine the message, leaving little reason for Netanyahu to view the comments as a meaningful shift in US policy.The Future OutlookThe ceasefire remains precarious, with both sides maintaining positions that could lead to renewed conflict. Israel appears determined to continue operations against Iranian interests in the region, while Tehran has signaled it will respond to any perceived violations. The US position remains unclear as Trump attempts to balance between supporting Israel and preventing a wider regional conflict.

The Escalating Conflict in Gaza Eight months into the Gaza ceasefire agreement that exists more on paper than on the ground, the past week saw the agreement’s terms continue to erode. While Palestinian factions convened in Cairo, ostensibly to help move the agreement past its first phase, Israel pressed its hold on Gaza further – extending barriers of earth along an ever-widening “Yellow Line,” demolishing homes nightly, and killing displaced families in strikes that, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, pushed the post-ceasefire death toll past 970. Redrawing the Map of Gaza Following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s calls last week to extend Israel’s control to “first 70 percent [of Gaza]”, far beyond the lines agreed upon by the October ceasefire agreement, residents and local monitoring networks in Gaza reported Israeli forces extending mounds of earth known as berms along the “Yellow Line” – the line their troops are nominally meant to hold – westward across the Strip: digging land at al-Zaarba in southern Gaza’s Mawasi Rafah, levelling farmland and greenhouses south of Khan Younis, planting rows of yellow concrete markers near Ard al-Limon and in Rafah’s al-Bardawil neighbourhood, and burning farmland towards the Netzarim corridor. Widening Deadly Attacks in Gaza As Israel expanded its control of the Strip, military raids repeatedly hit displaced civilians in tents and crowded apartment blocks. The Ministry of Health in Gaza said that 11 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza City on June 4 . Five members of the Labad family were among those killed – Hassan Rabah Labad, his wife Manar, sons Mohammed and Tamim, and daughter Rahaf – leaving nine-year-old Hala the sole survivor, according to Gaza activist Hamza al-Masri. Settlers Set West Bank on Fire A rash of videos and photos in recent days show settlers torching farmland and olive groves across the Ramallah and Nablus countryside – including in Burin, where residents said settlers lit four fires at once as soldiers blocked fire crews; in Madama, Jalud, as-Sawiya, Duma, Deir Sharaf, Shuqba and repeatedly in al-Mughayyir, where flames approached people’s homes. Videos showed soldiers standing alongside settlers next to blazing fields.

David Lammy, deputy prime minister, will announce on Tuesday a pilot of AI‑powered virtual legal assistants for England and Wales crown courts, aimed at cutting the mounting case backlog.Government Rolls Out AI Legal Assistants to Crown CourtsThe Ministry of Justice says judges will use a new AI tool to identify trial‑ready cases and group similar hearings, hoping to streamline administration and free up staff for core duties.Backlog Figures and Recent AI Errors Reveal Financial StakesMore than 80,000 cases are awaiting crown‑court decision this year – double the pre‑Covid 2019 figure of 38,108.2,600 crown‑court trials are not listed until at least 2028, with 29 pushed to 2030.Last year a £89m damages case involved 45 case‑law citations, 18 of which were fictitious and generated by publicly available AI tools.These numbers underscore the pressure on the system and the risk of AI‑generated misinformation.Law Society Calls for Safeguards Over Funding and StaffingThe Law Society, representing over 200,000 solicitors, warns the pilot must not be used to “replace vital funding and additional court staff”. Ian Jeffery, chief executive, stresses that outcomes of the evaluation should be public and that robust safeguards are needed to preserve justice integrity.What Lies Ahead for AI in the UK Justice SystemWhile officials tout AI’s potential to save “thousands of days of admin work”, critics argue that without clear evaluation and continued investment, the technology could exacerbate existing challenges. The next months will reveal whether the pilot can balance efficiency gains with the Law Society’s demand for transparency and adequate resources.

Lead: Football Weekly’s Preview of World Cup Groups E‑HThe Guardian’s Football Weekly podcast rolls out its second World Cup 2026 preview, dissecting the match‑ups and storylines in Groups E, F, G and H ahead of the tournament’s opening round.Group E Deep‑Dive: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast and CuraçaoGermany – trying to shake off recent under‑performances and decide if they can be a dark‑horse.Ecuador – a South‑American side eager to prove its knockout pedigree.Ivory Coast – looking to blend experience with emerging talent.Curaçao – debutants with a 40‑year‑old goalkeeper and a 78‑year‑old manager adding novelty.Group F Spotlight: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia and SwedenNetherlands – questioned whether their “very good” reputation can survive a potential implosion.Japan – assessing if they can retain dark‑horse status without star Kaoru Mitoma.Tunisia – a resilient African side aiming for surprise points.Sweden – under new manager Graham Potter, seeking to rediscover form.Group G Outlook: Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New ZealandBelgium enters as the clear favourite, while Egypt, Iran and New Zealand each bring distinct tactical approaches that could upset the balance.Group H Narrative: Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi ArabiaSpain, led by veteran coach Luis Enrique, is tipped as a favourite, but the presence of Uruguay’s gritty squad, Cape Verde’s rising talent, and Saudi Arabia’s home‑region advantage keep the group wide open.Key Numbers and Unusual FactsOldest manager in the tournament: 78‑year‑old Curaçao coach.Oldest goalkeeper on the pitch: 40‑year‑old Curaçao keeper.Why These Groups Matter for the 2026 TournamentThe composition of Groups E‑H sets the stage for early upsets and could reshape the knockout bracket. A strong performance from dark‑horse teams like Curaçao or Japan would force traditional powers to adapt their strategies.Looking Ahead: What to Expect in the Group StagePotential dark‑horse breakthroughs from Curaçao and Japan.Germany’s need to rediscover consistency to avoid early elimination.Sweden’s tactical evolution under Potter could surprise opponents.Spain’s depth will be tested against Uruguay’s physicality.