The Global Eye – Reflections
Paradigmi planetari / Planetary paradigms (Marco Emanuele)
APEC
(Global Times) The 2026 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting that concluded Saturday in China’s Suzhou has actively sought the broadest common ground for all parties to participate in economic and trade cooperation, China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said. Participants of the meeting, including representatives from 21 APEC economies, APEC observers, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, held candid, in-depth and constructive discussions and achieved fruitful results, according to a press conference held by China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOC) on Saturday. – APEC ministers’ meeting seeks broadest common ground on economic, trade cooperation: MOC – Global Times
Canada – Spain
(DigWatch) Canada and Spain have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation on AI development, adoption, and digital innovation. The agreement was signed in Toronto by Canada’s Minister of AI and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon and Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Carlos Cuerpo during a visit by King Felipe VI of Spain. The memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation on AI technologies, computing capacity, and collaboration between governments, industry, and other stakeholders. According to both governments, the partnership aims to support innovation, investment, and economic growth linked to AI technologies. – Canada and Spain sign AI cooperation agreement | Digital Watch Observatory
European Central Bank
(DigWatch) The European Central Bank (ECB) has published research examining how AI systems could affect financial stability as AI adoption expands across financial markets. According to Eurosystem research, different AI architectures may produce significantly different market behaviours under similar economic conditions. ECB simulations compared reinforcement learning systems with large language model-based agents operating in simulated financial environments. Researchers found that some reinforcement learning systems displayed coordinated responses resembling bank run dynamics in certain scenarios. – European Central Bank examines systemic risks linked to AI-driven finance | Digital Watch Observatory
Ireland
(Shawn Pogatchnik – Politico) Sinn Féin, the main opposition party in Ireland, has lost out to a smaller left-wing rival in Saturday’s by-election result in Dublin — and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald is feeling the heat. A political newcomer, Daniel Ennis of the Social Democrats, romped home in Dublin Central following Friday’s vote to fill a parliamentary seat previously held by former Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe, who quit last year to join the World Bank. Sinn Féin’s candidate, Janice Boylan, came second. Meanwhile, Ireland’s most famous gangland figure, Gerry Hutch, finished in fourth place, a credible performance for his eccentric populist campaign. He may seek one of Dublin Central’s four parliamentary seats in the next general election — if he can stay out of prison in Spain, where he lives and is battling a money-laundering probe. – Sinn Féin’s twin failures in Irish by-elections pile pressure on party’s leader – POLITICO
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
(UN News) After four weeks of negotiations at UN Headquarters in New York, the 11th Review Conference of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) ended on Friday without consensus on a final declaration. It wasn’t until nine on Friday evening that Ambassador Do Hung Viet, the President of the conference, and Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN disarmament chief, finally began speaking at a press conference to give their thoughts on the latest failure of Member States to agree on measures to modernise the NPT, which, whilst seen as the cornerstone of international nuclear disarmament efforts, is over fifty years old. Clearly weary and hungry (he had managed to grab a croissant for lunch, several hours earlier) after his ultimately fruitless attempts to get the fourth draft of the outcome document over the line, Ambassador Viet nevertheless gave lengthy answers to the journalists who stayed late to hear from him and Ms. Nakamitsu. Ambassador Viet hailed the “sincere and meaningful engagement” of the conference delegates, but admitted his disappointment at their inability to find consensus and seize the opportunity to make the world a safer place. – Review of landmark nuclear treaty breaks up without consensus, raising arms race fears | UN News
Singapore
(DigWatch) Singapore has announced new initiatives aimed at supporting enterprise AI adoption, strengthening cybersecurity, and preparing digital infrastructure for future quantum-related risks. The measures were announced at ATxEnterprise 2026 by Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How. They include new partnerships under the Digital Enterprise Blueprint, an AI adoption playbook for enterprises, SME awards recognising AI impact, and a pilot on quantum-safe technologies. According to IMDA’s Singapore Digital Economy Report 2025, AI adoption among SMEs increased significantly during 2024. – Singapore launches new AI, cybersecurity and quantum-readiness programmes | Digital Watch Observatory
South Korea
(DigWatch) South Korea’s Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC), a presidential advisory body, has launched a tripartite committee to examine the impact of AI on labour and workplaces. The committee brings together labour, business, government, and public interest representatives for a year-long dialogue on AI-related workplace changes. The committee held its first meeting in Seoul and will examine how AI adoption may affect employment patterns and industrial workplaces. The 17-member body is chaired by former presidential jobs secretary Hwang Deok-soon and includes labour, business, government and public interest representatives. – South Korea launches tripartite committee on AI and labour | Digital Watch Observatory
US
(DigWatch) The US Department of Commerce has proposed $2.013 billion in CHIPS and Science Act incentives to support domestic quantum computing development. The programme includes nine letters of intent linked to quantum manufacturing infrastructure and research initiatives. Proposed allocations include support for IBM and GlobalFoundries to expand quantum-related semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. – US proposes $2 billion in CHIPS funding for quantum computing | Digital Watch Observatory
War in Iran, Middle East, and the Gulf
(Barak Ravid – Axios) The agreement the U.S. and Iran are close to signing involves a 60-day ceasefire extension during which the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, Iran would be able to freely sell oil, and negotiations would be held on curbing Iran’s nuclear program, according to a U.S. official. The deal would avoid an escalation of the war and decrease the pressure on the global oil supply. However, it’s unclear whether it will lead to a lasting peace agreement that also addresses President Trump’s nuclear demands. Both Trump and the mediators have indicated the deal could be announced on Sunday, though it has not been finalized and could still fall apart. The U.S. official provided a detailed outline of the draft as it stands, much of which was verified by other sources close to the talks. Those details have not been confirmed by the Iranian side, though Tehran has also indicated a deal is getting close. – What’s inside the Iran deal Trump is close to signing
War in Ukraine
(Dmytro Basmat – The Kyiv Independent) Russian forces launched a large-scale combined missile and drone attack on Kyiv and the surrounding region overnight on May 24, striking residential buildings and other infrastructure across the capital. At least one person has been killed an 24 others injured in the attack, officials reported. Monitoring groups reported that more than 50 Russian missiles and upwards of 700 drones were launched towards Ukraine, almost entirely targeting Kyiv, marking one of the largest mass attacks over the last year. Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground reported hearing what they described as a massive series of missile strikes on Ukraine’s capital beginning around 1 a.m local time, and then again multiple times between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. – ‘Damage in every district of Kyiv’ — Massive Russian ballistic missile, drone attack kills 1, injures 24
World Bank
(DigWatch) According to Hindustan Times, World Bank President Ajay Banga highlighted the potential of ‘Small AI’ systems to support farmers and rural communities through locally deployed and lower-cost technologies. Examples discussed included farmers in India using mobile phones to share images of diseased crops and receive agricultural advice remotely. Banga also referred to healthcare workers in Indonesia using basic internet connections to access local diagnostic support systems in remote areas. – World Bank highlights ‘Small AI’ for farmers and rural communities | Digital Watch Observatory
