Argentina has emerged as the leading nation in coaching representation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. A total of six Argentine coaches will guide different national teams, the highest number from any country. Among them are Lionel Scaloni for Argentina, Mauricio Pochettino for the United States, Marcelo Bielsa for Uruguay, Gustavo Alvaro for Paraguay, Sebastián Beccacece for Ecuador, and Néstor Lorenzo for Colombia.

France follows with five coaches, including Didier Deschamps, Rudy Garcia, Sabri Lamouchi, Sébastien Desabre, and Sébastien Migne. Spain ranks third with four coaches, while Italy and Germany each have three. Notably, Brazil, the five-time world champion, will not have a Brazilian coach this time; instead, Italian Carlo Ancelotti will lead their campaign.

According to the report, 22 teams will compete under domestic coaches, highlighting a mix of national and foreign leadership across the tournament’s dugouts.

OpenAI has announced a new research position aimed at addressing potential risks from rapidly advancing artificial intelligence. The company is offering up to $445,000 annually for the role, which will focus on ensuring that AI systems do not become excessively self-improving beyond human oversight. The position falls under OpenAI’s Preparedness safety team, which studies long-term risks associated with increasingly powerful AI systems.

According to the job description, candidates must be both technically skilled and strategically thoughtful, as the work involves anticipating risks that may not yet exist but could emerge quickly. A key focus area is “recursive self-improvement,” where an AI could autonomously design and train more advanced versions of itself. The researcher will identify and mitigate such risks, conduct safety tests on advanced models, and develop monitoring systems to detect abnormal behavior.

The role also includes protecting AI models from “data poisoning” attacks and creating tools to better understand how advanced AI systems make decisions. The announcement comes amid growing industry discussion about recursive self-improvement, with leaders from Google DeepMind and other institutions warning of accelerating AI capabilities.

Leonardo AI has introduced a new 3D object generation capability within its platform, enabling creators to transform 2D concept images into production-ready 3D models without leaving the environment. The process allows users to generate an initial image, produce multiple reference views through the 3D Reference View Creator blueprint, and export the resulting models as .glb files suitable for rigging, game engines, and 3D printing.

The new feature supports both quad and triangle mesh types, along with PBR and shaded materials, expanding its flexibility for various creative workflows. Leonardo AI highlights that the integration is designed to streamline asset creation for independent game developers, e-commerce visualization projects, and physical fabrication tasks.

By embedding 3D generation directly into its existing tools, Leonardo AI aims to simplify the transition from concept art to usable 3D assets, potentially reducing production time and tool-switching for digital creators.

Chinese President Xi Jinping invited Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks shortly after hosting US President Donald Trump, signaling closer coordination between Beijing and Moscow. The meeting follows Trump’s second-term policies, which, despite his pledge to “un-unite” Russia and China, have instead reinforced their partnership. The ongoing Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have made China increasingly dependent on Russian oil and gas, boosting bilateral trade by nearly 20 percent in the first four months of the year.

Energy cooperation is expanding, with new agreements between Chinese firms and Gazprom to increase gas imports and revive the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline project. Beyond economics, both nations share a perception of the US-led West as a destabilizing force, driving them to align more closely. The article traces how past US administrations, from Clinton to Biden, contributed to this alignment through NATO expansion, conflicts in Ukraine, and tensions over Taiwan.

Xi’s invitation to Putin, coming immediately after Trump’s visit, is portrayed as a deliberate signal that the Russo-Chinese alliance remains firm and resistant to US efforts to divide them.

Artificial intelligence is transforming how people use the internet, particularly in search, social media, and online shopping. Users are now asking longer, more conversational questions, prompting major changes in how search engines operate. Google’s search division announced upgrades that will combine data from multiple sources to present results in more visual and interactive formats.

Experts note that conversational and long-form queries are increasing, though short keywords still dominate. Google reported a 60 percent annual rise in image-based searches and growing use of its AI mode. ChatGPT has also altered how users seek and summarize information, with many alternating between ChatGPT and Google. Meanwhile, AI-driven influencers are emerging on social media, and companies like Meta and Google are developing new AI chat and avatar technologies.

In e-commerce, AI tools have significantly boosted website traffic. Amazon and other major firms are building AI shopping assistants, while Google introduced a “universal shopping cart” to unify purchases across stores. Analysts conclude that AI is becoming central to the internet’s structure, signaling a fundamental shift in digital interaction.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed disappointment after the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons ended without any consensus. He described the outcome as a missed opportunity to strengthen global security. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said Guterres appreciated the participation of member states but regretted that the conference failed to deliver results at a time of serious threats to international security.

Guterres urged all nations to use diplomacy and dialogue to reduce tensions and nuclear risks. He reiterated that achieving a world free of nuclear weapons remains the United Nations’ highest disarmament priority.

According to analysts cited in the report, growing global tensions, regional conflicts, and a lack of trust among nuclear-armed states have made it increasingly difficult to reach consensus at such conferences.

Cristiano Ronaldo has once again been named the world’s highest-paid athlete, topping Forbes’ latest list for the fourth consecutive year and sixth time overall. The 41-year-old Portuguese footballer, currently playing for Saudi club Al-Nassr, earned a total of $300 million over the past year. Of this, $225 million came from on-field income, while $65 million was generated through endorsements, sponsorships, and other commercial ventures.

The new Forbes ranking also saw Mexican boxer Canelo Álvarez rise to second place, surpassing Lionel Messi despite a less successful year in the ring, including losing his super middleweight title to Terence Crawford. Álvarez earned $170 million in 2025. Messi, captain of Inter Miami, ranked third with $140 million, evenly split between on-field and off-field earnings.

Other notable names in the top ten include LeBron James, Shohei Ohtani, Stephen Curry, Jon Rahm, Karim Benzema, Kevin Durant, and Lewis Hamilton, underscoring Ronaldo’s enduring global popularity and brand value.

The United Nations conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) ended without consensus, partly due to Washington’s attempt to use the forum to address Iran’s nuclear program, according to a US-based nonprofit observer group. The Arms Control Association (ACA) stated that the failure to reach an agreement means there is now no mutually accepted limit on the size of Russian and American nuclear arsenals for the first time since 1972.

ACA Executive Director Daryl Kimball said that NPT member states missed a crucial opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to the treaty’s principles and goals at a time of rising nuclear risks. He noted that the ongoing dispute over Iran’s nuclear activities, complicated by the US withdrawal from the 2018 nuclear deal, could not be resolved within the NPT review framework.

Kimball added that the future of Iran’s nuclear program, which Tehran insists is for civilian purposes, must be addressed through more sustainable diplomacy outside the United Nations process.

After four weeks of negotiations focused on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, United Nations member states failed to reach an agreement. The conference, held in New York, concluded without consensus, according to the presiding diplomat, Do Hung Viet of Vietnam. He told reporters that despite maximum efforts, the conference was not in a position to finalize its core mandate and that he would not present the draft document for approval.

A draft text seen by AFP stated that countries without nuclear weapons should never develop them. Delegates had been reviewing the decades-old Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), under which 191 nations agreed that only five countries—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—could possess nuclear weapons as of January 1, 1967. Currently, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea also hold nuclear arsenals.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), as of January 2025, about 90 percent of the world’s 12,241 nuclear warheads were held by the United States and Russia.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that no country should accept Iran’s attempt to impose a toll system in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at a press conference in Sweden, where he attended a NATO meeting in Helsingborg, Rubio said Iran was trying to persuade Oman to join the proposed toll arrangement. He emphasized that such a move should be rejected by all nations.

Rubio also mentioned that there had been slight progress in discussions with Iran, though he cautioned against overstating it. He described the progress as a positive sign but reiterated that the core issue remained unchanged: Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. He added that the United States needed to continue addressing the matter of Iran’s enriched uranium.

The remarks came amid ongoing diplomatic efforts concerning Iran’s nuclear activities and regional maritime security, with Rubio underscoring the importance of maintaining international consensus on these issues.

A new study published in The Lancet reports that around 1.2 billion people worldwide suffered from mental illnesses in 2023, marking a 95.5 percent increase since 1990. The research, based on data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study 2023, found anxiety and depression to be the most prevalent conditions, followed by personality disorders. The study analyzed mental health trends across 204 countries and regions, highlighting that the world is entering an alarming phase of mental health burden.

Lead author Dr. Damian Santomauro of the University of Queensland expressed concern over the scale of the increase, calling for global leadership to address the crisis. The study noted that women are more affected overall, while autism, ADHD, conduct disorder, and personality disorders are more common among men. Mental illness has become a leading cause of disability, with the highest rates now seen among those aged 15 to 19.

Experts cited factors such as lifestyle stress, economic instability, trauma, inadequate healthcare, and social isolation as key drivers. They urged improvements in mental health services and lifestyle balance to meet growing global needs.

International oil prices increased again as negotiations between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s uranium stockpile and the Hormuz Strait remained deadlocked. According to an Al Jazeera report cited on May 22, 2026, investor uncertainty over the lack of progress in the talks contributed to the price surge. On Friday, the global benchmark Brent crude rose by 2.3 percent, or 2.38 dollars, reaching 104.96 dollars per barrel.

At the same time, the price of US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude increased by 1.8 percent, or 1.73 dollars, to 98.08 dollars per barrel. The rise followed a nearly 2 percent drop in both benchmarks on Thursday, which had brought prices to their lowest level in about two weeks.

The report indicates that the continuing diplomatic stalemate between Washington and Tehran is keeping investors cautious, with energy markets responding to the uncertainty surrounding the region and its potential impact on global oil supply routes.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have reached a sharp disagreement over future strategy in the ongoing conflict involving Iran. According to CNN, their differences became evident during a heated phone call on Tuesday. Trump had earlier signaled plans for a new targeted strike against Iran, codenamed 'Operation Sledgehammer,' but later announced its postponement following requests from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Sources said the three Gulf states, in coordination with the White House and Pakistani intermediaries, are working to establish a new diplomatic framework. Trump told reporters that the Iran issue was nearing its final stage, suggesting either a deal or tougher measures could follow. Netanyahu, however, remains dissatisfied with the diplomatic approach and continues to advocate for stronger military action, arguing that any delay benefits Tehran.

Israeli sources noted that Netanyahu doubts any agreement can be reached through diplomacy, particularly as Iran has not agreed to relinquish its enriched uranium stockpile. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has instructed that near-weapons-grade uranium reserves must not be sent abroad, though no official confirmation has yet been issued.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation on Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations and several international issues. According to the report, the discussion focused on the Middle East situation, the ceasefire with Iran, stability in Syria, and the future activities of the NATO alliance.

Turkey’s communications directorate stated that Erdogan viewed the extension of the ceasefire with Iran as a positive step and emphasized that ongoing disputes could be resolved through dialogue. He added that Turkey would continue to play a constructive role in reducing regional conflicts and highlighted the importance of long-term stability in Syria for the security and peace of the entire Middle East. Erdogan also mentioned Ankara’s continued support for Syria and called for swift action to prevent further deterioration in Lebanon.

The upcoming NATO summit in Ankara was also discussed, with Erdogan noting Turkey’s full preparations for its success. After the call, Trump praised Erdogan’s leadership, describing him as a strong leader and an important ally for the United States.

Global gold prices declined as a stronger US dollar and rising Treasury yields weighed on the precious metal, while oil prices climbed due to stalled peace talks in the Middle East. As of 11:18 GMT on Thursday, spot gold dropped 0.6 percent to $4,517.94 per ounce, and US June gold futures fell 0.4 percent to $4,518.70. Analysts said inflation concerns and expectations of higher interest rates continued to weaken the gold market.

The ongoing Middle East tensions kept oil markets buoyant, with Brent crude rising nearly 3 percent to $107.4 per barrel. Iran stated it was reviewing Washington’s latest proposal, while US President Donald Trump said he could wait a few more days for Tehran’s response but left open the option of renewed strikes. Analysts noted that since the conflict began, gold prices have fallen more than 15 percent, while oil has gained amid energy-driven inflation fears.

Other precious metals also declined, with silver down 1.4 percent to $74.96 per ounce, platinum down 1 percent to $1,931.5, and palladium down 0.9 percent to $1,357.94.