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  • Apple iPhone 16 Pro And iPhone 16 Pro Max Prices Slashed Further In Major Sale On Now

    Apple iPhone 16 Pro And iPhone 16 Pro Max Prices Slashed Further In Major Sale On Now

    Updated July 3 with more details of price cuts for iPhone 16 Pro Max.

    Apple’s latest Pro model iPhone, the iPhone 16 Pro, costs $999 and up. If you want to buy it cheaper, you can’t get discounts from Apple. Amazon, however, sells the iPhone 16 Pro in Renewed Premium condition, and the prices have just gone down in many cases. There have also been big price cuts on the larger-screened model, the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

    The deals highlighted in this post were independently selected by the Contributor and do not contain affiliate links.

    ForbesApple iPhone 17: Key Design Upgrade Promised In New LeakBy David Phelan

    Renewed Premium is the highest tier of refurbished models on Amazon, and “The inspection and testing process typically include a full diagnostic test, replacement of any defective parts, and a thorough cleaning process carried out by the qualified supplier, or by Amazon,” as the company puts it.

    The screen has no scratches and a body with no signs of cosmetic damage (scratches, dents, and more) visible when the holding the product 30 centimeters away. They are fully functional and with battery at least 90% of original battery life. Here are the details of what’s on offer now from Amazon — even before the upcoming Prime Day sales.

    The lowest storage is 128GB and it is available from Amazon in four colors. Black titanium costs $840, a price which has dropped recently and is $159 less than the new price. Desert titanium is $848.44, natural titanium $864.97 and white titanium $869.99. All are slightly lower prices than earlier in June.

    For the 256GB storage option, which costs $1,099 new, and prices are as follows: $936.55 for black titanium, $923.06 for white titanium, which is just over $175 off the price new. It’s even better for desert titanium at $910.13 and $935 for natural titanium.

    The 512GB storage prices for Renewed Premium in unlocked condition are these: Desert titanium is $1,089.97, that’s $209 less than the brand-new price. White titanium is $10 more at $1,099.97. There’s no availability for black or natural titanium, right now.

    Finally, for the top storage level, black titanium is available for $1,109, which is $390 less than the $1,499 new price. Desert titanium is more, $1,239.97, natural titanium $1,150 and white titanium is $1,189.99. These prices are the same as or slightly higher than they have been in recent weeks.

    All very well, but what about if the iPhone 16 Pro display isn’t quite big enough for you? There’s the iPhone 16 Pro Max, available in three storage capacities (there’s no 128GB model for the Max).

    The 256GB storage model is available from Amazon in Renewed Premium condition. Three of the four, desert titanium, natural titanium and white titanium are all priced at $1,099, which is $100 less than the new price of $1,199. The black titanium is not as good value: it costs $1,152.09.

    The 512GB model costs $1,399 new. For Renewed Premium, the best price in this capacity are black titanium and white titanium, both $174 off the new price at $1,225. Desert titanium is $1,299.99 and natural titanium a little less at $1,279.

    Finally, there’s the 1TB storage option, $1,599 when you buy it new from Apple. Here in Renewed Premium, the best price is for desert titanium and natural titanium, which are each $1,420 — a $179 savings. Black titanium is priciest at $1,569.97 and white titanium clocks in at $1,459.

    ForbesApple iPhone 17 Series: The Best Views Yet Of All The New Designs Just LeakedBy David Phelan

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  • AMD boosts CEO Lisa Su’s paycheck to $33M — still below Nvidia’s Huang

    AMD boosts CEO Lisa Su’s paycheck to $33M — still below Nvidia’s Huang

    Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has granted its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lisa Su, a significant compensation boost for the upcoming fiscal year. The semiconductor company disclosed on Wednesday that Su will receive an equity award with a target value of $33 million, alongside a raise in her base salary to $1.32 million, up from $1.26 million last year.

    The announcement was part of AMD’s annual executive compensation filing, detailing salary and incentive structures for its leadership team. According to the filing, Su earned total compensation of $31 million in 2024, which included $21.7 million in stock awards and $6.2 million in other incentive-based awards.

    Among AMD’s top executives, Su is the only one with a base salary exceeding $1 million. Her equity award also stands out as the largest, reflecting her central role in steering AMD through an increasingly competitive semiconductor landscape. Chief Technology Officer Mark Papermaster is second in line, receiving a $10 million target-value equity award and a base salary of $870,000.

    All five executives named in the filing will see their base salaries increase by 3% to 5% for the fiscal year. Su’s $33 million equity award is scheduled to convert on August 15 into a combination of performance-based and time-based stock options: 75% of the grant will consist of performance-based restricted stock units (RSUs), while the remaining 25% will be issued as time-based stock options.

    The compensation changes underscore AMD’s confidence in Su’s leadership as the company continues to invest in advanced chip designs and competes with industry giants such as Intel and Nvidia.

    However, even with the new pay package, Su’s compensation remains notably lower than that of her main industry rival, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. For fiscal year 2025, Nvidia disclosed that Huang’s total compensation reached nearly $49.9 million, up from $34.2 million the previous year. Huang’s pay package includes a $1.5 million base salary, a target cash bonus of $3 million, and a substantial equity award valued as high as $27.5 million, depending on performance. The jump in Huang’s compensation reflects Nvidia’s record-breaking financial performance in 2025, including $130.5 billion in revenue, $86.8 billion in operating income, and a three-year shareholder return of 384%.

    Huang’s package highlights Nvidia’s dominant position in the AI chip sector and its status as one of the most valuable tech companies globally.

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  • Nothing's flagship smartphone needs scale to thrive – Light Reading

    1. Nothing’s flagship smartphone needs scale to thrive  Light Reading
    2. Nothing Phone (3) hands-on – GSMArena.com news  GSMArena.com
    3. Upcoming Smartphones in July 2025: Nord 5, Nothing Phone 3, Galaxy Z Fold 7, and More  Times Bull
    4. Nothing Phones to get Android 16 powered Nothing OS 4.0 later this year  Android Central
    5. Bold Industrial Smartphone Models  Trend Hunter

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  • Plant-based omega-3s offer similar benefits to marine-derived iterations, review notes

    Plant-based omega-3s offer similar benefits to marine-derived iterations, review notes


    A new review published in Lipids has highlighted the potential of plant-based omega-3 oils in promoting gut health.1


    The article delves into how omega-3 oils rich in stearidonic acid (SDA) can influence the microbiome, promote optimal gut barrier function, help mitigate systemic inflammation and boost overall wellness.


    Published by researchers from the University of Southampton, the piece also explores the rising interest in plant-based omega-3 sources.


    According to Baker et al., this trend is primarily driven by the increased  intrigue towards both ethical and sustainable dietary choices — with many now turning away from fish oil products in favour of more environmentally-friendly options. 


    The review covers: 


    • How very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLF-PUFAs) present in plant-based extracts can balance the gut microbiome 

    • How VLF-PUFAs exhibit a prebiotic effect within the gut 

    • The potential of SDA-rich oils in mitigating inflammation as well as promoting gut barrier and immune function

    • How SDA oils modulate the gut-brain/gut-liver axes

    • How users can gain similar omega-3-related health and wellness benefits from plant-based sources compared with traditional fish oil

    • Why plant-based omega-3s are more sustainable than traditional fish oils


    Notably, the researchers tout the benefits of Nature Crops International’s branded Ahiflower oil, which is derived from Buglossoides arvensis.


    Oil from this particular botanical species is rich in SDA, which promotes efficient omega-3 EPA conversion and DHA formation in the liver and brain; despite its inability to raise DHA levels in the red blood cells.


    This suggests that the beneficial fatty acids produces are being metabolised and used by the body more efficiently, according to Baker.


    “As we uncover the power of omega-3s in promoting cardiovascular, gut, skin, immune-inflammatory and mental health, there will continue to be an increase in demand for these products — creating an unsustainable supply chain if we were to rely solely on marine sources,” she says.


    “To overcome this issue, it’s crucial to embrace plant-based omega-3 options — which are demonstrably beneficial for all these health goals.”


    “Ahiflower oil is one of nature’s richest sources of omega-3, and this newly published research only further underscores its key role in overall wellness. By choosing a clean-label, regeneratively farmed omega-3 solution, supplement manufacturers can not only enhance the benefits of their product, but also choose a sustainable option,” Baker concludes.


     


    Reference 


    1  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40574533/#:~:text=Recent%20studies%20highlight%20the%20efficient,distinct%20SDA%2Dderived%20metabolites).


     



      

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  • The Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer, Closing the Zenith x Time+Tide Surfer Trilogy

    The Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer, Closing the Zenith x Time+Tide Surfer Trilogy

    Following the Defy Classic Skeleton Night Surfer (2021) and Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer (2023), Zenith and Time+Tide now introduce the third and final chapter in their collaborative Surfer Trilogy. This latest limited edition, the Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic, builds on the openworked aesthetic and mechanical architecture of the existing white Defy Skyline Skeleton model, while combining its full white ceramic case with a lighter, ocean-inspired dial design. It concludes the trilogy with a bold and technically coherent take on Zenith’s Defy platform.

    The first two models in the Time+Tide and Zenith Surfer trilogy, the Defy Classic Skeleton Night Surfer (2021 – left) and Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer (2023 – right)

    The 41mm case of the Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer is crafted from white ceramic, lightweight, highly scratch-resistant, inherently modern in appearance and pleasantly tactile. The case features the sharp facets and geometric contours typical of the Defy line, highlighted by brushed and polished surfaces. The screw-down crown bears the Zenith star logo, the dial is protected by a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, while the caseback, also with sapphire crystal, lets you view the movement. Water-resistance is 100m.

    The defining element of the “White Surfer” is its skeletonised dial with a vertical gradient that transitions from darker to light blue. This graduated finish spans the signature-shaped bridges, evoking a descent from deep sea to surface light. As with the original Night Surfer, the star logo is filled with Super-LumiNova, a rather unique touch.

    Time is indicated by centrally mounted rhodium-plated hour and minute hands, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova. At 6 o’clock, a 1/10th of a second sub-dial, driven directly by the escapement, adds functional dynamic. The hour markers are integrated into the architectural framework of the skeleton dial, in line with the Defy Skyline Skeleton’s design language, applied to the minutes track running the dial´s periphery and treated with Super-LumiNova.

    Powering the watch is the El Primero 3620 SK, an automatic, high-frequency movement derived from Zenith’s famed chronograph calibre. Here, the chronograph module has been omitted in favour of a 1/10th of a second counter, offering a continuous readout linked to the 5Hz escapement. The movement delivers a 55-hour power reserve and includes a hacking seconds function for precise time-setting. To match the dial, the calibre is finished in light blue tones across the mainplate, bridges, and star-shaped rotor, with straight graining and circular brushing visible through the caseback.

    The White Surfer Ceramic by T+T is presented on an integrated white ceramic bracelet, secured by a folding clasp. A white rubber strap with a patterned surface is also included, and both the strap and bracelet can be easily swapped using Zenith’s toolless quick-change system.

    The Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic is limited to 100 pieces worldwide. It is available via Time+Tide, Zenith boutiques, and authorised retailers globally. Price is CHF 18,900 or EUR 20,500. More details about the watch at shop.timeandtidewatches.co.uk and www.zenith-watches.com.

    https://monochrome-watches.com/zenith-defy-skyline-skeleton-white-surfer-ceramic-time-and-tide-third-watch-surfer-trilogy-review-price/

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  • Scientists just mapped platinum atoms — and it could transform catalysis forever

    Scientists just mapped platinum atoms — and it could transform catalysis forever

    Using nuclear magnetic resonance, researchers at ETH Zurich have studied the atomic environments of single platinum atoms in solid supports as well as their spatial orientation. In the future, this method can be used to optimize the production of single-atom catalysts.

    Catalysis — the acceleration of a chemical reaction by adding a particular substance — is extremely important in industry as well as in everyday life. Around 80 % of all chemical products are produced with the help of catalysis, and technologies like exhaust catalysts or fuel cells are also based on this principle. One particularly effective and versatile catalyst is platinum. However, because platinum is a very rare and expensive precious metal whose production causes a lot of CO2 emissions, it is important to use as little of it as possible while maximizing its efficiency.

    Catalysts with single atoms

    In recent years, scientists have tried to develop so-called single-atom catalysts, in which each atom contributes to the chemical reaction. These catalysts are made by depositing single platinum atoms on the surface of a porous host material, for instance carbon doped with nitrogen atoms. The nitrogen atoms act as anchoring points which the platinum atoms can latch on to.

    A team of researchers led by Javier Pérez-Ramírez and Christophe Copéret at the Department of Chemistry and Applied Life Sciences of ETH Zurich, together with colleagues at the Universities of Lyon and Aarhus, have now shown that such single-atom catalysts are more complex than previously thought. Using nuclear magnetic resonance, they were able to show that the individual platinum atoms in such a catalyst can have very different atomic environments, which influence their catalytic action. In the future, this discovery will make it possible to develop more efficient catalytic materials. The researchers recently published their findings in the scientific journal Nature.

    Chance encounters lead to breakthrough

    “Until now individual platinum atoms could only be observed through the ‘lens’ of an electron microscope — which looks impressive but doesn’t tell us much about their catalytic properties,” says Pérez-Ramírez. Together with Copéret he thought about how one might characterize the individual platinum atoms more precisely. The collaboration began with a chance encounter during a meeting in the framework of the NCCR Catalysis program.

    After the meeting, the two researchers developed the idea to try nuclear magnetic resonance. This method, on which the MRI in a hospital is based and which is typically used for investigating molecules in laboratories, the spins of atomic nuclei in a strong static magnetic field react to oscillating magnetic fields of a certain resonant frequency. In molecules, this resonant frequency depends on how the different atoms are arranged inside the molecule. “Likewise, the resonant frequencies of the single platinum atoms are influenced by their atomic neighbours — for instance, carbon, nitrogen or oxygen — and their orientation relative to the static magnetic field,” Copéret explains.

    This leads to many different resonant frequencies, much like the different tones in an orchestra. Finding out which instrument is producing a particular tone isn’t easy. “As luck would have it, during a visit to Lyon one of us met a simulation expert from Aarhus who was visiting there at the same time,” says Copéret. Such encounters, and the collaborations resulting from them, are essential for scientific progress, he adds. Together with the ETH-collaborator, the simulation expert developed a computer code that made it possible to filter out the many different “tones” of the individual platinum atoms from the muddle.

    Mapping the atomic environment

    Ultimately, this led to a breakthrough in the description of single-atom catalysts: the research team were now able to compile a kind of map showing the type and position of atoms surrounding the platinum atoms. “This analytical method sets a new benchmark in the field,” says Pérez-Ramírez.

    With this method, which is broadly accessible, production protocols for single-atom catalysts can be optimized in such a way that all platinum atoms have tailored environments. This is the next challenge for the team. “Our method is also important from an intellectual property standpoint,” says Copéret: “Being able to precisely describe catalysts at the atomic level enables us to protect them through patents.”

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  • New Weight-Loss Drugs Under Scrutiny Amid Pancreas Concerns : ScienceAlert

    New Weight-Loss Drugs Under Scrutiny Amid Pancreas Concerns : ScienceAlert

    Popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound have revolutionized how we tackle obesity. But now, emerging reports about potential side effects have prompted a new investigation by UK health regulators.

    Hundreds of people reported experiencing severe pancreas problems after taking these drugs, according to the BBC.

    The UK government is now asking anyone who’s been affected to contact them. They are particularly interested in understanding whether genetic factors may predispose certain individuals to such severe reactions.

    As always with health alerts, it’s crucial to put this news into perspective. There’s no clear evidence yet that these drugs are directly causing pancreas damage. Their known side effects are already well-documented and they remain approved as safe for use when prescribed and overseen by a doctor.

    Related: Ozempic Alternative Ditches The Needle And One Major Side Effect

    And that last part – doctor oversight – is vital: it’s not safe to obtain these drugs through unofficial channels. Even if you can be sure you’re getting what you asked for – which you can’t – these medications aren’t right for everyone.

    It’s important to note that when any medication is taken up by a large number of people, it will inevitably reach some who will experience health issues regardless of the drugs they’re on, and rare adverse reactions will likely also occur.

    But the sheer number of reports of acute or chronic pancreatitis warrants further examination, and the cases so far involve up to 10 fatalities. The investigation is being managed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Genomics England.

    Collectively, the drugs being looked at are known as GPL-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists, because they target cells in the body usually activated by the natural GLP-1 hormone, which controls blood sugar and appetite – hence why they’re used for diabetes and weight loss.

    Issues have been reported with pancreas conditions. (Sebastian Kaulitzki/Science Photo Library/Getty Images)

    These medications can be split into two types: those based on semaglutide (such as Ozempic and Wegovy), and those based on tirzepatide (including Mounjaro and Zepbound). The latter type also targets glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors, as well as GLP-1 receptors, for a stronger effect.

    To date, almost 400 reports of acute pancreatitis have been received from people using GLP-1 drugs such as Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic, and liraglutide, as per The Guardian. Nearly half of those, 181, involve the tirzepatide-based drug sold as Mounjaro.

    Genetic risk is one of the factors being studied, which may mean some people are more prone to pancreatic issues. In the case of acute or chronic pancreatitis, this manifests itself as severe stomach pain that won’t go away.

    Those in the UK aged over 18, who have a strong adverse reaction to one of these weight loss and diabetes drugs are being asked to register their details on the Yellow Card website (the official UK system for reporting issues with approved medications).

    From there, you’ll be asked to submit more information and a saliva sample, if you’re chosen to take part in a study of GLP-1 drugs and pancreatic issues.

    The effects of all medications have to be considered in relation to other factors, including existing health conditions, genetics, age, and sex. Even the most effective drugs can come with risks.

    “GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy have been making headlines, but like all medicines there can be a risk of serious side effects,” says geneticist Matt Brown from Genomics England.

    “We believe there is real potential to minimize these, with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause.”

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  • Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

    The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

    **Programming Note

    A programming note, as a reminder which you don’t need to be reminded of.  Tomorrow, the UN Headquarters will be closed, given that it’s an official holiday in our host country.  It is their Independence Day, and we wish them a happy Independence Day.  We will be back here on Monday.

    And as usual, during the holidays and weekends, we will unfortunately remain available to you if you have any questions.

    Also, just on the technical side, over the weekend a number of web platforms, including WebTV, UN News all the UN Photo and Video will be undergoing scheduled maintenances there moving from one hosting platform to another on the back end.  There should not be any problems, but if there are, I just ask you to be a little bit patient.

    **Secretary-General’s Travel

    A travel announcement regarding the Secretary-General: On Saturday, 5 July, the Secretary-General will be arriving in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to attend the seventeenth Summit of the BRICS countries.

    The Secretary-General has been invited to speak at an outreach session on “Strengthening multilateralism, economic-financial affairs and artificial intelligence”, that will take place on Sunday, 6 July.  On Monday, 7 July, he will address a second outreach session, on “Environment, COP30 and global health.”

    During his visit, the Secretary-General will also be having meetings with various leaders who are attending the BRICS Summit, and we will share those readouts with you.

    **Deputy Secretary-General

    Our Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, returned to Seville today for the closing of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4).

    At the closing with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain, she underscored the consensus around the Seville Agreement as a demonstration of multilateralism in action — with actions to close the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) financing gap, address the debt crisis, and reform the international financial architecture.  She recognized the more than 100 initiatives launched on the Sevilla Platform for Action, including solidarity levies on private jets and first-class travel to generate new resources for sustainable development.

    She said that the UN will be operationalizing a Seville Forum on Debt to help countries learn from one another and coordinate their approaches in debt management and restructuring; and that forum will be supported by the Government of Spain, and we thank them.

    She called for the Conference to be remembered not only as a conference that responded to crisis, but as the moment the world chose cooperation over fragmentation, unity over division, and action over inertia.

    Tomorrow, she will travel to Praia, Cabo Verde, to take part in celebrations marking the fiftieth anniversary of the country’s independence.

    **Gaza

    And I have a statement to share with you on the humanitarian situation in Gaza: I can tell you that the Secretary-General is appalled by the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.  Multiple attacks in recent days hitting sites hosting displaced people and people trying to access food have killed and injured scores of Palestinians.  The Secretary-General strongly condemns the loss of civilian life.

    In just one day this week, Israeli orders to relocate forced nearly 30,000 people to flee, yet again, with no safe place to go and clearly inadequate supplies of shelter, of food, of medicine and of water.

    International humanitarian law is unambiguous: civilians must be respected and protected, and the needs of the population need to be met.

    With no fuel having entered Gaza in more than 17 weeks, the Secretary-General is gravely concerned that the last lifelines for survival are being cut off.  Without an urgent influx of fuel, incubators will shut down, ambulances will be unable to reach the injured and the sick, and water will not be able to be purified. The delivery by the United Nations and our partners of what little of our life-saving humanitarian aid is left in Gaza will grind to a halt.

    The Secretary-General once again calls for full, safe and sustained humanitarian access so aid can reach people who have been deprived of the basics of life for way too long.  The UN has a clear and proven plan, rooted in the humanitarian principles, to get vital assistance to civilians — to do that safely and at scale, wherever those people are.

    The Secretary-General reiterates that all parties must uphold their obligations under international law.  He renews his call for an immediate permanent ceasefire and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, held by Hamas and other groups.  That statement is now been shared with you.

    **Occupied Palestinian Territory

    And just to give you a bit more details of what’s actually going on, on the ground:  I can tell you that the space left for civilians to stay is shrinking by the day. Just yesterday, the Israeli authorities issued yet another displacement order — this time for parts of Gaza City — citing Palestinian rocket fire.  Our colleagues estimate that about 40,000 people were in these areas, which included one displacement site, one medical point, and a neighbourhood that had been spared from any displacement orders since before the ceasefire.  As of earlier today, about 900 families are estimated to have fled.

    OCHA (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) notes that since mid-March, when the ceasefire ended, over 50 such orders have been issued.  Together, they now cover about 78 per cent of Gaza.  Add the Israeli-militarized zones and that percentage jumps to 85 — leaving just 15 per cent where civilians can actually stay.

    Those areas are of course overcrowded; they also severely lack any services or proper infrastructure.  Imagine having just over 2 million people in Manhattan — which is actually slightly bigger — but instead of buildings, the area is strewn with the rubble of demolished and bombed-out structures, without infrastructure or basic support.  And in Gaza, these remaining areas are also fragmented and unsafe.

    Yesterday, our colleagues from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said that menstruation has become a nightmare for an estimated 700,000 women and girls in Gaza.  They remind us that, alongside food, people need water, soap, menstrual pads and privacy. UNFPA notes it has supplies ready — almost 170 truckloads’ worth — but they are not being let into the Strip.

    In a report issued yesterday, OCHA notes that since last Thursday, nine more aid workers have been killed — from five different organizations.

    That brings together the total number of aid workers killed to 107 so far this year, and 479 since October 2023.  Among them are 326 of our UN colleagues.

    Looking back at the month of June, out of nearly 400 coordination attempts, 44 per cent were outright denied by Israeli authorities. Another 10 per cent were initially accepted but faced impediments.  Only a third were fully facilitated.  And the rest, which is about 12 per cent — had to be cancelled by the organizers for logistical, operational or security reasons. [Yesterday], we had four denials out of 16 coordination attempts, hindering our teams’ efforts to relocate medical supplies or remove debris, among other critical operations.

    **Lebanon

    Moving north, to Lebanon:  This week, the newly appointed Head of our UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) peacekeeping mission and Force Commander, Major General Diodato Abagnara, met with Lebanese leaders, including the President, Joseph Aoun; the Speaker of the Parliament, Nabih Berri; the Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam; as well as the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence, and the commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

    General Abagnara underscored in his meetings the mission’s support to the implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006), including the strengthened deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in the southern part of their country.

    On the ground, UNIFIL peacekeepers report Israel Defense Forces (IDF) military presence and activities north of the Blue Line, including air violations and mortar fire impacting several locations in Sector East this week.

    Meanwhile, the peacekeepers have also continued to discover unauthorized weapons caches, including one containing mortars in Sector East.

    This week also, UNIFIL supported the important work of humanitarian agencies by facilitating missions of OCHA, UNICEF, UNDP (United Nations Development Programme), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in the UNIFIL area of operations.

    In support of the capacity-building of the Lebanese Armed Forces, UNIFIL Maritime Task Force this week carried out training exercises for the Lebanese Navy and the Lebanese Air Force.

    **Cyprus

    And a note on Cyprus:  In addition to what we said yesterday, in preparation for the informal meeting on Cyprus in a broader format, to be held on 16-17 July, the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin, is travelling to the island this weekend for meetings with the two sides. Earlier this week, she met with senior representatives of the United Kingdom in London, as well as of the European Union in Brussels.  She will visit Paris on Friday for meetings with Frenchofficials.

    **Ukraine

    Turning to Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that air strikes in the past three days have killed and injured civilians.

    According to authorities, at least 10 civilians were killed and nearly 60 injured, including children.

    The strikes also damaged homes, hospitals, schools and agricultural supplies in front-line regions, according to the local authorities and aid workers.  In the Donetsk region alone, authorities reported damage to over 80 homes, schools and other civilian facilities across the region.

    Health facilities have not been spared.  On 1 July, shelling damaged a hospital in Kherson, injuring at least three health workers and five patients.

    Today, drone strikes in the same city damaged several ambulances, civilian vehicles and windows of another hospital building.

    Between January and June of this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded at least 255 attacks on health care in Ukraine — accounting for nearly 40 per cent of all such attacks verified globally. In 2025, these attacks caused at least six deaths and 55 injuries among medical personnel and patients; that’s what the World Health Organization is telling us.

    Humanitarians continue to respond, providing construction materials and emergency shelter kits, blankets, hygiene items and mental health and psychosocial support.

    **Russia

    And Alex, I think you had had a question a number of times on the Memorandum of Understanding.  I can tell you that the final consultation meeting on the Memorandum of Understanding between the United Nations and the Russian Federation will take place on 11 July in Geneva.  It will be led by Rebeca Grynspan, as it always is; she is of course, as you know, the Secretary-General of UNCTAD (United Nations Tade and Development).

    The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 22 July 2022 with an implementation period of three years as part of the Istanbul agreement and the efforts of Secretary-General on global food security and in the context of the war in Ukraine.  In parallel, the Secretary-General has also continued to advocate for continued exports from Ukraine and the Russian Federation, including through the proposal on safe navigation in the Black Sea, which continues to inform discussions.  And we will share that with you in writing.

    **Senior Personnel Appointment

    Also, I want to read into the record an announcement that went out yesterday evening about the newly-appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Haiti.

    And that new Special Representative is Carlos G. Ruiz Massieu of Mexico; he will be the SRSG and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti.

    He succeeds María Isabel Salvador of Ecuador, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for her dedication and service.

    Mr. Massieu, as you know, is currently the head of the Verification Mission in Colombia since 2019 and he has over 30 years of experience in public service and in diplomacy, both in bilateral and multilateral contexts.

    An important note, though, Mr. Ruiz Massieu will assume his new functions as the SRSG for Haiti in August.  He will be here in two weeks’ time to brief the Security Council on Colombia.

    **Yemen

    Also on Yemen.  Some good news coming out of Yemen.  Our UN team on the ground is telling us that the two local water authorities in Taiz governorate, the Local Water and Sanitation Corporations in Taiz and Al-Hawban, reached a technical agreement to jointly manage the water supply systems, restoring essential services that have been disrupted for nearly a decade due to conflict and institutional fragmentation.

    This milestone was made possible through the sustained engagement of the United Nations team in Yemen, working alongside key partners.

    To accelerate water access, the Yemen Humanitarian Fund is allocating $2 million to connect 90,000 people, to functioning water networks.

    We commend the local leadership behind this breakthrough and urge donors to scale up support so that over 600,000 people living in Taiz can finally access safe, and reliable, water and sanitation.

    **Global Risk Report

    If you are looking for some interestingreading material this weekend, if I can recommend the inaugural UN Global Risk Report.

    It is being launched today at 1 pm, both online and at an event hosted at the Mission of Singapore.  The key insight of this report is a set of 12 Global Vulnerabilities, which are risks that are perceived as both important and for which the international community is underprepared.  Many risk reports can provide a list of the most important risks, but this report focuses our attention on perceived gaps in the multilateral space.  It identifies Mis- and Disinformation as a singularly critical vulnerability and identifies three other clusters of risks that are technological, environmental, and societal.  Specifically, the report highlights that these global vulnerabilities can be best addressed through coordinated joint action between Member States and across stakeholder groups.  It can be found on the web at unglobalriskreport.org.

    **International Days

    Since we won’t see each other tomorrow, I don’t want to leave you without mentioning two international days.

    Saturday is International Day of Cooperatives.  Cooperatives have a local community focus, and they aspire to bring the benefits of this economic and social model to all people in the world.

    Sunday is World Rural Development Day.  This Day aims at elevating rural voices and renewing the world’s collective promise, which is to leave no one behind, not even in the most remote and forgotten places of the world.

    **Financial Contribution

    We have a quiz for you today.  How many people do deep sea diving here?  Below the water.  You scuba? I am trying to make it more exciting for Gabriel.

    This country’s most famous dive site is the SS President Coolidge, a shipwrecked luxury liner that was serving as a troop ship in World War II.  The ship sank in 1942 after making contact with mines off Espiritu Santo Island, the largest island of this archipelago nation.  No.  Okay, I will give you another hint.  The capital of this country is Port Vila.  [response from the crowd:  “Vanuatu.”]

    Yes.  Who said Vanuatu?  You see, that’s the second one you won, Chris.  Claim your prize.

    **Questions and Answers

    Spokesman:  All right, let’s go back to New York from Vanuatu.  Dezhi?

    Question:  Yes.  Let’s talk about the hostages that kept by Hamas in Gaza.  You said there are 17 weeks that no field entered, and there’s rarely humanitarian deliveries.  Does the UN have any information of the whereabouts or conditions of the still remaining hostages?

    Spokesman:  The information that we have and we’ve been getting is through the regular meetings the Secretary-General has had with the families of Israeli hostages and former hostages, but we do not have any direct information.

    Question:  Does the Secretary-General worry if the condition continues in Gaza without food, without fuel, with more evacuation orders, there will be less and less chance for those hostages to survive…?

    Spokesman:  Well, I mean, I think the longer this goes on, the more people will suffer, whether they are the Palestinian civilians or whether they’re the hostages being held by Hamas.

    Question:  So, another thing is, yesterday, I believe you saw the report from AP about the Gaza Humanitarian Fund [GHF].  Two American contractors said they are very disturbed and feel irresponsible that there’s live ammunition fired at the site, which got rejected by the Fund.  Does the UN have any comments on this?

    Spokesman:  Well, I mean, the comment is what we’ve been telling you about the operations of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation since the beginning, that they do not meet the most basic standards that anyone should want to meet, which is when you’re trying to help people, you’re not putting them at greater risk. Yes, Jordan?

    Question:  Steph, there is a big perception in Middle East, actually, in the world that the United Nations has failed to protect the Palestinian people. And, also, as you just mentioned, 326 UN staff also, the United Nations, that you unable to protect even your own staff. How can you reply to that?

    Spokesman:  Well, I mean, which United Nations are you speaking about?  Are you speaking about the inability of the Security Council to come together?  Are you speaking…?

    Correspondent:  The United Nations system.

    Spokesman:  But that’s… you know, I think people have to understand the complexity of the UN system, and we rely on you as journalists to explain that.  I think the Secretary-General and all of the UN humanitarian staff and other staff who remain in Gaza are doing their best to protect civilians, to help civilians stay alive by at least providing them with the limited amount of means that we have.  What is clear is that in this conflict and in others, as the Secretary-General said last week, if I’m not mistaken, international law, the Charter itself is being repeatedly violated and too many countries are choosing to see the Charter and international law as an a la carte menu, as opposed to standing up and believing and implementing other commitments they themselves have signed on to.  Yes, ma’am?

    Question:  Thank you, Steph.  This is Min Lu from China Daily.  The US and Vietnam has reportedly reached a trade agreement that removes tariffs on US goods to Vietnam, while the Vietnam goods exporting to the US are facing higher tariffs.  Does the UN have any comments on how this treatment will influence developing countries and global trade awareness?

    Spokesman:  I mean, we don’t have any comment on this specific agreement, or we’re not even sure there’s an agreement.  What we do believe is that the Secretary-General believes in a global trade system that needs to be fair and especially fair to those countries that are most vulnerable.  Alex?

    Question:  Thanks, Steph.  Firstly, a quick follow-up on UN WebTV and other sources.  Is it somehow connected with UN80 initiative?

    Spokesman:  No, no, not at all.  Not everything is connected to UN80 Initiative.

    Correspondent:  I had to follow-up.

    Spokesman:  I mean, I saw the Mets win yesterday.  I don’t think that was connected to the UN80 Initiative.

    Question:  Secondly, follow-up on this UN Russian Memorandum.  So what will happen after this Memorandum expires?

    Spokesman:  Well, the Memorandum of Understanding will not be extended.  It had a shelf life of three years.  However, the issues around it remain, right?  And that, for us, includes the developing and the protection of safe trade routes through the Black Sea.  So a lot of the issues that the memo address will continue to live on and will continue to be discussed between the United Nations, the Russian Federation, and others.

    Question:  And last one.  President [Vladimir] Putin and President [Donald] Trump held a phone conversation. Have any comments on that?

    Spokesman:  I mean, we’ve just seen that they spoke.  As I’ve said in other cases, we welcome high-level dialogue between leaders of these United Nations.  Okay.  Yes, ma’am?

    Question:  Hi.  My name is Rachel from [Inaudible], Guangdong, China.  So I just recently saw a new report from the United Nations Economic and Social Committee for Asia and the Pacific mentions a USD $2.5 to $4 trillion in annual financing gap for developing countries.  So I’m wondering, as China is now one of the largest creditors to developing countries, how does the UN view China’s potential role in advancing global financial collaboration?

    Spokesman:  To be honest, I have not seen that report.  I will put you in touch with its authors, so you can ask them. But I try not to speak about things I don’t know.  Doesn’t always work, but that’s what I try to do.  Go ahead, Dezhi.

    Question:  Yesterday, WHO urged countries to increase health tax on tobaccos, alcohols, and sugar-contained beverages to at least 50 per cent of its price.  Do you worry that would affect your champagne drinking in your bottle?

    Spokesman:  Have a great weekend.

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  • WHO donates medical supplies and equipment to boost mpox response | WHO

    Freetown, Sierra Leone – As part of its continued support to Sierra Leone’s health sector, the World Health Organization (WHO) has donated essential medical supplies, mpox test kits, and laboratory equipment, including five medical-grade refrigerators valued at over USD 126,000 to the Ministry of Health.

    The handover ceremony took place at the Hastings Treatment Centre, with WHO Country Representative Dr George Ameh officially handing over the supplies to Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Mustapha Kabba.

    The donation comes at a critical time as the country continues to respond to the ongoing mpox outbreak, with over 4,000 confirmed cases to date. The supplies will strengthen diagnostic and case management capacity at key treatment and testing sites: Lakka Hospital, Benguema Reference Laboratory, and Hastings Treatment Centre.

    “Our support today reflects WHO’s commitment to ensuring that frontline health workers have the tools they need to manage cases effectively and reduce transmission,” said Dr George Ameh, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone. “These supplies will help improve the quality of care and expand diagnostic capabilities at a time when rapid response remains crucial.”

    Receiving the supplies, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Mustapha Kabba expressed deep appreciation for WHO’s ongoing support and used the occasion to commend frontline healthcare workers at Hastings.

    “We are sincerely grateful to WHO for their continued and timely support throughout this mpox response,” said Dr Kabba. “I want to encourage the hardworking team at Hastings Treatment Centre to continue the work. Your dedication is making a real difference, and we thank you for your tireless efforts in protecting the health of our communities.”

    The Hastings Treatment Centre, one of the designated facilities for mpox case management, is expected to receive a share of the supplies and equipment, which will be used to bolster patient care and improve cold chain storage for samples and medicines.

    “With these additional resources, we can ensure better storage of lab reagents, enhance patient care, and maintain the quality of our services,” said Dr Darlinda Jiba, the facility In-charge at Hastings Treatment Centre. “WHO’s continued support is a true morale booster for our clinical teams.”

    The support is part of WHO’s continued commitment to strengthening Sierra Leone’s health system and response capacity.

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  • What the Sea Spider Genome Reveals About Their Bizarre Anatomy

    What the Sea Spider Genome Reveals About Their Bizarre Anatomy

    Newswise — An international collaboration featuring the University of Vienna and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA) has led to the first-ever chromosome-level genome assembly of a sea spider (Pycnogonum litorale). The genome informs about the development of the characteristic sea spider body plan and constitutes a landmark for revealing the evolutionary history of chelicerates in general. The study was recently published in BMC Biology.

    Sea spiders (Pycnogonida) are marine arthropods with highly unusual anatomy: their trunk is very narrow and short, many of their internal organ systems extend into their long legs, and their abdomen is extremely reduced, to the point of being almost unrecognisable. Together with much better known animals such as spiders, scorpions, mites, or horseshoe crabs, sea spiders belong to the group called chelicerates, named after their claw-like mouthparts, the chelicerae. The bizarre body plan of these “no-bodies” raises fascinating questions: what genetic factors underlie its formation? And what can this tell us about the evolutionary history of chelicerates? The answers lie in their genome.

    A high-resolution genome

    To produce the genome assembly, researchers combined complementary sequencing technologies. First, the genetic material of a single P. litorale individual was obtained using so-called “long-read sequencing”, a technology that is able to capture very long stretches of DNA. This facilitates the correct assembly of otherwise challenging repeated or complex genomic regions. Then, the spatial organisation of the genome was assayed in a second P. litorale individual, revealing which DNA pieces lie close to each other in the cell nucleus. By leveraging the distance information, the correct order of the sequenced DNA stretches can be ascertained. This combination of data sources led to the assembly of 57 pseudochromosomes, representing almost the entirety of the sea spider genome in unprecedented resolution. This was additionally supplemented by novel datasets of gene activity in various developmental stages of P. litorale. “The genomes of many non-canonical laboratory organisms are challenging to assemble, and Pycnogonum is no exception. Only the combination of modern high-throughput data sources made a high-quality genome possible”, says the study’s first author Nikolaos Papadopoulos from the Department of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Vienna. “This can now serve as a stepping stone for further research.”

    Lost genes, visible effects

    The research team paid special attention to the so-called Hox cluster – a gene family that is evolutionarily conserved across the animal kingdom. “In arthropods, Hox genes play a central role in the correct specification of the different body segments; but also in many other animal groups they are essential ‘master controllers’ during body plan development”, explains Andreas Wanninger, one of the project leads at the Department for Evolutionary Biology at the University of Vienna. The exciting secret of Pycnogonum litorale: a part of the Hox cluster is missing completely from the genome, namely abdominal-A (Abd-A), a gene typically involved in specification and development of the posterior part of the body. Its absence could be linked to the extreme reduction of the pycnogonid abdomen. Similar conditions have been observed in other arthropods with reduced posteriors, such as certain mites and barnacles. Thus, sea spiders offer another example for the well-documented evolutionary relationship between Hox gene loss and body part reduction.

    The genome also offers insights into broader evolutionary patterns. Unlike spiders and scorpions, whose genomes show clear signs of ancient whole-genome duplications, no such traces can be found in the genome of P. litorale. As pycnogonids are considered the sister taxon to all chelicerates, this suggests that the genome of the chelicerate ancestor did not already have these duplications; rather, they must have happened much later in evolution, for certain chelicerate sub-groups.

    A new reference genome

    This newly assembled high-quality genome paves the way for further comparative studies. P. litorale thus becomes a novel valuable reference species in regards to questions about the interrelationships between chelicerates and the evolution of their body plans, as well as the genetic mechanisms that underlie the diversity of arthropods. “From an evolutionary developmental perspective, sea spiders are very interesting: their mode of development may be ancestral for arthropods, but at the same time they boast multiple body plan innovations unique to themselves. Beyond this, they also possess remarkable regenerative abilities”, explains last author Georg Brenneis of the Department of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Vienna. He adds: “Now that we have the genome and comprehensive datasets on gene activities during development, we can systematically study all of these aspects on the molecular level.”

    The researchers will use the novel reference genome for further studies on gene regulation, development, and regeneration in chelicerates, aiming to better understand the processes underlying the evolutionary success of this group.


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