Gaza Diplomacy Under Strain: The UN Security Council heard warnings that Gaza’s current split could harden into a permanent reality unless a ceasefire takes hold, as Hamas refuses to disarm and Israel maintains troops across much of the territory. Flotilla Fallout: Israel says hundreds of foreign activists from Gaza-bound flotillas have been released and deported after global outrage over mistreatment and a taunting video by Itamar Ben-Gvir, prompting multiple countries to summon Israeli envoys. US-UN Sanctions Shift: Washington lifted sanctions on UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese after a court challenge, overturning last year’s speech-restricting measures. Border Peace Boost: The UN endorsed Kyrgyzstan’s resolution backing peaceful resolution of border disputes, spotlighting Central Asia’s dialogue model. Migration Forum: Uzbekistan hosted the first International Migration Forum in Tashkent, pushing legal pathways and training for labor mobility. Economy & Energy Pressure: The UN cut its 2026 growth forecast to 2.5% amid Middle East-driven inflation and supply shocks, while Malaysia launched a real-time dashboard to track global supply crisis spillovers. World Cup Cost Fight: Canada’s watchdog says taxpayers face about $1B to host 13 FIFA matches, fueling renewed political backlash over affordability.