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Progress in HIV prevention and treatment continues, yet the global pandemic persists as a significant challenge. In regions like Latin America, the Middle East/North Africa, and Eastern Europe/Central Asia, rising infection rates highlight the urgent need for increased commitment and funding. The introduction of Lenacapavir, a new preventive drug, has shown remarkable 100% protection in studies involving young African women. However, global funding for HIV efforts fell by 5% to $19.8 billion in 2023, falling short of the required $29.3 billion. Alarmingly, 25% of HIV-positive individuals lack access to essential medication, and annual AIDS-related deaths exceed the UN target of 250,000, reaching 630,000. Despite these challenges, promising developments in HIV treatment were presented, offering hope for progress. Initiatives like Global Fund programs have saved millions of lives, emphasizing the crucial commitment to end the AIDS pandemic by 2030 while safeguarding human rights for all.

Global stablecoins in emerging markets offer banking access and remittance services but also pose financial instability risks. Regulation, cooperation, and capacity-building are vital for mitigating challenges. New stablecoins like Pax Gold and Hong Kong dollar are on the rise. The EU has introduced stablecoin laws, while major stablecoins like USDT, USDC, and BUSD are prevalent. Swiss regulators stress the risks of default guarantees by stablecoin issuers, aiming to ensure banks have the necessary licenses and deposit coverage. Compliance issues have led to crypto exchanges delisting non-compliant stablecoins.

Tensions are rising over water supply for agriculture in the EU. Activists propose rainwater harvesting and floating solar panels as alternatives to 'mega-basins'. They also question the water-intensive agricultural export model, calling for a shift to more sustainable practices. An ancient Spanish court, the Tribunal de les Aigües, offers a potential solution to global water conflicts. This 1,000-year-old court in Valencia manages scarce water resources through democratic representation and public hearings. Similar models, such as the waterschappen in the Netherlands and Bali's subak system, provide lessons for addressing water scarcity worldwide. Palestinian hydrologist Abdelrahman Al Tamimi suggests adapting the Tribunal of Waters model to resolve water conflicts in the Middle East.

The game industry is turning to generative AI to replace human workers, threatening the long-term viability of game dev careers. The industry, valued at $159.3 billion globally in 2020, has grown to three times the size of the music industry and nearly four times the size of Hollywood. Both AAA studios and indie startups are using AI, with 49% of professionals already implementing it. While some companies, like Activision Blizzard, see the promise of AI, concerns arise as AI is being used to replace certain roles, resulting in layoffs. AI proves to be cheaper than outsourcing and faster than in-house workers, but employing humans is still more cost-effective, according to MIT. Game devs are less likely than entertainment workers to negotiate AI limitation deals. Unionization efforts are emerging as a catalyst for addressing job displacement caused by AI, as seen by the strike of video game performers. It is important to note that the responsibility lies with the leaders, not the AI itself, according to an anonymous dev. The game industry is at a crossroads as it navigates the integration of AI into its production process.

On August 1, the European Union's first artificial intelligence (AI) law will come into effect, introducing regulations with specific transition periods. The law prohibits the use of AI systems that categorize individuals based on characteristics such as race, political or religious views, or sexual orientation. It also bans the use of China's 'social credit' systems that aim to manipulate behavior and political loyalty through mass surveillance. Companies in the EU are prohibited from using AI to detect the emotions of their employees or influence people against their will. The technology cannot be used to discriminate against individuals based on age, disability, or financial situation. Regarding facial recognition technology, law enforcement and security authorities can only use AI-powered facial recognition in public places with a court order. The technology can be used to search for convicted or suspected criminals using recorded video footage, and in real-time for locating victims of human trafficking or preventing imminent terrorist threats. 'High-risk' applications of AI, such as those in law enforcement and personnel management, require human oversight, technical documentation, and risk management systems. Developers must clearly label AI-generated content, and online platforms and national authorities are responsible for verifying this. The law carries significant fines for non-compliance, with penalties reaching up to millions of euros or a percentage of annual revenue. The law will be implemented gradually, with various provisions coming into effect from 2025 to 2026. The EU also expects a 'AI Pact' of voluntary self-regulation from hundreds of companies by autumn 2023.

Following record-breaking temperatures worldwide, the UN issues a compelling 'call to action' to combat the extreme heat crisis. Emphasizing the detrimental effects on workers and travelers, the UN highlights the role of emissions and fossil fuels in driving the escalating crisis, resulting in worker injuries, fatalities, and travel disruptions in various regions including Death Valley, Greece, and Mecca. Urgent measures are urged to address occupational safety, productivity loss, and the development of early warning systems. The UN stresses the imperative need for a fossil fuel phase-out to tackle the root cause of the crisis. The UN chief issues a warning of an 'extreme heat epidemic,' attributing the soaring temperatures to hundreds of thousands of deaths and massive economic losses annually, urging G20 nations to lead the way in combatting climate change and emphasizing the addiction to fossil fuels as the primary cause.

Eurozone's manufacturing sector contracts, led by Germany and France, while services grow slightly; job creation slows, exports decline, but a short-term recovery is anticipated. In contrast, UK sees business activity expand in July, with sales rising to 15-month highs and PMIs at multi-year peaks. In the US, a 'Goldilocks' scenario emerges with resilient growth and easing inflation, though manufacturing faces challenges. Investors predict a Fed rate cut in September. The global economy remains influenced by uncertainties, including staff shortages and inflation pressures.

President Joe Biden plans to address the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday night. He will discuss his decision to withdraw from the presidential race and outline his plans for the final six months of his term. This includes campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris, who will hold her first rally in Milwaukee. Additionally, Biden will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is set to address a joint meeting of Congress. After recovering from COVID-19 at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Biden was treated with Paxlovid upon disembarking from Air Force One at Dover Air Force Base. His decision to withdraw came after facing doubts about his physical and mental fitness, and he has endorsed Harris as his successor. Despite facing pressure to abandon the race, Biden intends to return to campaigning. In his address, he will reflect on his presidency and the challenges that lie ahead for the American people. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's visit to the U.S. aims to secure support despite tensions between the U.S. and Israel due to the Gaza offensive. He plans to address Congress and is expected to meet with Biden and Harris.

Ryanair, the Irish budget airline, experienced significant profit losses in the first quarter of the fiscal year. While demand remained strong, ticket prices did not develop as expected, leading to a 46% drop in after-tax profit compared to the previous year. Despite a 10% increase in passenger numbers, average fares dropped by 15%. This trend is expected to continue into the second quarter. Ryanair predicts an 8% customer growth for the year, reaching 200 million passengers, assuming no further delays in the delivery of new Boeing aircraft. Other European airlines such as EasyJet, Wizz Air, and IAG also saw a decline in shares. Ryanair faced challenges related to air traffic control issues and extreme weather. The company urges the European Commission and parliament to implement long-delayed air traffic control reform. The main reasons for the decline in ticket prices include resistance from customers and increased competition, resulting in lower fares for the summer season.

The EU Commission has called on Meta to respond to consumer advocates' criticism of its payment model for Facebook and Instagram. Various consumer protection authorities have identified potentially unfair business practices, and Meta has until September 1st to propose solutions or face potential sanctions. The European Data Protection Board previously prohibited Meta from displaying personalized advertising without explicit user consent. In response, Meta introduced a paid subscription option for its platforms, allowing users to pay a monthly fee to opt out of ads. Critics argue that this undermines privacy regulations and pressures users to share their data. The Commission specifically highlighted the pressure on users, who rely on Facebook and Instagram for social interaction, to make an immediate decision by denying them access until they decide. The Commission also criticized Meta's use of imprecise language and confusing settings. If Meta fails to address the concerns, consumer protection authorities in Member States may take enforcement actions and impose sanctions. Meta denies the allegations and argues that its subscription model aligns with the European Court of Justice's previous approval of such payment models.

According to a UN report, global new HIV infections have declined, but have risen in eastern Europe, central Asia, the Middle East, and north Africa. Marginalized groups such as sex workers, transgender women, and gay men face discriminatory laws that limit their access to care. Despite progress, young women in sub-Saharan Africa remain vulnerable. While new long-acting HIV treatments are available in wealthy countries, they are not yet accessible in developing nations. Achieving the goal of ending AIDS by 2030 requires protecting human rights, addressing the debt crisis, increasing aid, expanding access to new treatments, and reducing inequalities. Challenges that remain include the criminalization of high-risk populations, stigma and discrimination, and limited access to resources.

Republican nominee Donald Trump held a fiery rally in Michigan, mocking Democratic President Joe Biden as a 'stupid' and 'low-IQ individual' and comparing former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to a 'dog'. Trump repeated false claims about the presidential election being rigged by Democrats and suggested they are allowing an 'invasion' over the US border. This rally marked Trump's return to the campaign trail after surviving an assassination attempt. He also touted his relationships with world leaders and called for a 'landslide that is too big to rig'. Trump denigrated Vice President Kamala Harris as 'crazy' as well. The event saw a mix of excitement, prayers, and confusion over Trump's new running mate JD Vance. Michigan Republican officials criticized Governor Gretchen Whitmer while Vance challenged Harris's record. Trump portrayed himself as a victim defending the country, with strong support from the crowd. The event featured music by Édith Piaf, Village People, and Kid Rock.

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that Iran is just 'one or two weeks' away from having enough fissile material to build a nuclear weapon. Blinken stated that the withdrawal from the nuclear agreement has significantly shortened the timeline for Iran to acquire the capability to produce this material. He emphasized that while Iran has not yet developed nuclear weapons, the current situation is concerning and closely monitored by the US government. The US continues to prefer a diplomatic approach to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons. The 2015 nuclear agreement between the US, France, Germany, the UK, Russia, and China aimed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. However, in 2018, the US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement, leading Iran to gradually disregard its commitments. Efforts to revive the agreement have been unsuccessful so far. The newly elected Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi, has expressed his intention to revive the nuclear agreement in order to end his country's isolation.

The US government plans to eliminate single-use plastics from all federal agencies by 2035, citing the doubling of plastic production and waste over the past two decades. This decision aims to combat ocean pollution and protect public health. President Joe Biden's administration intends to gradually phase out the use of single-use plastics for catering, events, and packaging by 2027, extending to all federal activities by 2035. As the largest purchaser of goods and services globally, the US government's move could have significant implications for the global markets. In 2022, the Biden administration already banned single-use plastics from national parks in the US. Every year, approximately 15 million tons of plastic, including disposable items such as bottles, food packaging, and bags, end up in the oceans, according to the environmental organization Oceana. They welcomed the new plan by the US government to gradually reduce the reliance on single-use plastics. In November, the final round of UN negotiations on a treaty to reduce plastic waste will take place in South Korea.