Trade among Geopolitical Rivals: Michele Ruta

Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)

Increased trade integration between economic superpowers shaped our globalized world, but that world we’ve known for the past three decades is becoming increasingly fragmented. What happens to those trade relationships when countries disengage? Michele Ruta is the IMF expert on trade and global imbalances. In this podcast, he says even strategic rivals can benefit from trade cooperation.

Transcript (http://traffic.libsyn.com/imfpodcast/Michele_Ruta-Trade_Cooperation-transcript-IMF_Podcast.pdf) : https://bit.ly/4ebXDW0

Read the article in Finance & Development magazine.

IMF.org/FANDD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMhy_o_bQDc

Press Briefing: 2026 Euro Area Consultations

Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)

Join us on June 11, at 5:45 PM CEST (11:45 AM ET) as IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva presents staff findings from the 2026 euro area annual consultations in Luxembourg.

The discussion will focus on the euro area outlook, inflation pressures, energy-related challenges, and the policies needed to strengthen resilience and growth.

Panelists:
Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, IMF
Moderator: Pierre Mejlak, Global Head of Media, IMF

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R1zFh5_Go4

World Cup Attendance

Source: International Monetary Fund – IMF (video statements)

What does a packed World Cup stadium tell us about the economy? In this episode of The Economy – How Do You Measure That?, Jim Tebrake and Renato Perez explain how spending on tickets, hotels, food, and souvenirs is recorded in national accounts and the balance of payments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0jrlUhzCU0

Middle East, UNIFIL, Sudan & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (11 June 2026) | United Nations

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

Highlights:

– Muscat Plan of Action
– Middle East
– UNIFIL
– Occupied Palestinian Territory
– Sudan
– Uganda/Ebola
– Refugees/Report
– Global Alliance for Human Rights
– WFP Goodwill Ambassador
– International Day of Play
– Financial Contribution

MUSCAT PLAN OF ACTION

At 3:00 p.m. today, in the ECOSOC Chamber, the Secretary-General will deliver remarks at the launch of the Muscat Plan of Action, an initiative aimed at countering hate speech and help prevent genocide and atrocity crimes. The Plan highlights the role of traditional and Indigenous leaders in promoting peace and strengthening social cohesion. It is the result of a collaborative process led by the Sultanate of Oman, the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect, and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, and is co-hosted by the UN Alliance of Civilizations.

In his remarks, the Secretary-General is expected to stress that hate speech is a growing threat to peace and security, and to call for breaking this cycle through education, support for those targeted, and stronger action by governments and technology companies.

MIDDLE EAST

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by continuing escalation in the Middle East, including the strikes by the United States on Iran and the strikes by Iran on neighbouring countries in the Gulf and beyond that are not parties to the conflict and significant increase in hostile rhetoric. 

He urges the parties to return to the full implementation of the ceasefire and avoid any further deterioration, which, as he told the Security Council yesterday, could trigger a full resumption of the conflict, with unpredictable consequences for the region and the world, especially the most vulnerable countries. 

The Secretary-General underscores that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms, in accordance with international law, must be respected. He further calls on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians.

The Secretary-General reiterates that the only way forward is through genuine dialogue and negotiations. 

He calls on the United States and Iran to redouble their efforts towards a peaceful, comprehensive and durable agreement that advances regional and international peace and security.

UNIFIL

Turning to the situation along the Blue Line in southern Lebanon. This morning, a strike impacted near a UNIFIL logistical convoy in the village of Harris, in Sector West. Two Malaysian peacekeepers sustained light injuries and two UN vehicles were damaged. The convoy returned to a nearby UNIFIL base, where the injured peacekeepers are receiving treatment. Their condition is stable. UNIFIL will investigate the incident.

In a separate incident yesterday, an IDF tank fired near a UNIFIL convoy northwest of Bint Jubayl, in Sector West. The convoy took a detour and was able to safely resume its movement.

UNIFIL peacekeepers also observed significant drone activity in the Bayyadah area in Sector West yesterday.

Seven drones were seen flying north, including a reconnaissance-type drone that overflew a UNIFIL position, followed by four-armed drones that flew over the same base at altitudes ranging from 50 to 250 metres. Two-armed drones subsequently crashed in the area, one of them directly in front of the UNIFIL position. There was no damage to UN facilities and no injuries to personnel.

All these incidents are unacceptable. We once again remind all actors of the inviolability of UN personnel and assets. UNIFIL is serving the cause of peace and must be able to carry out its mandate without obstruction.

Meanwhile, UNIFIL peacekeepers yesterday recorded 86 violations of Lebanese airspace by Israel, amounting to more than 128 hours of overflight. They also reported 14 Israeli airstrikes, alongside extensive ground movements and dozens of incidents of indirect fire across the area.

In total, UNIFIL recorded 449 projectile trajectories yesterday. Of these, 431 originated from south of the Blue Line or from within the area of operations in south Lebanon. Eighteen trajectories were observed transiting from north to south, with only one crossing the Blue Line.

On the humanitarian front, UNIFIL facilitated nine humanitarian missions yesterday: eight to Tyre in Sector West and one to Fardis and Hasbaya in Sector East.

Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2026-06-11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPtNw5R3cIs

Gaza’s Fishermen Struggle

Source: United Nations (video statements)

Before the war, Gaza’s fishing sector supported thousands of fishermen and provided a vital source of food for the besieged population. The war has devastated ports, boats, equipment stores, and fishing nets, destroying livelihoods and deepening food shortages across Gaza.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ls1O1NuoEKo

FBI Boston ‘No Drone Zone’ Public Service Announcement

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (video statements)

The FBI Boston Division issued a public service announcement for drone operators ahead of this year’s World Cup.

More: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/boston/news/fbi-boston-warns-drone-operators-of-temporary-flight-restrictions-during-fifa-world-cup-2026

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yilBkH5j_v4

What is ‘Summer Davos’?

Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

Technology is increasingly shaping the world economy.

That’s why more than 1,700 leaders from science, technology, business and government will gather in Dalian, a major innovation hub in north-east China, for the Annual Meeting of the New Champions.

Taking place at the centre of one of the world’s most dynamic technology and manufacturing ecosystems, this year’s ‘Summer Davos’ will explore the ideas and industries shaping the decade ahead.

The theme for this year’s meeting is ‘Innovating at Scale’, and participants will be focused on discussing how new technologies can create resilient, inclusive growth.

Sessions will be livestreamed on our website and you can follow along at #AMNC26.

The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. It provides a global, impartial and not-for-profit platform for meaningful connection between stakeholders to establish trust, and build initiatives for cooperation and progress.

Find out more below:
World Economic Forum Website ► http://www.weforum.org/
YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/wef
LinkedIn ► https://www.linkedin.com/company/world-economic-forum
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#WorldEconomicForum #wef

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LHob9DwpQDo

EU-KOREA Strong partnership

Source: European Commission (video statements)

The European Union and the Republic of Korea held their 11th Summit in Brussels.
The Summit marked a new phase in the EU-Republic of Korea strategic partnership, pushing concrete outcomes to enhance economic resilience, security and defence cooperation, research, and the clean energy transition.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TENHRMjAWZk

President Lagarde presents the latest monetary policy decisions – 11 June 2026

Source: European Central Bank (video statements)

Today our Governing Council decided on monetary policy.

Listen to President Christine Lagarde present today’s decisions. The statement also covers:
• how the economy is performing
• how we expect prices to develop
• the risks to the economic outlook
• the dynamics behind financial and monetary conditions

Published and recorded during our press conference on 11 June 2026.

Our monetary policy statement at a glance, 11 June 2026 www.ecb.europa.eu/press/press_conf…ned_june.en.html

Christine Lagarde, Boris Vujčić: Monetary policy statement, 11 June 2026 www.ecb.europa.eu/press/press_conf…2040d313.en.html

Monetary policy decisions, 11 June 2026 www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/20…41bd5e83.en.html

Combined monetary policy decisions and statement, 11 June 2026 www.ecb.europa.eu/press/press_conf…b4603b5aa.en.pdf

Macroeconomic projections, 11 June 2026 www.ecb.europa.eu/press/projection…ml/index.en.html

European Central Bank
www.ecb.europa.eu/home/html/index.en.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBrYiv83ioo