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Sunday, May 31, 2026

PSG wins historic back-to-back Champions League title, Anthropic takes bold hiring stance on AI, and Ukraine escalates drone strikes as geopolitical tensions mount across multiple fronts.

20 stories · 6 min read · Updated daily at 6:00 AM PT
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1. Anthropic Bans AI Tools in Job Interviews to Assess Real Candidate Thinking

In a striking hiring move, Anthropic is prohibiting candidates from using AI tools during job interviews to see how they actually think and solve problems. The policy reflects growing concerns about AI dependency and signals that even AI companies are questioning whether AI-assisted thinking represents genuine capability.

Sources: The Decoder

2. PSG Wins Historic Back-to-Back Champions League Title, Defeats Arsenal 4-3 on Penalties

Paris Saint-Germain made European football history by securing a second consecutive UEFA Champions League title, defeating Arsenal in a thrilling final in Budapest that went to penalty kicks. PSG joins an elite group of clubs to achieve back-to-back European crowns, cementing their status as one of the continent's dominant forces.

Sources: France24

3. Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Refinery and Multiple Energy Targets Overnight

Ukrainian forces conducted coordinated overnight drone attacks across Russian territory, hitting the Saratov refinery and multiple other civilian infrastructure targets. The escalating strikes signal Ukraine's ability to project power deep into Russian territory and mark a significant intensification of the conflict as both sides show no signs of military de-escalation.

Sources: Al Jazeera · Reuters via Google News

4. SoftBank Commits €75 Billion to Build 5GW of French AI Data Centers

SoftBank announced plans to invest up to €75 billion to develop and operate 5 gigawatts of additional data center capacity in France, signaling Japan's major tech conglomerate is making a massive bet on AI infrastructure in Europe. The investment underscores the critical importance of data center real estate in the global AI race and France's position as a strategic hub.

Sources: TechCrunch · The Decoder

5. Study: Men Use AI Coding Agents More Than Twice as Often as Women

A new Anthropic study reveals a stark gender disparity in AI tool adoption among developers, finding men use AI coding agents more than twice as frequently as women. The research highlights a growing concern that AI productivity tools may be widening existing gender gaps in tech if women lack equal access, support, or confidence in using these emerging technologies.

Sources: The Decoder

6. Trump Requests Amendments to Iran Nuclear Deal His Envoys Negotiated

President Trump has asked for several amendments to a ceasefire deal his diplomatic team reached with Iran, adding uncertainty to potential peace negotiations. The changes signal Trump's inclination to reshape agreements even after his representatives complete negotiations, raising questions about the stability of any U.S.-Iran accord.

Sources: Axios · Al Jazeera

7. Hundreds Arrested, Dozens Injured in Champions League Final Riots in France

Nearly 800 people were arrested after violent clashes erupted around the Champions League final in France, with 219 people injured including 57 police officers. The incident highlights the persistent security challenges surrounding major sporting events and the risks of fan violence even in supposedly controlled settings.

Sources: BBC World

8. AI Search Agents Often Confirm Existing Beliefs Rather Than Conduct True Research

A new study finds that AI search agents frequently confirm information they already 「know」 rather than conducting genuine web research, raising questions about their reliability for fact-finding tasks. The research suggests current AI agents lack true curiosity or exploratory behavior, potentially limiting their usefulness for discovery and investigation.

Sources: The Decoder

9. Disney Poised to Ramp Ad Business With Major 2027 Deals for Super Bowl, Oscars, Grammys

Disney is aggressively selling advertising inventory for major 2027 broadcasting events including the Super Bowl, Academy Awards, and Grammy Awards, with Global Ad President Rita Ferro leading the charge. The strategy demonstrates Disney's confidence in leveraging its premium content portfolio to capture growing advertising dollars as traditional TV advertising faces headwinds.

Sources: CNBC

10. Colombia Votes in Presidential Election Pitting Petro Allies Against Pro-Trump Candidates

Colombia opened ballots for the first round of its presidential election Sunday, with candidates representing radically different visions for the country's future. The election serves as a referendum on outgoing President Gustavo Petro's leftist policies and reflects broader ideological tensions between progressive and Trump-aligned forces in Latin America.

Sources: France24

11. Intermittent Fasting Triggers Unexpected Brain Changes in New Study of Obese Adults

Research published by Science Daily reveals that intermittent fasting-style diets lead to significant weight loss alongside unexpected neurological rewiring in the gut-brain axis. The study suggests weight loss involves simultaneous metabolic and neurological adaptations, offering new insights into how the brain regulates hunger and satiety during caloric restriction.

Sources: Science Daily

12. Kanye West and Travis Scott Concerts Banned in Italy Over Security Concerns

Italian authorities have banned upcoming concerts by Kanye West and Travis Scott scheduled for July in Reggio Emilia, citing security concerns. The decision marks another high-profile event cancellation involving the two rappers and reflects ongoing controversies surrounding their public personas and safety protocols.

Sources: Variety

13. Malta's Labour Party Secures Historic Fourth Term in Elections Amid Regional Instability

Malta's Labour Party achieved a historic fourth consecutive election victory despite geopolitical and economic headwinds affecting the Mediterranean nation. The result reflects voter confidence in the incumbent government's economic management even as regional tensions and EU policy shifts create uncertainty across Southern Europe.

Sources: Al Jazeera

14. Israel Captures 12th-Century Crusader Castle During Deepening Lebanon Offensive

Israeli forces seized the historic Beaufort Castle, a 12th-century hilltop fortress, during intensified military operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The strategic capture signals Israel's expanding territorial reach and marks a significant escalation in the conflict as ground operations deepen along the Lebanon-Israel border.

Sources: Financial Times

15. Zelensky Expects 「Big Attacks」 from Russia Within 48 Hours, Cites Allied Intelligence

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of imminent major Russian attacks expected within the next two days, based on intelligence shared by U.S. and European allies. The alert underscores the ongoing volatility of the Ukraine conflict and the constant threat of military escalation despite diplomatic efforts.

Sources: The Hill

16. Ontario Researchers Train Lab-Grown Brain Cells to Play Video Game 「Doom」

Australian researchers have successfully trained living lab-grown brain cells cultured on a silicon computer chip to play the classic 1990s video game 「Doom.」 The breakthrough demonstrates that biological neural networks can be interfaced with digital systems and raises tantalizing questions about the potential applications of brain organoids in computing and artificial intelligence.

Sources: Phys.org

17. Trump Administration Proposes NDAs for Federal Workers, Sparking Broad Backlash

The Trump administration's proposal to require federal workers to sign nondisclosure agreements has triggered criticism from diverse groups accusing the White House of attempting to silence its workforce. The move signals growing concerns about government transparency and employee freedom of speech, exposing potential fractures within the administration's coalition.

Sources: The Hill

18. Jennifer Blunt Rejects AI for Spielberg's 「Disclosure Day,」 Says She's Terrified of Technology

In discussing her work on Steven Spielberg's latest film 「Disclosure Day,」 actress Emily Blunt revealed she actively chose not to use AI for specific scenes despite its potential utility. Her decision reflects growing skepticism among creative professionals about AI's role in artistic work and highlights the tension between technological innovation and human creative control.

Sources: Hollywood Reporter

19. Meteor Over Massachusetts Triggers Explosion Reports From New England to Canada

A meteor over Massachusetts caused widespread explosion reports Saturday afternoon, with double booms shaking buildings across New England and reports reaching as far as Montreal. The incident mobilized emergency responders and generated considerable public alarm before scientists confirmed the cause, illustrating how space events can impact densely populated regions.

Sources: Phys.org

20. Love Island USA Drops Islander for Second Year in Row Over Offensive Language

「Love Island USA」 dismissed cast member Vasana Montgomery ahead of Season 8's premiere after social media videos surfaced showing her using a racial slur. The dismissal marks the second consecutive year the reality dating show has removed an islander over offensive language, raising questions about casting vetting processes and diversity within the franchise.

Sources: Variety · Hollywood Reporter

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