UN leadership race: Six candidates for UN secretary-general faced a public town hall in New York, laying out visions for a UN under strain and a fast-approaching selection process. UN justice & accountability: ICC member states gathered to vote on whether to permanently remove prosecutor Karim Khan after misconduct allegations, a decision with major implications for the court’s credibility. Climate action: UN experts urged faster response to methane leaks detected from space, noting only a small share of alerts lead to repairs—while warning that cutting methane can cool the planet within years. Human rights: UN experts called on Iran to halt imminent executions tied to January protests in Isfahan, saying families have already been summoned. Energy & markets: Oil prices surged again above $100 amid renewed Middle East tensions, raising fresh inflation and bond-market stress fears. Trade & policy: South Korea said it will consult the US to keep forced-labour tariff rates at 15% after Washington announced new hikes. Digital governance: Ajman renewed trade licences using agentic AI in a UAE government first, pointing to more automated public services. Local governance & economy: South Africa’s Ramaphosa won a court order pausing the “Farmgate” impeachment process.