World News Summary: Displacement, Tesla, and Global Politics

This summary highlights the current state of global affairs, covering topics such as the record number of forcibly displaced individuals, Tesla's $56 billion pay package for Elon Musk, the rising influence of far-right politics among Europe's youth, and various other geopolitical events influencing the world today.

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

UN refugee agency says record 117 million people forcibly displaced in 2023

The United Nations refugee agency on Thursday said the number of people forcibly displaced stood at a record 117.3 million as of the end of last year, warning that this figure could rise further without major global political changes. "These are refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people, people being forced away by conflict, by persecution, by different and increasingly complex forms of violence," said Filippo Grandi, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Musk says Tesla shareholders voting yes for his $56 billion pay package

Tesla shareholders were voting in favor of a $56 billion pay package for Elon Musk and to move the electric vehicle maker's legal home to Texas, the CEO said on social media on Wednesday. "Thanks for your support!" Musk said on his social media platform X late Wednesday. In his post, Musk included charts showing that the resolutions were set to pass, though shareholders are allowed to change their vote up to the start of the annual meeting.

Analysis-How the far-right gained traction with Europe's youth

From Germany and France to Poland and Spain, the far-right made inroads into the youth vote in key states in this EU election - as a generation that has grown up amid constant crises seeks new answers and follows politicians fluent in TikTok and YouTube. Young voters, traditionally perceived to be more left-wing, drove the wave of support for environmental parties at the last EU election in 2019, earning the nickname "Generation Greta" after the young Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

G7 leaders back deal to use interest from Russian assets for Ukraine

Leaders of the Group of Seven major democracies started their annual summit on Thursday, many of them under a cloud at home but determined to make a difference on the world stage as they seek to help Ukraine and counter China's economic ambitions. Heading into two days of talks, diplomats said a deal had been agreed in principle on plans to issue $50 billion of loans for Ukraine using interest from Russian sovereign assets frozen after Moscow launched its invasion of its neighbour in 2022.

Russians told to mobilise to inflict 'maximum harm' on West in response to sanctions

One of Russia's top security officials called on Thursday for Russians to mobilise to inflict "maximum harm" on Western societies and infrastructure as payback for increasingly tough sanctions being imposed on Moscow by the U.S. and its allies. The statement by Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and Vladimir Putin's predecessor as president, came as the West sharply escalated sanctions on Moscow in efforts to degrade its ability to wage war in Ukraine.

Israeli forces thrust deeper into Rafah as diplomacy falters

Israeli tanks advanced deeper into the western area of Rafah, amid one of the worst nights of bombardment from air, ground, and sea, forcing many families to flee their homes and tents under darkness, residents said on Thursday. Residents said the Israeli forces thrust towards the Al-Mawasi area of Rafah near the beach, which is designated as a humanitarian area in all announcements and maps published by the Israeli army since it began its Rafah offensive in May.

Ukraine says without more air cover there won't be enough power for winter

Ukraine needs more air defences within weeks to allow repairs to the half of its power infrastructure destroyed by Russian attacks, or it will not be able to meet demand in the winter, the country's energy minister told Reuters. German Galushchenko said Russia was intensifying its attacks on power systems, making repairs difficult and choking supplies.

Pro-Trump influencers fire up fears of migrant 'invasion' ahead of U.S. election

One late afternoon in mid-May, a half dozen Hispanic day laborers were paid $20 each to parade in front of the White House on camera, holding signs with slogans like "I Love Biden" and "I Need Work Permit for My Family." The stunt was orchestrated by Nick Shirley, a pro-Trump online influencer who often asks migrants on camera if they support Democratic President Joe Biden or think he made it easier for them to come to the U.S.

Palestinian family lives atop rubble of demolished home in Gaza

The al-Kahloot family is living on memories in Gaza after being displaced by Israeli bombardment and then returning to live in a large tent pitched atop the rubble of their home. “We are staying in this tent because this is our place and home. It’s our house, we can’t abandon it, it has our dreams and memories," said Umm Nael al-Kahloot, whose son was killed earlier in the Hamas-Israel war.

Exclusive-Famine watchdog projects 756,000 Sudanese face starvation in coming months

An estimated 756,000 people in Sudan could face catastrophic food shortages by September, according to a preliminary projection used by United Nations agencies and aid groups to determine whether to officially declare a famine. The preliminary results, as of June 1 and seen by Reuters, reflect a rapidly deteriorating situation in the war-torn country. The most recent previous projection, released in December, showed that 17.7 million people, or 37% of the population, faced high levels of food insecurity, but none were considered in a catastrophic situation.