Thailand to tighten anti-drug measures at airports after Australia-linked smuggling cases

Current screening of airline crew is carried out under the same standards as passenger screening, said the authorities.

Indonesia seizes 3.37 tonnes of cannabis buds intended for vapes

The cannabis was hidden in suitcases and latex boxes.

Africa: World Bank Drops Climate Funding Target, Raising Fears for Africa

[RFI] The World Bank has abandoned its target of directing 45 percent of its financing to projects that help tackle climate change, prompting warnings that poorer countries - especially in Africa - could receive less support to adapt to a warming world.

Even Hideo Kojima is afraid that 'digital data will no longer be owned by individuals' and that access to art that we love 'may suddenly be cut off'

"I would be a have-not. That's what I'm afraid of."

Coffee with a view: Tourists flock to Starbucks overlooking North Korea

Fast-moving wildfire spreads across southern France

Firefighters battle a fast-moving wildfire in Aude, southern France, after flames spread from Hérault and burned more than 800 hectares overnight.

Tavolara glamping: government revokes special economic zone approval in Sardinia, no luxury resort

A luxury resort financed by Brazilian investors was planned, with special economic zone status to bypass landscape and environmental rules. Civic and environmental groups forced the government to revoke the permits, and the regional authority has appealed to the administrative

Record heat wave threatens to dominate America’s 250th celebrations

In today's issue: ▪ Heat wave collides with July 4 weekend ▪ U.S. won’t renew Canada, Mexico trade deal ▪ John Brennan sues DOJ over probe ▪ Lawmakers want Syria off terrorism list A record-breaking heat wave is enveloping much of the country as people across the United States

Cathay Pacific to resume Middle East flights

Côte d’Ivoire floods kill 59 as west Africa endures torrential rains

Authorities say rainy season deadlier, with Ghana reporting 13 dead and floods also hitting Benin, Togo and Nigeria Floods in Côte d’Ivoire have killed 59 people since May, the communication minister told a cabinet meeting in Abidjan. There are fears the toll could further rise

Ready or Not 2 is officially streaming on Hulu

Ready or Not 2 is now on streaming, for all fans of blood, gore, and Samara Weaving

Voyage to the end of the world: floating lab to explore life in Arctic adrift in ice

An eight-month expedition will set off soon from Norway on a mission to find new species before the climate crisis and pollution changes the northern ocean for ever Six scientists and six crew will travel next month to Kirkenes, a remote Arctic town in Norway near the Russian

Temporary protective status workers play critical role in state economy, view US as home, research suggests

Immigrant workers protected by a key humanitarian status make significant contributions to New York state's economy and communities, according to new Cornell University research.

SpaceX may emerge as ultimate blueprint for new wave of mega-cap IPOs

"It would not surprise me at all to see a similar dynamic play out with some of these [IPOs] set to come in the months ahead," the Kathmere Capital CIO says.

Iran thinks it has Trump 'tamed' — will it be proven true?

The lesson should be clear: A peace deal with Iran is not possible as long as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its radical clerics remain in power.

How the Entry-Exit System is becoming a nightmare for Europe's summer travellers

The digital system for checking non-EU travellers’ documents is creating bottlenecks and glitches just as the peak of the holiday season approaches. As queues grow longer and passengers get more frustrated, airlines are calling for the option to suspend the checks in July and

Africa: Nigeria Urges AU to Make Xenophobic Attacks a Top Security Priority

[Vanguard] The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has called on the African Union to place xenophobic attacks against Africans, particularly Nigerians in South Africa, high on its peace and security agenda, insisting that no African should feel

Weird Al Continues To Prove He’s The Best, Refusing To Shill For AI

The singer says he turned down 'a nice pile of money'

Japan warns of floods, landslides in eastern and western areas amid heavy rain

The authorities warned of landslides, flooding and rising rivers.

Rockstar UK employees say the GTA 6 developer's still plagued by gender pay gaps, crunch, and vague bonuses which make them 'as pliable as possible to their boss's whims'

"A fifth of your salary could be withheld without any justification."

Indonesia’s Aceh flogs couple for kissing in TikTok video

The couple was publicly flogged with 21 cane lashes each for kissing in a TikTok livestream.

Plaza Accord 2.0 talk won’t fix anybody’s China problem

TOKYO — Enter German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as the latest to suggest a Plaza Accord 2.0 is needed to knock China’s export competitiveness down to size. Merz argues the yuan is 30% undervalued, accuses Beijing of “flooding global markets” with artificially cheap goods and

India to send minister, governor to Ali Khamenei funeral

NEW DELHI, July 2 - India said on Thursday that its deputy foreign minister and a state governor would represent the country at the state funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

DRC-Rwanda: Why the Gasabo gold refinery is in the US Treasury’s sights

Rwanda’s first gold refinery is now under US sanctions. It is accused of profiting from the illicit extraction of minerals in areas controlled by CRA/M23 rebels in eastern Congo.

Transcript: Trump Shows New Signs of Midterm Panic as Brutal Polls Hit

The following is a lightly edited transcript of the July 2 episode of the Daily Blast podcast. Listen to it here . Greg Sargent: This is The Daily Blast from The New Republic , produced and presented by the DSR Network. I’m your host, Greg Sargent. This week, The New York Times

EU tells Armenia 'you can count on us' as Russia keeps up economic pressure

July 2 (Reuters) - The European Union pledged an additional €18 million in economic support for Armenia on Thursday and liberalised some export rules for its goods as Brussels seeks to shore up support for the South Caucasus country amid Russian trade pressure. Moscow imposed

Onimusha: Way of the Sword release date gets moved forward

Onimusha: Way of the Sword is now releasing on Sept. 4, making it one of the earlier games in 2026's busy period.

Nasdaq 100: Tech Stocks in Focus Ahead of a Critical Jobs Report

Trump-backed truce in Lebanon, key to Iran peace deal, risks new civil war

To reach a more durable peace agreement with Iran and open the Strait of Hormuz, Trump needs Israel to uphold the terms of a deal with Lebanon that Hezbollah says it will block by "any means necessary."

Eight Thai monks killed after 11-year-old driver collides with procession

The group of 35 monks and five lay followers were walking by the roadside when the truck ploughed into them.

'Are we serious about war?': EU defence chief calls on countries to live up to security ambitions

The Defence Commissioner warned that member states cannot bang the drum for a stronger security architecture while cutting the EU budget, and urged spending that matches their new defence ambitions.

Man in Malaysia rapes girl, 8, then tries to buy her silence for $1

The 49-year-old man is to serve 10 years in jail and get 2 strokes of the cane.

Window to control AI is closing and it could widen inequality, UN experts warn

UN warns AI could widen the gap between rich and poor countries in a new report.

Why the expected fight over the North American trade deal never kicked off

The US has confirmed it will not extend the agreement for another 16 years, but stopped short of more dramatic action.

OpenAI floats giving Trump administration 5 percent cut of AI boom

OpenAI has floated giving the US government a 5 percent ownership stake as a way of easing tensions with the Trump administration and blunting mounting public backlash against AI, according to the Financial Times. CEO Sam Altman argued that giving the public a financial

Union workers establish hardship fund to support devs impacted by layoffs

Game developers in the United States and Canada will be able to request up to $5,000 through the fund.

Vatican excommunicates Lefebvrists over unauthorised ordinations

It comes after the controversial ordination of four new bishops carried out without papal approval.

EU border delays 'not bearable' over summer, warns airport boss

Holidaymakers face long waits under the EU's new Entry-Exit System, the head of Berlin's airport says.

Japan deploys bear cameras in mountains as attacks surge

Jars of honey mixed with wine placed at about human-head height are meant to attract the bears.

Beijing identifies pilot killed in crash into city's tallest building

BEIJING, July 2 - The pilot killed when a plane crashed into Beijing's tallest building last Friday was a 66-year-old man surnamed Liu, Beijing's Chaoyang district government said on Thursday, as officials seek to end speculation about the incident.

'Meh': Ex-PlayStation president Shuhei Yoshida weighs in on Valve's Steam Machine after a few hours with it

Suppose it does seem like a decent indie machine.

Why Gen Z are taking mini-retirements

Many young people are choosing to spend money they would otherwise put into a pension, on trips now.

Award-Winning Independent Factual Producer Proper Content Shutters Citing Market Conditions: ‘There Simply Isn’t the Commissioning Risk’

Award-winning factual producer Proper Content is set to shutter amid tough market conditions. Founder David DeHaney, who set up the company in 2016, announced the decision to cease trading and appoint an administrator on Thursday. “This has been a very difficult decision,” says

FOR INSIDERS: Democrats come under attack from within: 'Horrible time to be an incumbent'

The Democratic establishment is coming under renewed attack from progressive candidates and voters who are expressing deep unhappiness with the current party leadership. It's a "throw the bums out" mentality that first surfaced toward the end of the Biden presidency, as

Syrian foreign minister says Syria open to meeting Hezbollah, according to media reports

BEIRUT, July 2 (Reuters) - Syria's foreign minister said during a visit to Beirut on Thursday that Syria was open to meeting the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah "if interests require it", Lebanon's state news agency reported. Asaad al-Shibani met Lebanese government

Iran warns US, Israel against attacks ahead of funeral processions for Khamenei

DUBAI, July 2 (Reuters) - An Iranian military commander warned the United States and Israel on Thursday against any attack on Iran as it prepares for the state funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in airstrikes on the first day of the war.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 release date is almost here

Here's everything you need to remember ahead of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 and how to watch it.

Karl Hess: toward liberty

‘Society, in fact, is neighbourhoods’ – how Karl Hess transformed from a Republican speechwriter into a radical welder - by Aeon Video Watch on Aeon

Breastfeeding linked to longer sleep in babies' first year, study finds

Japanese researchers found that one-year-olds who were breastfed during their first six months slept for longer than those who were formula-fed. One possible explanation is that the nutrients in formula remain largely fixed, while breast milk adapts to a baby's changing