France adds 157,000 hectares of protected forest as nature preserves face pressure elsewhere

France aims to protect an additional 250,000 hectares of forest by 2030, including 180,000 hectares in French Guiana.

Social media on trial: Four important cases to watch

Social media firms face thousands of lawsuits, the BBC looks at four which could be significant.

From welder to wealthy: SpaceX IPO could make thousands of employees millionaires

The stock market debut of Elon Musk's AI and space company could make thousands of SpaceX employees significantly wealthier, including some of the firm's lowest-paid staff.

Could AI transform mental health research? New study tests whether LLMs can simulate human emotions

AI language models can mimic human emotional states, opening new doors for mental health research, according to a new study.

Millions of homes in London, Essex and Kent at risk of sinking as climate crisis worsens

Analysis pinpoints areas most vulnerable to hotter, drier weather causing ground to shrink and drag foundations down Millions of homes are at risk from climate-related subsidence, according toan analysis by the British Geological Survey (BGS). As hotter, drier summers driven by

Why Kenya’s Finance Bill is triggering public anger, again

Kenya is once again grappling public outcry over the new Finance Bill 2026, with President William Ruto’s administration proposing more taxes that will likely increase the financial burden on ordinary Kenyans who are already faced with a cost-of-living crisis.

US and Iran trade attacks for a second day, undermining shaky ceasefire

By Ahmed Tolba, Enas Alashray and Bo Erickson DUBAI/WASHINGTON, June 11 (Reuters) - The United States and Iran traded air attacks on Thursday for a second straight day, with President Donald Trump vowing further strikes if Tehran does not immediately agree to a peace deal. The

East African ministers to unveil budgets amid Iran cost shocks, debt strains

By Duncan Miriri and Elias Biryabarema NAIROBI/KAMPALA, June 11 (Reuters) - Finance ministers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will present their 2026/27 budgets to parliament on Thursday, with investors focused on how they will shield their economies from cost shocks linked to

In ageing South Korea, AI dolls care for the elderly

Hyodol was created as a grandchild-like companion designed to "love its users unconditionally".

Africa: Beyond Ports - China Embeds Itself in African Maritime Networks

[ACSS] China's growing integration in Africa's maritime infrastructure presents opportunities and risks, requiring strategic management by African governments to preserve autonomy, diversify partnerships, and advance the public interest.

AI robot cleaners leave the lab for China’s living rooms

Such services are largely a data-gathering exercise for companies and a novelty for curious customers.

Africa: South Africa Calls for Accelerated Implementation of Disability Rights Convention

[SAnews.gov.za] Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, has called on States Parties to accelerate the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), and ensure the

One in a million: Half-red, half-yellow apple draws crowds to New Zealand store

The chimera apple has become something of a local celebrity.

Africa: When Will an African Team Win the FIFA World Cup?

[This Day] "If there's something I want to see before God takes me to heaven or hell it would be great to see an African nation win (the World Cup), because this is a tournament that we all love passionately in Africa."

Trump’s new tariff offensive puts Indonesia in the firing line

Global trade has once again been shaken by a dramatic shift in US protectionist policy, and Indonesia is once again in the crosshairs. The change has been driven by a series of targeted investigations conducted under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, a domestic legal

Family of British toddler speaks as Australian inquiry into cold case murders begins

NSW inquiry will also examine whether notorious serial killer Ivan Milat was responsible for more murders.

Africa: World Cup 2026 - the Real Story of the Resilient African Migrants Reshaping Global Football

[The Conversation Africa] Global football body Fifa is branding the World Cup 2026 - and global football in general - as a celebration of inclusivity and diversity. It's presented as a harbinger of peace and hope, and even somehow a saviour of African migrants who drown while

Africa: Do Aid Cuts Fuel Violent Conflict in Africa? How to Promote Peace

[The Conversation Africa] The last 18 months have seen a historic decline in development aid budgets from various donor countries, in a period where many of them are earmarking more funds for rearmament. The biggest waves have been made by the abrupt and massive reduction in

Africa: Ai Regulation in Africa - Why Copying the European Model Won't Work

[The Conversation Africa] Mauritius set out its national AI strategy in 2018, the first by an African country. Since then over a dozen African states have adopted national AI policies of some sort or another.

Africa: Washington Is Treating Africa As a Target, Not a Partner - - and Africa Knows It

[African Arguments] Frank Garcia has just been confirmed as Washington's top Africa diplomat. His appointment tells African governments everything they need to know about how little they matter to this administration.

Africa: African Security and a Financial Architecture in Retreat

[African Arguments] African security is conventionally analysed in terms of armed groups, peacekeeping, and counterterrorism. However, what increasingly shapes the political order African states can build is none of these. It is the rate at which states borrow money, in an

Africa: 'Avoid Using the Term' - Oxfam in Africa Retracts LGBTQ Censorship Guide

[The New Humanitarian] Bangkok -- "Oxfam in Africa has departed from the values that govern the Oxfam Confederation."

Ong Ye Kung: Start at home to quell growing unease over globalisation

Spike Lee, Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Larry David, Timothée Chalamet and More Watch New York Knicks Pull Off Biggest Comeback in NBA Finals History

It was a who’s who on the sidelines of Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks fronted a miraculous comeback against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. NYC staples like Spike Lee, Larry David, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfeld, David Zaslav, Timothée Chalamet,

US and Iran trade strikes for second day, threatening return of all-out war

The new US assault across multiple Iranian cities came as efforts to negotiate an end the war again appeared stuck, with Iran insisting it would maintain its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global energy supplies and sent oil prices higher.

Four days of rain slashed population of world's rarest orangutans, study says

Climate change-induced weather events are pushing orangutan populations to extinction, says a study.

Vietnam’s Vingroup forges ahead with ‘world’s largest stadium’ despite demand doubts

The company faces broader pressures from its financial liabilities.

Vietnam's Vingroup forges ahead with 'world's largest stadium' despite demand doubts

HANOI, June 11 - Vietnam's Vingroup is accelerating construction in Hanoi of what it says will be the world's largest stadium, betting that future demand will emerge to make the 135,000-seat venue financially viable over the long term.

Xbox CCO Matt Booty says he's seen The Elder Scrolls 6, 'it looks amazing, and it's coming along well'

I want to believe.

Outcry in Indonesia after police find toddlers tied up at daycare centre

Police found most of more than 100 children enrolled at the centre with their hands and feet tied up when they raided it in April, the head of child protection at Yogyakarta's police criminal investigation unit, Apri Sawitri, said in an interview with Reuters.

UNHCR says fewer people displaced worldwide in 2025 but long-term refugee crisis persists

By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA, June 11 (Reuters) - The number of people displaced worldwide by conflict and persecution fell in 2025 for the first time in a decade, but levels of refugees facing long-termdisplacement remain unacceptably high, a U.N. refugee agency report said on

Trump lauds Armenia PM's 'decisive' election win in face of Russian pressure

June 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday for his Civil Contract party's 'decisive victory' in weekend elections. Pashinyan's party won 49.8% of votes from Sunday's ballot, enough to secure a parliamentary

Trump’s Cuba strategy is economic genocide

Cuba has been under a US trade embargo since the Eisenhower administration, although it was President John F. Kennedy who implemented a comprehensive embargo on all trade with Cuba. And while every subsequent administration has tried since to cause pain and suffering to the

Message drift: Why things get taken out of context online and why it matters

You are scrolling through your feed when a screenshot appears showing a public figure saying something surprising or controversial. Within minutes, it is everywhere. Some are angry, others defend it, memes parody it, and arguments spread across platforms.

Acclaimed Tamil filmmaker Bharathiraja dies at 84; Rajinikanth, Vijay, Radikaa and others pay tribute

The filmmaker behind landmark films such as 16 Vayathinile and Muthal Mariyathai is widely credited with reshaping Tamil cinema.

Trump calls on Republicans to pass third reconciliation bill that includes Save America Act

President Trump on Wednesday endorsed a third $350 billion reconciliation bill, urging Congress to “IMMEDIATELY” pass it with the Save America Act included. “I am hereby calling on Republicans in Congress to IMMEDIATELY advance and pass the forthcoming $350 Billion

South Asia monsoon risks both floods and drought: Experts

Experts said stronger early warning systems were needed.

Behind the threats: Erdoğan's plan for a new Turkey-led regional order

Erdoğan wants to sway negotiations between Lebanon and Israel while promoting his vision for the 'day after.' The Turkish leader is seeking to link Syria to Lebanon and aims to advance his goal of freeing regional states from their absolute security dependence on the United

Rollins knocks down Grassley's suggestion of vaccine for screwworms

Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) urged Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to create a vaccine for New World screwworms on Wednesday after the parasite infestation returned to the US for the first time in 60 years. Grassley said he’d spoken to Rollins about

The case against enhanced US intelligence sharing with Israel

Buried deep inside a 192-page intelligence authorization bill is Section 622, titled “United States-Israel Intelligence Sharing Enhancement.” It would require the president, acting through the director of national intelligence and as necessary the secretary of defense, to

Wu-Tang Clan Hit the Court for NBA Finals Halftime Show: ‘Knicks in 5’

The Staten Island natives were a much welcome spark as the Spurs entered the third quarter with a huge lead

Pathogenic fungus transmitted by domestic cat scratches is present in wild animals

The fungus that causes sporotrichosis is typically transmitted among cats and results in serious lesions. Recently, it was found in the internal organs of wild animals. The study was published in March in the journal Mycopathologia.

Trump demands $350B Pentagon infusion, elections overhaul in next party-line GOP bill

The president is seeking to kick-start a legislative effort just starting to take shape on Capitol Hill.

Thai court to rule in long-delayed Bangkok bombing case

Two Uyghur men stand accused of planting a bomb at the popular Erawan Hindu shrine.

Researchers develop a new anti-jellyfish floating buoy

Researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and the University of Alicante have developed a new anti-jellyfish floating buoy that helps prevent these creatures from reaching the coast, thereby reducing the risk of stings among bathers.

China lures foreign patients with cutting-edge, cheap medical care

China is pushing to reshape its image from a manufacturing hub to a provider of high-value services.

Air India crash report delayed due to unfinished engine examination