Students hold 'Heading to Bankrupt Indonesia' protests against Prabowo's policies

Brussels joins growing list of European cities banning shared e-scooters over safety concerns

The Belgian capital will remove rental e-scooters from its streets from January 2027, citing rising accident rates, pavement clutter and their increasing use by organised crime groups. Shared bikes and e-bikes will remain available instead.

Paying ISIS to Keep a Cement Plant Running: How a Major French Company Financed One of the World's Most Brutal Terrorist Groups

On May 23, 2026, families of victims of ISIS attacks and U.S. military personnel killed or wounded in the fight against the terrorist group demanded access to nearly $778 million paid by French cement giant Lafarge under its 2022 settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice.

‘The Leader’ Director Michael Gallagher and Star Tim Blake Nelson on Why the Story of the Heaven’s Gate Cult Is Relevant Today: ‘When There Is Nothing but Certainty Within a Group, Danger Can Strike’

When director Michael Gallagher was eight years old, 39 people died in his neighborhood in San Diego, California. They were the victims of the infamous Heaven’s Gate cult, who died in a coordinated mass suicide timed with the approach of the Comet Hale-Bopp in March of 1997.

Africa: WHO - Children Under Five Face Highest Risk From Unsafe Food

[Independent (Kampala)] Kampala -- Children aged less than five years face almost three times the risk of illness from unsafe food than older children and adults, according to new estimates released by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Africa: Zimbabwe Hosts AU Commissioner As Harare Prepares for Africa Skills Week 2026

[New Zimbabwe] ZIMBABWE's Education 5.0 philosophy is under review by the African Union (AU) as Harare prepares to host Africa Skills Week 2026 from October 12 to 16 this year.

Viral Dua Lipa wedding photos were AI-generated

A series of fake images purporting to show pop star Dua Lipa celebrating her wedding in the Sicilian town of Palermo have fooled users and even some digital media outlets.

'Ridiculous mindset': Why some fatal road accidents in Malaysia spark racial undertones

The racialisation of road accidents can deepen divisions in a society that is already sensitive to issues of race and religion, experts say.

What if Trump actually seized Kharg Island?

Kharg Island is a small coral outcrop off the coast of Iran that handles around 90% of the country's crude oil exports, making it key to Tehran's economy.

Brains update sensory predictions through single timing hub, electric fish study finds

In the split second after you hear a noise, your brain is already making a potentially life-or-death deduction: Did I do that, or did something else? Our nervous systems answer this question using something called corollary discharge, a copy of a motor command that tells

Africa: Elevate Africa Dangles $25,000 Grants, Launches 2026 Fashion Film Contest to Revive Indigenous Textiles

[Leadership] Elevate Africa has announced the commencement of applications for the 2026 edition of the Threads of Africa Fashion Film Prize, a pan-African initiative aimed at preserving and promoting endangered African textiles, garments and traditional fashion techniques

Gaza residents find brief escape in World Cup opener

Palestinian Territories residents gathered in tents, cafes and makeshift community spaces on 11 June to watch the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, seeking a brief escape from the hardships of war.

The Steam Frame is arriving in the US, suggesting the VR headset's launch isn't far off

Release may be soon, but pricing still remains a mystery.

Africa: Franklin Nechi - Empowering Lives Across Africa

[This Day] From healthcare and women's empowerment to culture, enterprise and global mobility, Optiva Capital Partners is redefining corporate impact in Africa, writes Chiemelie Ezeobi

India summons top US diplomat for second time to protest strikes on ships off Oman, source says

NEW DELHI, June 12 - India summoned the U.S. deputy chief of mission in Delhi on Friday to protest against U.S. military strikes on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman, an Indian source said, the second time in three days New Delhi has expressed its displeasure.

David Hockney, Iconic British Artist, Dies at 88

David Hockney, widely regarded to be one of the most influential contemporary British artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, has died. He was 88. The news was announced by Hockney’s publicist to the BBC. “The celebrated British artist David Hockney, one of the most important

If I had known how incredibly useful a NAS would be before setting one up, I would've done it a lot sooner

I'm running a NAS and loving it.

Self-driving cars to be tested on Portuguese roads from July

From July, Portugal will allow autonomous vehicles to be tested on public roads under a new decree laying down strict rules on safety, insurance and oversight.

Nobody knew what the ref was saying and the internet loved it. World Cup's first meme is alredy here

'Wait, what?': Players were left speechless as the referee explained the VAR decision in an apparent shaky English after a controversial red card.

Africa: South Africa's Bafana Open Campaign With Defeat By Mexico and Two Red Cards

[This Day] One of Africa's 10 representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Africa, kicked off their campaign on a poor note last night, beaten 2-0 by co-host Mexico inside iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

Tony Leung Leads Shanghai Golden Goblet Jury With Open Mind, Vows to Persuade Fellow Jurors

Tony Leung Chiu-wai opened the international jury press conference for the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival’s main competition promising to approach the Golden Goblet selection with an open mind – and, where needed, to argue his case. “Even though the awards process is

The War Against Imagination

The SAIC cracks down on a professor’s thought experiment and the Obama Presidential Center embodies a nostalgic idea of public life.

Latest news bulletin | June 12th, 2026 – Midday

Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this June 12th, 2026 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.

The Top Five Longreads of the Week

Showcasing stories from Sloane Crosley; Zadie Smith; Mark Johnson and Saumya Khandelwal; Todd Kliman; and Sheila Liming.

Senate GOP balks at Trump demand to boost defense funding in third reconciliation bill

Senate Republicans say they are in no mood to back President Trump’s demand that Congress use the budget reconciliation process a third time to provide another $350 billion to the Pentagon. The GOP senators, who just slogged through an overnight 18-hour series of votes last

Lawmakers ramp up scrutiny of political fundraising platforms

Lawmakers are ratcheting up pressure on major political fundraising platforms ActBlue and WinRed as both parties intensify scrutiny of online campaign donations ahead of this fall’s high-stakes midterm elections. Republicans, including top Trump officials, have long alleged

Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff sees presidential chatter grow among Democrats

Ask Democrats what they think about Sen. Jon Ossoff's (D-Ga.) political future these days and they'll likely give the same answer: He needs to win reelection in November first. But as the party searches for younger leaders and a wide-open race for the Democratic nomination

Elon Musk poised to become world’s first trillionaire with SpaceX IPO

Elon Musk is poised to become the world’s first trillionaire with SpaceX’s highly anticipated stock market debut. The world’s richest person, who is currently worth about $790 billion, is expected to see his wealth top $1 trillion once his spacecraft and satellite

Democrats seek next ObamaCare ahead of midterms amid rising health costs

There is growing momentum within the Democratic Party to find its next ObamaCare heading into the midterms, as healthcare costs become more untenable and American anger over affordability persists. Healthcare has consistently ranked as a top issue for voters heading into this

Beijing now sets the agenda for US-China ties: Expert view

Can Trump and Xi’s new ‘constructive’ framework bring stability to the US-China dynamic?

A philosophy of home

The household is a community, as much as the state, and ancient philosophy had much more to say about it than we think - by Sandrine Bergès Read on Aeon

'I was employee number one at SpaceX'

The BBC's Michelle Fleury spoke to Tom Mueller, who was one of the company's founders alongside Elon Musk in 2002.

Ghana’s rich and powerful are building private cities and leaving the state behind

As gated estates, private hospitals, and exclusive clubs multiply, Ghana’s elite are increasingly living in a parallel reality detached from the public systems most citizens depend on.

Playstack sold, Xbox announces business 'reset,' and is generative AI poisoning the well? - Patch Notes #56

Plus: Could an arbitration clause prevent families suing Roblox from taking the company to court?

British artist David Hockney dies aged 88

The British artist David Hockney has died aged 88.

Victims' families mark Air India crash anniversary with prayers and tributes

AHMEDABAD, India, June 12 - Families of the 260 people killed when an Air India Boeing 787 crashed in Ahmedabad a year ago prepared to gather on Friday for prayers and a candlelight tribute to mark the anniversary of the disaster.

Bach in Brussels

Brussels is set to play host to a series of much-awaited four concerts dedicated to Johann Sebastian Bach. They start this Saturday (June 13) and continue on June 20 and 27, and July 4, at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. It is organised by the Ars in Cathedrali

Africa: Africa Needs a Radical Plan to Tackle 15m Youth Job Crisis

[IPS] Addis Ababa -- Africa has no problem with ideas, but the struggle is in how to implement them, leaders said at an inaugural forum convened to promote action on development.

China claims 'spy sea turtles' are studying its coastline

Beijing claims foreign intelligence agencies are attaching tracking and monitoring devices to sea creatures to gather information that could expose weaknesses in China's coastal defences.

Africa: Health Emerges As a Strategic Frontline for Africa Ahead of Bonn Climate Conference

[IPS] Bonn -- Africa contributes the least to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it faces some of the world's most severe climate-related health impacts. Several realities define the continent's climate and health landscape - increased infectious diseases, air pollution,

Ukrainian AI fintech startup chooses Doha as base after securing Qatari backing

GRO, a Ukrainian-founded AI fintech startup, is establishing its base in Doha after securing backing from Qatar's newly launched GrowthX Capital fund.

Myanmar detains US businessman who wrote about military coup, sources say

BANGKOK, June 12 - An American businessman who wrote a book about living through a military coup in Myanmar was detained on his return to the Southeast Asian nation on Thursday, according to two people briefed on the matter.

Russian drone barrage hits Kyiv and Mykolaiv as Ukraine reports major fires

Russian drone strikes hit multiple locations across Ukraine overnight into 12 June, damaging sites near Kyiv and in the Mykolaiv region, injuring one person and triggering a major fire, while Ukrainian air defences said they intercepted most of the 117 drones launched.

'One of the strongest since 1950': What is El Niño and why does it matter?

Forecasters say a newly formed El Niño could become one of the strongest on record since 1950. The climate pattern can influence temperatures, storms, droughts and floods worldwide, with impacts varying from region to region.

Students hold ‘Heading to Bankrupt Indonesia’ protests against Prabowo’s policies

University students marched towards central Jakarta’s iconic Bundaran HI landmark.

Spain inflation stuck at 3.2% for third month, hit by war in Iran

May’s CPI confirms the preliminary INE figures. Transport and holiday packages push prices up, while clothing and food fall. Core inflation rises to 3%.

Inflation stuck at 3.2% for third month as war in Iran weighs on prices

May inflation confirms preliminary INE figures. Transport and package holidays push prices up, while clothing and food fall. Core inflation rises to 3%.

NATO to cut troop numbers in Kosovo amid 'improved security situation'

The cuts are to be carried out "gradually and in line with conditions on the ground," NATO said.