El Niño is here and scientists fear it'll be big, bad and costly with heat, floods, droughts, fires

NOAA has officially confirmed the start of El Niño, which is set to worsen global warming from the burning of fossil fuels.

‘Wednesday’ Shooting Location Romania Looks to Rebuild Trust, Confidence With Revamped 30% Cash Rebate

After pressing pause on its cash rebate program due to outstanding debts and suffering through a prolonged production drought, Romania is finally coming in from the cold, with a revamped incentive scheme that is bolstering the hopes of the domestic industry heading into the

Did Shakira use a body double at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony?

The internet is convinced Shakira was replaced by a double at the 2026 World Cup. We examine the footage to find out what’s really behind the rumour.

Mexico: Tight security and protests surround 2026 World Cup opener

Protesters gathered near Mexico City's World Cup opener on 11 June, while thousands of fans headed to the stadium. Brief clashes broke out as demonstrators approached security cordons around the stadium.

Goblin shark with face ‘not even a mother would love’ seen alive in natural habitat for first time

Elusive creatures have previously only been seen on fishing lines and experts know ‘virtually nothing about them’ Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Rare and eccentric-looking goblin sharks have been seen alive in their deep ocean habitat for the first

Newsletter: EU’s historic migration overhaul enters into force

In this newsletter: Exclusive interviews with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and the European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner.

Sardinian beach bans umbrellas for 10 to 65-year-olds

Visitor access restrictions at Punta Molentis come into effect after 2025 wildfires damaged coastal areas across southern Sardinia.

Tudor Giurgiu on Charting a New Direction in Rollicking Transilvania Film Festival Opener ‘3 Days in September’

A picture-perfect wedding goes horribly awry when the groom’s mistress crashes the festivities, sending the bride-to-be into a tailspin — and toward her ultimate redemption — in “3 Days in September,” the latest from veteran Romanian director and producer Tudor Giurgiu

President approves Digital Qazaqstan national strategy

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev (pictured) has signed a decree approving "Digital Qazaqstan" Nationwide Strategy for Large-Scale Digitalization and Complete Integration of Artificial Intelligence Technologies through 2029, Qazinform News Agency reports, citing the Akorda press

Will IPOs make America’s AI giants more accountable?

A huge change is coming to the world’s booming artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Starting with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, with OpenAI and Anthropic preparing to follow, all three private companies are set to sell shares of their stock to the general public for the first time. These

Margaret Kerry, the Model for Tinker Bell in ‘Peter Pan,’ Dies at 97

She also starred opposite Eddie Cantor in ‘If You Knew Susie’ and on the early ABC sitcom ‘The Ruggles’ and did lots of voice work on cartoons.

Africa: Africa Pushes for Data Sovereignty and Digital Independence

[IPS] United Nations -- From data embassies to AI "factories," policymakers say control over data will define the continent's economic future.

Albania: thousands rally on 12th day of protests against Trump-linked resort

Thousands of protesters gathered in Tirana on 11 June for a twelfth consecutive day of demonstrations against a proposed luxury resort linked to Jared Kushner, warning that the project threatens Albania’s protected Vjosa-Narta wetlands.

A year after deadly Air India crash, families await answers

The Indian authorities are expected to issue an interim report in the coming days.

Israeli air campaign intensifies across southern Lebanon

An early morning strike in Nabatiyeh capped a week of escalating hostilities that saw the US and Iran exchange direct fire. While Israel continues to reject Tehran's demands for a linked ceasefire with Hezbollah, the relentless bombardment has left the southern Lebanese border

Mid-summer heat returns to Spain this weekend with July-like temperatures

Temperatures will rise across Spain on Friday, reaching July-like levels. An easterly wind will batter the Strait with orange alerts and storms inland on Sunday.

Transilvania Film Festival Founder, Industry Head on Growing the International-Facing Program While Staying True to Its Romanian Roots

When Transilvania Intl. Film Festival founder Tudor Giurgiu began sketching the blueprint for the first edition 25 years ago, the then up-and-coming director knew he wanted the country’s first international film event to be more than just a showcase of new Romanian cinema. “I

Working from home in Europe: Why your chances vary so much depending on where you live

A worker's chances of working from home can depend heavily on where they live. Across the EU, people in some countries are 16 times more likely to work remotely than those in others.

Dzeko's last dance could be Bosnia's new beginning

As Edin Dzeko enters the final stage of his career, BBC Sport tells the story of an underappreciated player who survived war to make history for Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Siri won’t be your AI girlfriend

Our early testing has already shown that Siri AI knows when to shut up, and that's very much by design. In an interview with Mostly Human, Craig Federighi said Apple's new Siri won't act all sycophantic like chatbots made by OpenAI, Google, and others. "As you may know, if you

Rare coastal floods now 12 times more likely – human-driven climate change is a major contributor

Since the 1960s, human-caused warming has been the main reason sea levels are rising, new research shows.

Journalist gunned down in Mexico as World Cup kicks off

Mexico is regarded as one of the most dangerous and deadly countries for working journalists, according to Reporters Without Borders.

Frankie Grande Says Celine Dion ‘Peed’ Herself After Ariana’s TV Impression

The pop singer has famously channeled Dion multiple times, including on The Tonight Show

Week in wildlife: a squirrel with a splint, hungry hyenas and a great white shark

This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world Continue reading...

Which countries have the most strikes in the EU?

In the early part of 2026, Europe already became the stage for widespread demonstrations, leaving classrooms empty, flights grounded, and medical appointments missed. So, where have workers raised their voices the loudest?

Who will win the 2026 World Cup? Data points to Spain

The expanded 48-team tournament will feature 104 matches and a new Round of 32 format, making forecasting more challenging than ever. To assess each team's chances, Opta simulated the tournament 10,000 times using team strength ratings, recent performances and historical data.

Transilvania at 25: How the Romanian Festival’s Founders Keep Its Bold, ‘Subversive,’ ‘All-or-Nothing’ Spirit Alive

With memories of Cristian Mungiu’s second Palme d’Or, for the Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve-starring “Fjord,” still fresh just weeks after the director’s latest Cannes triumph, you’d be hard-pressed to recall a time when Romanian filmmakers weren’t feted on world cinema’s

China backs next generation of tech champions as new rules reshape path overseas

Government funding continues to fuel innovation in hubs such as Shenzhen, but tighter controls on outbound investment could add new compliance hurdles for firms with global ambitions.

Taylor Swift Quotes ‘Yellowstone’ Rancher John Dutton During Songwriters Hall of Fame Speech

The star delivered the words of wisdom — accent and all —  as she became the youngest female artist to be inducted into the institution

Guess who's become the youngest woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame?

What a week it's been for Taylor Swift who's celebrating, at 36, becoming the youngest woman to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, just days after watching the New York Knicks complete the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history.

Africa: First Batch of Nigerians Evacuated From South Africa Arrives in Lagos

[Premium Times] The returnees were flown in on a government-arranged evacuation flight operated under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies.

Africa: Top African Referee Omar Artan to Officiate 2026 Uefa Super Cup After Being Unable to Participate in FIFA World Cup 2026

[CAF] Artan has been on the FIFA international list since 2018 and was named CAF Men's Referee of the Year in 2025

Princess Bajrakitiyabha the 'pride of Thailand' dies aged 47 after three-year battle with infection

A vocal campaigner for protecting women from domestic violence and the rights of the accused, had been suffering with mycoplasma infection since 2022.

Commentary: PM Anwar faces leadership referendum in upcoming Johor, Negeri Sembilan state polls

The upcoming state assembly polls in Johor and Negeri Sembilan are fast shaping into Malaysia’s most consequential electoral contests, serving as unintended referendums of PM Anwar’s leadership with far-reaching national consequences, says CNA's Leslie Lopez.

Renew Europe adopts Cork Declaration: A road map for prosperity, security and reform

Renew Europe has adopted its Cork Declaration at the group's study days in Ireland, setting out a political agenda for the coming weeks and months focused on cheaper energy, stronger competitiveness, better investment opportunities for Europeans, institutional reform and

'I was employee number one': SpaceX co-founder reacts to firm's market debut

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

Africa: All of Africa Today - June 12, 2026

[allAfrica]

UK economy contracts as Iran war impact felt

The economy shrank slightly in April as the Iran war began to have an impact on businesses, official data shows.

UK economy shrank 0.1% in April as Iran conflict weighed on growth

U.K. GDP fell 0.1% in April as services activity declined and companies cited pressure from the Middle East conflict.

Bangladesh, India to coordinate patrols on border, share intelligence amid migrant tensions

DHAKA, June 12 - Bangladesh and India have agreed to deepen cooperation along their shared border with improved intelligence sharing and coordinated patrols, according to a joint statement released on Friday, amid strained relations over alleged undocumented migration.

Al Bayader international invests AED 180 million in food packaging hub at National Industries Park

National Industries Park (NIP) has signed an agreement with Al Bayader International to develop a AED 180 million (USD 50 million) integrated manufacturing and logistics hub in Dubai, expanding regional food packaging production capacity by up to 30,000 tonnes annually and

Europe Today: World Cup fever, new EU migration era and the Pope's message to Spain

The biggest-ever World Cup got underway with hosts Mexico beating South Africa and South Korea upsetting the first European team in action. In Europe, the EU's new Migration and Asylum Pact takes effect today, while Pope Leo XIV wraps up his visit to Spain with a special mass

OpenAI opens Madrid office to speed up ChatGPT expansion

The company behind ChatGPT will open an office in Madrid to strengthen its European presence and work more closely with Spanish firms, developers, research centres and institutions.

Vietnam police bust group planning large-scale online scam centre

HANOI, June 12 - Vietnamese police have busted a group suspected of trying to establish a large-scale online scam centre in the country, authorities said on Friday, as criminal networks spread their operations across Southeast Asia.

Meta's AI Spending Looks Insane Until You See What It Is Building

The China collapse that just never arrives

China has been on the verge of collapse for more than 20 years. In 2001, lawyer and commentator Gordon Chang published “The Coming Collapse of China.” The book famously predicted that China’s economic model would fail within a decade. The decade passed. The prediction was

Trump says Iran war deal close as Strait of Hormuz tensions linger

By Parisa Hafezi and Humeyra Pamuk DUBAI/WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) - Hopes grew on Friday for peace between Iran and the United States afterPresident Donald Trump said a deal could be signed as soon as this weekend, even as Tehran said it had not made a final decision on a

Mayor of Istanbul Ekrem İmamoğlu and Oulu and Stockholm win Eurocities Awards 2026

Ekrem İmamoğlu, Mayor of Istanbul, and the cities of Oulu and Stockholm have been announced as the winners of the top prizes at the Eurocities Awards 2026. All of the winners have shown exceptional dedication to strengthening local democracy, accelerating climate action and