Has Bali’s Melukat ritual turned into a commodified religious ceremony?
With the world in chaos, many travellers are seeking healing experiences during the summer holidays.
World Cup: Why is there a third-place playoff between France and England?
When was it introduced, does it have an impact on the Golden Boot race and what do the managers think?
How World Cup football jerseys became political fashion in Latin America
In both Brazil and Colombia, far-right political movements have coopted the national football team's jersey. But why?
Epstein linked to Israeli ‘deep state’, US intel, says Vance: What we know
In podcast interview, Vance also acknowledges Trump administration 'screwed up' on communications around Epstein files.
US or Iran — Who needs a new truce deal more?
Both sides face pressure points that could make a protracted war painful.
AI chatbots are at risk of spreading government restrictions on online speech, a new study says – AP News
- AI chatbots are at risk of spreading government restrictions on online speech, a new study says AP News
- Are LLMs Stifling Political Speech? An Assessment of How AI Models Protect Free Expression The Oversight Board
- Meta Oversight Board finds top AI models less likely to criticize repressive regimes Reuters
- AI more critical of Western leaders than autocrats, study finds Euronews.com
- When AI mirrors foreign censorship: FIRE statement on Oversight Board AI speech report FIRE | Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
Meloni clears first hurdle for controversial electoral reform – politico.eu
- Meloni clears first hurdle for controversial electoral reform politico.eu
- Italy's parliament backs Meloni's contested electoral reform Reuters
- Giorgia Meloni suffers surprise setback in close vote on Italian electoral reform BBC
- Meloni’s Coalition Begins to Crack Amid Pressure From the Right Bloomberg.com
- Italy’s parliament backs Giorgia Meloni’s contentious electoral overhaul Financial Times
Trump’s Board of Peace drops full Gaza recovery plan in favour of tiny pilot scheme
Revised plan aims to ‘keep something going’ amid fears Netanyahu may gamble on new all-out offensive before Israeli elections
The Gaza recovery plan being pursued by Donald Trump’s Board of Peace (BoP) has shrunk dramatically from an ambitious blueprint for the reconstruction of the whole territory to a small pilot project in the south of the strip.
Even the envisaged pilot scheme – involving a temporary camp for a tiny fraction of Gaza’s 2 million displaced people, with a Palestinian administration, police and a small international security force – is not expected to take shape before the end of the year.
Continue reading...Sudanese minister says war has ‘profoundly reshaped’ nation’s demographics
Sudan faces a population shift as conflict empties areas, burdens cities, and disrupts economic and social stability.
Hong Kong official warns booksellers on security risks after raids – NPR
- Hong Kong official warns booksellers on security risks after raids NPR
- Hong Kong police arrest five over 'seditious' books Reuters
- China Wields Security Laws to Cow Hong Kong’s Once-Free Literary Scene WSJ
- Hong Kong arrests 2 journalists in latest sedition case targeting independent bookstores Committee to Protect Journalists
- Police round up Hong Kong booksellers as China widens crackdown The Washington Post
Key moments from JD Vance sit down with Joe Rogan
Key moments from JD Vance sit down with Joe Rogan
‘Falklands are Argentinian’: Celebrations over England win revive old wounds
The Falkland Islands have been at the heart of a long-running dispute between the United Kingdom and Argentina.
Powerful storm floods hundreds of homes in Russia’s urals
Powerful storm floods hundreds of homes in Russia's urals
Teenager accused of carrying out sabotage actions in Poland for Russia
Polish security services say the aim was to incite ethnic tensions between Poland and Ukraine.
Teenager accused of carrying out sabotage actions in Poland for Russia – BBC
Teenager accused of carrying out sabotage actions in Poland for Russia
Polish security services say the aim was to incite ethnic tensions between Poland and Ukraine.
‘A true miracle of destiny’ – Messi and Lamine Yamal’s incredible first meeting
BBC Sport explores a bond between two world-class footballers from different generations who appear bound by destiny
Volunteer firefighter suspected of starting devastating France forest fire – BBC
- Volunteer firefighter suspected of starting devastating France forest fire BBC
- On the scene of the big wildfire near Paris as Europe faces deadly climate effects NBC News
- Fontainebleau: Birthplace of nature tourism saved by firefighters Euronews.com
- French firefighter taken into custody over suspicions of starting Fontainebleau fire Le Monde.fr
- Macron pledges 'zero tolerance' for arson after spate of fires in France Yahoo
Volunteer firefighter suspected of starting devastating France forest fire
President Macron said there would be no leniency for arsonists, as France - along with much of Europe - deals with a series of unusual heatwaves.
US hosts global meet on ‘far-left terror’: Who’s attending, why it matters
More than 65 countries expected to address 'renewed threats' from 'far-left political violence and terrorism'.