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Bali’s 1,000-year-old rice fields once worked as a giant water system. Now 6,500 hectares have vanished and locals are buying water
Bali's historic subak irrigation system is under pressure from tourism expansion. Thousands of hectares of rice fields have disappeared, impacting water availability. Increased demand from tourism facilities strains groundwater resources significantly. This loss threatens the subak system and ecological balance on the island. Preserving these terraces is crucial for water security and cultural...
Singapore turned wastewater into drinking water: How Singapore has treated the sewage water into liquid gold through NEWater, achieving a sustainable supply that exceeds World Health Organisation standards
Legal challenge says Trump ICC sanctions tread on US citizens’ rights
Groups charge that sanctions against ICC, Palestinian rights organisations stifle freedom of speech and expression.
South Texas braces for more flooding after US storms strand motorists
Up to 16in of rain fell in some areas as forecasters warn another foot could fall, prompting rescues and road closuresSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailHeavy rains in south Texas have washed out highways and stranded motorists, with forecasters warning that more severe weather could bring dangerous flooding to already drenched counties near the border with Mexico.On Tuesday, storms ...
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George Lucas likens AI sceptics to luddites clinging to horses and carts
Star Wars director calls AI technology ‘the future’ of film-making and says ‘there’s nothing you can do about it’The Star Wars director, George Lucas, has added his voice to the growing chorus of film-makers receptive to the rising use of AI tools in moviemaking.Speaking in an interview with A Rabbit’s Foot, Lucas, 82, said: “Artificial intelligence means it’s much easier for us to make movies.” C...
Bristol declared ‘city of harm reduction’ as Greens seek less punitive drug policy
Councillors pass motion that paves way to setting up drugs-consumption facility where users can be helped and treatedUK politics live – latest updatesBristol has been formally declared a “city of harm reduction”, with local politicians pledging to focus on helping and treating users of illegal drugs rather than punishing them.Green councillors, who lead the city council, said the declaration was a...
Moscow warns that foreign troops in Ukraine would be seen as legitimate targets – Europe live
Members of the pro-Ukraine “coalition of the willing” this week reasserted their desire for such a force after a cessation of hostilitiesMeanwhile, the Kremlin has rejected Lithuanian president’s warnings about a potential Russian attack on critical infrastructure (10:06), dismissing them as “horror stories” intended to “prepare public for further militarisation.”Reuters reported that the Kremlin ...
Dale Vince to get damages from Daily Mail publisher over misleading article
Court of appeal rules Labour donor suffered ‘obvious injustice’ over photo next to the words ‘sex harassment’The green energy entrepreneur and Labour donor Dale Vince is in line to receive damages from the publisher of the Daily Mail after claiming it used his picture to mislead millions of readers.Vince, who has given more than £5m to Labour over several years, took legal action against Associate...
CUHK launches first cross-border clinical trial centre in Nansha
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has set up its first clinical trial centre outside Hong Kong, teaming up with mainland Chinese authorities to strengthen research collaboration and help develop the Greater Bay Area into an international hub for medical innovation. The Greater Bay Area Clinical Trial Centre, located at the Nansha branch of Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, was establishe...
Tripling US union membership would shift $1.2tn to workers annually – report
More density would also narrow racial pay gaps, while a decline in density correlated to surges in wealth inequalityTripling union membership in the US would lead to a 14.5% raise for the median US worker, shifting $1.2tn to workers annually and significantly narrowing racial wage gaps, according to a new report released Wednesday.The report from the Economic Policy Institute notes that union memb...
Iraq’s prime minister carries the title, but not the power
Al-Zaidi’s Washington visit exposed the pressure reshaping Baghdad’s politics, security and economy.
Democratic senator grills Todd Blanche on Trump’s directives in attorney general confirmation hearing – live
Trump’s nominee for attorney general – also his former personal defense lawyer – faces questions from senators as he attempts to take the top justice department roleSign up for the Breaking News US emailDuring his opening remarks, Durbin slammed Blanche for a number of his decisions while both as deputy attorney general and his role as the nation’s acting top prosecutor.He criticized Blanche for h...
Scientists cut climbing vines from a damaged Borneo forest. Its canopy then grew three times faster
Trimming aggressive climbing vines from logged tropical forests can substantially expedite canopy recovery, providing a more economical alternative to new tree planting for ecosystem restoration. Areas where vines were cut exhibited a carbon storage rate three times quicker than those with newly planted trees, as confirmed by laser mapping. Effective vine management promotes forestry sustainabilit...
What DOGE saved, and what it cost
The US government project that slashed foreign aid died on July 4. AJLabs looks at the cost in lives around the world.
Hong Kong woman guilty of throwing faeces onto air con, damaging security camera
A woman accused of splashing excrement onto a neighbour’s air conditioner and damaging their security camera in Hong Kong has been found guilty of criminal damage by throwing offensive matter onto private property. Suen Siu-fong, a 59-year-old housewife, was convicted of both charges at Eastern Court on Wednesday following a trial. The court heard that a security camera had been installed on a 15t...
Expert warns 'European temperatures are warming the fastest'
In this edition, a climatologist talks to FRANCE 24 about our changing weather patterns and their effects on wildfires currently raging across Europe. Dr. Alan Kennedy-Asser, Senior researcher at the University of Bristol, sheds light on the issue against a backdrop of hundreds of French firefighters just managing to contain two fires that have raged across parts of the famous Fontainebleau forest...
For nearly 50 years, China has placed straw grids across its deserts; desertified land is now shrinking by over 1,000 sq km a year, but scientists say the fight is far from over
China's Green Great Wall project has fought desertification for nearly fifty years. Millions of rural laborers have used straw checkerboards and planted saplings. This effort has reduced desertified land and increased forest cover significantly. The program demonstrates a long-term political commitment to environmental restoration. Sustaining these gains requires continued local involvement an...
World Cup final Lamine Yamal: What to know about teenage Spain prodigy
One of the best players in the world, Spain's 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, is gearing up for his first World Cup final.
A look at the history behind England and Argentina's rivalry ahead of World Cup match
England and Argentina are set to face off, with the winner taking on Spain in the World Cup final. The two countries have a long history in both politics and in the sport. Leigh Kiniry reports.
France grapples with 'very worrying' drought after successive heatwaves
Large parts of France are facing water restrictions as the country grapples with a drought described as "exceptionally" early and intense. France has been experiencing its third heatwave in as many months, accompanied by fierce wildfires further fuelled by dry conditions.
Former Obama White House counsel to face House questioning over Epstein ties
Kathryn Ruemmler welcomes closed-door interview and says she had no knowledge of ongoing criminal activityKathryn Ruemmler, who served as White House counsel under Barack Obama, is set to testify on Wednesday before the House committee on oversight and reform about her ties to Jeffrey Epstein as part of the panel’s investigation into the convicted sex offender.Ruemmler came under scrutiny earlier ...
Far-right Israeli lawmaker raids Palestinian school and threatens shutdown
Israel’s education committee head stormed a school in Jerusalem, vowing to shut it down over Palestinian symbols.
Thames Water increases bonus payments to £4m despite uncertainty over future
Annual results show struggling firm’s net debt has risen to £19.7bn, up from £17.7bn a year earlierBusiness live – latest updatesThames Water increased its bonus payouts to £4.1m for senior managers, despite warning over “material uncertainty” over its future as it scrambles to recapitalise to avoid nationalisation.The water company also gave a pay rise to its chief executive, Chris Weston, and dr...
Russian attacks kill eight as Ukraine hits Black Sea oil tankers
Civilian casualties are reported in four Ukrainian regions, while Kyiv hits 20 Russian vessels in the Black Sea.
How ethnic minority students overcame language barriers to score high on DSE exams
For Manaal Khan, the gruelling journey of taking Hong Kong’s university entrance examination was not just an academic challenge but also a linguistic trial. Born in Pakistan and raised in Hong Kong, Khan kept going through her difficult days at secondary school by holding on to her dream of becoming a modern-day Sherlock Holmes by joining the police force. “As a kid, I loved reading Sherlock Holme...