France and Spain are racing to contain major wildfires before another period of extreme heat raises the risk of renewed outbreaks, after fires forced hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists to leave threatened communities. Firefighters have made progress against several of the largest blazes, but authorities warn that persistent
The United Kingdom has placed artificial intelligence at the highest level of government decision-making following a major Whitehall restructuring announced last week that dissolved the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and elevated AI Minister Kanishka Narayan to the Cabinet. The move places AI at the center of cross-government
RIO DE JANEIRO — The global fight against HIV has reached a pivotal moment. New data released by UNAIDS at the 26th International AIDS Conference warn that while the world has achieved its lowest levels of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in more than three decades, progress is increasingly
Major U.S. companies are reassessing where they direct their philanthropic investments, with new research suggesting many expect to place greater emphasis on food security, housing, affordability and digital inclusion while reducing attention to some equality- and justice-related initiatives. The findings point to a reordering of corporate philanthropic priorities rather than
The United States carried out another round of strikes across Iran on Friday while attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea heightened concerns over the security of two of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. The latest developments come as military operations continue across multiple fronts and
BILBAO, Spain — Spanish energy company Iberdrola has agreed to acquire an 80% stake in Caruna, Finland’s largest electricity distribution company, in a transaction valuing the business at approximately $5.8 billion, including debt. The acquisition marks one of the company’s largest recent investments in regulated electricity networks as utilities across
Beijing’s first binding renewable generation goal shifts the focus from building clean energy capacity to delivering more renewable electricity—and strengthening the grid’s ability to rely on it. China has announced a legally binding national target to increase electricity generation from wind and solar by 53% by 2030, marking the country’s
A landmark civil nuclear agreement could reshape energy cooperation, nonproliferation policy and Middle East diplomacy—but key questions over enrichment, oversight and regional security remain unresolved. The United States and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark civil nuclear cooperation agreement intended to place American companies at the center of the Kingdom’s
CHENGDU, China — Amid intensifying competition over artificial intelligence, the United States and China have found an unexpected area of agreement. Alongside the 19 other member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, both countries endorsed a ministerial statement recognizing the value of “trusted open-source approaches” to AI development—a
DHAKA — Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned Friday, citing serious health concerns, ending his tenure during the country’s continuing political transition following the 2024 uprising that removed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power. Mohammed Shahabuddin, 76, said he had been diagnosed with autonomic neuropathy, a neurological condition that can
