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The Deadly Drone Strikes in El-Obeid Drone strikes on the central Sudanese city of el-Obeid have killed up to 23 people, officials and a rights group have reported. Both sources reported on Thursday that overnight attacks had killed several people across the key hub in the southern Kordofan region. Details of the Attacks The reports concerned the latest in a series of attacks using unmanned aircraft, illustrating that drone warfare has become an increasingly prominent feature in the conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the military government and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Local rights group Emergency Lawyers said on social media that 23 people were killed and 19 others wounded. Health officials at el-Obeid Hospital said that 15 were killed and more than 10 wounded in the attacks. The Impact of Drone Strikes in Sudan This incident comes less than a week after a drone strike targeted the main market in Abu Zaeima, a paramilitary-controlled town in North Kordofan state, killing at least 11 people and injuring dozens more. The United Nations said in May that at least 880 civilians had been killed in drone strikes nationwide between January and April. The Ongoing Conflict in Sudan Fighting has intensified in recent months in the Kordofan region and Blue Nile state near the Ethiopian border, particularly after the RSF captured el-Fasher last October, the army’s last major stronghold in western Darfur. Kordofan remains a key battleground, linking RSF strongholds in Darfur to army-controlled areas in eastern Sudan, and continues to be fiercely contested. The Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan Now entering its fourth year, the war has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly 13 million others, creating what the UN describes as the world’s largest displacement and hunger crises.

Commanding Start for MexicoMexico kicked off their 2026 World Cup campaign with a dominant performance, defeating South Africa 2-0. The victory was characterized by clinical finishing and a defensive lapse that allowed the Mexican side to control the game from the outset.Jimenez and Quinones Seal the WinRaul Jimenez opened the scoring with a decisive goal.Jesus Quinones doubled the lead shortly after.The goals came at crucial moments, solidifying Mexico's control over the match.South Africa's Nine-Man StruggleSouth Africa faced significant challenges throughout the match, ultimately finishing with nine players. The numerical disadvantage severely hampered their ability to launch a comeback and create meaningful attacking opportunities against a disciplined Mexican defense.Group Stage ImplicationsWith this win, Mexico has taken an early and important lead in the group standings. The performance suggests a team ready to compete aggressively in the tournament, while South Africa will need to regroup quickly to avoid elimination.

The Rise of AI Data Centres and Their Environmental Impact Tech giants are racing to build the infrastructure that powers artificial intelligence, but a growing body of evidence suggests that AI hyperscalers – large-scale cloud service providers like Google, Amazon and Microsoft – are warming the ground around them as well. How Much Energy Do AI Data Centres Use? AI data centres use powerful chips that perform thousands of calculations in parallel and running large models continuously makes them much more energy hungry than typical servers used to browse the web. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), data centres consumed about 415 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity in 2024, about 1.5 percent of global supply, growing at about 15 percent a year over the last five years. The Data Heat Island Effect A study by Cambridge-led researchers found that land surface temperatures around AI data centres rise by an average of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), with some areas recording increases as high as 9C (16.2F). The phenomenon mirrors the urban heat island effect, where concentrated human activity causes cities to run warmer than surrounding rural areas. Data Centre Building Boom The global landscape for AI data centre construction is currently experiencing an unprecedented acceleration, with more than 11,600 data centres active worldwide as of June 2026. Most data centres are located in the United States, which has more than 4,300, followed by Europe, led by the United Kingdom with more than 540 facilities. The Impact of AI Data Centres on Local Communities The resulting temperature increases could place additional pressure on nearby communities by affecting health, energy demand and overall wellbeing. More than 340 million people living within 10km (6 miles) of a data centre could be affected by the temperature increases – an impact researchers described as having a “remarkable influence on communities and regional welfare”.

The Urgent Call for a Pause Anthropic, the company behind the Claude chatbot, is proposing that the world’s top artificial intelligence companies come up with a coordinated way to pause development of advanced AI systems, warning that the technology is improving so quickly that there’s a risk humans would lose control. The Risks of Rapid AI Advancement Anthropic said its internal research institute plans to explore the issue in collaboration with others and “take actions” to help build the systems for a credible slowdown or pause, without being more specific. The company cited rapid increases in how quickly AI models can carry out software tasks like coding on their own. The Data Analysis Anthropic's AI models are getting faster, with rapid increases in how quickly they can carry out software tasks like coding on their own. Based on current trends and given enough computing power, an AI system could be able to design and develop its own successor, in what is known as “recursive self-improvement”. The Impact Analysis Anthropic rival OpenAI argued for a different approach in a report published on Wednesday, saying that “democratic governments — not private companies acting alone — must ultimately determine the rules, safeguards, and accountability mechanisms”. The proposed coordination would let advanced AI labs verify that global rivals have actually stopped or slowed their work. The Prediction Fears that advanced AI systems may get out of human control and cause societal harm have risen as the technology becomes increasingly capable. A coordinated global mechanism is needed to prevent a slowdown in AI development from letting the “least cautious” players catch up and add to pressure on companies and governments as they make tough choices about AI safety.

The Rise of AI Training in India With a smartphone strapped to her head, Indian housewife Nagireddy Sriramyachandra films herself slicing mangoes to train artificial intelligence-powered robots to take on household tasks in the future. Earning 250 rupees ($2.6) for one hour of video, her mundane recordings are invaluable for global tech companies teaching machines how to move like humans in the real world. The 25-year-old is one of a growing army of thousands of AI system trainers in the world’s most populous country. The Importance of Egocentric Data AI chatbots and image generators crunch vast amounts of digital data, but building systems to navigate real-life environments is more challenging. Developers believe that feeding first-person footage, known as egocentric data, into specialised AI models will help robots copy human behaviour. Some AI trainers work at home, others in factories or specialised studios – using video glasses, head-mounted cameras and motion sensors. The Future of Humanoid Robots The humanoid robot market is booming, and as per projections, more than one billion will be in use by 2050, mostly for industrial and commercial purposes. India has positioned itself as a global middleman for the creation, processing and annotation of AI data. “It’s likely that these data collection services will increase,” said digital labour expert Aditi Surie, from the Indian Institute for Human Settlements in Bengaluru, the southern city known as India’s Silicon Valley. The Impact on Informal Workers Alongside the technology’s much-hyped benefits, automation also poses risks. Government think tank NITI Aayog said most discussions around AI and labour “focus on white-collar professionals and predict an almost certain loss of jobs in the segment” without urgent action. “Little attention, if any, is paid to how AI can serve India’s 490 million informal workers, the very people who form the backbone of our economy,” it said in a report released in the run-up to a global AI summit in India this year. The Concerns of Workers For the last decade, 55-year-old Ponni has sat by the roadside in Bengaluru, making flower garlands. She, too, has been paid to have a phone strapped to her forehead. “The next generation … who might have to do work similar to mine, they will face a problem,” Ponni said.

The Shift to Fodder Farming Monduli, Tanzania – When drought wiped out most of her family’s livestock, 30-year-old Nesirkar Loongidong’i, a Maasai mother of four from Selela village in northern Tanzania, found herself with very few options. The dry season had already killed most of their animals. Today, she makes a living growing and selling drought-resistant livestock fodder. “Before I planted fodder, I lost most of our goats. Now, people come from other villages to buy grass, and I can support my children. I don’t fear drought anymore,” Loongidong’i told Al Jazeera. With the income, she has built a house and bought five goats. The Impact of Fodder Farming on Livelihoods Loongidong’i’s story is part of a much larger and fast-growing shift. Across northern Tanzania, Maasai women, part of a community of about 430,000 people, are turning fodder production from a survival tactic into a climate-adaptation business. The work is coordinated by the Pastoral Women’s Council (PWC) and is spreading across pastoral districts. The PWC is a women-led membership organisation working across three northeastern districts, covering more than 28,000 square kilometres (10,810 square miles) and serving about 456,000 people, most of them Maasai pastoralists. The Data Behind Fodder Farming According to Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, at least 306,358 animals, including cattle, goats, sheep, and donkeys, died between September 2021 and January 2022 due to prolonged drought. In Simanjiro district alone, 92,047 livestock were lost, wiping out livelihoods across pastoral communities. In response, the PWC established 10 major grass seed banks across eight villages in Monduli and Longido districts. Today, about 75 hectares (185 acres) are under fodder production, with another 37 hectares (90 acres) expected to be added in the 2025-2026 season. The Future of Fodder Farming For Loongidong’i and many Maasai women, growing fodder is no longer just about surviving difficult seasons. It has become a new beginning, reshaping livelihoods and the place of women in pastoral life. “Now women help bring money into their homes,” she says, “and families are becoming more stable.”

The Lead: Canada Proposes Nationwide Ban on Social Media for Under‑16sThe federal cabinet announced the introduction of the Digital Safety Act (Bill C‑34), which would bar children younger than 16 from using mainstream social‑media services unless those platforms satisfy newly‑defined safety criteria. The move follows growing concerns over online harms and recent litigation involving AI tools.Bill C‑34’s Core Provisions and Safety RequirementsThe legislation outlines a suite of obligations for social‑media companies and AI chatbot providers, including:Identification and mitigation of risks specific to minors.Implementation of age‑appropriate design features such as reduced autoplay, limited endless scrolling, and stronger content‑filtering tools.Mandatory rapid removal (within 24 hours) of non‑consensual intimate images once flagged.Creation of a dedicated digital regulator to enforce standards and issue guidance.Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, emphasized that “the safety of children cannot be an afterthought.”Financial Stakes: Penalties and Economic ImplicationsCompanies that fail to comply could face fines of 3% of global revenue or up to C$10 million (approximately $7.2 million), whichever is higher. The bill also signals a shift in how digital firms calculate risk, potentially prompting costly redesigns of recommendation algorithms and user‑interface elements.Shifting Landscape: How the Ban Could Reshape Digital Habits and Industry PracticesIf enacted, the ban would place Canada alongside Australia, which in December became the first nation to prohibit social‑media access for under‑16s, leading to the deactivation of nearly 5 million teenage accounts. The policy aims to curb anxiety, isolation, and depression linked to excessive platform use, while encouraging in‑person interaction and real‑world skill development among youth.Other jurisdictions—France, Denmark, Poland, and Greece—are monitoring the proposal, with Greece planning a similar restriction for under‑15s starting January 2027.Looking Ahead: Legislative Timeline and Potential Ripple EffectsGovernment officials estimate a year for the bill to clear Parliament and an additional 18 months to establish the digital regulator. Should the act pass, it could set a precedent for stricter digital‑service standards worldwide, prompting platforms to pre‑emptively adopt safer design practices to avoid punitive fines.

South Korea has levied a historic $408 million fine on Coupang for a data breach that compromised the personal information of more than 33 million users, marking the biggest penalty for a leak in the nation’s history.The $408 million Penalty for the Largest Data Breach in South KoreaThe Personal Information Protection Commission announced Thursday that the New York‑listed e‑commerce platform failed to report the breach within the legally mandated 72‑hour window. Chairperson Song Kyung‑hee described the incident as a “lack of safety measures and systems,” not a sophisticated hack, and said delayed notifications left customers unable to mitigate secondary harm.Leak affected > 33 million customers.Fine amount: $408 million (record‑high).Regulator: Personal Information Protection Commission.Coupang plans to contest the fine in court.Financial Fallout: How the Fine Stacks Up Against Past PenaltiesThe sanction dwarfs the previous South Korean record of an $88 million penalty imposed on mobile carrier SK Telecom last year. With Coupang controlling roughly 40 % of the country’s logistics market, the fine represents a significant financial hit, though the company has not disclosed its exact revenue exposure.Regulatory Ripple Effects on E‑commerce and US‑Korea Trade RelationsThe decision arrives amid growing friction between Seoul and Washington. US Republicans have accused South Korean authorities of “discriminatory regulatory actions” against US‑listed firms, while South Korean lawmakers warned of “undue pressure” from US politicians. The breach, traced to a former Chinese employee who stole a security key, adds a data‑privacy dimension to existing trade disputes.What’s Next for Coupang: Legal Challenge and Industry RepercussionsCoupang has issued an apology but maintains that its proactive measures were “not sufficiently reflected” in the regulator’s ruling. The company’s upcoming court challenge will test the robustness of South Korea’s data‑protection framework and could set a precedent for future penalties. Industry observers expect tighter compliance requirements and increased investment in security infrastructure across the region’s e‑commerce sector.

The World Bank's Economic Warning The conflict in the Middle East is set to bring global economic growth to its slowest since the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Bank has warned. In its latest Global Economic Prospects report, published on Thursday, the Washington-based institution cut its global growth forecast for 2026 to 2.5 percent from the 2.9 percent it had predicted in January, citing surging energy prices, rising inflation and higher borrowing costs. Global Economic Impact The report highlights the significant economic costs of the conflict, which is at risk of flaring up again, as the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is tested on both sides. The analysis warns that the outlook could decline further if supply disruptions worsen. Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz – a vital passageway for oil and gas transit – in response to the hostilities launched by the US and Israel has put huge stress upon global energy and other supply chains. Economic Forecasts The World Bank estimates that Brent crude prices — the international oil benchmark — will average $94 a barrel this year, 36 percent above last year’s average. Fertiliser prices are forecast to increase significantly this year, with knock-on effects for food prices. Overall, the closure of the strategic waterway will help to push global inflation to 4 percent this year, a substantial increase from last year’s rate of 3.3 percent. However, the World Bank cautions that global growth could plummet to as low as 1.3 percent this year, should energy supply disruptions worsen, with inflation pushing to 4.4 percent. Developing Countries' Impact The World Bank report also cautions that developing countries are on the front line of the potential impact. In its report, the institution has downgraded its growth forecasts for two-thirds of countries since January. Global growth is expected to improve to 2.8 percent in 2027, but will remain 0.4 percentage points below the average during the 2010s, during which the world economy was recovering from the global financial crisis. World Bank's Response “Developing countries have faced a series of challenges over the last decade,” said Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank Group. “The impact differs by country, but the basic test is the same: protect people and preserve stability today, without giving up on growth and jobs tomorrow.” The World Bank is pledging to assist any developing country experiencing the economic fallout of the Middle East conflict. The organisation says it has set aside up to $60bn to help. It added that if the conflict persists, it can increase its support to $100bn.