The Daily Populous

Thursday June 25th, 2026 day edition

image for France adds 157,000 hectares of protected forest as nature preserves face pressure elsewhere

From the rainforests of French Guiana to ancient woodlands in eastern France, thousands of hectares of forest are gaining new protections.

On Tuesday 9 June, France said it has created seven new biological reserves and expanded two existing ones.

Together, they safeguard an additional 157,000 hectares of forest as it works toward placing 10 per cent of its land under ‘strong protection’ by 2030.

However, the vast majority of that land – around 99.5 per cent – lies in a single reserve in French Guiana, France’s overseas territory in South America.

The new reserves in metropolitan France collectively cover under 1,000 hectares.

France's broader forestry goal is to bring 250,000 additional hectares of forest under protection by 2030 – of which 180,000 hectares are earmarked for French Guiana.

The law eases environmental licensing requirements, expands self-licensing for some projects and fast-tracks developments deemed strategically important. »

Pentagon restores mandatory flu shots for all recruits as boot camp outbreak sickens nearly 300

Authored by apnews.com

The development, confirmed to The Associated Press by a Pentagon official, comes amid a growing, weekslong, flu outbreak at the U.S. Air Force’s boot camp at Lackland Air Force Base that has sickened nearly 300 people.

The new outbreak is “not unusually concerning,” said Dr. Arnold Monto, a flu expert and emeritus professor at the University of Michigan.

“For decades, the military prioritized the health and safety of troops and the public by requiring flu vaccine for recruits. »

Some Game Retailers Refuse to Sell GTA 6 Due to Lack of Disc in Physical Release

Authored by ign.com

Two video game retailers have announced that they will not be selling Grand Theft Auto 6 due to the highly anticipated title not releasing on a disc.

Video Games Plus, a gaming retailer based out of Canada, and an independent gaming retailer known as Loot Box Gaming have both stated that they won't be selling GTA 6.

Rockstar Games confirmed this morning that GTA 6's physical version will not include a disc. »

The Democratic party is being hit by a leftist tidal wave | Ben Davis

Authored by theguardian.com

The Democratic party has been hit by a leftward tidal wave.

The Democratic Socialists of America’s (DSA) down-ballot slate also swept across the board, taking out four incumbent state legislators.

The Democratic electorate has moved radically to the left over the past four years, and this will shape politics this year and for decades to come. »

One of the nation’s largest school districts bans screens for children before 2nd grade

Authored by the-independent.com

The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest school district in the nation, has banned screens for children before they reach second grade.

Under the new policy approved by the school board on Tuesday, there will be no screen time in classrooms from preschool through first grade, and screens in higher grades will be limited.

open image in gallery The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest school district in the nation, has banned screens for children before they reach second grade ( AFP via Getty Images ). »