Armenia Boosts Protected Lands & France Fights Heat

Armenia plans to increase its nature preserves from 13 to 20 percent of its territory by 2030, strengthening its commitment to biodiversity. The country is reforming legislation to include a new category of protected landscapes. In France, a court dismissed a complaint filed by the National Rally (RN) municipality of Beaucaire against two independent media outlets, allowing them to continue reporting on alleged discrimination.

Elsewhere, red foxes are regaining ground in French countryside as their role in rodent control gains recognition, though hunting continues. Several positive initiatives are also underway.

In Marseille, childhood friends are using sports and music to steer teenagers away from drug networks. Lyon is expanding its network of cooling centers to protect residents from heat waves.

European institutions are negotiating the creation of a digital euro to reduce reliance on American payment networks like Visa and Mastercard. The UK’s National Health Service will launch a program in 2027 incentivizing citizens to walk 30 minutes daily with rewards.