News

Hard Numbers: Fires in French wine country, Sweden gives Turkey a bone, fertilizer emergency, monkeys at risk

Fires in French wine country, Sweden gives Turkey a bone, fertilizer emergency, monkeys at risk
Firefighters embrace as they work to contain a fire in the Gironde region of southwestern France.
REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

10,000: Out-of-control blazes on the outskirts of Bordeaux in southwest France have caused 10,000 people to flee their homes. Dubbed a “monster” wildfire by emergency services, this comes amid a hellish summer in France, where fires have already destroyed thousands of acres of forestry.

14: Sweden has agreed to extradite a Turkish national – previously sentenced to 14 years in prison – who is wanted by Ankara for bank fraud. Indeed, it’s the first such extradition between the two states since Ankara agreed to let Stockholm join NATO on the condition that Sweden hands over at least some alleged terrorists residing in Sweden.

300: The recent resumption of grain exports from Ukraine’s Black Sea port was hailed as a big victory by the UN. But the organization is now turning its attention to the “enormous” fertilizer shortage. Across much of import-reliant Africa, fertilizer prices have shot up 300% since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, causing steep drops in food production at a time when global food prices are sky-high.

10: Monkeypox is spreading globally, and the World Health Organization has issued a stark warning: Stop hurting the monkeys! This comes after at least 10 of the animals were recently abused or killed in Brazil, which has reported more than 2,000 cases of the disease.

More For You

US President Donald Trump participates in an arrival ceremony at Beijing Capital International Airport during his visit to the country, in Beijing, China, on May 13, 2026.
REUTERS/Evan Vucci

Xi Jinping will welcome Donald Trump with lots of pomp and circumstance. The summit, though, will be short on substance.

- YouTube

Ian Bremmer breaks down the complicated reality inside Venezuela after Nicolás Maduro’s removal from power. While the Trump administration sees the operation as a major foreign policy victory, Ian argues the harder challenge is only beginning; turning Venezuela into a stable economy and a representative democracy.

Noam Bettan from Israel with the song "Michelle" are on stage at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) during rehearsals for the first semi-final on May 12, 2026, in the Stadthalle.
Jens Büttner/dpa via Reuters Connect

Even Eurovision cannot escape geopolitics, South Africa’s constitutional court opens door to Ramaphosa impeachment vote, Zelensky’s former right-hand man accused in corruption probe